
Book- . \.J 5 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



/- 



THE STUDENT'S CHAUCER 



SKEAT 



j^p<im 



THE STUDENT'S 



BEING 



^ Compfete (Ebitton of ^xb ^oxU 

EDITED 

F/^OAI NUMEROUS MANUSCRIPTS 
BY THE 

REV. WALTER W. SKEAT 

UTT.D., I.L.D., PH.D., M.A. 

ELRINGTON AND BOSWORTH PROFESSOR OF ANGLO-SAXON IN THE 

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE 




MAC MI LEAN AND CO. 

AND LONDON 
1895 

All rights reserved 



f 






\ 



Copyright, 1894, 
By MACMILLAN AND CO. 



Norfaooli ^rtaa : 
S. Gushing & Co. — Berwick & Smith. 
Boston, Mass., U.S.A. 



AMPLISSIMO PHILOSOPHORVM 

ACADEMIAE FRIDERICIANAE HALENSIS 

CVM VITEBERGENSI CONSOCIATAE ORDINI 

CVIVS EX DECRETO 

DIE III. M. AVGVSTI A. MDCCCXCIV 

QVO DIE SACRA BISAECVLARIA VNIVERSITATIS 

SOLEMNITER PERAGEBANTVR 

AD GRADVM DOCTORIS HONORIS CAVSA 

PROVECTVS SVM 

HVNC LIBRVM GRATO ANIMO ' 

D. D. 



CONTENTS 



Introduction : — page 

Life of Chaucer vii 

Writings of Chaucer and Early Editions xii 

Brief Account of the Grammar, Metre, Versification, and Pro- 
nunciation xiv 

Romaunt of the Rose: Fragment A i 

Fragment B i8 

Fragment C 59 

The Minor Poems: — 

I. An A. B. C 79 

II. The Compleynte unto Pite 81 

III. The Book of the Duchesse 83 

IV. The Compleynt of Mars 97 

V. The Parlement of Foules loi 

VI. A Compleint to his Lady iii 

VII. Anelida and Arcite . 113 

VIII. Chaucers Wordes unto Adam 118 

IX. The Former Age 118 

X. Fortune ............ 119 

XL Merciles Beaute 121 

XII. To Rosemounde : A Balade 121 

XIII. Truth "122 

XIV. Gentilesse 122 

XV. Lak of Stedfastnesse 123 

XVI. Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan 123 

XVII. Lenvoy de Chaucer a Bukton 124 

XVIII. The Compleynt of Venus 125 

XIX. The Compleint of Chaucer to his Empty Purse .... 126 

XX. Proverbs 126 

XXI. Against Women Unconstant 127 

XXII. An Amorous Compleint (Compleint Damours) .... 127 

XXIII. A Balade of Compleynt 129 

XXIV. Womanly Noblesse 129 



VI 



Contentg. 



BOETHIUS DE CONSOLATIONE PHILOSOPHISE 

Troilus and Criseyde .... 

The Hous of Fame 

The Legend of Good Women 
A Treatise on the Astrolabe 
The Canterbury Tales: — 

Group A. The Prologue 

The Knightes Tale 
The Miller's Prologue 
The Milleres Tale . 
The Reeve's Prologue 
The Reves Tale . 
The Cook's Prologue 
The Cokes Tale . 



Group B. Introduction to the Man of Law's Prologue 

The Prologue of the Marines Tale of Lawc 

The Tale of the Man of Lawe 

The Shipman's Prologue 

The Shipmannes Tale . 

The Prioress's Prologue 

The Prioresses Tale 

Prologue to Sir Thopas 

Sir Thopas . 

Prologue to Melibeus . 

The Tale of Melibeus . 

The Monk's Prologue . 

The Menkes Tale: -Lucifer. Adam. Sampson. Hercules 
Nabugodonosor. Balthasar. Cenobia. De Petro rege 
Ispannie. De Petro Rege de Cipro. De Barnabo de Lum- 
bardia. De Hugelino. Nero. De Oloferno. De Rege 
Anthiocho. De Alexandre. De lulio Cesare. Cresus 

The Prologue of the Nonne Prestes Tale 

The Nonne Preestes Tale 

Epilogue to the Nonne Preestes Tale 

Group C. The Phisiciens Tale 

The Prologue of the Pardoneres Tale 

The Pardoneres Tale 



PAGE 
130 

206 

326 V 

349 
396 



419 
430 
457 

459 
467 
468 
474 
474 

475 
476 

477 
492 
492 
498 
498 
502 
502 
505 
505 
530 



531 
542 
543 
551 

551 
556 
558 



Contents, 



Group D. The Wife of Bath's Prologue 
The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe 
The Friar's Prologue 
The Freres Tale . 
The Somnour's Prologue 
The Soinnours Tale 

Group E. The Clerk's Prologue . 
The Clerkes Tale . 
The Merchant's Prologue 
The Marchantes Tale . 
Epilogue to the Marchantes 'I'ale 

Group F. The Squieres Tale 

The Wordes of the Fianklin 
The Franklin's Prologue 
The Frankeleyns Tale . 

Group G. The Seconde Nonnes Tale . 

The Canon's Yeoman's Prologue 
The Chanouns Yemannes Tale 

Group H. The Manciple's Prologue 
The Maunciples Tale . 

Group I. The Parson's Prologue . 
The Persones Tale 



PAGE 

565 
576 
581 
582 

587 



596 
597 
612 
613 
6i27 

628 
636 
637 
637 



649, ;*.' 
657 ' 
659 

669 
670 

674 
675 



» 



Appendix: Variations and Emendations 



719 



Glossary jo Chaucer's Works' 



Glossary to FRAnMEMs D and C of the Romaunt of the Rose 



133 



INTRODUCTION. 



LIFE OF CHAUCER. 

Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London, about 1340 (not 1328, as was formerly 
said). His father was John Chaucer, citizen and vintner of London, and his mother's 
name was Agnes. His grandfather was Robert Chaucer, of Ipswich and London, who 
married a widow named Maria Heyroun, with a son Thomas Heyroun. John 
Chaucer's house stood in Upper Thames Street, beside Walbrook, just where that 
street is now crossed by the South-Eastern Railway from Cannon-street Station. Here 
it was that the poet spent his earliest days, and in an interesting passage in his Par- 
doneres Tale (lines 549-572), he incidentally displays his knowledge of various wines 
and the ways of mixing them together. 

John Chaucer, the poet's father, was in attendance on Edward III. in 1338, and this 
connexion with the court led to his son's employment there, some years afterwards, as 
a page in the household of Elizabeth, wife of Lionel, duke of Clarence, the third son of 
Edward III. In the household accounts of this princess, mention is made of various 
articles of clothing and other necessaries purchased for ' Geoffrey Chaucer' in April, 
May, and December, 1357, when he was about seventeen years old. In 1359 he joined 
the army of Edward III. when that king invaded France, and was there taken pris- 
oner. In May, 1360, the peace of Bretigny (near Chartres) was concluded between the 
French and English kings. Chaucer had been set at liberty in March, when Edward 
paid 16/. towards his ransom. 

1367. We can only conjecture the manner in which he spent his life from hints 
given us in his own works, and from various notices of him in official records. To 
consider the latter first, we find, from the Issue Rolls of the Exchequer, that a life-pen- 
sion of 20 marks was granted by the king to Chaucer in 1367, in consideration of his 
services, as being one of the valets of the king's household. During 1368 and part of 
1369 he was in London, and received his pension in person. In October, 1368, his 
patron, Prince Lionel, died, and it appears that Chaucer's services were consequently 
transferred to the next brother, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster. 

1369. In the autumn of 1369, the year of the third great pestilence of Edward's 
reign, Blanche, the first wife of John of Gaunt, died at the early age of twenty-nine. 
Chaucer did honour to her memory in one of his earliest poems, entitled 'The Deth of 
Blaunche the Duchesse.' 

1370-1373. From 1370 to 1386, Chaucer was attached to the court, and employed 
in frequent diplomatic services. 

In December, 1372, being employed in the king's service, he left England for Genoa, 
Pisa, and Florence, and remained in Italy for nearly eleven months, but we again find 



X lEntrotnuction. 

him in London on November 22, 1373. This visit of his to Italy is of great importance, 
as it exercised a marked influence on his viritings, and enables us to understand the 
development of his genius. 

1374. His conduct during this mission to Italy met with the full approval of the 
king, who, on the celebration of the great festival at Windsor on St. George's day 
(April 23) in 1374, granted our poet a pitcher of wine daily, to be received from the 
king's butler. On May 10 of the same year, Chaucer took a lease of a house in Aid- 
gate, for the term of his life, from the Corporation of London ; but he afterwards gave 
it up to a friend in October, 1386 ; and it is probable that he had ceased to reside in it 
for a year or more previously. On June 8, 1374, he was appointed to the important 
office of Comptroller of the Customs and Subsidy of Wools, Skins, and Leather, for 
the port of London ; and a few days later (June 13) received a life-pension of 10/. 
from the duke of Lancaster for the good service rendered by him and his wife Philippa 
to the said Duke, to his consort, and to his mother the Queen. This is the first 
mention of Philippa Chaucer as Geoffrey's wife, though a Philippa Chaucer is men- 
tioned as one of the Ladies of the Chamber to Queen Philippa, on September 12, 
1366, and subsequently. It has been conjectured that Chaucer was not married 
till 1374, and that he married a relative, or at least some one bearing the same name 
as himself; but this supposition is needless and improbable; there is no reason why 
the Philippa Chaucer mentioned in 1366 may not have been already married to the 
poet, who was then at least 26 years of age. 

1375. In 1375 his income was increased by receiving from the Crown (Novem- 
ber 8) the custody of the lands and person of one Edmond Staplegate, of Kent. This 
he retained for three years, during which he received 104/. ; together with some smaller 
sums from another source. 

1376. On July 12, 1376, the king granted Chaucer the sum of 71/. 4.f. 6(f., being the 
value of a fine paid by one John Kent for shipping wool without paying the duty 
thereon. Towards the end of this year, Sir John Burley and Geoffrey Chaucer were 
employed upon some secret service, for which the latter received 6/. 13?. ^d. 

1377. In February, 1377, Chaucer was employed on a secret mission to Flanders, 
and received for it, in all, the sum of 30/. In April he was sent to France, to treat 
for peace with king Charles V.; for this service he received, in all, the sum of 
48/. 13s. 4^. On June 21, king Edward III. died, and was succeeded by his grandson, 
Richard II. 

1378. In January, Chaucer seems to have been employed in France. Soon after- 
wards, he was again sent to Italy, from May 28 to September 19, being employed on 
a mission to Lombardy, to treat with Bernabo Visconti, duke of Milan; to whose 
death (in 1385) the poet alludes in his Monkes Tale (11. 3589-3596) , where he describes 
him as — 

' Of Melan grete Barnabo Viscounte, 
God of delyt, and scourge of Lumbardye." 

Before leaving England on this business, Chaucer appointed his friend John Gower, 
the poet, as one of his agents to represent him in his absence. 

1380. By deed of May i, 1380, one Cecilia Chaumpayne released Chaucer from a 
charge which she had brought against him, ' de raptu meo." We have no means of 
ascertaining either the nature of the charge, or the circumstances of the case. 

1382. We have seen that Chaucer had been appointed Comptroller of the Wool 



3Ltfe of dLijauux. xi 

Customs in 1374. Whilst still retaining this office, he was now also appointed Comp- 
troller of the Petty Customs (May 8, 1382). 

1385. In February, 1385, he was allowed the great privilege of nominating a per- 
manent deputy to perform his duties as Comptroller. It is highly probable that he 
owed this favour to ' the good queen Anne,' first wife of king Richard II.; for, in the 
Prologue to the Legend of Good Women, probably written during this period of his 
newly-acquired freedom from irksome duties, he expresses himself most gratefully 
towards her. 

If we may trust the description of his house and garden in the Prologue to the 
Legend of Good Women, probably composed in the spring of 1385, it would appear 
that he was then living in the country, and had already given up his house over the 
city gate at Aldgate to Richard Forster, who obtained a formal lease of it from the Cor- 
poration of London in October, 1386. We learn incidentally, from a note to the 
Envoy to Scogan, 1. 45, that he was living at Greenwich at the time when he wrote that 
poem (probably in 1393). And it is highly probable that Chaucer's residence at Green- 
v/ich extended from 1385 to the end of 1399, when he took a new house at Westminster. 
Thi« supprmition agiees well with various hints that we obtain from other notices. 
Thus, in 1390, he was appointed (with five others) to superintend the repairing of the 
banks of the Thames between Woolwich and Greenwich. In the same year he was 
robbed at Hatcham (as we shall see below), which is near Deptford and Greenwich. 
And we find the singular reference in the Canterbury Tales (A 3907), where the Host 
suddenly exclaims — 'Lo! Grenewich, ther many a shrewe is inne ' ; which looks like 
a sly insinuation, on the Host's part, that Greenwich at that time contained many 
' shrews ' or rascals. Few places would serve better than Greenwich for frequent obser- 
vation of Canterbury pilgrims. 

1386. In this year Chaucer was elected a knight of the shire for Kent, in the 
Parliament held at Westminster. In August, his patron John of Gaunt went to Spain ; 
and during his absence, his brother Thomas, duke of Gloucester, contrived to deprive 
the king of all power, by appointing a regency of eleven persons, himself being at 
the head of them. As the duke of Gloucester was ill disposed towards his brother 
Jolm, it is probable that we can thus account for the fact that, in December of 
this year, Chaucer was dismissed from both his offices, of Comptroller of Wool and 
Comptroller of Petty Customs, others being appointed in his place. This sudden 
and great loss reduced the poet from comparative wealth to poverty; he was 
compelled to raise money upon his pensions, which were assigned to John Scalby on 
May I, 1388. 

In October of this year (1386), there was a famous trial between Richard Lord 
Scrope and Sir Thomas Grosvenor, during which Chaucer deposed that he was ' forty 
years of age and upwards, and had borne arms for twenty-seven years.' He was, in 
fact, about forty-six years old, having been born, as said above, about 1340. More- 
over, it is probable that he first bore arms in 1359, when he went with the invading 
army to France. This exactly tallies with his own statement. 

1387. In this year died Chaucer's wife, Philippa ; to this loss he alludes in his 
Envoy to Bukton. It must have been about this time that he was composing portions 
of his greatest poem, the Canterbury Tales. 

1389. On May 3, Richard II. suddenly took the government into his own hands. 
John of Gaunt returned to England soon afterwards, and effected an outward recon- 
ciliation between the king and the duke of Gloucester. The Lancastrian party was 



^.. IntroTJUction. 

nr .nrl rhaucer was appointed Clerk of the King's Works at 
now once more in power, and ^hau^r was app ^^^^^^^ ^ 

Westminster on July 12. at a salary of ^. a day (more 

at the least). or^nnintpH Clerk of the Works at St. 

1390. In this year. Chaucer was ^'^ ^^'J*^^^^^ ,\ ",, repair the banks 
George's Chapel at Windsor, and was put on .^ Comm.ss.o P 

of th! Thames between Woolwich -d Greenw-^ ^" fn SmuS L' the King 
year, he was allowed the costs of P-»'"f ^Jf ^^en Ice there in May. This 
and Queen to view the t°"--'--^;;f;^'^'„^,/h7dof conducting a tournament 
helps to explain the mmute account of the "^^ J°^ ° ^^^,^ ^, had been 

which we meet with in the Knight's T^'^-^J" f' P^f Rj^if^rd Brittle) of North 

hi""- . • Kv rhaucer to his prose Treatise on the Astrolabe, 

1391. This is the date given ^ Ch^^J ^^te^j^ of whom nothing more is 

which he compiled for the use ^^ ^'^ j'"'^^°^ ^^J ' At this time, for some 

known; and it is supposed that ^^ f f^^ . ^.^^^^^^Y™ 

unknown reason, the poet unfortunately lost his a^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^.^^ ^^ ^,. 

1394. m February of this y^^--. C^aucj ^«^^^^^ ^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^.^^ 

a year for life ; nevertheless, he ^^^^^^'l^lYu^oZ i^orn his pension. 
Jaking applications for the advance no^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^J^^^^ ,, ^,,,,h 

1398. In this year or he preced ng, Easter Term, he was sued 

for a debt 01 i4'' ^•'' *'■'*• 

his life-time. herame king of England, and Chaucer ad- 

^^^ssr::^rt^sp.ch^cer.^^^^^ 

nLster^Abbey (Historical J\f .^J-™^:"!^ ; October .5. Hoo; in the second 
1400. The traditional date of Chaucer saea ^ewly-acquired house at 

year of Henry IV. His death doubtless -k Place - h^s y^_ ^^ ^.^ ^^^.^^^ 

Westminster -. and he attained to ^^J^^ ^,^^ y^.^g; and there is no evi- 

nothing is known. His ' little J j^^'^^P °^, ^ Thomas Chaucer whose great- 
dence earlier than the reign ^^'^J^ was declared heir to the throne by his 
grandson, John de la Pole. Earl of Lincoln, w ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^ ^^„ f 

uncle. Richard III., in 1484, was Chaucer s son^ J^',^ fi„d early and undoubted 
great wealth, and of some --^'find twever that Thomas Gascoigne, who wrote 
Evidence as to his parentage. We ^^^^J^'^'J^;^ „ .^e poet in these words :---Fuit 
a Theological Dictionary, and died m ^458. reters ^^(^^^^3 utur in Nuhelm 

•dim Chfwserus pater Thomae Chawseru a™ gen^ q^ ^^^ ^^^^^^_^.^^^ ^ 
:r:f°oXd,?nrSr cVau^rLd he. tl. manor of Ewelme. at no 



Btiitions of Ctaucer. xv 

Of the Wretched Engendring of Mankind ; mentioned in the Legend, Text A, 
I. 414; and partly preserved in scraps occurring in the Man of Lawes Tale, B 99-121, 

421-7, 771-7. 925-931. "35-41- 

Man of Lawes Tale (in its original form) ; partly translated from Nicholas Trivet. 

J277_8i. Translation of Boethius. 

1379? Complaint of Mars. — M. P. IV. 

1379-83- Troilus and Criseyde ; (partly from Boccaccio's II Filostrato and Guido 
delle Colonne's Historia Troiae ; containing three stanzas from Palamonj. 

Wordes to Adam (concerning Boethius and Troilus). — M. P. VIII. 

The Former Age; chiefly from Boethius, Book II. met. V. — M. P. IX. 

Fortune; containing hints from Boethius. — M. P. X. 

1382. Parlement of Foules (containing six stanzas from Palamon). — M. P. V. 

1383-4. House of Fame ; containing hints from Dante ; unfinished. 

1385-6. Legend of Good Women ; unfinished. 

1386. Canterbury Tales begun. 

1387-8. Central period of the Canterbury Tales. 

1389, &c. The Tales continued. 

1391. Treatise on the Astrolabe ; chiefly from Messahala ; unfinished. 

1393? Compleint of Venus. — M. P. XVIII. 

1393. Lenvoy to Scogan. — M. P. XVI. 

1396. Lenvoy to Bukton. — M. P. XVII. 

1399. Envoy to Compleint to his Purse. — M. P. XIX. 

The following occasional triple roundel and balades 7nay have been composed 
between 1380 and 1396 : — Merciless Beautfe. — M. P. XL Balade to Rosemounde. — 
M. P. XII. Against Women Unconstaunt. — M. P. XXI. Compleint to his Purse 
(except the Envoy). — M. P. XIX. Lak of Stedfastnesse. — M. P. XV. Gentilesse. — 
M. P. XIV. Truth. — M. P. XIII. Proverbes of Chaucer.— M. P. XX. 

EDITIONS OF CHAUCER. 

Several of Chaucer's Poems were printed at various times by Caxton and others, 
but the first collected edition of his works was that edited by W. Thynne in 1532. 
This was reprinted, with the addition of the spurious Plotoman's Tale, in 1542 ; and 
again, about 1550. Later editions appeared in 1561 (with large additions by John 
Stowe) ; in 1598 (re-edited by Thomas Speght), second edition, 1602, and reprinted in 
1687. Still later editions were the very bad one by Urry, in 1721, and the excellent one 
by Tyrwhitt, of the Canterbury Tales only, in 1775-8. These editions, excepting 
Tyrwhitt's, have done much to confuse the public as to the genuine works of Chaucer, 
because in ihem a large number of poems, Some known (even by the editors) to be by 
Lydgate, Gower, Hoccleve, and Scogan, together with others obviously spurious, were 
carelessly added to works by Chaucer himself ; and many erroneous notions have 
been deduced from the study of this incongruous mixture. 

It must suffice to say here that most of the later editions, since the publication of 
Tyrwhitt's remarks on the subject, reject many of these additional pieces, but still 
unadvisedly admit the poems entitled The Court of Love, The Complaint of the Black 
Knight, Chaucer's Dream, The Floiver and the Leaf and The Cuckoo and the Mightin- 
gale. Of these. The Complaint of the Black Knight is now known to be by Lydgate ; 
The Flower and the Leaf cannot be earlier than 1450, and was probably written, as it 



xvi Kntiotiuction. 

purports to be, by a lady ; whilst The Court of Love can hardly be earlier than 1500, 
and Chaucer's Dream (so called) is of still later date. Nothing but a complete igno- 
rance of the history of the English language can connect these fifteenth-century and 
sixteenth-century poems with Chaucer. The only poem, in the above set, which can 
possibly be as old as the fourteenth century, is The Cuckoo and the Nightingale. There 
is no evidence of any kind to connect it with Chaucer; and Professor Lounsbury 
decisively rejects it, on the internal evidence. It admits a few rimes (see p. xxii) such 
as Chaucer nowhere employs. 



GRAMMATICAL HINTS. 

The following brief hints contain but a minimum of information, and include 
nothing that should not be extremely familiar to the student. 

Observe that, in Chaucer's English, the final syllables -e, -ed, -en, -es, almost always 
form a distinct and separate syllable, so that a large number of words had then a 
syllable more than they have now. Unless this rule be observed, no progress in the 
study is possible. In particular, always sound this final -e (like the a in China) at the 
end of a line. 

Final -e is elided, or slurred over, when the next word begins with a vowel, oris one 
of certain words beginning with h, viz. (i) a pronoun, as he ; (2) part of the verb 
have ; (3) the adverbs heer, how ; (4) mute h in honour, houre. In a similar position, 
final -er, -en, -el, -y are slurred over likewise; thus^^^^^-^w is really ^^^'« in 1. 291I. 

Final -e is sometimes dropped in a few common words, such as were, were, hadde, 
had, wfllde, would. 

Middle -e- is also sometimes dropped, as in havenes, pronounced (haavnez), 1. 407. 
But trew-e-ly (481) is trisyllabic. 

The reasons for sounding the final -e,-en, -es, as distinct syllables, are grammatical. 
These endings represent older inflexions, mostly Anglo-Saxon ; and were once, in 
fact, essential. But, in Chaucer's time, they were beginning to disappear, and many 
are now lost altogether. 

Final -e. The various sources of the M.E. (i. e. Middle-English) final -e are, 
chiefly, these following. 

1. The A.S. (Anglo-Saxon) sb. ended in a vowel. Thus A.S. har-a, a hare, became 
M.E. har-e (191). 

2. The A.F. (Anglo-French) sb. ended in a vowel which was formerly sounded. 
Thus A.F. melodi-e (four syllables) is M.E. melody-e (four syllables, 9). 

3. The dative case often ends in -e, especially after the prepositions at, by, for, in, of 
on, to. Thus rot-e (2) is the dative case of root, a root. We even find the form of an 
oblique case used as a nom. case, owing to confusion. Thus A.S. hwelp, a whelp, 
makes the dat. hwelp-e ; Chaucer has whelp-e as a nominative (257). 

4. The forms hell-c (so in A.S.) , sonn-e (A.S. sunn-an) are genitives ; see Book Duch. 
171 ; A 1051. Similarly -y represents a genitive suffix in lad-y, 88, 695. 

5. The definite form of the adjective (i. e. the form used when the def. art. the or a 
possessive or demonstrative pronoun precedes it) ends in -e. Ex.: the yong-e, 7. 

6. The adj. pi. ends in -e ; as smal-e, 9. 

1 The numbers referto the lines of The Prologue to the Canterbury lales; see p. 419. 



(grammatical ^iuts. xvii 

7. Even the adj. sing, may end in -e ; as sjv'ct-e (5) , from A.S. swete, sweet, in which 
the final -e is essential. So also trcwe, from A.S. ireoive ; 531. 

8. Verbs: the infinitive and gerund (with to) end in -e?i or -e ; as higinn-e, 42; for 
to rys-e, 33. 

9. Strong verbs: the pp. (past participle) ends in -en or -e ; as y-ronft-e, 8. 

10. Weak verbs: the pt. t. (past tense) ends in -ede, -de, -te,-e ; as say-de,yo. Some- 
times in -ed, as prov-ed, 547. Observe lakk-e-de, 756; lov'de, 97; ivet-te, 129; went-e,']^. 

11. Verbs: various other inflexions in -^« ox -e. Thus slep-en, 3 p. pr. pi., 10; 
wer-en, i p. pt. pi., 29 ; gess-e, i p. pr. s., 82 ; smert-e, 3 p. pr. s. subj., 230, &c. 

12. Adverbs and prepositions may end in -en or -e ; as abov-en, 53 ; about-e, prep. 
158, adv. 488. 

Final -en. The suffix -en usually denotes either (i) the pi. sb., as hos-en, j^^b; 
{2) the infin. or gerundial infin. of a verb, as to wend-en, 21 ; (3) the pp. of a strong 
verb, as holp-en, 18; (4) the pi. of any tense of a verb, as wer-en, i p. pt. pi., 29; (5) 
a prep, or adverb, as abov-en, 53. 

Final -es. The final -es denotes either (i) the gen. sing., as loid-es, 47; (2) the 
pi. sb., as skour-es, i; or (3) an adverb, as thry-es, 562. But the gen. of lady is lady ; 
and oi fader \s fader. And the plural may end in -s, as \n palmers, 13. 

The student should endeavour to make out, in every case, the reason for the use of 
final -e, -en, or -es. He will thus acquire the grammar. The above hints explain most 
cases that can arise. 

Further notes. Some neuter sbs. do not change in the plural, as hors. pi. 
liors, 74. So also ncet, sheep, swyn, yeer. 

Comparatives end in -er, as grett-er, adj., 197; or -re, as fer-re, adv., 48. Super 
latives, in -est, occasional def. form -est-e, as best-e, '2Z^'2. Pronouns : tho, those ; this, 
pi. thise, these; thilke, that; like, same. Atte, for at the. Ye, nom. ; yow, dat. and 
ace, you. ///>, their (also her); hem , \k\e.xr\.. //«, his, its. H'^/i;//^, what sort of, 40; 
what, i. e. 'why,' 184; That . . . he, who, 44, 45; who so, whoever, 741. Alen, one, 
with a sing, verb, as nieti smoot, one smote, 149. 

Verbs. Verbs are distinguished as being weak or strong. In the former, the pp. 
ends in -ed, -d, or -t ; in the latter, in -en, or -e. 

A simple rule is this. In weak verbs, the pt. t. ends in -ede (rarely -ed), -de, -te, -e, 
so that the final -e is here extremely common, but it does not appear in the pp. ; 
conversely, in strong verbs, it is the pp. that ends in -en or -e, which never appears in 
the first or third person singular of the past tense. Ex. went-e, 3 p. pt. s., 78, is 
a weak past tense ; cla-d, 103, is a weak pp. Conversely, y-ronn-e, 8, is a strong pp. ; 
sleep, 98, is a strong pt. t. The prefix y- (A.S. ge-) can be prefixed to any pp., and 
makes no difference. 

Strong verbs usually shew vowel-change; thus bigan (44) is the pt. t. of biginnen. 
But note that this is not a sure guide; for rangh-te (136) is the pt. t. of rcch-en, to 
reach, and is weak. Slep-en, to sleep, pt. t. sleep, is strong. 

In strong verbs, the vowel of the past tense is changed, sometimes, in the plural. 
Thus the pt. t. sing, of ryd-en, to ride, is rood, 169 ; but the pi. is rid-en, 825. The pp. 
is also rtd-en, 48. 

The usual formulae for the conjugation of verbs are as follows. 

Present tense. Sing, -e, -est, -eth (-th) ; pi. -en or -e. 

Past tense ; weak verbs. Sing.-^^c {-de or -ed), -de,-te, -e (in persons i and 3); 
-edest, -dest, -test, -est (2 person). Plural, -eden, -ede, -de, -den, -ten, -te, -e (all persons). 

b 



XVlll 



Entrotjuction. 



Past tense ; strong verbs. Sing, indie, tto suffix (in persons i and 3) ; -e, occa- 
sionally (2 person). Sing. subj. -e (all persons). Plural of both moods: -en, -e. 

Imperative. Sing. 2 person: no suffix (usually); -^ (in some weak verbs). 
Plural, 2 person: -eth, -ik ; (sometimes -f). 

Infinitive : -en, -e. The gerundial infinitive has to or for to prefixed, and often 
denotes purpose. 

Participles. Present : -ing, often -inge at the end of a line. Pp. of weak verbs : 
-ed, -d, -t. Pp. of strong verbs : -en, -e. 

N.B. We find the contracted form bit, for biddeth, in the 3 p. pr. s. indicative, 187. 

Similar contractions are common ; hence hit means ' hideth ' ; rit means ' rideth ' ; 
sit, ' sitteth ' ; /ft, ' leadeth,' B 1496 ; &c. 

Formation of Past Tenses. The form of the pt. t. of a weak verb depends'fcn 
the form of its stem. There are three classes of such verbs. 

1. \nhn.-ien; pt -ede {-de) , or -ed. 'Ihus iov-ien,io \ove; pt.t. tov-ede {pronounced 
luvda), or lov-ed (luved). Compare lakk-e-de, 756; though the infin. is lakk-en. 

2. Infin. -en; pt. t. -de, -te, or sometimes (after d or /) -e ; without vovvcl-change, 
except such as is due to contraction. Ex. her-en, to hear, pt. t. lier-de ; k'ep-en, to 
keep, pt. t. kep-te ; led-en, to lead, pt. t. lad-de (short for Iged-de). Cf. went-e, went. 

3. Infin. -en, with a modified vowel in the infinitive, the root-vowel appearing in 
the pt. t. and pp. Thus the root SOK (cf. Gothic sokjan, to seek) appears in the 
A.S. pt. t. soh-te, pp. sbh-t, M.E. sogkt-e, sogh-t ; but the b becomes e (as in K&.fbt, 
foot, pi. /^/, feet) in the infin. sec-an, M.E. sek-en, E. seek. Cf. tell-en, pt. t. tol-de ; 
tech-en, pt. t. taugh-te. 

N.B. The pp. of a weak verb results from the pt. t. by dropping -e (unless it has 
been dropped already) ; thus pt. t. tol-de gives pp. tol-d. 

Strong verbs. The seven conjugations of strong verbs are given in my Princi- 
ples of Etymology. I take as representative verbs the following : fall, shake, bear, give, 
drink, drive, choose. A more usual order (tliough it makes no real difference) is 
I. drive, 2. choose, 3. drink, 4. bear, S.g'ive, 6. shake, 7. fall. 

The ' principal parts ' are: (a) the infinitive; (b) the past tense, singular ; (c) the 
pt. t. pi. ; (d) the pp. 

1. 'Drive.' Here Chaucer has: (a) ryd-en, to ride; (b) rood; (c) rid-en ; (d) 
rtd-en. So also byt-en, bite, rys-en, rise, shyn-en, shine, shryv-en, shrive, smyt-en, smite, 
7vryt-en, write i. I here write/ to denote long i. 

2. 'Choose.' As: (a) i-^M-f«, to seethe ; {y) seeth ; {c, d) sod-en. 

3. 'Drink.' As: (a) biginn-eii ; (b) bigan ; (c) bigonnen ; (d) bigonnen. So also 
dniiken, ginnen, rinnen, to run, singen, springen, swinken, to toil, winnen, delven, 
fighten (pt. t. <,.faught), helpen, kerven, thresshcn. 

4. ' Bear.' As : (a) ber-en ; (b) bar ; (c) ber-eii ; (d) bnr-en. So also breken, sheren, 
stelen. Comen has : (b) com ; (c) com-cn ; (d) corn-en. 

5. 'Give.' As: {a) yev-en,yiv-en ; {h) yaf ; {c) y'ev-en ; (d) yiv-en. Ho a.\so geten 
(pp.geten); speken {pp. spoken). 

6. 'Shake.' As: (a) bak-en ; (b) book; (c) bbk-en ; (d) bak-en. So 2.\i,o drawen, 
shaken, shaven, stonden (pt. t. stood), taken, sweren (pp. swor-e). 

7. 'Fall.' As: {a.) fall-en; {h) fil ; {o) fill-en ; {d) fall-en. So holden,p{.\. held ; 

1 Chaucer's Prologue does not contain specimens of all the parts of the verbs mentioned. 
Thus sethen only occurs in the infinitive (383) ; however, the pi. t. seetlt occurs elsewhere, viz. in 
the Clerkes Tale, E 227. 



iJJletre. xix 

let-en, pt. t. leet ; slep-en , pt. t. sleep; blowen, grb-wen, know-en, pt. t. blew, &c. ; xvep-en, 
pt. t. weep; goon, pp. y-goon, y-go, 286. Compare the complete list of strong M.E. 
verbs, in Specimens of English, ed. Morris and Skeat, pt. i. 

Anomalous Verbs. Among these note the following. Been, ben, are. Imper. 
pi. beeth, beth, be ye. Pp. been, ben, been. 

Can, I know; pi. connen ; pt. t. coude, knew, could: pp. couth, known. Dar, 
I dare; pt. t. dorste. May, I may; pi. jnowen ; subjunctive, tnowe, pi. mowen. Moot, 
I must, I may, he must, he may ; pi. nibten, mote ; pt. t. moste. Oglite, ought. Shal, 
pi. skullen, shut; pt. t. sholde. Witen, to know; woot, wot, I know, he knows ; pi. 
witen (correctly; but Chaucer also \\'a.s ye zuoot); pt. t. im/^, knew ; pp. wist. Wil, 
wol, wole, will; pi. wolen, wilen ; pt. t. wolde. Thar, needs; pt. t. thurte. 

Negatives. Nan,iov neatn, am not; nis, for ne is, is not; nas,was not; nere, 
were not ; tiadde, had not ; nil, will not ; nolde, would not ; noot, I know not, he 
knows not; tiiste, knew not; ne . . . ne, neither . . . nor, 603. Double negatives, 
70, 71, lS:c. 

Adverbs. End in -e, as d?p-e, deeply ; or -ty, as subtil-ty ; or -e-ly, as trew-e-ly, 
truly ; or -en, e, as bifor-en, bifor-e ; or in -es, as thry-es, thrice. Ther, where, 547 ; 
ther as, where that, 34. 

Prepositions. YxiAxn -en,-e,-es ; &c. 7i7, for ^c, before a vowel. M^^M adjoins 
its verb; 791. 

METRE. 

Chaucer was our first great metrist, and enriched our literature with several 
forms of metre which had not been previously employed in English. These he 
borrowed chiefly from Guillaume de Machault, who made use of stanzas of seven, 
eight, and nine lines, and even wrote at least one Compleint in the 'heroic' 
couplet. 

The metre of four accents, in rimed couplets, had been in use in English long 
before Chaucer's time ; and he adopted it in translating Le Roman de la Rose (the 
original being in the same metre), in the Book of the Duchesse, and in the House of 
Fame. 

The ballad-metre, as employed in the Tale of Sir Thopas, is also older than his 
time. In fact, this Tale is a burlesque imitation of some of the old Romances. 

The four-line stanza, in the Proverbes, was likewise nothing new. 

But he employed the following metres, in English, for the first time. 

1. The 8-line stanza, with the rimes arranged in the order ababbcbc ; i. e. with the 
first line (a) riming with the third (a), and so on. Exx. A. B.C. ; The Monkes Tale; 
The Former Age; Lenvoy to Bukton. 

1 b. The same, thrice repeated, with a refrain. Ex. (part of) Fortune; Compleint 
to Venus ; Balade to Rosemounde. 

2. The 7-line stanza, with the rimes ababbcc ; a favourite metre. Ex.x. Lyf of 
SeintCecyle; Clerkes Tale ; Palamon and Arcite; (part of) Compleint to his Lady ; 
An Amorous Compleint ; Compleint to Pit6 ; (part of) Anelida ; The Wretched 
Engendring of Mankind ; The Man of LawesTale ; (part of) The Compleint of Mars; 
Troilus and Criseyde ; Wordes to Adam ; (part of) The Parlement of Foules ; (parts 
of) The Canterbury Tales ; Lenvoy to Scogan. 

2 b. The same 7-line stanza, thrice repeated, with a refrain. Exx. Against Women 

b 2 



*S 



XX Entrotiuction. 

Unconstaunt; Compleint to his Purse; Lak of Stedfastnesse ; Gentilesse ; Truth. Also 
in the Legend of Good Women, 249-269. 

2 c. The 7-line stanza, with the rimes ababbab. Ex. (part of) Fortune. 

3. Terza Rima. Only a few lines ; in the Compleint to his Lady. 

4. The lo-line stanza, aabaabcddc. In the Compleint to his Lady. 

5. The 9-line stanza, aabaabbab. Only in Anelida. 

5 b. The same, with internal rimes. Only in Anelida. 

5 c. The same as 5, but thrice repeated. Only in Womanly Noblesse. 

6. Two stanzas of 16 lines each; with the rimes aaabaaab ■ bbbabbba. Only in 
Anelida. 

7. The 9-line stanza, aabaabbcc. Only in the latter part of the Compleint of Mars. 

8. The roundel. In the Parlement of Foules ; and Merciless Beaut6. 

9. The heroic couplet. In the Legend of Good Women and parts of the Canter- 
bury Tales. 

10. A 6-!ine stanza, repeated six times ; with the rimes ababcb. Only in the Envoy 
to the Clerkes Tale. 

11. A lo-line stanza, aabaabbaab. Only in the Envoy to the Compleint of Venus. 

12. A 6-line stanza, ababaa. Only in the Envoy to Womanly Noblesse. 

13. A s-line stanza, aabba. Only in the Envoy to Compleint to his Purse. 

The following pieces are in prose. The Tale of Melibeus. The Persones Tale. 
The translation of Boethius, De Consolatione Philosophiae. The Treatise on the 
Astrolabe. 

VERSIFICATION. 

Some lines drop the first syllable, and the first foot contains one syllable only ; 
as : Ging | len in, &c. 170. 

Many rimes are double, as cloistre, oistre, 181 ; Rom-e, td me, 6yi ; non-es, noon is, 523. 
Always sound final -e at the end of a line. Rimes may be treble, as apotkec-dr-i-es, 
letii-dr-i-es , 425 ; so at 11. 207, 513, 709. Compare the Grammatical Hints. 

Caesura. The caesura, or middle pause, allows extra syllables to be preserved. 
Tnus, at 1. 293, we have : — 

For him was 16ver — hav" dt his b^ddes h6ed. 
The pause gives time for the -er, of lev-er. Similarly, we may preserve the -er of 
deliv-er, 84; -e in mof-e, 98; -e in curteisy-e, 132; -ie ( = >») in car-ie, 130. 
Compare also : — 

With-6ut-e bak-e met-e — was nev'r his hous ; 343. 
ThAt I no drop-e — ne fill' upon hir brest; 131. 

The syllables -er, -en, -el, -ed, before a vowel, or h (in he, &c.) , are light, and do not 
always count in scansion ; see 11. 84, 291, 296, 334, &c. Cf. ma \ ny a breem \ ; 350. 
Read the lines deliberately, and remember the old pronunciation. 

Accent. Variable, in some words; cf. miller, 545, with the archaic trisyllabic 
viil-ler-e, 541. Also, in French words, we have honour, 582; but the archaic honour, 
46. Cf. licour, 3 ; verti'i, 4. 

PRONUNCIATION. 

The M.E. pronunciation was widely diflferent from the present, especially in the 
vowel-sounds. The sounds of the vowels were nearly as in French and Italian. 



pronunciation. xxi 

They can be denoted by phonetic invariable symbols, enclosed within marks of 
parenthesis Convenient phonetic symbols are these following. 

Vowels (aa) as a in father; (a) short, as a in aha! (ae), open long e, as a m 
Mavy ■ (e) open short e, as e in b^d ; (ee), close long e. as e in v^il ; (i) short, as F. t 
in ftni or (nearly) as E. i in m ; (ii), as ee in d^^p ; (ao), open long o, as a7v m sat^ ,• 
(o) open short o, as o in not; (oo), close long o, as o in note, or o m German 'so'; 
(u), as H in f^^ll; (uu), as oo in ioo\; (ii), as F. u in F. ' ec« ' ; (u-), as long G. « m G. 
'gr«n.' Also (a), as final a in China. 

Diphthongs, {ai), as ymHy. (au),!iSowinno7v; {ei), as eimved; (oi),aso,m 



bo/\ 



Consonants (special), (k), as ^ in tat ; (s),as c in nty; (ch), as in cAurck- 
(tch) as in csiUA; (th), as iA in Min ; (dh), as //i in f/ien. Also (h), when ;w( india!, 
to denote a guttural sound, like G. ch in Na./^t, Lic/4t, but weaker, and varymg with 
the preceding vowel. 

An accent is denoted by (■), as in M.E. name (naa-ma). 

By help of these symbols, it is pos^^ible to explain the meaning of the M.E. symbols 
employed by the scriDcs m Chaucer's Tales. The following is a list of the sounds 
they denote. The letters in thick type are the letters actually employed; the letters 
within parenthesis denote the sounds, as above. 

Observe that long ' p,' also written ' 6,' means the same as (ao) ; and long ' ^,' also 
written ' 6.' means the same as (ae). 

a short, (a). Ex. al (al) ; as (az). N.B. The modern a in cat (ka?t) is denoted by 
(ae) and does not occur in Chaucer. 

a long, (aa). (i) at the end of a syllable; as age (aa-ja) ; (2) before j or ce ; as 
cas (kaas),/at<' (faa'sa). 

ai. ay (ei). originally perhaps (ai) ; but ai and «'. both being pronounced as (ei). 
had already been confused, and invariably rime together in Chaucer. Cf. E. gay. 

prey. 

au, aw(au). Ex. atw//// (avau-nt) ; aw<r (au-a). 

c, as (k), except before e and // as (s), before e and i. 

ch (ch) ; cch (tch). 

e short, (e). 'E.-k. fetheres (fedh-rez); middle e dropped. 

e final.'(a) ; and often dropped or elided or very lightly touched. 

e long and open, (ae). Sometimes denoted by 'p ' or ' eg." Ex. dene (klaena). 

e long and close, (ee). Ex. szuete (swee'ta) ; weep (weep). 

ei. ey (ei). Ex. streit (streit) ; toey (wei). 

g'hard, i.e. (g). except beforehand/,- (j), before e andz. Ex.^"-(' (gao) ; age (aa-ja). 

gh (h)'.G. ch. Ex. light (liiht). The vowel was at first short, then half-long (as 
probably iii Chaucer), then wholly long, when the (h) dropped out. Later, (ii) became 
(ei) and is now (ai). 

gn (n), with long preceding vowel; as digne (dii'na). 

1 short, (i). As F. / in lini ; but often as E. i in in ; the latter is near enough. So 
also y, when short, as in many (man'i). ■■ 

i, y long, (ii). Ex. / (ii) ; melody e (m^l-odii-a). 

ie (ee), the same as ee. Ex. mischief (mischeef). 

I consonantal, (j). Ex. lay (jei) ; luge (jii-js). So in the MSS.; but here printed 
' j,' as in ya;' (jei). 

le, often vocalic (1), as in E. temple (tempM). But note stables (staa'blez). 



xxii Hntroliuctwn. 

ng (ngg); always as in E. linger, ^y.. thing (thingg). 

O short, (o), as in of (ov). But as (pu) before ^^. And note particularly, that it is 
always (u), i.e. as u in f«ll, wherever it has a sound like u in mod. E., as in company, 
son, monk, cousin, &c. Ex. sonne fsun-ng), monk (mungk), moche (mucha). 

O long and open, (ao). Sometimes denoted by'p' or 'pp.' Ex. ^o (gao) ; stoon 
(staon). 

O long and close, (oo). Ex. sole (soo'ta) ; hood (hood). 

Oi, oy (oi). 

OU, OW (uu) ; as mjlour (fluur) ; now (nuu). Rarely (pu), as in soule (spuia). 

Ogh (puh), with open o, as in E. not, followed by short (u). 

ough (uuh) ; with tiu as in ¥..fool (fuul); or as Ogh. 

r is always strongly trilled. SSh (shsh), as m fresshe (fresh'sha). 

U short, (ii) ; French ; as in just (jiist). Rarely (u), as in cut (kut) ; English. 

U long, (ii'), as in nature (nalii'ra) ; French. 

we final, (wa), but often merely (u). Ex. arwes (ar'wez) ; bowe (baou'a, bpu'a) ; 
morzue (moru) ; so blew (blee'u). 

N.B. Open long e (ae) often arises from A.S. a, ea, or lengthening of e. Ex. vt/j/e 
(waera), A.S. Tf «/-(?« / fek (aek), AS.eac ; speken (spaekan), A.S. sprecan. Open \ox\go 
(ao) often arises from A.S. a, or lengthening of o. Ex. /& (fao), A.S. fa; open,h..'&. 
open. Chaucer refrains from riming open long e (ae), when arising from A.S. ea, or 
lengthening of e, with the close e arising from A.S. e or eo. But there is some uncer- 
tainty about the quality of the e arising from A.S. a, or from mutation. 

The occurrence of rimes such as Chaucer never employs furnishes an easy test for 
poems which have been supposed to be his on insufificient grounds. Thus, in The 
Cuckoo and the Nightingale, stanza 13, ^;v^// rimes with been; whereas the form green 
never occurs in Chaucer, who always employs gren-e (gree'na) as a dissyllable, in 
accordance with its etymology from A.S. grenc. In the same poem, upon rimes with 
man, a man (stanza 17) ; but Chaucer knows nothing of such a form as nion. 

Non-Chaucerian rimes occur in large numbers in Fragment B of the Romaunt of 
the Rose. 



ERRATA. 

P. 135. col. 2. 1. 206; for coniuracion read conjuracion. 
P. 215. 1. 684. Delete the comma at the end of the line. 
P. 216. 1. 766. Alter the note of interrogation to a comma. 
P. 226. 1. 358. Delete the comma at the end of the line. 
P. 290. 1. 1171 ; for wrong, and seyde /-irarf wronge, and seyd. 
P. 592. 1. 2076; for But if read But-if. 



THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. 



Words and syllables enclosed within square brackets are siTi^plied by the Editor. 
Readings marked with an obelus (f ) are doubtful, and are accounted for in the 
ApiDendix. 

[Only three Fragments of this translation have come down to us. Of these, Fragment A 
is &(/ Chaucer ; Fragment B is by a Northerner, and has many corrupt readings; whilst 
Fragment C is of doubtful origin, and I do not feel sure that it is CJiaucer's.] 



FBAGMENT A. 



Many men seyn that in sweveninges 
Ther nis biit fables and lesinges ; 
But men may somme -fswevenes seen, 
Wliich hardely fne false been, 
But afterward ben apparaunte. 
This may I drawe to waraunte 
An authour, that bight Macrobes, 
That halt not dremes false ne lees, 
But undoth us the avisiotin 
That whylom mette king Cipioun. 

And who-so sayth, or weneth it be 
A jape, or elles [a] nycetee 
To wene that dremes after falle, 
Let who-so lists a fool me calle. 
For this trowe I, and say for me, 
That dremes signiflaunce be 
Of good and harme to many -vvightes, 
Tliat dremen in her slepe a-nightes 
Ful many thinges covertly, 
That fallen after al openly. 
The Dream. 

Within my twenty yere of age, 
Wlian that Love taketli his corage 
Of yonge folk, I wente sone 
To bedde, as I was wont to done. 
And fast I -f sleep ; and in sleping. 
Me mette swiche a swevening, 



That lykede me wonders wel ; 

Biit in that sweven is never a del 

That it nis afterward befalle, 

Right as this dreem wol telle us alle. m> 

Now this dreem wol I ryme aright, 

To make your hertes gaye and light ; 

For Love it prayeth, and also 

Commaundeth me that it be so. 

And if ther any aske me, ,^5 

Wliether that it be he or she. 

How [that] this book [the] which is here 

Shall f bote, that I rede you here ; 

It is the Romance of the Rose, 

In which al the art of love I close. 40 

The mater fair is of to make ; 
God grauute in gree that she it take 
For whom that it begonnen is ! 
And that is she that hath, y-wis. 
So mochel prys ; and ther-to she 45 

So worthy is biloved be, 
That she wel oughte, of prys and right. 
Be cleped Rose of every wight. 

That it was May me thoughte tho. 
It is fyve yere or more ago ; 50 

That it was May, thiis dremed me. 
In tyme of love and jolitee. 
That al thing ginneth waxen gay, 



ZU (Komaunt of tU (F«ee. 



[Fragment A. 



For ther is neither busk nor hay 

In May, that it nil shrouded been, 55 

And it with newe leves wreen. 

These wodes eek recoveren grene, 

Tliat drye in winter been to sene ; 

And th' ertlie wexetli proud witlialle, 

For swote dewes that on it falle, 60 

And [al] the pore estat forget 

In whicli that winter hadde it set ; 

And than bicometh tlie ground so proud 

That it wol liave a newe shroud, 

And nialieth so queynt his robe and fayi- 65 

That it fhath hewes an hundred payr 

Of gras and floures, inde and pers, 

And many hewes ful dyvers : 

That is the robe I mene, y-wis. 

Through which the ground topreisenis.70 

The briddes, that han left hir simg, 
Whyl they han suffred cold so strong 
In wedres grille, and derk to sighte, 
Ben in May, for the sonne brighte, 
So glade, that they shewe in singing, 75 
That in hir herte is swich lyking, 
That they mote singen and be light. 
Than doth the nightingale hir might 
To make noyse, and singen blythe. 
Than is blisful, many a sythe, 80 

The chelaimdre and the papingay. 
Than yonge folk entenden ay 
For to ben gay and amorous. 
The tyme is than so savorous. 
Hard is his herto that loveth nought 85 
In May, whan al this mirth is wrought ; 
Whan he may on these braunches here 
The smale briddes singen clere 
Hir blisful swete song pitous ; 
And in this sesoun delitous, 90 

Whan love affrayeth alle thing, 
Me thoughte a-night, in my sleping. 
Right in my bed, ful redily, 
That it was by the morowe erly. 
And up I roos, and gan me clotlie ; 95 
Ano(^n I wissh myn hondes botho ; 
A sylvre nedle forth I drogh 
Out of an aguiler queynt y-nogh. 
And gan this nedle threde anon ; 
For out of toun me list to gon 100 

The sowne of briddes for to here. 
That on thise f busshes singen clere. 
And in the swete sesoun that Icef is, 
With a threde basting my slevis, 



Aloon I wente in my playing, 105 

The smale foules song harkning ; 

That peyned hem ful many a payre 

To singe on bowes blosmed fayre. 

Jolif and gay, ful of gladnesse, 

Toward a river fl gan me dresse, no 

That I herde renne faste by ; 

For fairer playing non saugh I 

Than playen me by that riveer. 

For from an hille that stood ther neer 

Cam doun the streem ful stif and bold. 1 15 

Cleer was the water, and as cold 

As any welle is, sooth to seyne ; 

And somdel lasse it was than Seine, 

But it was straighter wel away. 

And never saugh I, er that day, i ^t> 

The water that so wel lyked me ; 

And wonder glad was I to see 

That lusty place, and that riveer ; 

And with that water that ran so cleer 

My face I wissh. Tho saugh I wel i-'5 

The botme paved everydel 

With gravel, ful of stones shene. 

The medewe sotte, swote, and grene. 

Beet right on the water-syde. 

Ful cleer was than the morow-tyde, 130 

And ful attempre, out of drede. 

Tho gan I walke through the mede, 

Dounward ay in my pleying. 

The river-syde costeying. 

The Garden. 
And whan I had a whylo goon, 135 

I saugh a Gardin right anoon, 

Ful long and brood, and everydel 

■1 Enclos it was, and walled wel. 

With hye walles embatailled. 

Portrayed without, and wel entailled 140 

With many riche portraitures ; 

And bothe images and xteyutnres 

Gan I biholde bisily. 

And I wol telle you, redily. 

Of thilke images the semblaunce, 145 

As fer as I have remembraunce. 
Hate. 
A-midde saugh I Hate stonde, 

That for hir wrathe, ire, and onde, 

Semcd to been a f moveresse, 

An angry wight, a chideresse ; 150 

And ful of gyle, and fel corage. 

By semblavmt was that ilke image. 

And she was no-thing wel arrayed, 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (Komaunf of t^ (Roee. 



But lyk a wood wommaxi afrayed ; 
Y-froiinced foule was hir visage, 155 

And grenning for dispitous rage ; 
Hir nose snorted up for tene. 
Ful hidous was she for to sene, 
Ful fovil and rusty was she, this. 
Hir heed y-writhen was, y-wis, 160 

Ful grimly with a greet towayle. 
Felonye. 

An image of another entayle, 
A lift half, was hir faste by : 
Hir name above hir heed saugh I, 
And she was called Felonye. 165 

Vilanye. 

Another image, that Vilanye 
Y-cleped was, saugh I and fond 
Upon the walle on hir right hond. 
Vilanye was lyk somdel 
That other image ; and, trusteth wel, 170 
She semed a wikked creature. 
By countenaunce, in x^ortraj-ture, 
She semed be ful despitous, 
And eek ful proud and outrageous. 
Wel coude he peynte, I iindertake, 175 
That swiche image coixde make. 
Ful foul and cherlish semed she, 
And eek vilaynous for to be, 
And litel coude of norture. 
To worships any creature. 180 

Coveityse. 

Aud next was peynted Coveityse, 
That eggeth folk, in many gyse. 
To take and yeve right nought ageyn. 
And grete tresours up to leyn. 
And that is she that for usure 185 

Lenetli to many a creature 
The lasse for the more winning. 
So coveitous is her brenning. * 
And that is she, for penyes fele. 
That techeth for to robbe and stele 190 
These theves, and these smale harlotes ; 
And that is routhe, for by hir throtes 
Ful many oon hangeth at the laste. 
She maketh folk compasse and caste 
To taken other folkes thing, 195 

Through robberie, or ^miscounting. 
And that is she that maketh trechoiires ; 
And she [that] malieth false pledoures. 
That with hir termes and hir domes 
Doon maydens, children, and eek gromes 
Hir heritage to forgo. 201 



Ful croked were hir hondes two ; 
For Coveityse is ever wood 
To grypen other folkes good. 
Coveityse, for hir winning, 205 

Ful leef hath other mennes thing. 
Avarice. 

Another image set saugh I 
Next Coveityse faste by. 
And she was cleped Avarice. 
Ful foul in peynting was that vice; 2 to 
Ful sad and caytif was she eek, 
And al-so grene as any leek. 
So y vel hewed was hir colour, 
Hir semed have lived in langour. 
She was lyk thing for hungre deed, 215 
That ladde hir lyf only by breed 
Kneden with eisel strong and egre ; 
And therto she was lene and niegre. 
And she was clad ful povrely, 
AI in an old torn -f-courtepy, 220 

As she were al with dogges torn ; 
And bothe bihinde and eek biforn 
Clouted was she beggarly. 
A mantel heng hir faste by. 
Upon a perche, weyke and smalle ; 225 
A burnet cote heng therwithalle, 
Furred with no menivere. 
But with a furre roiigh of here. 
Of lambe-skinnes hevy and blake ; 
It was ful old, I undertake. 230 

For Avarice to clothe hir wel 
Ne hasteth hir, never a del ; 
For certeynly it were hir loth 
To weren ofte that ilke cloth ; 
And if it were forwered, she 235 

Wolde have ful greet necessitee 
Of clothing, er she boughte hir newe, 
Al were it bad of woUe and hewe. 
This Avarice held in hir hande 
A purs, that heng [doun] by a bande ; 240 
And that she hidde and bond so stronge, 
Men must abyde wonder longe 
Out of that purs er tlier come ought. 
For that ne cometh not in hir thought ; 
It was not, certein, hir entente 245 

That fro that purs a peny wente. 
Envye. 

And by that image, nygh y-nough, 
Was fpeynt Envye, that never lough. 
Nor never wel in herte ferde 
But-if she outlier saugh or herde 250 



B 2 



ZU (Komaunf of t^t (Koae. 



[Fragment A. 



Som greet miscliatince, or greet disese. 
No-thing may so moch hir plese 
As mischef and misaventtire ; 
Or whan she seeth discomfiture 
f On any worthy man [to] falle, 255 

Than lyketh hir [ful] wel withalle. 
She is ful glad in hir corage, 
If she see any greet linage 
Be brought to noiight in shamful wyse. 
And if a man in honour ryse, 260 

Or by his witte, or by prowesse, 
Of that hath she gret hevinesse ; 
For, trusteth wel, she goth nigh wood 
When any chaunce happeth good. 
Envye is of swich crueltee, 265 

That feith ne trouthe holdeth she 
To freend ne felawe, bad or good. 
Ne she hath kin noon of hir blood, 
That she nis ful hir enemy ; 
She nolde, I dar seyn hardely, 270 

Hir owne fader ferde wel. 
And sore abyeth she eveiydel 
Hir malice, and hir maltalent : 
For she is in so greet turment 
And hath such [wo], whan folk doth 
good, 275 

That nigh she melteth for pure wood ; 
Hir herte kerveth and f to-breketh 
That god the peple wel awreketh. 
Envye, y-wis, shal never lette 
Som blame upon the folk to sette. 280 
I trowe that if Envye, y-wis, 
Knewe the beste man that is 
On this syde or biyond the see, 
Yit somwhat lakken him wolde she. 
And if he were so liende and wys, 285 

That she ne mighte al abate his piys, 
Yit wolde she blame his worthinesse, 
Or by hir wordes make it lesse. 
I saugh En\ye, in that peynting, 
Hadde a wonderful loking ; 290 

For she ne loked but awry, 
Or overthwart, al baggingly. 
And she hadde [eek] a foul usage ; 
She mighte loke in no visage 
Of man orwomman forth-right pleyn, 295 
But shette oon ye for disdeyn ; 
So for en\'ye brenned she 
Whan she mighte any man [y]-see. 
That fair, or worthy were, or wys. 
Or elles stood in folkes prys. 300 



Sorowe. 

SoROWE was peynted next Envye 
Upon that walle of masoni-ye. 
But wel was seen in hir colour 
That she hadde lived in langotir ; 
Hir semed have the Jaunyce. 305 

Nought half so pale was Avaryce, 
Nor no-thing lyk, [as] of lenesse ; 
For sorowe, thought, and greet distresse, 
That she hadde suffred day and night 
Made hir ful yelwe, and no-thing bright, 
Ful fade, pale, and megre also. 3 1 1 

Was never wight yit half so wo 
As that hir semed for to be. 
Nor so fulfilled of ire as she. 
I trowe that no wight mighte hir plese, 315 
Nor do that thing that mighte hir ese ; 
Nor she ne wolde hir sorowe slake. 
Nor comfort noon unto hir take ; 
So depe was hir wo bigonnen, 
And eek hir herte in angre ronnen, 320 
A sorowful thing wel semed she. 
Nor she hadde no-thing slowe be 
For to forcracchen al hir face. 
And for to f rende in many place 
Hir clothes, and for to tore hir swire, 325 
As .she that was fulfilled of ire ; 
And al to-torn lay eek hir here 
Aboute hir shuldres, here and there. 
As she that hadde it al to-rent 
For angre and for maltalent. 330 

And eek I telle you certeynly 
How that she weep ful tenderly. 
In world nis wight so hard of herte 
That hadde seen hir sorowes smerte. 
That nolde have had of hir pitee, 335 

So wo-bigoon a thmg was she. 
She al to-dasshto hir-self for wo. 
And smoot togider hir handes two. 
To sorwe was she ful ententyf. 
That woful recchelees caityf ; 340 

Hir roughte Utel of pleying, 
Or of clipping or [of] kissing ; 
For who-so sorweful is in herte 
Him liste not to pleye ne sterte. 
Nor for to datmsen, ne to singe, 345 

Ne may his herte in temper bringe 
To make joye on even or morowe ; 
For joye is contraire \into sorowe. 
Elde. 

Elde was pejTited after this, 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (Komdun^ of f0e (Koee. 



That shorter was a foot, y-wis, 350 

Than she was wont in her yonghede. 
Unnethe hir-self she mighte fede ; 
So feble and eek so okl was she 
That faded was al hir beautee. 
Ful salowe was waxen hir colour, 355 

Hir heed for-hoor was, whyt as flour. 
Y-wis, gret qualm ne were it noon, 
No sinne, althoiigh hir Ij'f were gon. 
Al woxen was hir body unwelde, 
And drye, and dwyned al for elde. 360 
A foiil forwelkod thing "was she 
That wliylom round and softe had be. 
Hir eres shoken fast withalle. 
As from her heed they wolde falle. 
Hir face frounced and forpyned, 365 

And botho hir hondes lorn, fordwyned. 
So old she was that she ne wente 
A foot, but it were by potente. 
Time. 
The Tyme, that passeth night and day. 
And restelees travayleth ay, 370 

And steleth from us so prively, 
That to us semeth sikerly 
That it in oon point dwelleth ever, 
And certes, it ne resteth never. 
But gotli so faste, and passeth ay, 375 

That ther nis man that thinke may 
"\^liat tyme that now present is : 
Asketh at these clerkes this ; 
For [er] men thinke it redily. 
Three tjines been y-passed by. 380 

The tyme, that may not sojourne. 
But goth, and fnever may retourne, 
As water that doun renneth ay, 
But never drojse retourne may ; 
Ther may no-thing as tyme endure, 385 
Metal, nor erthely creature ; 
For alle thing it fret, and shal : 
The tyme eek, that chaungeth al. 
And al doth waxe. and fostred be, 
And alle thing distroyeth he : 390 

The tyme, that eldetli our auncessours 
And eldeth kinges and emperoiirs, 
And that us alle shal overcomen 
Er that deeth us shal have nomen : 
The tyme, that hath al in welde 395 

To elden folk, had maad hir elde 
So inly, that, to my witing. 
She mighte helpe hir-self no-thing. 
But turned ageyn unto childhede ; 



She had no-thing hir-self to lede, 400 

Ne wit ne pith in[with] hir holde 
More than a child of two yeer olde. 
But natheles, I trowe that she 
Was fair sumtyme, and fresh to see, 
Whan she was in hir rightful age : 405 
But she was jsast al that passage 
And was a doted thing bicomen. 
A furred cope on had she nomen ; 
Wei had she clad hir-self and warm. 
For cold mighte elles doon hir harm. 4 10 
These olde folk have alwey colde, 
Hir kind is swiche, whan they ben 
olde. 

Pope-holy. 
Another thing was doon ther vsrrite, 
That semede lyk an ixiocrite, 
And it was cleped Pope-holy. 415 

That ilke is she that prively 
Ne spareth never a wikked dede, 
^Vlian men of hir taken non hede ; 
And maketh hir outward precious. 
With pale visage and pitous, 420 

And semeth a- simple creature ; 
But ther nis no misaventure 
That she ne thenketh in hir corage. 
Ful lyk to hir was that image. 
That maked was lyk hir semblaunce. 425 
She was fal simple of coiintenance. 
And she was clothed and eek shod, 
As she were, for the love of god, 
Yolden to religioun, 

Swich semed hir devocioun. 430 

A sauter held she faste in honde, 
And bisily she gan to fonde 
To make many a feynt prayers 
To god, and to his seyntes dere. 
Ne she was gay, fresh, ne jolyf, 435 

But semed be ful ententyf 
To gode werkes, and to faire, 
And therto she had on an haire. 
Ne certes, she was fat no-thing, 
But semed wery for fasting ; 440 

Of colour pale and deed was she. 
From hir the gate fshal werned be 
Of paradys, that blisful iilace ; 
For swich folk maketh lene hir ■[ face, 
As Crist seith in his evangyle, 445 

To gete hem prys in toun a whyle ; 
And for a litel glorie veine 
They lesen god and eek his reine. 



ZU (S^omamt of tU (Hoee. 



[Fragment A. 



Povert. 

And alderlast of everichoon, 
Was pejTited Povert al aloon, 450 

That not a peny liadde in wolde, 
Al-thoagh [that] she hir clothes solde, 
And though she shnkle anhonged be; 
For naked as a worm was she. 
And if the weder stormy were, 455 

For colde she shnlde have deyed there 
She nadde on hut a streit old sak, 
And many a clout on it ther stak ; 
This was hir cote and hir mantel, 
No more was there, never a del, 460 

To clothe her with ; I undertake, 
Gret leyser hadde she to quake.- 
And she was put, that I of talke, 
Fer fro these other, iip in an halke ; 
Tliere lurked and there coured she ; 465 
For povre thing, wher-so it be, 
Is shamfast, and despysed ay. 
Acursed may wel be that day. 
That povre jnan conceyved is ; 
For god wot, al to selde, y-wis, 470 

Is any povre man wel fed. 
Or wel arayed or y-cled, 
Or wel biloved, in swich wyse 
In honour that he may aryse. 

Alle these thinges, wel avy-sed, 475 

As I have yoix er this de\'ysed. 
With gold and asure over alle 
Depej'nted were upon the walle. 
Squar was the wal, and high somdel ; 
Enclosed, and y-barred wel, 480 

In stede of hegge, was that gardin ; 
Com never shepherde therin. 
Into that gardyn, wel [y-]\vrought, 
"Wlio-so that me coude have brought, 
By fladdre, or elles by degree,, 485 

It wolde wel have Ij'ked me. 
For swich solace, swich joye, and play, 
I trowe that never man ne say, 
As in that place delitous. 
The gardin was not daungerous 490 

To herberwe briddes many oon. 
So riche a fyerd was never noon 
Of briddes songe, and braunches gi'ene. 
Therin were briddes mo, I wene. 
Than been in alle the rewme of Fraunce. 
Fnl blisful was the accordaunce 496 

Of swete and pitous songe they made, 
For al this world it oughte glade. 



And I my-self so mery ferde, 
Wlian I hir blisful songes herde, 5011 

That for an hiindred pound fnolde I, — 
If that the passage openly 
Hadde been unto me free — • 
That I nolde entren for to see 
Thassemblee, god fit kejae and were ! 505 
Of briddes, whiche therinne were, 
That songen, through hir mery throtes, 
Daunces of love, and mery notes. 

^Iian I thus herde foules singe, 
I fel faste in a weymentinge, 510 

By which art, or by what engyn 
I mighte come in that gardyn ; 
But way I couthe finde noon 
Into that gardin for to goon. 
Ne nought wiste I if that ther were 515 
Eyther hole or place [o]- where. 
By which I mighte have entree ; 
Ne ther was noon to teche me ; 
For I was al aloon, y-wis, 
fFul wo and anguissoiis of this. 520 

Til attc last bithoughte I me, 
That by no weye ne mighte it be ; 
That ther nas laddre or wey to passe, 
Or hole, into so fair a place. 

Tho gan I go a ful gret pas 525 

Envyroning even in compas 
The closing of the square wal, 
Til that I fond a vvdket smal 
So shot, that I ne mighte in goon, 
And other entree was ther noon. 530 

The Door. 

Upon this dore I gan to smj'te. 
That was [so] fetys and so lyte ; 
For other wey coude I not seke. 
Ful long I shoof, and knokked eke, 
And stood ful long and of[t] herkning 535 
If that I herde fa wight coming ; 
Til that the dore of thilke entree 
A mayden curteys opened me. 

Ydelnesse, 
Hir lieer was as yelowe of hewe 
As any basin scoured newe. 540 

Hir flesh [as] tendre as is a chike, 
Witli bente browes, smothe and slike; 
And by mesure large were 
The opening of hir yen clere. 
Hir nose of good proporcioun, 545 

Hir yen greye as a faucoun. 
With swete breeth and wel savoured. 



Fragment A.] 



tU (Kowaunf of tU (Roee. 



Hir face wliyt and wel coloured, 

With litel mouth, and round to see ; 

A clove chin eek hadde she. 550 

Hir nekke was of good fasoun 

In lengthe and gretnesse, by resoun, 

Witlioute bleyne, scabbe, or royne. 

Fro Jerusalem unto Burgoyne 

Ther nis a fairer nekke, y-wis, 555 

To felc how smothc and softe it is 

Hir throte, al-so whyt of hewe 

As snow on braunche snowed newe. 

Of body ful wel wrought was she ; 

Men neded not, in no cuntree, 560 

A fairer body for to seke. 

And of fyn orfrays had she eke 

A chapelet : so semly oon 

Ne wered never mayde upon ; . . . . 

And faire above that chajjelet 565 

A rose gerland had she set. 

She hadde [in honde] a gay miroiir, 

And witli a riche gold tressour 

Hir heed was tressed quejmtely ; 

Hir sieves sewed fetisly. 570 

And for to kepe hir hondes faire 

Of gloves whyte she hadde a paire. 

And she hadde on a cote of grene 

Of cloth of Gaunt ; withouten wene, 

Wel semed by hir apparayle 575 

She was not wont to greet travayle. 

For whan she kempt was fetisly, 

And wel arayed and richely, 

Thanne had she doon al hir journee ; 

For mery and wel bigoon was she. 580 

She ladde a lusty lyf in May, 

She haddo no thought, by night ne day, 

Of no-thing, but it were oonly 

To graythe hir wel and uncouthly. 

AVlian that this dore hadde opened me 
This "f-mayden, semely for to see, 586 

I thanked hir as I best mighte. 
And axede hir how that she highte, 
And what she was, I axede eke. 
And she to me was nought unmeke, 590 
Ne of hir answer daungerous. 
But faire answerde, and seide thus : — 
' Lo, sir, my name is Ydelnesse ; 
So clepe men me, more and lesse. 
Ful mighty and ful riche am I, 595 

And that of oon thing, namelj' ; 
For I entende to no-thing 
But to my joye, and my pleying. 



And for to kembe and tresse me. 

Aquejnited am I, and privee 600 

With Mirthe, lord of this gardyn, 

That fro the lande f Alexandryn 

Made the trees f be hider fet, 

That in this gardin been y-set. 604 

And when the trees were woxen on highte, 

This wal, that stant here in thy sighte, 

Dide Mirthe enclosen al aboute ; 

And these images, al withoute, 

He dide hem bothe entaile and peynte. 

That neither ben jolyf ne queynte, 610 

But they ben ful of'sorowe and wo, 

As thou hast seen a whyle ago. 

' And ofte tyme, him to solace, 
Sir Mirthe cometh into this place. 
And eek with him cometh his meynee, 
That liven in lust and jolitee. 616 

And now is Mirthe therin, to here 
The briddes, how they singen clere, 
The mavis and the nightingale, 
And other joly briddes smale. 620 

And tlius he walketh to solace 
Him and his folk ; for swetter place 
To pleyen in he may not finde. 
Although he soughte oon in-til Inde. 
The alther-fairest folk to see 625 

That in this world may founde be 
Hath Mirthe with him in his route, 
That folowen him alwayes aboiite.' 

When Ydelnesse had told al this. 
And I hailde herkned wel, y-wis, 630 

Tlian seide I to dame Ydelnesse, 
' Now al-so wisly god me blesse, 
Sitli Mirthe, that is so fair and free. 
Is in this yerde with his meynee, 
Fro thilke assemblee, if I may, 635 

Slial no man werne me to-day, 
Tliat I this night ne mote it see. 
For, wel wene I, ther with him be 
A fair and joly companye 
Fulfilled of alle curtesye.' 640 

And forth, without wordes mo, 
In at the wiket wente I tho. 
That Ydelnesse hadde opened me. 
Into that gardin fair to see. 
The Garden. 

And whan I was [therjin, y-wis, 645 

Myn herte was ful glad of this. 
For wel wende I ful sikerly 
Have been in paradys erth[e]ly ; 



tU (Kowauttf of tU (Hoee. 



[Fragment A. 



So fair it was, that, trnsteth wel. 

It semed a place espirituel. 650 

For certes, as at my devys, 

Ther is no place in paradys 

So good in for to dwelle or be 

As in that Gardin, thonghte me ; 

For there was many a brid singing, 655 

Throughout the yerde al thringing. 

In many places were nightingales, 

Alpes, finches, and wodewales. 

That in her swete song delyten 

In thilke fijlace as they habyten. 660 

Ther mighte men see many flokkes 

Of turtles and [of] laverokkes. 

Chalaundres fele saw I there. 

That wery, nigh forsongen were. 

And thrustles, terins, and mayy-s, 665 

That songen for to winne hem prys, 

And eek to sormounte in hir song 

■f-These other briddes hem among. 

By note made fair servyse 

These briddes, that I you devyse ; 670 

They songe hir song as faire and wel 

As angels doon espirituel. 

And, trnsteth wel, whan I hem herde, 

Full lustily and wel I ferde ; 

For never yit swich melodye 675 

Was herd of man that naighte dye. 

Swich swete song was hem among, 

That me thonghte it no briddes song. 

But it was wonder lyk to be 

Song of mermaydens of the see ; 680 

That, for her singing is so clere. 

Though we mermaydens clepe hem here 

In English, as in our iisavmce, 

lien clepe[n] hem sereyns in Fraunce. 

Ententif weren for to singe 685 

These briddes that nought unkunninge 
Were of hir craft, and apprentys. 
But of [hir] song sotyl and wys. 
And certes, whan I herde hir song. 
And saw the grene place among, 690 

In herte I wex so wonder gay. 
That I was never erst, er that day, 
So jolyf, nor so wel bigo, 
Ne mery in herte, as I was tho. 
And than wiste I, and saw ful wel, 695 
That Ydelnesse me served wel. 
That me putte in swich jolitee. 
Hir freend wel oughte I for to be, 
Sith she the dore of that gardyn 



Haddo opened, and me leten in. 700 

From hennesforth how that I wroughte, 
I shal yon tellen, as me thonghte. 
First, whereof Mirthe served there. 
And eek what folk ther with him were, 
Without[e] fable I wol descryve. 705 

And of that gardin eek as bl3rve 
I wol you. tellen after this. 
The faire fasoun al, y-wis, 
That wel [y-]wi-onght was for the nones, 
I may not telle you al at ones : 710 

But as I may and can, I shal 
By ordre tellen you it al. 

Ful fair ser\'yse and eek ful swete 
These briddes maden as they sete. 
Layes of love, ful wel sowning 715 

They songen in hir jargoning ; 
Siunme highe and summe eek lowe songe 
Upon the braunches grene y-spronge. 
The sweetnesse of hir melodye 
Made al myn herte in -freverdye. 720 

And whan that I hadde herd, I trowe, 
These briddes singing on a rowe. 
Than mighte I not withholde me 
That I ne wente in for to see 
Sir Mirthe ; for my desiring 725 

Was him to seen, over alle thing. 
His countenannce and his manere : 
That sighte was to mo fnl dere. 
Sir Mirthe. 

Tho wente I forth on my right bond 
Doun by a litel path I fond 730 

Of mentes fill, and fenel grene ; 
And ftiste by, withoute wene. 
Sir Mirthe I fond ; and right anoon 
Unto sir Mirthe gan I goon, 
Ther-as he was, him to solace. 735 

And with him, in that lusty place. 
So fair folk and so fresh hadde he, 
That whan I saw, I wondred me 
Fro whennes swich folk mighte come, 
So faire they weren, alle and some ; 740 
For they were lyk, as to my sighte. 
To angels, that bon fethered brighto. 
Gladnesse. 

Tills folk, of which I telle you so. 
Upon a carole wenten tho. 
A lady caroled hem, that highte 745 

Gladnesse, [the] blisful, the lighte ; 
Wel coude she singe and hastily, 
Non half so wel and semely. 



Fkaoment a.] 



ZU (Kowaunf of f^e (Rose. 



And make in song swicli refreininge, 

It sat hir wonder wel to singe. 75o 

Hir vois ful cleer was and ful swete. 

She was nought rade ne nnmete, 

But couthe y-now of swich doing 

As longeth unto caroling : 

For she was wont in every phice 755 

To singen first, folk to solace ; 

For singing most she gaf hir to ; 

No craft had she so leef to do. 

Tho mightest thou caroles seen, 
And folk [ther] daunce and meiy been, 760 
And fmake many a fair tourning 
Upon the grene gras springing. 
Ther mightest thou see these floutours, 
Minstrales, and eek jogelours. 
That wel to singe dide hir peyne. 765 

Somnie songe songes of Loreyne ; 
For in Loreyne hir notes be 
F\il swetter than in this contree. 
Ther was many a timbestere, 
And saylours, that I dar wel swere 770 
Couthe hir craft ful parfitly. 
The timbres up fill sotilly 
They caste, and hente[n hem] ful ofte 
Upon a finger faire and softe, 
Tliat they [no] fayled never-mo. 775 

Ful fetis damiselles two. 
Right yonge, and fulle of semlihede, 
In kirtles, and non other wede. 
And faire tressed every tresse, 
Had Mirthe doon, for his noblesse, 7S0 
Amiddo the carole for to daunce ; 
But lier-of lyth no remembraunce, 
How that they daunced qiieyntely. 
That oon wolde come al prively 
Agayn that other : and whan they were 
Togidre almost, the3' threwe y-fere 786 
Hir mouthes so, that through hir play 
It semed as they kiste alway ; 
To dauncen wel coude they the gj"sc ; 
What shulde I more to you de\'yse ? 790 
Ne fbede I never thennes go, 
Wliyles that I saw hem daunce so. 
Curtesye. 

Upon the carole wonder faste 
I gan biholde ; til atte laste 
A lady gan me for to esjiye, 795 

And she was cleped Cuutesye, 
The worshipful, the debonaire ; 
I pray god ever falle hir faire ! 



Ful curteisly she called me, 
' Wliat do ye there, bea\i sire ? ' quod 
she, 800 

' Come [neer], and if it lyke yow 
To dauncen, daunceth with us now.' 
And I, withoute taiying, 
Wente into the caroling. 
I was abasshed never a del, 805 

But it me lykede right wel 
That Curtesye me clejied so. 
And bad me on the daunce go. 
For if I hadde durst, certeyn 
I wolde have caroled right fayn, 810 

As man that was to daunce lilythe. 
Than gan I loken ofte sythe 
The shap, the bodies, and the cheres. 
The countenaunce and the maneres 
Of alle the folk that daunced there, 815 
And I shal telle what they were. 
Mirthe. 
Ful fair was Mirthe, fill ong and high ; 
A fairer man I never sigh. 
As round as appel was his face, 
Ful rody and whyt in every place. 820 
Fetys he was and wel beseye. 

With metely mouth and yen greye ; 

His nose by mesui-e wrought ful right ; 

Crisp was his heer, and eek ful bright. 

His shuldres of a large brede, 825 

And smalLsh in the girdilstede. 

He semed lyk a portreiture. 

So noble he was of his stature. 

So fair, so joly, and so fetys, 

W^ith limes wrought at poynt devys, 830 

Deliver, smert, and of gret might ; 

Ne sawe thou never man so light. 

Of berde unnethe hadde he no-thing. 

For it was in the firste spring. 

Ful yong he was, and mery of thought, 

And in samyt, with briddes wrough'^ 836 

And with gold beten fetisly. 

His body was clad ful richely. 

Wrought was his robe in straunge gyse. 

And al to-slitered for queyntyse 840 

In many a ijlace, lowe and hye. 

And shod he was with greet maistrye. 

With shoon decoped, and with laas. 

By druerye, and by solas. 

His leef a rosen chapelet 845 

Had maad, and on his heed it set. 
And wife ye who was his leef? 



B3 



ZU (Kowaunt of tU (S^oet. 



[Fragment A. 



Gladnesse. 

Uanie Ctladxes ther was him so leef, 
That singeth so wel with glad corage, 
That from she was twelve yeer of age, 850 
She of hir love graunt him made. 
Sir Mirthe hir by the finger hadde 
[lu] daunsing, and she him also ; 
Gret love was atwixe hem two. 
Bothe were they faire and brighte of hewe; 
She semede lyk a rose newe 856 

Of colour, and hir flesh so tendre. 
That with a brere smale and slendre 
Men mighte it cleve, I dar wel ■fsayn. 
Hir forheod, frounceles al -f-playn. <S6o 
Bente were hir browes two, 
Hir yen greye, and gladde also, 
That laughede ay in hir semblavmt. 
First or the mouth, by covenaunt. 
I -f-noot what of hir nose descryve ; 865 
So fair hath no womman alyve .... 
Hir heer was yelowe, and cleer shyning, 
I wot no lady so lyking. 
Of orfrays fresh was hir gerland ; 
I, whiche seen have a thousand, 870 

Saugh never, y-wis, no gerlond yit. 
So wel [y]-wrought of silk as it. 
And in an over-gilt samyt 
Clad she was, by grot delji;. 
Of which hir leef a robe werde, 875 

The m^Tier she in herte ferde. 
Cupide. 

And next hir wente, on hir other syde, 
The god of Love, that can devyde 
Love, "fas him lyketh it [to] be. 
But he can cherles daunten, he, 880 

And maken folkes pryde fallen. 
And he can wel these lordes thrallen, 
And ladies putte at lowe degree, 
Whan he may hem to p)roude see. 

This God of Love of his fasoun S85 

Was lyk no knave, ne quistroun ; 
His beautee gretly was to x^ryse. 
But of his robe to devyse 
I drede encombred for to be. 
For nought y-clad in silk was he, 890 

But al in flonres and flourettes, 
Y-painted al with amorettes ; 
And with losenges and scochouns. 
With briddes, libardes, and lyouns. 
And other beestes wrovight ful wel. 895 
His garnement was everydel 



Y-portreyd and y-wrought with floures, 
By dyvers medling of coloures. 
Floures ther were of many gyse 
Y-set by compas in assyse ; g(x> 

Ther lakked no flour, to my dome, 
Ne nought so muche as floiTr of brome, 
Ne violete, no eek pervenke, 
Ne flour non, that man can on thenke ; 
And many a rose-leef ful long 905 

Was entermedled ther-among : 
And also on his heed was set 
Of roses rede a chapelet. 
But nightingales, a ful gret route, 
That flyen over his heed abotite, 910 

The leves felden as they flyen ; 
And he was al with briddes wryen, 
With popinjay, with nightingale. 
With chalaundre, and with wodowale, 
With finch, with lark,andwith archaungel. 
He semede as he were an aungel 916 

That doun were comen fro hevene clere. 
Swete-Loking. 
Love hadde with him a bachelere. 
That he made alweyes with him be ; 
SwETE-LoKiNG clcpcd was he. 920 

This bachelere stood biholding 
The daunce, and in his honde holding 
i Turke bowes two hadde he. 
That oon of hem was of a tree 
That bereth a fruj-t of savour wikke ; 925 
Ful croked was that foule stikke. 
And knotty here and there also, 
And blak as bery, or any slo. 
That other bowe was of a plante 
Without wem, I dar warante, 930 

Ful even, and by proporcioun 
Tretys and long, of good fasoim. 
And it was peynted wel and thwiten, 
And over-al diapred and writeu 
With ladies and with bacheleres, 935 

Ful lightsom and [ful] glad of cheres. 
These bowes two held Swete-Loking, 
That semed lyk no gadeling. 
And ten brode arowes held he there. 
Of which five in his right hond were. 940 
But they were shaven wel and dight, 
Nokked and fethered a-right ; 
And al they were with gold bigoon, 
And stronge poynted everichoon. 
And sharpe for to kerven weel. 945 

But iren was ther noon ne steel ; 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (^omamt of tU (^oet. 



Fpr al was gold, men mighte it see, 
Out-take the fetheres and the tree. 
Beautee. 
The swiftest of these arowes fyve 
Out of a howe for to dryve, 950 

And best [y]-fethered for to flee. 
And fairest eek, was cleped Beautee. 

Simplesse. 
That other arowe, that hurteth lesse, 
Was cleped, as I trowe, Simplesse. 

Fraunchyse. 
The thridde cleiied was Fuaunchyse, 955 
That fethered was, in noble wyse, 
With valour and with curtesye. 

Conipanye. 
The fourthe was cleped Compante, 
That hevy for to fsheten is ; 
But who-so sheteth right, y-wis, 960 

May therwith doon gret harm and wo. 

Fair-Semblaunt. 
The fifte of these, and laste also, 
Fair-Semblaunt men that arowe calle, 
The leeste grevous of hem alle ; 
Yit can it make a fill gret wounde, 965 
But he may hope his sores sounde. 
That hurt is with that arowe, y-wis ; 
His wo the bet bistowed is. 
For he may soner have gladnesse, 
His langoiir oughte be the lesse. 970 

Fyve arowes were of other gyse, 
That been ful fonle to devyse ; 
For shaft and ende, sooth to telle, 
Were al-so blak as ieend in helle. 
Pryde. 
The first of hem is called Pryde ; 975 
Vilanye. 
That other arowe next him bisyde, 
It was [y]-cleped Vilanye ; 
That arowe was as with felonye 
Envenimed, and with spitous blame. 

Shame. 
The thridde of hem was cleped Shame. 980 

Wanhope. 
The fourthe, Wanhope cleped is, 

Newe-Thought. 
The fifte, the NEwn-Tuouoirr, y-wis. 
These arowes that I speke of here, 
Were alle tyve f of oon manere, 
And alle were they resemblable. 985 

To honi was wel sitting and able 
The foulo croked howe hidous, 

B 



That knotty was, and al rojaious. 

That bowe semede wel to shete 

These arowes fyve, that been unmete, 990 

Contrarie to that other iyve. 

But though I telle not as lily\-e 

Of hir power, ne of hir might, 

Her-after shal I tellen right 

The sothe, and eek signifiaunce, 995 

As fer as I have remembraunce : 

Al shal be seid, I iindertake, 

Er of this bolce an ende I make. 

Now come I to my tale ageyn. 
But alderfirst, I wol you seyn 1000 

The fasoun and the countenaunces 
Of al the folk that on the daunce is. 
The God of Love, jolyf and light, 
Ladde on his honde a lady bright. 
Of high prys, and of greet degree. 1005 

Beautee. 
This lady called was Beautee, 
f As was an arowe, of which I tolde. 
Ful wel [y]-thewed was she holde ; 
Ne she was derk ne broun, but bright, 
And cleer as [is] the mone-light, 1010 

Ageyn whom alle the sterres semen 
But smale candels, as we demen. 
Hir flesh was tendre as dewe of floiir, 
Hir chere was simple as byrde in hour ; 
As whyt as lilie or rose in rys 1015 

Hir face, gentil and tretys. 
Fetys she was, and smal to see ; 
No -[windred browes hadde she, 
Ne popped hir, for it neded nought 
To windre hir, or to peynte hir ought. 1020 
Hir tresses yelowe and longe straughten, 
Unto hir heles doun they raughtcn : 
Hir nose, hir mou^th, and eye and cheke 
Wel wrought, and al the remenaunt eke. 
A ful gret savour and a swote 1025 

Me fthinketh in myn herte rote, 
As helpe me god, whan I remembre 
Of the fasoun of every membre ! 
In ^vorld is noon so fair a wight ; 
For yong she was, and hewed bright, 1030 
f Wys, plesaimt, and fetys withalle, 
Gente, and in hir niiddel smalle. 
Richesse. 

Bisyde Beaute yede Eiciiesse, 
-|-An high lady of greet noblesse. 
And greet of prys in every place. 1035 

But who-so durste to hir trespace, 



^0e (Kowaunf of t^ (Koee. 



[Fragment A. 



Or til hir folk, in -fworde or dede, 

He wore ful hardj-, out of drede ; 

For bothe she lielpe and hindre may : 

And that is nought of yisterday 1040 

That riche folk have fill gret might 

To helpe, and eek to greve a wight. 

The beste and grettest of valonr 

Diden Eichesse fnl gret honour, 

And besy weren hir to serve ; if'45 

For that they wolde hir love deserve, 

They cleped hir ' Lady,' grete and smalle ; 

Tills wyde world hir drcdoth alle ; 

This world is al in hir daiingerc. 

Hir court hath manj' a losengere, 1050 

And many a traytonr envious, 

That been ful besy and curious 

For to dispreisen, and to blamo 

That best deserven love and name. 

Bifore the folk, hem to bigylen, 1055 

These losengercs hem preyse, andsmylen. 

And thus the world with word anoynten ; 

But afterward they -jprikke and poynten 

The folk right to the bare boon, 

Bihinde her bak whan they lien goon, 

And foiile abate the folkes prys. 1061 

Ful many a worthy man and wys. 

An hundred, have [they] don to dye, 

These losengeres, through flaterye ; 

And maketh folic ful straimge be, 1065 

Ther-as liem oughte be prive. 

Wei yvel mote they thry^-e and thee. 

And yvel aryved mote they be. 

These losengeres, ful of en\'j-e ! 

No good man loveth hir companye. 1070 

Eichesse a robe of purpre on hadde, 
Ne trowe not that I lye or niadde ; 
For in this world is noon it liche, 
Ne by a thousand deel so riche, 
Ne noon so fair ; for it ful wel 10-5 

With orfrays leyd was evei-ydcl. 
And portrayed in the ribaninges 
Of dukes stories, and of kinges. 
And with a bend of gold tasseled. 
And knoppes fyne of gold famelod. 1080 
Aboute hir nekke of gentil entaile 
Was shet the riche chevesaile, 
In wliich tlier was ful gret plentee 
Of stones clere and bright to see. 

Eychesse a girdel hadde upon, 1085 

The bokel of it was of a stoon 
Of vertu greet, and mochel of miglit; 



For who-so bar the stoon so bright, 
Of venim ftliiirte him no-thing doute. 
While he the stoon hadde him aboute. 
That stoon was greetly for to love, 1091 
And til a riche mannes bihove 
Worth al the gold in Eome and Fryse. 
The mourdaunt, wought in noble wyse, 
Was of a stoon ful precious, 1095 

That was so fyn and vertuous. 
That liool a man it coude make 
Of palasye, and of tooth-ake. 
And j-it the stoon liadde suchc a grace, 
That he was siker in every place, luxj 
Al thilke day, not blind to been, 
That fasting m.ighte that stoon seen. 
The barres were of gold fill fyne, 
l^pon a tissu of satyne, 
F\il hevy, greet, and nothing light, 1105 
In everich was a besaunt-wight. 

Upon the tresses of Eichesse 
Was set a cercle, for noblesse, 
Of brend gold, that fill lighte shoon ; 
So fair, trowe I, was never noon. mo 

But he were cunning, for the nones, 
That coude devysen alle the stones 
That in that cercle shewen clere ; 
It is a wonder thing to here. 
For no man coude preyse or gesso 1 1 15 
Of hem the valewe or richesse. 
Eubyes there were, saphyres, fjagounces, 
And emeraiides, more than two ounces. 
But al bifore, ful sotilly, 
A fyn earboucle set saugh I. 1 1 jo 

The stoon so cleer was and so bright. 
That, al-so sone as it was night. 
Men mighte seen to go, for nede, 
A myle or two, in lengthe and brede. 
Swich light [tho] sprang out of the stoon. 
That Eichesse wonder brighte shoon, ii.'6 
Bothe hir heed, and al hir face. 
And eke aboute hir al the place. 

Dame Eichesse on hir bond gan lede 
-A- yong man ful of sen^elihede, 1 130 

That she best loved of anj' thing ; 
His lust was muche in housholding. 
In clothing was he ful fetys. 
And lovede wel have hors of I'rj'S. 
He wende to have reproved be 1135 

Of thefte or mordre, if that he 
Hadde in his stable an hakeney. 
And therfore he desyred ay 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (Kowauni of tH (HO0C. 



To been aqueynted with Eichesse ; 
For al his purpos, as I gesse, 1140 

Was for to make greet dispense, 
Withoiite werning or defence. 
And Eichesse might it wel sustene, 
And liir dispenses wel mayntene, 
And liim alwey swich plentee sende 1145 
Of gold and silver for to spende 
Withoute lakking or daungere, 
As it were poured in a garnere. 
Largesse. 

And after on the daunce wente 
Largesse, that sette al hir entente 1150 
For to be honourable and free ; 
Of Alexandres kin was she ; 
Hir moste joye was, y-wis. 
Whan that she yaf, and seide ' have this.' 
Not Avarice, the foule captyf, 1155 

Was half to grj'pe so entent j-f. 
As Largesse is to yeve and spende. 
And god y-nough alwey hir sende. 
So that the more she yaf awey, 
The more, y-wis, she hadde alwey. 1160 
Gret loos hath Largesse, and gret prys ; 
For bothe wys folk and unwys 
Were hoolly to hir baundon brought. 
So wel with yiftes hath she wrought. 
And if she hadde an enemy, 1 165 

I trowe, that she coude craftily 
Make him ful sone hir freend to be, 
So large of yift and free was she ; 
Therfore she stood in love and grace 
Of riche and povre in eveiy place. ii/u 
A ful gret fool is he, y-wis. 
That bothe riche and nigard is. 
A lord may have no maner vice 
That greveth more than avarice. 
For nigard never with strengthe of bond 
May winne him greet lordship or lond. 
For freendes al to fewe hath he 11 77 

To doon his wil perfourmed be. 
And who-so wol have freendes here, 
He may not holde his tresour dere. 1180 
For by ensample I telle this. 
Eight as an adainaunt, y-wis, 
Can drawen to him sotilly 
The j'ren, that is leyd thereby. 
So draweth folkes hertes, y-wis, 1185 

Silver and gold that yeven is. 

Largesse hadde on a robe fresshe 
Of riche purpur -f Sarsinesshe. 



Wel fourmed was hir face and clere, 
And ojjened had she hir colere ; 1190 

For she right there hadde in present 
Unto a lady maad present 
Of a gold broche, ful wel wrought. 
And certes, it missat hir nought ; 
For through hir smokke, wrought with 
sillc, 1195 

The flesh was seen, as whyt as milk. 
Largesse, that worthy was and wys. 
Held by the honde a knight of prys. 
Was sib to Arthour of Bretaigne. 
And that was he that bar the enseigne 
Of worship, and the fgonfanoun. 1201 

And yit he is of swich renoun, 
That men of him sej'e faire thinges 
Bifore barouns, erles, and kinges. 
This knight was comen al newely 1205 
Fro tourneyinge faste by ; 
Ther hadde he doon gret chivalrye 
Through his vertu and his maistrj-e ; 
And for the love of his lemnian 
■f-Had cast doun many a doughtyman. 1210 
Fraunchyse. 
And next him daunced dame Fraux- 

CHYSE, 

Arrayed in ful noble gyse. 

She was not broun ne dun of hewe. 

But whyt as snowe y-fallen newo. 

Hir nose was wrought at poynt devys,i2x5 

For it was gentil and tretys ; 

With eyen gladde, and browes bente ; 

Hir beer doun to hir heles wente. 

And she was simple as dowve on tree, 

Fi^l debonaire of herte was she. 1220 

She durste never sejni ne do 

But that [thing] that hir longed to. 

And if a man were in distresse. 

And for hir love in hevinesse, 

Hir herte wolde have ful greet x^itee, 1225 

She was so amiable and free. 

For were a man for hir bistad, 

She wolde ben right sore adrad 

That she dide over greet outrage, 

But she him holpe his harm to aswage ; 

Hir thoughte it elles a vilanye. .2u 

And she hadde on a sukkenye. 

That not of fhempen herdes was ; 

So fair was noon in alle Arras. 

Lord, it was rideled fetysly ! 1235 

Ther nas nat f 00 poynt, trewely, 



14 



^0e (Homaunf of tU (Koae. 



[FUAGMENT A. 



Tliat it nag in his riglit assyse. 

Pill wel y-clothed was Fi'aunchyse ; 

For ther is no cloth sittetli bet 

On damiselle, than cloth roket. J 240 

A woniman wel more fetys is 

In roket than in cote, y-wis. 

Tlie whyte roket, rideled faire, 

■f-Bitokened, that fnl debonaire 

And swete was she that it here. 1245 

By hir dannced a bachelere ; 
I can not telle yon what he highte, 
But fair he was, and of good highte, 
Al hadde he be, I sey no more. 
The lordes sone of Windesore. 1 250 

Ciirtesye. 

And next that dannced Curtesye, 
That preised was of lowe and hye. 
For neither proud ne fool was she. 
She for to daunce called me, 
(I pray god yeve hir right good grace !) 1255 
Whan I com first into the place. ■ 
She was not nyoe, ne outrageous. 
But wys and war, and vertuous. 
Of faire speche, and faire answere ; 
Was never wight misseid of here ; 1260 
She bar no rancotir to no wight. 
Cleer broun she was, and therto bright 
Of face, of body avenaunt ; 
I wot no lady so plesaunt. 
She were worthy for to bene 1265 

An emperesse or crouned quene. 

And by hir wente a knight dauncing 
That worthy was and wel speking. 
And ful wel coude he doon honovir. 
The knight was fair and stif in stour, 1270 
And in armure a semely man. 
And wel biloved of his lemman. 
Ydelnesse. 

Fair Ydelnesse than saugh I, 
That alwey was me faste by. 
Of hir have I, withouten fayle, 1275 

Told yow the shap and aparayle ; 
For (as I seide) lo, that was she 
That dide me so great bountee. 
That she tlie gate of the gardin 
Undide, and leet rae passen in. 1280 

Youthe. 

And after dannced, as I gesse, 
■f-YouTHE, fulfild of lustinesse. 
That nas not yit twelve yeer of age. 
With herte wilde, and thought volage ; 



Nyce she was, but she ne niente 1285 

Noon harm ne slight in hir entente, 

But only lust and jolitee. 

For yonge folk, wel witen ye. 

Have litel thought bvit on hir play. 

Hir lemman was bisyde alway, 1290 

In swicli a gyse, that he hir kiste 

At alio tymes that liiuT liste. 

That al the daunce mighte it see ; 

They make no force of privetee ; 

For who spak of hem yvel or wel, 1295 

They were ashamed never-a-del. 

But men mighte seen hem kisse there, 

As it two yonge douves were. 

For yong was thilke Ijachelere, 

Of boaute wot I noon his pere ; 1300 

And he was right of swich an age 

As Youthe his leef, and swich corage. 

The lusty folk f thiis daunced there, 
And also other that witli hem were. 
That weren alle of hir meynee ; 1305 

Ful hende folk, and wys, and free. 
And folk of fair port, trewely, 
Ther weren alle comunly. 

"Wlian I hadde seen the countenaimces 
Of hem that ladden thus these davmces. 
Than hadde I wil to goon and see 131 1 
The gardin that so lyked me, 
And loken on these faire floreres. 
On pyn-trees, cedres, and oliveres. 
The daunces than f y-ended were ; 1315 
For many of hem that daunced there 
Were with hir loves went awey 
Under the trees to have hir pley. 

A, lord ! they lived lustily ! 
A gret fool were he, sikerly, 1320 

That nolde, his thankes, swich lyf lede ! 
For this dar I seyn, out of drede, 
Tliat who-so mighte so wel fare. 
For better lyf f tliurte him not care ; 
For ther nis so good paradys 1325 

As have a love at his devys. 

Out of that place wente I tho, 
And in that gardin gan I go. 
Ploying along ful merily. 
Tho God of Love ful hastely 1330 

Unto him Swete-Loking clepte. 
No lenger wolde he that fhe kepte 
His bowe of golde, that shoon so bright. 
He fbad him bende it anon-right ; 
And he ful sone [it] sette f on ende, 1335 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (Komaunf of tU (F«0^« 



And at a braid he gan it bende, 
And took him. of his arowes fyve, 
Fvil sharpe and redy for to dryve. 
Now god tliat sit in niagestee 
Fro deedly woundes kepe me, 1340 

If so be that he fwol me shete ; 
For if I with his arowe mete, 
It -j-wol me greven sore, y-wis ! 
Biit I, that no-thing wiste of this, 
VVente np and doun ful many a way, 1345 
And he me folwed faste alwey ; 
But no-wher wolde I reste me. 
Til I hadde al the fyerde in be. 
The gardin was, by mesuring, 
Eight even and sqiiar in compassing ; 1350 
It was as long as it was large. 

The Trees. 
Of f rnyt hadde every tree his charge. 
But it were any hidous tree 
Of which ther were two or three. 
Ther were, and that wot I fnl wel, 1355 
Of pomgarnettes a ful gret del ; 
That is a fruyt ful wel to lyke. 
Namely to folli whan they ben syke. 
And trees ther were, greet foisoun. 
That baren notes in hir sesoun, 13C0 

Such as men notemigges calle. 
That swote of savour been withalle. 
And alemandres greet islentee, 
Figes, and many a date-tree 
Ther wei-en, if men hadde nede, 1365 

Through the -j-yerd in length and brede. 
Ther was eek wexing many a spyce, 
As clow-gelofre, and licorj'ce, 
Gingere, and greyn de f paradys, 
Canelle, and setewale of prys, 1370 

And many a spyce delitable. 
To eten whan men ryse fro table. 
And many hoomly trees ther were, 
That peches, coynes, and apples here, 
Medlers, ploumes, peres, chesteynes, 1375 
Cheryse, of whiche many on fayn is, 
Notes, aleys, and bolas. 
That for to seen it was solas ; 
With many high lorer and pyn 
Was renged clene al that gardyn ; 1380 
With cipres, and with oliveres, 
Of which that nigh no plente here is. 
Ther were elmes grete and stronge, 
Maples, asslie, 00k, ash, planes longe, 
Fyn ew, popler, and lindes faire, 1385 



And othere trees ful many a payre. 

What sholde I telle you more of it ? 
Ther were so many trees yit, 
That I sholde al encombred be 
Er I had rekened every tree. 131/) 

These trees were set, that I devyse, 
Oon from another, in assyse. 
Five fadome or sixe, I trowe so. 
But they were hye and grete also : 
And for to kepe out wel the sonne, 1395 
The croppes were so thikke y-ronne. 
And every braunch in other -jknet. 
And ful of grene leves fset. 
That Sonne miglite noon descende, 
Lest [it] the tendre grasses shende. i4ix) 
Ther mighte men does and roes y-see, 
And of scxuirels ful greet pleutee, 
From bough to bough alwey leping. 
Conies ther were also playing, 
That comen out of hir claperes 1405 

Of sondry colours and maneres. 
And maden many a turnej'ing 
Upon the fresshe gras springing. 
The Welles. 

In places saw I welles there. 
In whiche ther no frogges were, 14 kj 

And fair in shadwe was every welle ; 
But I ne can the nombre telle 
Of stremes smale, that by devys 
Mirthe had don come through condys. 
Of which the water, in renning, 1415 

Gan make a noyse ful lyking. 

About the brinkes of thise welles, 
And by the stremes over-al elles 
Sprang up the gras, as thilike y-set 
And softe as any veluet, 1^21.1 

On which men mighte his lemman leye, 
As on a fetherbed, to pleye. 
For th'erthe was ful softe and swete. 
Through moisture of the welle wete 
Sprang up the sote grene gras, 1425 

As fair, as thikke, as mister was. 
But muclie amended it the place. 
That th'erthe was of swich a grace 
That it of floures had plente, 
That both in somer and winter be. 1430 

Ther sprang the violete al newe. 
And fresshe iservinke, riche of hewe, 
And floures yelowe, whyte, and rede ; 
Swich plentee grew ther never in mede. 
Ful gay was al the ground, and quej-nt. 



i6 



ZU ($iomMr\t of tU (306L 



[Fragment A. 



And poudred, as nieu had it peyiit, 14,^6 
With many a fresh and sondry flour, 
That casten up ful good savour. 

I wol not longe holde you in fable 
Of al this gardin fdelitable. 1440 

I moot my tonge stinten node, 
For I lie may, withoutcn drede. 
Naught tellen you the beautee al. 
No half the bountee therewithal. 

I wente on right honde and on left 1445 
Aboute the place ; it was not left. 
Til I hadde al the fyerde in been. 
In the festres that men mighte seen. 
And thus whyle I wente in my plej', 
The G-od of Love me folowed ay, 1450 

Right as an hunter can abyde 
The beste, til he seeth his tyde 
To fshete, at good mes, to the dere. 
Whan that hiui nedeth go no nere. 

And so befil, I rested me 1455 

Besyde a welle, under a tree, 
Which tree in Fraunce men call a pyn. 
But, sith the tyme of king PepjTi, 
Ne grew ther tree in mannes sighto 
So fair, ne so wel woxe in highte ; 1460 
In al that yerdo so high was noon. 
And springing in a marble-stoon 
Had nature set, the sothe to telle. 
Under that pyn-tree a welle. 
And on the border, al withoute, 1465 

Was writen, in the stone aboute, 
Lettres smale, that seyden thus, 
' Here starf the faire Narcisus.' 
Narcisus. 

Narcisus was a bachclere. 
That Love had caught in his daungere. 
And in his net gan him so stre>^le, 1471 
And dide him so to wepe and pleyne. 
That nede him muste his lyf forgo. 
For a fair lady, hight Echo, 
Him loved over any creature, 1475 

And gan for him swich peyne endure. 
That on a tyme she him tolde, 
That, if ho hir loven nolde, 
That hir behoved nedes dye, 
Ther lay non other remedye. 1480 

But nathcles, for his beautee. 
So fiers and daungerous was he, 
That he nolde graunton hir asking. 
For weping, ne for fair praying. 
And whan she lierde him werne hir so, 



She hadde in lierte so gret wo, i486 

And took it in so gret dispji;, 
Tliat she, withoute more respyt, 
Was deed anoon. But, er she deyde, 
Ful pitously to god she preyde, 1400 

That proude-herted Narcisus, 
That was in love so daungerous, 
Mighte on a day ben hampred so 
For love, and been so hoot for wo. 
That never he mighte joye atteyne ; 1495 
Than shulde he fele in every veyne 
What sorowe trewe lovers maken. 
That been so f vilaynsly forsaken. 

This prayer was but resonable, 
Therfor god held it ferme and stable : i5(x) 
For Narcisus, shortly to telle, 
By aventure com to that welle 
To reste him in that shadowing 
A day, whan he com fro hunting. 
This Narcisus had suffred paynes 1505 
For renning alday in the playnes. 
And was for thurst in greet distresse 
Of hete, and of his werinesse 
That hadde his breeth almost binomen. 
Whan he was to that welle y-comen, 1510 
That shadwed was with braunches grene, 
He thoughte of thilke water shene 
To drinke and fresshe him wel withalle ; 
And doun on knees he gan to falle, 
And forth his heed and nekke out- 
straughte 15 15 

To drinken of that welle a draughte. 
And in the water anoon was sene 
His nose, his mouth, his yen shene. 
And he ther-of was al abasshed ; 
His owne shadowe had him bitrasshed. 
For wel wende he the forme see 15.'! 

Of a child of greet beautee. 
Wel couthe Love him wreke tho 
Of daunger and of pryde also 
That Narcisus somtyme him here. 1525 
He quitte him wel his guerdon there ; 
For he -f-so niusede in the welle, 
That, shortly al the sothe to telle, 
He lovede his owne shadowe so. 
That atto laste he starf for wo. 1530 

For whan he saugh that he his wille 
Mighte in no maner wey fulfille, 
And that he was so faste caught 
That he him couthe comfort naught. 
He loste his wit right in that place, 1535 



Fragment A.] 



ZU (Rotnaunf of tU (Koee. 



17 



And deyde within a litel space. 
And thus his warisoun he took 
For the hxdy that he forsook. 

Ladj'es, I preye ensample takcth, 
Ye that ayeins your love mistaketh : 1540 
For if hir deeth be yow to wyte, 
God can ful wel your whyle quyte. 

Whan tliat this lettre, of whiche I telle, 
Had taught nie that it was the welle 
Of Narcisus in his beautee, 1545 

I gan anoon withdrawe me, 
Whan it fel in my remembraunce, 
That him bitidde swich mischaunce. 

The Welle. 
But at the laste than thoughte I, 
That scatheles, ful sikerly, 1550 

I niighte unto The Welle go. 
Wlierof shulde I abasshen so ? 
Unto the welle than wente I me, 
And doun I lotited for to see 
The elere water in the stoon, 1555 

And eek the gravel, which that shoon 
Down in the botme, as silver fyn ; 
For of the welle, this is the fyn, 
In world is noon so cleer of hewe. 
The water is ever fresh and newe 1560 
That welmoth up in wawes brighte 
The mountance of two finger highte. 
Abouten it is gras springing, 
For moiste so thikke and wel lyking, 
That it ne may in winter dye, 1565 

No more than may the see be drye. 

Down at the botnie set saw I 
Two cristal stones craftely 
In thilke fresshe and faire welle. 
But o thing soothly dar I telle, 1570 

That ye wol holde a greet mervayle 
Whan it is told, withouten fayle. 
For whan the sonne, cleer in sighte. 
Cast in that welle his hemes brighte. 
And that the heet descended is, 1575 

Than taketh the cristal stoon, y-wis, 
Agayn the sonne an hundred hewes, 
Blewe, yelowe, and rede, that fresh and 

newe is. 
Yit hath the merveiloiis cristal 1579 

Swich strengthe, that the place overal, 
Bothe fowl and tree, and leves grene, 
And al the yerd in it is sene. 
And for to doon you understonde, 
To make ensample wol I fonde ; 



Eight as a mirour openly 1585 

Sheweth al thing that stant therby. 
As wel the colour as the figure, 
Withouten any coverture ; 
Right so the cristal stoon, shyning, 
Withouten any disceyving, 1590 

The festres of the yerde accuseth 
To him that in the water museth ; 
For ever, in which half that f he be, 
■)* He may wel half the gardin see ; 
And if he turne, he may right wel 1595 
Seen the remenaunt everydel. 
For ther is noon so litel thing 
So hid, ne closed with shitting, 
That it ne is sene, as though it were 
Peynted in the cristal there. 1600 

This is the mirour perilous, 
In which the proude Narcisvis 
Saw al his face fair and bright, 
That made him sith to lye upright. 
For who-so loke in that mirour, 1605 

Ther naay no-thing ben his socour 
That he ne shal ther seen som thing 
That shal him lede into floving. 
Ful many a worthy man hath it 
Y-blent ; for folk of grettest wit 1610 

Ben sone caught here and awayted ; 
Withouten respyt been they bayted. 
Heer comth to folk of-newe rage, 
Heer chaungeth many wight corage ; 
Heer lyth no reed ne wit therto ; 1615 

For Venus sone, dauu Cupido, 
Hath sowen there of love the seed, 
That help ne lyth ther noon, ne reed, 
So cercletli it the welle aboute. 
His ginnes hath he set withoute 1620 

Eight for to cacche in his panteres 
These damoysels and bacheleres. 
Love will noon other bridde cacche. 
Though he sette either net or lacche. i6.'4 
And for the seed that heer was sowen. 
This welle is cleped, as wel is knowen. 
The Welle of Love, of verray right. 
Of which ther hath ful many a wight 
Spoke in bokes dyversely. 
But they shuUe never so verily 1630 

Descripoioun of the welle here. 
No eek the sothe of this matere, 
As ye shulle, whan I have undo 
The craft that hir bilongeth to. 

Alway me lyked for to dwelle, 1635 



Z^i. (Kotnaunf of tU (B^^^- 



[FRAGME^T A. 



To seen the cristal in the welle, 
That shewed me ful openly 
A thousand thinges faste by. 
But I may saye, in sory houre 
Stood I to loken or to poure ; 1640 

For sithen [have] I sore fsyked, 
Tliat mironr hath me now entryked. 
But hadde I first knowen in my wit 
The vertue and [the] f strengthe of it, 
I nolde not have mused there ; 1645 

Me hadde bet ben elles-where ; 
For in the snare I f'el anoon, 
That hatli f bitraisshed many oon. 
The Roser. 
In thilke mirour saw I tho, 
Among a thousand thinges mo, 1650 

A KosER charged ful of roses, 
That with an hegge aboute enclos is. 
Tho had I swich Itist and envye, 
That, for Parys ne for Pavye, 
Nolde I have left to goon and see 1655 
Ther grettest hepe of roses be. 
Wlian I was with this rage hent, 
That caught hath many a man and shent, 
Toward the roser gan I go. 
And whan I was not fer therfro, 166(5 

The savour of the roses swote 
Me snioot right to the herte rote. 
As I hadde al embawmed fbe. 
And if I ne hadde endouted me 
To have ben hated or assailed, 1665 

My thankes, fwolde I not have failed 
To pulle a rose of al that route 
To bere[n] in myn honde aboute, 
And smellen to it wher I wente ; 
But ever I dredde me to repente, 1670 



And lest it greved or for-thoughte 
The lord that thilke gardj'n wroughte. 
Of roses were ther gret woon. 
So fairs -|-w^exe never in roon. 
Of knoppes clos, some saw I there, 1675 
And some wel beter woxen were ; 
And some ther been of other moysoun. 
That drowe nigh to hir sesoun. 
And spedde hem faste for to sprede ; 
I love wel swiche roses redo ; i6cSo 

For brode roses, and open also, 
Ben passed in a day or two ; 
But knoppes wilen fresshe be 
Two dayes atte leest, or three. 
The knoiDpes gretly lyked me, 16S5 

For fairer naay ther no man see. 
Who-so mighte have[n] oon of alle, 
It oughte him been ful leef withalle. 
Mighte I [a] gerlond of Jiem geten. 
For no richesse I woldo it leten. 1690 

The Knoppe. 
Among THE KNOPPES I chees oon 
So fair, that of the remenaunt noon 
Ne preyse I half so wel as it, 
Whan I avyse it in my wit. 
For it so wel was enlnmyned 1695 

With colour reed, as wel [y]-fv^led 
As nature coutlie it make faire, 
And it +had levos wel foure paire, 
That Kindo had set through his knowing 
Abou.t the rede +rose springing. 1700 

The stalke was as risshe right. 
And theron stood the knoppe upright. 
That it ne bowed upon no syde. 
The swote smelle sprong so wyde 
That it dide al the place aboute — 1705 



FKAGMENT B. 

[Line 1705 is incomplete, as the sentence Jias no verb. Here the (femiine portion ends. 
Line 1706 gives a false rime, and is by another hand.] 



TvTian I had smelled tha savour swote. 

No wille hadde I fro thens yit go, 

But somdel neer it wente I tho 

To take it ; but myn hond, for drede, 

Ne dorste I to the rose bede, 1710 

For thistels sliarpe, of many maneres, 

Netles, thorn es, and hoked breres ; 



fFvil miTche they distourbled me. 
For sore I dradde to harmed be. 

The Grod of Love, with bowe bent, 
That al day set hadde his talent 
To pursuen and to spyen rae. 
Was stonding by a fige-tree. 
And whan he sawe how that I 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Homaunf of i^c (Hoee. 



19 



Had chosen so ententifly 1720 

The -f-botoun, more unto my pay 
Than any other that I say, 
He took an arowe ful sharply whet, 
And in his bowe whan it was set, 
He streight np to his ere drough 1725 

The stronge bowe, that was so tough. 
And shet at me so wonder smerte, 
Tliat through myn eye unto myn herte 
The takel smoot, and depe it wente. 
And ther-with-al svich cokl me hente, 
That, lender clothes warnie and softe, 1731 
f Sith that day I have chevered ofte. 

Wlian I was hurt thus in [that] stounde, 
I fel doun plat iinto the gi-ounde. 
Myn herte failed and feynted ay, 1735 

And long tyme [ther] a-swone I lay. 
But whan I com out of swoning. 
And hadde wit, and my feling, 
I was al maat, and wende ful wel 
Of blood have loren a ful gret del. 1740 
But certes, the arowe that in me stood 
Of me ne drew no drope of blood, 
For-why I found my wounde al drej'e. 
Than took I with myn hondis tweye 
The arowe, and ful fast out it plight, 1 745 
And in the pulling sore I sight. 
So at the last the shait of tree 
I drough oiit, with the fethers three. 
But yet the hoked heed, y-wis, 
The whiche Beauteo callid is, 1750 

Gan so depe in myn herte passe, 
That I it niighte nought arace ; 
But in myn herte stille it stood, 
Al bledde I not a drope of blood. 
I was bothe anguissous and trouble 1755 
For the peril that I saw double ; 
I niste what to seye or do, 
Ne gete a leche my woundis "j-to ; 
For neithir thurgli gras ne rote, 
Ne hadde I help of hope ne bote. 1760 

But to the botoun ever-mo 
Myn herte drew ; for al my wo. 
My thought was in non other thing. 
For hadde it been in my keping, 
It wolde have brought my lyf agayn. 1765 
For f certeinly, I dar wel seyn. 
The sight only, and the savour, 
Alegged muche of my langour. 

Than gan I for to drawe me 
Toward the botoun fair to see ; 1770 



And Love hadde gete him, in -fa throwe, 

Another arowe into his bowe, 

And for to shete gan hira dresse ; 

The arowis name was Simplesse. 

And whan that Love gan nyghe me nere. 

He drow it lip, withouten were, 1776 

And shet at me with al his might, 

So that this arowe anon-right 

Thourghout [myn] eigh, as it was foiande. 

Into myn herte hath maad a woimde. 

Thanne I anoon dide al my crafte 1781 

For to drawen out the shafte. 

And ther-with-al I sighed eft. 

But in myn herte the heed was left. 

Which ay encresid my desyre, 1 785 

Unto the botoun drawe nere ; 

And ever, mo that me was wo, ^ 

The more desyr hadde I to go 

Unto the roser, where that grow 

The fresshe botoun so bright of hewe. 1790 

Betir me were have leten be ; 

But it bihoved nedes me 

To don right as myn herte bad. 

For ever the body must be lad 

Aftir the herte ; in wele and wo, 1795 

Of force togidre they must go. 

But never this archer wolde fyne 

To shete at me with all his pyne. 

And for to make me to him mete. 

The thridde arowe he gan to shete 1800 
Whan best his tyme he mighte espye, 
The which was named Curtesye ; 
Inte myn herte it dide avale. 
A-swone I fel, bothe deed and pale ; 
Long tyme I lay, and stired nought, 1805 
Til I abraid out of my thought. 
And faste than I avysed me 
To drawe[n] out the shafte of tree ; 
But ever the heed was loft bihinde 
For ought I couthe pulle or winde, iSio 
So sore it stikid whan I was hit, 
That by no craft I might it flit ; 
But anguissous and ful of thought, 
I ffelte such wo, my wounde ay wrought. 
That somoned me alway to go 1815 

Toward the rose, that pleased me so ; 
But I ne durste in no manere, 
Bicause the archer was so nere. 
For evermore gladly, as I rede. 
Brent child of fyr hath miiche drede. 1821) 
And, certis yit, for al my peyne. 



ZU (Homaunf of t6e (RO0C. 



[Fkagmknt B. 



Though that I sigh yit arvvis reyne, 

And grounde quarels sharpe of stele, 

Ne for no pajaie that I might fele, 

Yit might I not my-silf with-holde 1825 

The faire roser to biholde ; 

For Love me yaf sich hardement 

For to fulfille his commaiindement. 

Upon my feet I roos tip than 

Feble, as a forwoundid man ; 1830 

And forth to gon [my] might I sette, 

And for the archer nokle I lette. 

Toward the roscr fast I drow ; 

But tliornes sharpe mo than y-now 

Ther were, and also thistels thikke, 1835 

And breres, brimme for to prikke. 

That I ne mighte gete grace 

The rowe thornes for to passe, 

To sene the roses fresshe of hewe, 

I must abide, thougli it me rewe, 1840 

The hegge abotite so thikke was. 

That closid the roses in compas. 

But o tiling lyked me right wele ; 
T was so nygh, I mighte fele 
Of the botoun tlie swote odour, 1845 

And also see the fresshe colour ; 
And that right gretly lyked me. 
That I so neer fit mighte see. 
Sich joye anoon therof hadde I, 
Tliat I forgat my malady. 1850 

To sene fit hadde I sich delyt. 
Of sorwe and angro I was al quit. 
And of my woundes that I had f thar ; 
For no-thing lykcn me might f mar 
Than dwellen by tlie roser ay, 1S55 

And thennes never to passe away. 

But whan a whyle I had be thar. 
The God of Love, which al to-sliar 
Myn lierte with his arwis kene, 
f Caste him to yeve me woundis grene. 
He shet at me ful hastily 1861 

An arwe named Company, 
The whicho takel is ful able 
T<> make these ladies merciable. 
Than I anoon gan chaungen hewe 1865 
For g^evaunce of my wounde newe, 
Tliat I agayn fel in swoning. 
And sighed sore in compleyning. 
Sore I compleyned that my sore 
On me gan greven more and more. i8;() 
I had non hope of allegeaunce ; 
So nigh I drow to desperaunce, 



I rought of detho ne of lyf, 

Whither that love wolde me drj-f. 

If me a martir wolde he make, 1875 

I might his power nought forsake. 

And whyl for anger thus I wook. 

The God of Love an arowe took ; 

Fill sharp it was and [ful] jragnaunt, 

And it was callid Fair-Seml)lannt, 1880 

The which in no wys wol consente, 

That any lover him repente 

To serve his love with herte and alle. 

For any peril that may bifalle. 

But though this arwe was kene grounde 

As any rasour that is foundo, 1886 

To cutte and kerve, at the poynt, 

The God of Love it hadde anoynt 

With a precious ojniement, 

Somdel to yeve aleggement 1890 

L^pon the woundes that he had 

Throtigh the body in my herte maad, 

To helpe hir sores, and to cure. 

And that they may the bet endure. 

But yit this arwe, withoute more, 1895 

Made in myn herte a large sore, 

Tliat in ful gret peyne I abood. 

But ay the oynement wente abrood ; 

Throughout my woundes large and wj-de 

It spredde aboute in every syde ; 19CK) 

Through whos vertu and whos might 

Myn herte joyful was and light. 

I had been deed and al to-shent 

But for the precious oynement. 

The shaft I drow out of the arwe, 1905 

Roking for wo right wondir narwe ; 

But the heed which made me smerte, 

Lefte bihindo in myn herte 

With other foure, I dar well say, 

That never wol be take away; 1910 

But the oynement halp me wele. 

And yit sich sorwe dide I fele 

f Of my woundes fresshe and newe. 

That al-day I chaunged hewe, 

As men might see in my visage. 1915 

The arwis were so fulle of rage, 

So variaunt of diversitee. 

That men in everich mighte see 

Both gret anoy and eek swetnesse. 

And joye meynt with bittirnesse, 1920 

Now were they esy, n )w where they wood, 

In hem I felte both harm and good ; 

Now sore without aleggement, 



Fragment B.] 



Z^i. (Kotnauttf of tH (S^o^t. 



21 



Now f softening with oynement ; 

It softned here, and fprikked there, 1925 

Thus ese and anger togider were. 

The God of Love deliverly 
Com lepand to nie hastily. 
And seide to me, in gret rape, 
' Yeld thee, for thou may not escape ! 1930 
May no defence availe thee here ; 
Therfore I rede male no daungere. 
If thou wolt yekle tliee hastily. 
Thou shalt [the] rather have mercy. 
He is a fool in sikernesse, 1935 

That with daungor or stoutnesse 
Eebellith ther that he shulde jilese ; 
In such folye is litel ese. 
Be meek, wher thou must nedis bowe ; 
To strj've ageyn is nought thy prowe. 
Come at ones, and have y-do, 1941 

For I wol that it be so. 
Than yeld thee here debonairly.' 
And I answerid ful humbly, 
' Gladly, sir ; at your bidding, 1945 

I wol me yelde in alls thing. 
To your servyse I wol me take ; 
For god defende that I shulde make 
Ageyn your bidding resistence : 
I wol not doon so gret offence ; 1950 

For if I dide, it were no skile. 
Ye may do with me what ye wile, 
Save or spille, and also sloo ; 
Fro you in no wyse may I go. 
My Ij^', my deth, is in your honde, 1955 
I may not laste out of your bonde. 
Pleyn at your list I yelde me. 
Hoping in herte, that sumtyme ye 
Comfort and ese shuUe me sende ; 
Or ellis shortly, this is the ende, i960 
Withouten helthe I moot ay dure, 
But-if ye take me to your cure. 
Comfort or helthe how shuld I have, 
Sith ye me hurte, but ye me save ? 
The helthe of flovers moot be foiinde 
Wher-as they token tirste hir wounde. 
And if ye list of me to make 1967 

Your prisoner, I wol it take 
Of herte and wil, fully at gree. 
HooUy and pleyn I yelde me, 1970 

Withoute feyning or feyntyse. 
To be governed by your empryse. 
Of you I here so much prys, 
I wol ben hool at your devys 



For to fulfille your lyking 1975 

And repente for no-thing. 

Hoping to have yit in som tyde 

Mercy, of that [that] I abyde.' 

And with that covenaunt yeld I me, 

Anoon doun kneling upon my knee, 1980 

Profering for to kisse his feet ; 

But for no-thing he wolde me lete, 

And seide, ' I love thee bothe and preyse, 

Sen that thyn answer doth me ese. 

For thou answerid so curteisly. 19S5 

For now I wot wel uttirly, 

That thou art gentil, by thy speche. 

For though a man fer wolde seche. 

He shulde not finden, in certeyn. 

No sich answer of no vileyn ; 1990 

For sich a word ne mighte nought 

Isse out of a vilayns thought. 

Thou shalt not lesen of thy speche. 

For [to] thy helping wol I eche. 

And eek encresen that I may. 1995 

But first I wol that thou obay 

Fully, for thyn avauntage. 

Anon to do me here homage. 

And sithe[n] kisse thou shalt my mouth, 

Wliich to no vila^^^l was never couth 2o<x) 

For to aproche it, ne for to touche ; 

For saiif -j-to cherlis I ne voiiclie 

That they sliuUe never neigh it nere. 

For eurteys, and of fair manere, 

Wel taiight, and ful of gentilnesse 2«)5 

He muste ben, that shal me kisse. 

And also of ful high fraunchyse. 

That shal atteyne to that empryse. 

' And first of o thing warne I thee. 
That peyne and gret adversitee 2010 

He mot endure, and eek travaile. 
That shal me serve, withoute faile. 
But ther-ageyns, thee to comforte, 
And with thy servise to desporte. 
Thou mayst ful glad and joyful be 2015 
So good a maister to have as me. 
And lord of so high renoun. 
I here of Love the gonfanouu. 
Of Curtesye the banere ; 
For I am of the silf manere, 2020 

Gentil, eurteys, meek and free ; 
That who [so] ever ententif be 
Me to honoiire, doute, and serve. 
And also that he him observe 
Fro trespas and fro vilanye, 2025 



ZU (B<5ntauni of tU (]Pi06t. 



[Fragment B. 



And him governe in curtesye 

With wil and with entencioun , 

For wlian he first in my prisoiin 

Is caught, than mnste he nttirly, 

Fro thennes-forth ful bisily, 2030 

Caste him gentil for to be, 

If he desyre helpe of me.' 

Anoon witlioiiten more delay, 
Withonten daunger or affray, 
I bicom his man anoon, 2035 

And gave him thankes many a oon. 
And kneled doun with liondis joynt. 
And made it in my port ful f qiioynt ; 
The joye wente to myn herte rote. 
Whan I liad kissed his month so swote, 
I had sicli mirthe and sich lyking, 2041 
It cnred me of langnisshing. 
He askid of me than hostages : — ■ 
' I have,' he seide, ' -ftan fele homages 
Of oon and other, wliere I have been 2045 
■|-Disceyved ofte, withouten wene. 
Tliese fekmns, fiille of falsitee, 
Have many sythes bigyled me, 
And tlirougli falshede hir lust acheved, 
Wherof I repente and am agreved. 2050 
And I hem gete in my daungere, 
Hir falshed shulle they bye ful dere. 
But for I love thee, I seye thee pleyii, 
I wol of thee be more certeyn ; 
For thee so sore I wol now binde, 2055 
That thou away ne shalt not winde 
For to denyen the covenaunt. 
Or doon tliat is not avenaunt. 
That thou were fals it were greet reuthe, 
Sith thou semost so ful of treiithe.' 2060 

' Sire, if thee list to u.ndirstande, 
I naerveile thee asking this demande. 
For- why or wherfore shulde ye 
Ostages or borwis aslio of me. 
Or any other siliirnesse, 2065 

Sith ye wote, in sothfastnesse, 
That ye have me •f'surprysed so. 
And liool myn herte "ftan me fro. 
That it wol do for me no- thing 
But-if it be at your bidding ? 2070 

Myn herte is yoiirs, and myn right notight, 
As it bihoveth, in dede and thought, 
Eedy in alle to worche your wille. 
Whether so [it] turne to good or ille. 
So sore it lustith you to plese, 2075 

No man therof may yoii f disseise. 



Yo have theron set sich justise. 

That it is werreyd in many wise. 

And if ye donte it nolde obeye. 

Ye may therof do make a keye, 2080 

And holde it with you for ostage.' 

' Now certis, this is noon outrage,' 

Quoth Love, ' and fully I accord ; 

For of the body he is ful lord 

That hath the herte in his tresor ; 2085 

Outrage it were to asken more.' 

Than of his aumener ho drovigli 
A litol keye, fetys y-nough, 
A^Tiich was of gold polisshed clere, 
And seide to me, ' With this keye here 
Thyn herte to me now wol I shette ; 2091 
For al my jowellis loke and knette 
I binde under this litel keye, 
That no wight may carye aweye ; 
This keye is ful of gret poeste.' 2095 

Witli wliich anoon he touchid mo 
Undir the syde ful softely. 
That ho myn herte sodeynl,y 
Without [al] anoy had spered. 
That yit right nought it hath me dered. 
Wlian he had doon his wil al-out, 2101 
And I had put him out of doiit, 
' Sire,' I seide, ' I have right gret wille 
Yoiir lust and plesaiince to fullille. 
Loke ye my servise take at gree, 2105 

Bj' thilke feith ye owe to me. 
I seye nought for recroaundyse. 
For I nought doute of your servyse. 
But the servaunt traveileth in vaj'ne. 
That for to sorven doth his payne 21 10 
Unto that lord, wliich in no wyse 
Can him no thank for his servj-se.' 

Love seide, ' Dismaye thee nought. 
Sin thou for sucour hast me sought, 
In thank thy servise wol I take, 2 115 

And high of i gree I wol thee make, 
If wikkidnesse ne hindre thee ; 
But, as I hope, it shal nought be. 
To worship no wight by aventure 
May come, but-if he peyne endure. 2120 
Abyde and suffre thy distresse ; 
That hurtith now, it shal bo lesso ; 
I wot my-silf what may thee save. 
What medicyne thou woldist have. 
And if thy trouthe to me thou kepe, 2125 
I shal unto thyn helping eke, 
To cure thy woundes and make hem clene. 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Homaunf of tU (S^OQt, 



23 



Wlier-so they be olde or grene ; 

Thou shalt be holpen, at wordis fcwe. 

For certeynly thon shalt wel shewe 2130 

Wlier that thoii servest with good wille, 

For to complisshen and fulfiUe 

My comaundementis, day and night, 

Wliiche I to lovers yeve of right.' 

' Ah, sire, for goddis love,' said I, 2135 
' Er ye passe hens, ententifly 
Your comaundementis to me ye say. 
And I shal kepe hem, if I may ; 
For hem to kepen is al my thought. 
And if so be I wot them nought, 2140 
Than may I [sinne] unwitingly. 
Wherf(ire I pray you enterely. 
With al myn herte, me to lere. 
That I trespasse in no manere.' 

The god of love than chargid me 2145 
Anoon, as ye shal here and see, 
W< )rd by word, by right empryse. 
So as the Romance shal devyse. 

The maister lesith his tyme to lere. 
Whan the disciple wol not here. 2150 

It is but ve5m on him to swinko. 
That on his lerning wol not thinke. 
Wlio-so lust love, let him entende. 
For now the Romance -f ginueth amende. 
Now is good to here, in fay, 2155 

If any be that can it say. 
And poynte it as the resoun is 
Set ; for other-gate, y-wis. 
It shal nought wel in alle thing 
Be brought to good undirstonding ; 2160 
For a reder that poyntith ille 
A good sentence ma.y ofte spille. 
The book is good at the ending, 
Maad of newe and lusty thing ; 
For who-so wol the ending here, 2165 

The crafte of love he shal now lere, 
If that he wol so long abyde, 
Til I this Romance may unhyde. 
And vindo the signifiaunce 
Of this dreme into Romaimce. 2170 

The sothfastnesse, that now is hid. 
Without coverture shal be kid, 
■V^lian I iindon have this dreming, 
Wherin no word is of lesing. 

' Vilany, at the biginning, 2175 

I wol,' ■] saj-d Love, ' over alle thing, 
Thou leve, if thou wolt [not] be 
Fals, and trespasse ageynes me. 



I curse and blame generally 

Alle hem that loven vilany ; 2180 

For vilany makith vilajai. 

And by his dedis a cherle is sej-n. 

Thise vilajTis arn without pitee, 

Frendshipe, love, and al bounte. 

I nil receyve f to my ser\'yse 2185 

Hem that ben vilayns of empryse. 

' But undirstonde in thyn entent. 
That this is not myn entendement, 
To clepe no wight in no ages 
Only gentil for his linages. 2190 

But who-so [that] is vertiious, 
And in his port nought ou.trageoiis. 
Whan sich oon thoii seest thee biforn, 
Tliough lie be not gentil born. 
Thou mayst wel seyn, this is fa soth, 2195 
That he is gentil, bicause ho doth 
As longeth to a gentilman ; 
Of hem non other deme I can. 
For certeynly, withouten dredo, 
A cherle is demed by his dede, 2200 

Of hye or lowe, as ye may see. 
Or of what kinrede that he be. 
Ne say noiight, for noon y\'ol wille. 
Thing that is to liolden stille ; 
It is no worshijj to misseye. 2205 

Thou mayst ensample take of Keye, 
That was somtyme, for misseyiug. 
Hated bothe of olde and ying ; 
As fer as Gaweyn, the worthy, 
Was preysed for his curtesy, 2210 

Keye was hated, for he was fel, 
Of word dispitous and cruel. 
Wherfore be wyse and aqueyntable. 
Goodly of word, and resonable 
Bothe to lesse and eek to mar. 2215 

And whan thou comest ther men ar, 
Loke that thou have in custom ay 
First to salue hem, if thou may : 
And if it falle, that of hem som 
Salue thee first, be not dom, 2220 

But quyte him curteisly anoon 
Without abiding, er they goon. 

' For no-thing eek thy tunge applye 
To speke wordis of ribaudye. 
To vilayn sj)eche in no degree 2225 

Lat never thy lippe unbounden be. 
For I nought holde him, in good feith, 
Curteys, that foule wordis seith. 
And alle wimmen serve and preyse, 



24 



ZU (Rottiaunf of t^ (Roee. 



[Fragment B. 



And to thy power liir liononr rcyse. 2230 
And if that any missayere 
Dispyse winimen, that thou mayst here, 
Blame him, and biddo him holde him stille. 
And set thy might and al thy wille 
Wimmen and ladies for to plese, 2235 

And to do thing that may hem ese, 
That they ever speke good of thee, 
For so thou mayst best preysed be. 

' Loke fro pryde thou kepe thee wele ; 
For thou mayst botlio perceyve and fele, 
That pryde is bothe foly and sinne ; 224 1 
And he that pryde hath, him withinne, 
Ne may his herte, in no wyse, 
Meken ne souplen to servyse. 
For jiryde is fotinde, in every part, 2245 
Contrarie tinto Loves art. 
And he that loveth trewely 
Shulde him contene jolily, 
Withouten pryde in sondry wyse, 
And him disgysen in queyntyse. 2250 

For qnoynt array, withouten drede, 
Is no-thing proud, who takith hede ; 
For fresh array, as men may see, 
Withouten pryde may ofte be. 

' Mayntene thy-silf aftir thy rent, 2255 
Of robe and eek of garnement ; 
For many sythe fair clothing 
A man amendith in mich thing. 
And loke alwey that they be shape. 
What garnement that thou shalt make. 
Of him that can [hem] liesto do, 2261 

With al that pcrteyneth therto. 
Pojaitis and sieves be wel sittand. 
Eight and streight fupon the hand. 
Of shoon and botes, newe and faire, 2265 
Loke at the leest thou have a jiaire ; 
And that they sitte so fetisly, 
That these rude may iittirly 
Mervcyle, sith that they sitte so pleyn. 
How they come on or of ageyn. 2270 

W'ere streite gloves, with ■f-aumenere 
Of silk ; and alwey with good chore 
Thou yeve, if thou have richesse ; 
And if thou have nought, spend the lesse. 
Alwey be merry, if thou may, 2275 

But waste not thy good alway. 
Have hat of floures fresh as Maj', 
Chapelet of roses of Whitsonday ; 
For sich array ne feost but lyte. 
Tliyn hondis wash, thy teeth makcwhyto. 



And let no filthe upon thee be. 2281 

Thy nailes blak if thou mayst see, 

Voide it awey deliverly, 

And kembe thyn heed right jolily. 

f Fard not thy visage in no wyse, 22S5 

For that of love is not th'empryse ; 

For love doth haten, as I finde, 

A beaute that cometli not of kinde. 

Alwey in herte I rede thee 

Glad and mery for to be, 2290 

And be as joyful as thoii can ; 

Love hath no joye of sorowful man. 

That yvel is ful of ciirtesye 

That -flauhwith in his maladye ; 

For ever of love the siknesse 2295 

Is mejTid with swete and bitternesse. 

The sore of love is merveilous ; 

For now the lover [is] joyous, 

No^v can he pleyne, now can he grone. 

Now can he singcn, now maken raone. 

To-day he pleyneth for hevinesse, 2301 

To-morowe he fpleyeth for jolynesse. 

The Ij'f of love is ful contrarie, 

Wliich stoundemele can ofte vjirio. 

But if thou canst [som] niirthis make, 2305 

That nien in gree wole gladly take, 

Do it goodly, I comaiinde thee ; 

For men sholde, wher-so-ever they be, 

Do thing that hem [best] sitting is, 

For therof Cometh good loos and pris. 2310 

Wher-of that thou he vertuous, 

Ne he not straiange ne daungerous. 

For if that thou good rider be, 

Prike gladly, that men may se. 

In armes also if thou conne, 2315 

Pursue, til thou a name hast wonne. 

And if thy voice be fair and clere. 

Thou shalt maken no gret daungere 

Whan to singe they goodly preye ; 

It is thy worship for to obeye. 2320 

Also to you it longith ay 

To harpe and giterne, daunce and play ; 

For if he can wel foote and daunce. 

It may him greetly do avaunce. 

Among eek, for thy lady sake, 2325 

Songes and complayntes that thoii make ; 

For that wol fmeve [hem] in hir herte. 

Whan they reden of thy smertc. 

Loke that no man for scarce thee holde, 

For that may greve thee many-folde. 2330 

Rcsoun wol that a lover be 



Fragment B.] 



ZU ^omaunt of tU ($iou. 



25 



In his yiftes more large and free 

Than cherles that been not of loving, 

For who ther-of can any thing, 

He shal be leef ay for to yeve, 2335 

In -f-Loves lore who so wolde leva ; 

For he that, through a sodeyn sight, 

Or for a kissing, auon-right 

Yaf hool his herte in wille and thought. 

And to him-silf kepith right nought, 2340 

Aftir "l-swieh yift, is good resoiin. 

He yeve his good in abandoun. 

' Now wol I shortly here reherce. 
Of that [that] I have seid in verse, 
Al the sentence by and by, 2345 

In wordis fewe compendiouslj-. 
That thou the bet mayst on hem thinke, 
"V^Tiether-so it be thou wake or winke ; 
For [that] the wordis litel greve 
A man to kepe, whanne it is breve. 2350 

' ^^^lo-so with Love wol goon or ryde 
He inot be curteys, and void of pryde, 
Mery and fulle of jolite. 
And of largesse alosed be. 

• First I joyne thee, here in penaunce. 
That ever, withoiite repentatince, 2356 
Thou set thy thought in thy loving. 
To laste ^\ithoute repenting ; 
And thenke upon thy mirthis swete. 
That shal folowe aftir whan ye mete. 2360 

' And for thou trewe to love shalt be, 
I wol, and [eek] comaunde thee. 
That in 00 place thou sette, al hool, 
Thyn herte, withouten halfen dool, 
For trecherie, "j-in sikernesse ; 2365 

For I lovede never doublenesse. 
To many his herte that wol depart, 
Everiche shal have but litel part. 
But of him drede I me right nought. 
That in 00 place settith his thought. 2370 
Therfore in 00 place it sette, 
And let it never thennes flette. 
For if thou yevest it in lening, 
I holde it btit a wreechid thing : 
Therfore yeve it hool and quyte, 23-5 

And thou shalt have the more merite. 
If it be lent, than aftir soon, 
The bountee and the thank is doon ; 
But, in love, free yeven thing 
Eequyrith a gret guerdoning. 2380 

Yeve it in yiit al quit fullj'. 
And make thy yift debonairly ; 



For men that yift [wol] holde more dere 

That yeven is with gladsome chere. 

That yift nought to preisen is 2385 

That man yeveth, maugre his. 

Whan thou liast yeven thyn herte, as I 

Have seid thee here [al] openly, 

Than aventures shulle thee falle. 

Which harde and he\'y been withalle. 2390 

For ofte whan thou bithenkist thee 

Of thy loving, wher-so thou be, 

Fro folk thou must depart in hy, 

That noon perceyve thy malady. 

But hyde thjoi harm thou must alone, 2395 

And go forth sole, and make thy mone. 

Thou shalt no whyl be in 00 stat. 

But whylom cold and whylom hat ; 

Now reed as rose, now yelowe and fade. 

Such sorowe, I trowe, thou never hade ; 

Cotidien, ne [yit] quarteyne, 2401 

It is nat so ful of i^eyne. 

For ofte tymes it shal falle 

In love, among thy peynes alle. 

That thoti thy-self, al hoolly, 2405 

Foryeten shalt so utterly. 

That many tymes thou shalt be 

Stille as an image of tree, 

Dom as a stoon, without stering 

Of foot or hond, without speking ; 2410 

Than, sono after al thy peyne, 

To memorie shalt thou come ageyn, 

A[s] man abasshed wondre sore, 

And after sighen more and more. 

For wit thou wel, withouten wene, 2415 

In swioh astat ful oit have been 

That have the yvel of love assayd, 

W^her-through thow art so dismayd. 

' After, a'thoiight shal take thee so. 
That thy love is to fer thee fro : 2420 

Thou shalt say, " God, what may this be, 
That I ne may my lady see ? 
M,^^le herte aloon is to her go, 
And I abyde al sole in wo, 
Departed fro myn owne thought, 2425 
And with mjne eyen see right nought. 
Alas, mjai eyen fsende I ne may. 
My careful herte to convay ! 
Myn liertes gyde but they be, 
I praise no-thing what ever they see. 2430 
Shul they abyde thanne? nay ; 
But goon fvisj'te without delay 
That myn herte desyreth so. 



26 



tU (Roinaunt of t^i. (Roet, 



[Fraomknt B. 



For certeynly, Intt-if they go, 

A i'ool my-solf I may wol hoklo, 2435 

Wlian I no soo wliat myn herto -woldo. 

Wlierl'ore I wol gon her to seen, 

Or esod shal I never been. 

But I liavo som tokening." 

Tlion gost tliou forth without dwelling ; 

But ofte thou faylcst of thy dosyre, 2441 

Ki- thou niayst coiuo hir any ncro, 

AikI wastost in vayn thy passage. 

'I'han fallost thon in a newe rage ; 

For wanto of .siglit thoii ginnest morne. 

And homward pensif dost rotorne. 2446 

In greet mischeef than shalt thou be. 

For tlian agayn shal coino to thee 

Sighes and ])loyntos, with newo wo, 

That no iccliing prikketh .so. -'45<' 

Wlio wot it nought, lie may go lore 

Of liom tliat h.^'on love so dcro. 

' No-thing thyn liorto apposon nl;l^•, 
'IMiat oft thon wolt goon and assay. 
If thou mayst seen, by avonture, 2455 

Thy Ij'-ves joj', thyn liortis cure ; 
So that, by grace if thon might 
Atteyno of liir to liavo a siglit. 
Than .shalt thon doon non other dodo 
Hat with tliat siglit thyn cyou fedo. 2460 
Tluit fairo fresh whan thon mayst see, 
Thyn liorto shal so ravis.shcd bo, 
Tliat never thou woldcst, thy thankis, Icto, 
No remove, i'or to soo tliat swetc. 
Tho more thon seest in sothfastnesso, 2465 
The more thon fcoveytest of that swet- 

nosse ; 
The more thyn herte bronnoth in I'yr, 
The more thyn liorto is in dosyr. 
For wlio cons id roth evoiy del. 
It may bo lykncd wondir wol, 2470 

The poyno of love, nnto a fere ; 
For over [the] more thon noighest ncre 
■|Tli()ught, or wlio-so that it bo. 
For verray sotho I telle it thee, 
Tho hatter over shal thou brenne, 2475 
As experience shal thee kenno. 
Wher-so [thon] comest in any cost, 
Who is next fyr, he brenneth most. 
And yit forsotho, for al thyn liete, 
'I'liongh thou for love swelte and swetc, 
N(> for no-thinnr fhou felon may, 2481 

Tlion shalt not willon to jiasso away. 
And though thon go, yet must thee node 



Tlionko al-day on hir fairhcdo. 

Whom thou biheldo with so good willc ; 

And liolde tliyself bigyled illo, 2486 

That thou no liaddcst non hardemcnt 

To sliewo hir ought of tliyn ontont. 

Tliyn herte ful sore thon wolfc dispyse. 

Anil cek rejireve of cowardyse, 2490 

That thon, so duUo in every thing. 

Wore dom for drodo, without spoking. 

Thou shalt 00k thonko thon didest foly. 

That thon wort hir so fasto by, 

And durst not auntro thoo to say 2495 

Som-thing, or thou cam away ; 

F<)r thon liaddist no more wonne. 

To spoke of hir whan thon bigonno : 

But fyif she wolde, for thy sake, 

In amies goodly theo have take, 251m 

It shuldo have be more worth to thee 

Tliaii of trosour greet i)lontee. 

' Thus shalt tlion moi-no and cek com- 
ployn, 
And goto enchesoun to goon agoyn 
Unto thy walk, or to thy place, 2505 

Where thou biheld hir fleshly face. 
And never, for fals snspeccionn, 
Thou woldcst findo occasioun 
For to gon nnto hir hons. 
So art thou thanno dcsii-ons 2510 

A sight of hir for to liave, 
If thon thine hononr inightest .save, 
Or any erand mightist make 
Thider, for thy loves sake ; 
Ful fayn thou woldist, bnt for drode 2515 
Thon gost not, lest that men take hede. 
Whcrforo I redo, in thy going, 
And also in thyn agoyn-coming, 
Thon be wol war that men no wit ; 
Foyne thee other cause than it 2520 

To Ro that weyc, or fasto by ; 
To hole wol is no folye. 
And if so bo it happo thee 
That thon thy love thor mayst see, 
In silver wyse thou hir salcwo, 25.-" 

Whorvvith thy colour wol transmowe. 
And oko thy blood shal al to-quake. 
Thy liowo eek chaungen for hir .sake. 
But word and wit, with chere ful pale, 
Shul wanto for to telle thy tale. 2530 

And if thon mayst so fer-forth winne, 
That thon [thy] rosoun dtirst biginne, 
Ami woldist soyn three thingis or mo, 



Fkaoment B.] 



ZU (Homaunf of tU (Koee. 



27 



Thou shalt ful scarsly seyn the two. 
'J'liough than Ijithenkc thee never so wel, 
TIiou shalt f'orycte yit somdel, 2536 

IJut-if thoii dele with trecheryc. 
For fills lovers mowe al f'olye 
Soy 11, what hem last, -withoutcn drede, 
Tliey ])Q so d<m])lo in liir falshedo ; 2540 
I'^or thny in herte cnnno thenke a thing 
And seyn another, in hir speking. 
And whan thy speche is cndid al, 
llight thus to thee it shal hiial ; 
If any word than come to mindo, 2545 
That thou to seye hast left bihinde, 
Than thou shalt brenne in greet martjT ; 
I''(ir thou shalt brenne as any fyr. 
This is the stryf and eke the affray, 
And the batail that lastith ay. 2550 

This bargeyn endo may never take, 
Ihit-if that she thy pees wil make. 

' And whan the night is comcn, anon 
A thousand angres shal conic upon. 
To hedde Jis fast thou wolt thee dight, 2555 
Where thou shalt have but smal delyt ; 
For whan thou wencst for to slepe, 
So ful of peyne shalt thou crepe, 
Sterte in thy beddo aboute ful wyde, 
And turne ful oftc on every syde ; 2560 
Now downward groffe, and now upright, 
And walowe in wo the hinge night ; 
'i'liyne armis shalt thou sprede abrede, 
As man in werre were -|-f<)rwerreyd. 
'I'lian slml thee come a remembraunco 
f)f liir shape and hir semblaunco 2566 
^\'^hcrto non other may be pere. 
And wite thou wel, withoute were. 
That thee shal fseme,sorntyme that night, 
'I'hat thou hast hir, that is so bright, 2570 
Naked bitwene thyn armes there, 
Al sothfastnesse as though it were. 
Tliou shalt make castels than in Sjjayne, 
And dremc of joye, al ])ut in vayne. 
And thee dolyten of right nought, 2575 
Whyl tliou so slomrest in that thought, 
Tliat is so swete and dolitable, 
'The which, in soth, nis but a fable, 
For it ne shal no whyle laste. 
Tlian shalt thou sigheand wepe faste, 2580 
And say, " Dere god, what thing is this ? 
IVIy dreme is turned al amis, 
Which was ful swete and apparent. 
But now I wake, it is al shent 



Now ycde this mory thought away I 2585 

Twenty tymcs upon a day 

I woldc this thought wolde come ageyn, 

F<)r it alleggith wel my poyn. 

It makith me ful of jfiyful thought. 

It slecth me, tliat it lastith noght. 25(;() 

A, lord ! why nil ye me socoure. 

The joye, 1 trowe, that 1 langoure? 

The deth I wolde me shulde slo 

Whyl I lye in hir armes two. 

Myn harm is hard, withouten wene, 2595 

My greet itnese ful oftc I mono. 

But wolde Love do so I might 

Have fully joye of hir so bright. 

My peyne were quit mc richelj'. 

Alias, to greet a tiling aske I ! 26(>i) 

It is but foly, and wrong wening. 

To aske so outragcoiTs a thing. 

And who-so askith folily. 

He moot bo warned hastily ; 

And I ne wot what I maj' say, 2605 

I am so for out of the way ; 

For I wolde have ful gret lyking 

And ful gret joye of lasse tiling. 

For wolde she, of hir gentilncssc, 

Withouten more, me onis kesse, 2610 

It were to me a greet guerdoun, 

Ilelees of al my passioun. 

But it is hard to corno therto ; 

Al is Init foly that I do. 

So high I have myn liorte set, 2615 

Where I may no comfort get. 

fl noot wher I scy wel or nouglit ; 

But this I wot wel in my thought. 

That it were fbet of hir aloon. 

For to stinte my wo and moon, 2620 

A loke on -j-me y-cast goodly, 

fThan for to have, al utterly, 

Of another <al hool the pley. 

A ! lord ! wher I shal bydc; the day 

That ever slie slial my lady lie ? 2625 

He is ful cured that may hir see. 

A ! god ! whan shal the dawning spring? 

To "lly thus is an angry thing ; 

I have no joye thus here to ly 

Wlian that my love is not me by, 2630 

A man to lyen liath gret disese. 

Which may not slepe ne roste in ese. 

I wolde it dawed, and were now day. 

And that the night were went away ; 

For were it day, I wolde upryse 26^5 



28 



^U (Romaunf of iU (Jloee. 



[Fragment B. 



A ! slowo soiine, show thyn cnpryso ! 
Speed thee to sproilo thy bomis hriglit, 
And cliace the dorknesso of the night, 
To putto away the stoundcs stronge, 
Which in mo Listen al to longo." 26.|.(> 

' The night shalfc thou contono so, 
Witliouto rest, in iioyno and wo ; 
If over thon Icnowo of h)vo (.listrosso, 
Thon slialt mowo Icrne in that siknesso. 
And thus enduring shalt tliou ly, 2645 
And ryso on niorwo up erly 
Out of tliy beddo, and harneys tlieo 
Er over dawning thou mayst see. 
Al privily than shalt thou goon, 
"What -j-wcder it bo, thy-silf aloon, 2650 
For reyn, or hayl, i'or snow, for slote, 
Tliidor she dwellith that is so swete. 
The whioli may I'allo aslepo bo, 
And thonkith but litol upon theo. 
Tlian shalt thou goon, ful foulo aferd ; 2655 
Loke if the gate be unspord, 
And waite without in wo and peyn, 
Ful yvel a-coldo in windo and reyn. 
Tlian shal thoxi go the doro bifore, 
If thou inaist fyndc any score, 2660 

Or hole, or reft, what ever it wero ; 
Than shalt tliou stoiapo, and lay to ore. 
If they within a-slepo bo ; 
I mono, alio save thy lady free. 
Whom waking if thou mayst aspyo, 2665 
Go put thy-silf in jupartye. 
To asko grace, and thoo bimono. 
That she may wito, withouton weno, 
That thou [ai]night no rest hast had. 
So sore for hir thou were bistad. 2670 

AVommon wel ought pito to take 
Of hem that sorwen for hir sake. 
And loke, for lovo of that rolyko, 
That tliou thcnko non other lyke. 
For I'whom thou hast so greet annoy, 2675 
iSh;il kisse theo or thou go away. 
And hold that in ful grot deyutoo. 
And, for that no man shal theo see 
TJiforo the hous, no in tho way, 
Loke thou he goou ageyn or day. 26E0 

SiU'hc coiuiug, and such going. 
Such lu'vinesse, and such walking, 
Makith lovers, withouton weno, 
I^^nder liir clothes pale and lone, 
For Lovo leveth colour ne cleornesso ; 26.S5 
Who loveth trowo hath no fatnosso. 



Thou shalt wel by thy-sclfo see 
Tiiat thou must nedis assayed bo. 
P\)r men that shape hem other wey 
Falsly her ladies to bitraj-, 2690 

It is no wonder though they bo fat ; 
With false othes hir loves they gat ; 
For oft I see siicdio losengoours 
Fatter than abbatis or prionrs. 

' Yet with o tiling I thoo charge, 2695 
That is to seye, that tliou lie largo 
Unto tho mayil that hir doth servo. 
So best hir thank thoii shalt deserve. 
Yovo hir yiftes, and got hir grace. 
For so thou may [hir] thank piirchaco,27oo 
That she thoo worthy lioldo and free, 
Tliy lady, and alio that may theo see. 
Also hir sorvauntos worshipo ay, 
And pleso a.s muclio as thou may ; 
Grot good tlirough hem may comotothce, 
Bicause with hir tliey been prive. 2706 
Tiiey shal hir telle how they thee fand 
Curteis and wys, and wel doand. 
And she shal proyse [thee] wel tho f mare. 
Loke out of londo thou bo not -f-faro ; 2710 
And if such cause thou have, that thoo 
Bihoveth fgon out of contreo, 
Love hool thyn horte in hostage. 
Til thou ageyn make thy passage. 
Tlionk long to see tho swete thing 2715 
That hath tliyn liorto in hir keping. 

' Now have I told theo, in what wyso 
A lover shal do mo servyso. 
Do it than, if thou wolt have 
Tho modo that thou aftir crave.' 2720 

Whan Love al this liad boden mo, 
I seide him : — ' Sire, how may it bo 
That lovers may in siich manoro 
Enduro tho poyno ye havo soid hero ? 
T morveylo mo wonder fasto, 2725 

Ifow any man may live <u- lasto 
In such peyne, and such brenning, 
In sorwo and thought, and such sighing, 
Aj' unrolesed wo to malio, 
Whether so it bo they slope or wake. 2730 
In such annoy cimtinuoly. 
As helpo me god, this morveilo I, 
How man, but he wero maad of stele, 
Jtight live a month, such poynes to felo.' 

The God of Lovo than seido me, 2735 
' Freend, by tho feith I owe to thee. 
May no man havo good, biit ho it by. 



Fragment B.] 



tU (Rowaunf of tU (Roee. 



29 



A man lovetli more tendirly 

The thing that he hath bought most dere. 

For wito thou wel, withouten were, 2740 

In thank that thing is taken more, 

For which a man hath suffred sore. 

Certis, no wo ne may attej'ne 

Unto the sore of loves peyne. 

Non yvel therto ne may amounts, 2745 

No more than a man [naay] counte 

The dropes tliat of the water be. 

For drye as wel the grete see 

Thou mightist, as the liarmes telle 

Of hem that with Love dwelle 2750 

In ser\'5'se ; for peyne hem sleeth, 

And that ech man wolde flee the deeth. 

And trowe they shulde never escape, 

Nere that hope couthe hem make 

Glad as man in prisoun set, 2755 

And may not geten for to et 

But barly-breed, and watir pure. 

And lyeth in vermin and in ordure ; 

With alle this, yit can he live. 

Good hope such comfort hath him yive. 

Which maketh wene that he shal be 2761 

Delivered and come to liberte ; 

In fortune is [his] fuUe trust. 

Though he lyo in strawe or dust, 

In hope is al his susteyning. 2765 

And so for lovers, in liir wening, 

Wliiche Love hath shit in his prisoun ; 

Good-Hope is hir salvacioun. 

Good-Hope, how sore that they smerte, 

Yeveth hem bothe wille and herte 2770 

To jjrofre hir body to niartyre ; 

For Hope so sore doth hem desyre 

To sufifre ech harm that men devyse. 

For joye that faftir shal aryse. 

' Hope, in desire [to] cacche victorie ; 
In Hope, of love is al the glorie, 2776 

For Hope is al that love may yive ; 
Nere Hope, ther shulde no lover live. 
Blessid be Hojdc, which with desyre 
Avauncetli lovers in such manere. 2780 
Good-Hope is curteis for to xslese, 
To kepe lovers from al disese. 
Hope kepith his lond, and wol abyde. 
For any peril that may betyde ; 
For Hofie to lovers, as most cheef, 27S5 
Doth hem endure[n] al mischeef ; 
Hope is her help, whan mister is. 
And I shal yeve thee eek, y-wis, 



Three other thingis, that greet solas 
Doth to hem that be in my las. 2790 

' The first[e] good that may be founde, 
To hem that in my lace be bounde, 
Is Swete-Thought, for to recorde 
Thing wherwith thoii canst aceorde 
Best in thyn herte, wher she be ; 2795 

+ Thought in absence is good to thee. 
Whan any lover doth compleyne. 
And liveth in distresse and i^eyne. 
Than Swete-Thought shal come, as blyve, 
Awey his angre for to dryve. 2S00 

It niakith lovers have remembraunce 
Of comfort, and of high plesaunce. 
That Hope hath hight him for to winne 
For Thought auoon than shal biginne. 
As fer, god wot, as he can finde, 2805 

To make a mirrour of his minde ; 
For to biholde he wol not lette. 
Hir person he shal afore him sette, 
Hir laughing eyen, persaunt and clere, 
Hir shape, hir fourme, hir goodly chere, 
Hir mouth that is so gracious, 281 1 

So swete, and eek so saverous ; 
Of alle hir fetures he shal take hede. 
His eyen with alle hir limes fede. 

' Thus Swete-Thenking shal aswage 2815 
The peyne of lovers, and hir rage. 
Thy joye shal double, withoute gesse, 
Whan thou thenkist on hir semlinesse. 
Or of hir laughing, or of hir chere, 
That to thee made thy lady dere. 2820 
This comfort wol I that thou take ; 
And if the next thou wolt forsake 
Which is not lesse saverous. 
Thou shuldist f been to daungerous. 

' The secounde shal be Swete-Speche, 
That hath to many oon be leche, 2826 
To bringe hem out of wo and were. 
And helpe many a bachilere ; 
And many a lady sent socoure, 
That have loved par-amour, 2830 

Through speking, whan they mighten 

here 
Of hir lovers, to hem so dere. 
To "t-hem it voidith al hir smerte. 
The which is closed in hir herte. 
In herte it makith hem glad and light, 
Speehe, whan they mowe have sight. 2S36 
And therfore now it cometh to minde 
In olde dawes, as I finde, 



3° 



^0e (Koinaun^ of t9,i (Koec. 



[FUAGMEXT B. 



That clerkis writen that hir knewe, 

Ther was a lady fresh of hewe, 2840 

Which of hir love made a song, 

On him for to remembre among, 

In which she seide, " Whan that I here 

Speken of him that is so dere. 

To me it voidith al [my] smerte, 2845 

Y-wis, he sit so nere mj'n lierte. 

To speke of him, at eve or morwe, 

It curetli me of al my sorwe. 

To me is noon so high ples.annce 

As of his persone daliannce." 2850 

She wist ful wel that Swete-Speking 

Comfortith in ful muche thing. 

Hir love she had ftil wel assayed, 

Of him she was ful wel apayed ; 

To speke of him hir joye was set. 2855 

Therfore I rede thee that thon get 

A felowe that can wel concele 

And kepe thy counsel, and "wel hele. 

To whom go shewe hoolly thyn herte, 

Bothe wele and wo, joye and smerte : 2860 

To gete comfort to him thou go, 

And privily, between yow two. 

Ye shal speke of that goodly thing. 

That hath thyn herte in hir keping ; 

Of hir beaute and hir semblaunce, 2865 

And of hir goodly countenaunco. 

Of al thy state thou shalt him se.v, 

And aske him counseil how thou may 

Do any thing that may hir plese ; 

For it to theo shal do gret ese, 2870 

That he may wite thou trust him so, 

Bothe of thy wele and of thy wo. 

And if his herte to love be set. 

His comjianye is muche the bet. 

For resovin wol, he shewe to thee 2875 

Al uttirly his privito ; 

And what she is he loveth so, 

To thee plej-nly he shal undo, 

Withoute drede of any shame, 

Bothe telle hir renoun and hir name. 2880 

Than shal he forther, ferre and nere, 

Antl namely to thy lady dere. 

In siker wyse ; ye, every other 

Shal helpen as his owne brother. 

In trouthe withoute doublenesse, 2885 

And kepen cloos in sikernesse. 

For it is noble thing, in fay. 

To have a man thou darst say 

Thy prive counsel every del ; 



For that wol comfort thee right wel, 2890 
And thou shalt holdo thee wel apayed, 
Whan such a freend thou hast assayed. 

' The thridde good of greet comfort 
That yeveth to lovers most disport, 
Comith of sight and biholding, 2895 

That clepid is Swete-Loking, 
The whicho may noon ese do, 
Wlian thou art fer thy lady fro ; 
Wherfore thou jsrese alwey to be 
In place, where thou mayst hir se. 2900 
For it is thing most amerous, 
Most delitable and saverous. 
For to aswage a niannes sorowe, 
To sene his lady by the morowe. 
For it is a ful noble thinge 2905 

Whan thyn eyen have meting 
With that relyke precious, 
Wherof they be so desirous. 
But al day after, soth it is. 
They have no drede to faren amis, 2910 
They dreden neither wind ne reyn, 
Ne [yit] non other maner peyn. 
For whan thyn eyen were thus in blis, 
Yit of hir curtesj-e, y-wis, 
Aloon they can not have hir joye, 2915 
But to the herte they [it] convoye ; 
Part of hir blis to him fthey seude. 
Of al this harm to make an ende. 
The eye is a good messangere. 
Which can to the herte in such manere 
Tidyngis sende, that [he] hath seen, 292 1 
To voide him of his peynes cleen. 
Wherof the herte reioyseth so 
That a gret party of his wo 
Is voided, and put awey to flight. 2925 
Eight as the derknesse of the night 
Is chased with clerenesse of the mono, 
Right so is al his wo fill soue 
Devoided clene, whan that the sight 
Biholden may that fresshe wight 2930 
That the herte desyreth so, 
That al his derknesse is ago ; 
For than the herte is al at ese. 
Whan they seen that [that] may hem plese. 

' Now have I f thee declared al-out, 2935 
Of that thou were in drede and dout ; 
For I have told thee feithfuUy 
What thee may curen utterly. 
And alle lovers that wole be 
Feithful, and ful of stabilite. 2940 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Komaun^ of tU (B^e^' 



31 



Good-Hope alwey kepe by thy syde, 
And Swete-Tliouglit make eek abydo, 
Swete-Loking and Swete-Speche ; 
Of alle thyn harnies they shal be leche. 
Of every thou shalt have greet plesannce ; 
If thoii canst byde in sufferannce, 2946 
And serve wel without feyntyse, 
Thou shalt be quit of thyii empryse, 
With more guerdoun, if that thou live ; 
But al tliis tyme this I thee yive.' 2950 

The God of Love whan al the day 
Had taught me, as ye have herd say, 
And enfourmed compendiously. 
He vanished awey al sodeynly, 
And I alone Icfte, al sole, 2955 

So ful of complejait and of dole. 
For I saw no other man tlier me by. 
My woundes me greved wondirly ; 
Me for to curen no-thing I knew, 
Save the botoun bright of hew, 2960 

Wheron was set hoolly my thought ; 
Of other comfort knew I nought, 
But it were through the God of Love ; 
I knew nat elles to my biliove 
That might me ese or comfort gete, 2965 
But-if he wolde him entermete. 

The roser was, withoute doute, 
Closed with aji hegge withoute. 
As ye to-forn have herd me seyn ; 
And fast I bisied, and wolde fayn 2970 
Have passed the haye, if I might 

Have geten in by any slight 

L'^nto the botoiin so fair to see. 

But ever I dradde blamed to be, 

If men wolde have suspeccioun 2975 

That I wolde of entencioun 

Have stole the roses that tlier were ; 

Therfore to entrc I was in fere. 

But at the last, as I bithought 

Whether I sholde passe or nought, 29S0 

I saw com with a gladde chere 

To me, a lusty bachelere, 

Ot good stature, and of good liight, 

And Bialacoil forsothe he hight. 

Sone he was to Curtesy, 2985 

And he me graunted ful gladly 

The passage of the outer haj'. 

And seide : — ' Sir, how that ye may 

Passe, if [it] your wille be. 

The fresshe roser for to see, 2990 

And yo the swete savour fele. 



Your -f- warrant may [I l)e] right wele ; 

So thou thee kepe fro folye, 

Shal no man do thee vilanye. 

If I may helpe you in ought, 2995 

I shal not feyne, dredeth nought ; 

For I am bounde to j'oiir servyse, 

Fully devoide of feyntyse.' 

Than unto Bialacoil saide I, 

' I thank you, sir, ful hertely, 3000 

And yoiu" biheest [I] take at gree, 

That ye so goodly jjrofer me ; 

To you it Cometh of greet fraunchyse. 

That ye me profer your servyse.' 

Than aftir, ful deliverly, 3005 

Through the breres anoon wente I, 

Wlierof encombred was the hay. 

I was wel plesed, the soth to saj-, 

To see the botoun fair and swote. 

So fresshe spronge oiit of the rote. 3010 

And Bialacoil me served wel, 
Whan I so nygh me mighte fele 
Of the botoun the swete odour. 
And so lusty hewed of colour. 
But than a cherl (foule him bityde !) 3015 
Bisyde the roses gan him byde, 
To kope the roses of that roser, 
Of whom the name was Daunger. 
This cherl was hid there in the greves. 
Covered with grasse and with leves, 3020 
To spye and take whom that he fond 
LTnto that roser putte an bond. 
He was not sole, for ther was mo ; 
For with him were other two 
Of wikked maners, aud yrel fame. 3025 
That oon was clepid, by his name, 
Wikked-Tonge, god yeve him sorwe ! 
For neither at eve, ne at morwe, 
He can of no man [no] good speke , 
On many a just man doth he wreke. 30:0 
Ther was a womman eek, that hight 
Shame, that, who can reken right, 
Trespas was hir fadir name, 
Hir moder Eesoiin ; and thus was Shame 
[On lyve] brought of these ilk two. 3035 
And yet had Trespas never ado 
With Eesoun, ne never ley hir by, 
He was so liidous and ugly, 
I mene, this that Trespas hight ; 
But Eesoun conceyveth, of a sight, 3040 
Shame, of that I spak aforn. 
And whan that Shame was thus born. 



32 



^0e (Romauttf of t^ (Roee. 



[Fragment B. 



It was ordeyned, that Chastitee 

Shiilde of the roser lady be, 

Which, of the botouns more and las, 3045 

With sondry folk assailed was. 

That she ne wiste what to do. 

!For Venus hir assailith so. 

That night and day from hir she stal 

Botouns and roses over-al. 3050 

To Resoun than prayeth Chastitee, 

Wliom Venus ■j-flemed over the see. 

That she hir doughter wolde hir lene. 

To kepe the roser fresh and grene. 

Anoon Resoun to Chastitee 3055 

Is fully assented that it be. 

And grauntid hir, at hir request, 

That Shame, bicause she is honest, 

Shal keper of the roser be. 

And thus to kepe it ther were three, 3060 

That noon shulde hardy be ne bold 

(Were he yong, or were he old) 

Ageyn hir w^ille awey to here 

Botouns ne roses, that ther were. 

I had wel sped, had I not been 3065 

Awaytod with these three, and seen. 

For Bialacoil, that was so fair. 

So gracioiis and debonair, 

Quitte him to me ful curteisly. 

And, me to plese, bad that I 3070 

Shuld drawe me to the botoun nere ; 

Prese in, to touche the rosere 

Which bar the roses, he yaf me leva ; 

This graunt ne might but litel greve. 

And for he saw it lyked nie, 3075 

Right nygh the botoun pullede he 

A leef al grene, and yaf mo that, 

The which ful nygh the botoun sat ; 

I made [me] of that leef ful queynt. 

And whan I felte I was aqueynt 3080 

With Bialacoil, and so prive, 

I wende al at my wille had be. 

Then wex I hardy for to tel 

To Bialacoil how me bif'el 

Of Love, that took and wounded me, 3085 

And seide : ' Sir, so mote I thee, 

I may no joye have in no wyse, 

Upon no syde, but it ryse ; 

For sithe (if I shal not feyne) 

In herte I have had so gret peyne, 3090 

So gret annoy, and such affraj'. 

That I ne wot what I shal say ; 

I dredo your wrath to disserve. 



Lever me were, that knyves kerve 

My body shulde in pecis smalle, 3095 

Than in any wyse it shulde falle 

That ye "wratthed shulde been with me.' 

' Sey boldely thy wille,' quod he, 

' I nil be wroth, if that I may, .3099 

For nought that thou shalt to me say.' 

Thanne seide I, ' Sir, not you displese 
To knowen of my greet unese. 
In which only love hath me brovight ; 
For peynes greet, disese and thought. 
Fro day to day he doth me drye ; 3105 
Supposeth not, sir, that I Ij-e. 
In me fyve woundes dide he make. 
The sore of whiche shal never slake 
But ye the botoun graunte me, 
Wlaich is most passaunt of beaxitee, 31 10 
My lyf, my deth, and my martjTe, 
And tresour that I most desjrre.' 

Than Bialacoil, affrayed all, 
Seyde, ' Sir, it may not fall ; 
That ye desire, it may not -f-ryse. 3115 

Wliat ? wolde ye shende me in this wyse ? 
A mochel foole than I were. 
If I suffrid you awey to here 
The fresh botoun, so fair of sight. 
For it were neither skile ne right 3i2(< 
Of the roser ye broke the rind. 
Or take the rose aforn his kind ; 
Ye ar not courteys to aske it. 
Lat it stil on the roser sit, 
And fgrowe til it amended be, 3125 

And isarfitly come to beaute. 
I nolde not that it pulled wer 
Fro the roser that it ber. 
To me it is so leef and dere.' 

With that sterte out anoon Daungere, 
Out of the place where he was hid. 3131 
His malice in his chere was kid ; 
Ful greet he was, and blak of hewe, 
Sturdy and hidotis, who-so him knewe ; 
Like sharp urchouns his here was growe, 
His eyes frede as the fire-glow ; 3136 

His nose frounced ful kirked stood, 
He com criand as he were wood, 
And seide, ' Bialac<jil, tel me why 
Thou bringest hider so boldly 3140 

Him that so nygh [is] the roser ? 
Thou worchist in a wrong maner ; 
He thenkith to dishonour thee, 
Thou art wel worthy to have maugree 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Howaunf of tU ^06i. 



33 



To late him of the roser wit ; 3145 

Who serveth a feloiin is yvel quit. 

Thoti woldist have doon greet bountee, 

And he with shame wohle quyte thee. 

Flee hennes, felowe ! I rede thee go ! 

It wanteth litel fl wol thee slo ; 3150 

For Bialacoil ne knew thee nought, 

Wlian thee to sei-ve he sette his thought ; 

For thou wolt shame him, if thou might, 

Bothe agejai resoim and right. 

I wol no more in thee affye, 3155 

That comest so slyghly for tespye ; 

For it preveth wonder wel, 

Thy slight and tresoim every del.' 

I durst no more ther make abode, 
For the cherl, he was so wode ; 3160 

So gan he threten and manace, 
And thurgh the haye he did me chace. 
For feer of him I tremblid and quook. 
So cherlislily his heed he shook ; 
And seide, if eft he might me take, 3165 
I shulde not from his hondis scape. 

Than Bialacoil is fled and mate. 
And I al sole, disconsolate. 
Was left aloon in peyne and thought ; 
For shame, to deth I was nygh brought. 
Than thought I on myn high foly, 3171 
How that my body, iitterly. 
Was yeve to peyne and to niartyre ; 
And therto hadde I so gret yre, 
That I ne durst the hayes passe ; 3175 

There was nou hope, there was no grace. 
I trowe never man wiste of peyne. 
But he were laced in Loves cheyne ; 
Ne no man [wot], and sooth it is, 
But-if he love, what anger is. 3180 

Love holdith his heest to me right wele, 
Whan peyne he seide I shvilde fele. 
Non herte may thenke, ne tunge sejme, 
A quarter of my wo and peyne. 
I might not with the anger laste ; 3185 
Myn herte in poj-nt was for to braste, 
■Whan I thought on the rose, that so 
Was through Dauuger cast me fro. 
A long whyl stood I in that state, 
Til that me saugh so mad and mate 3190 
The lady of the highe ward, 
Which from hir tour lokid thiderward. 
Eesotin men clepe that lady. 
Which from hir tour deliverly 
Come doun to me withoiiten more. 3ig^ 



But she was neither yong, no hore, 

Ne high ne low, ne fat ne lene. 

But best, as it were in a mene. 

Hir eyen two were cleer and light 

As any candel that brenneth bright ; 3200 

And on hir heed she hadde a crown. 

Hir semede wel an high persoun ; 

For rounde enviroun, hir crownet 

Was fvil of riche stonis fret. 

Hir goodly semblaunt, by devys, 3205 

I trowe were maad in paradys ; 

f Nature had never such a grace, 

To forge a werk of such compace. 

For certejm, f but the letter lye, 

God him-silf, that is so high, 3210 

Made hir aftir his image. 

And yaf hir sith sich avauntage, 

That she hath might and seignorye 

To kepe men from al folye ; 

Who-so wole trowe hir lore, 3215 

Ne may oflfenden nevermore. 

And whyl I stood thus derk and pale, 
Eesoun bigan to me hir tale ; 
She seide : ' Al hayl, my swete frend ! 
Foly and childhood wol thee shend, 3220 
Which thee have put in greet affray ; 
Thou hast bought dere the tyme of May, 
That made thyn herte mery to be. 
In yvel tyme thoii wentist to see 
The gardin, wherof Ydilnesse 3225 

Bar the keye, and was maistresse 
Whan thou yedest in the daimce 
With hir, and hadde[st] aqueyntaunce : 
Hir aqueyntaunce is perilous, 
First softe, and aftir[ward] noyous ; 3230 
She hath [thee] trasshed, withoute ween ; 
The God of Love had thee not seen, 
Ne hadde Ydilnesse thee conveyed 
In the verger where Mirthe him pleyed. 
If Foly have sujDprised thee, 3235 

Do so that it recovered be ; 
And be wel war to take no more 
Counsel, that greveth aftir sore ; 
He is wys that wol himsilf chastyse. 
And thoiigh a young man in any wyse 
Trespace among, and do foly, 3241 

Lat him not tarye, but hastily 
Lat him amende what so be mis. 
And eek I counseile thee, y-wis. 
The God of Love hoolly foryet, 3245 

That hath thee in sich peyne set, 



Z(>c (Romauttf of tU (]^ou. 



[Fragment B. 



And thee in lierte tormented so. 

I can nat seen liow thon mayst go 

Other weyes to garisoun ; 

For Daunger, that is so fclonn, 3250 

Felly jnirposith thee to worrey, 

Which is ful cruel, the soth to sey. 

' And yit of Daunger cometh no blame, 
In reward of my doughter Shame, 
Which hath the roses in hir warde, 3255 
As she that may he no musarde. 
And Wikked-Tunge is with these two, 
That suffrith no man thider go ; 
For er a thing be do, he shal, 
Where that he cometh, over-al, 3260 

In fourty places, if it be sought, 
Seye thing that never was doon ne 

wrought ; 
So moohe tresoun is in his male, 
Of fiilsnesse for to ffeyne a tale. 
Tlioti delest with angry folk, y-wis ; 3265 
Wherfor to thee [it] hettir is 
From these folk awey to fare, 
For they -wol make thee live in care. 
This is the j^el that Love thej' calle, 
Wherin ther is but foly alle, 3270 

F<ir love is foly everydel ; 
Who lovcth, in no wyse may do wel, 
Ne sette his thought on no good werk. 
His scole he lesith, if he fbe clerk ; 
Of other craft eek if he be, 3275 

He shal not thryve therin ; for ho 
In love shal have more passioun 
Than monke, hermyte, or chanoun. 
The peyne is hard, out of mesure. 
The joye may eek no wliyl endviro ; 3280 
And in the possessioun 
Is muche tribulacioun ; 
The joye it is so short-lasting, 
And but in hai^pe is the geting ; 
For I see ther many in travaillo, 3285 

That atte laste foule fayle. 
I was no-thing thy counseler. 
Whan thou were maad the liomager 
Of God of Love to hastily ; 
Tlier was no wisdom, but foly. 3290 

Thyn herte was joly, but not sage, 
Whan thou were brought in sich a rage, 
To yelde thee so redily. 
And to Love, of his gret maistry. 

' I rede thee Love awey to dryve, 3295 
That makith thee recche not of thy ly\'e. 



The foly more fro day to day 

Shal growe, but thou it putte away. 

Take with thy teeth the bridel faste. 

To daunte thyn herte ; and eek thee caste, 

If that thoiT mayst, to gote -fdefence 3301 

For to redresso thy first offence. 

"\Mio-so his herte alwey wol leve, 

Shal finde among that shal him grevc.' 

Whan I hir lierd thus mo chastyse, 3305 
I answerd in ful angry wyse. 
I prayed hir cesseu of hir speche, 
Outlier to chastyse me or teche, 
To bidde me my thought refreyne, 
Wliich Love hath caught in his de- 
nieyne : — 3310 

' What ? wene ye Love wol consent, 
That me assailitli with bowe bent, 
To draw myn herte out of his honde, 
Which is so qiiikly in his bonde ? 
That ye counsayle, may never be ; 3315 
For whan he first arested mo. 
He took myn herte so hool him til, 
That it is no-thing at my wil ; 
He ftaughte it so him for to obey. 
That he it sparred with a key. 3320 

I pray yow lat me be al stille. 
For ye may wel, if that ye wille, 
Your wordis waste in idilnesse ; 
For utterly, withouten gesse, 
Al that ye seyn is but in vejme. 3325 

Mo were lever dye in the peyne. 
Than Love to me-ward shulde arette 
Falsheed, or tresoun on me sette. 
I wol me gete prys or blame. 
And love trewe, to save my name ; 3330 
■|-"V\Tio me chastysith, I him hate.' 

With that word Eesoun wente hir gate, 
Whan she saugli for no sermoning 
She might me fro my foly bring. 
Than dismayed, I lefte al sool, 3335 

Forwery, forwandred as a fool, 
For I ne knew no f chevisaunce. 
Than fel into my remembraunce. 
How Love bade me to purveye 
A felowe, to whom I mighte seye 3340 
My counsel and my privete. 
For that sliulde muche availe me. 
With that bithought I me, that I 
Hadde a felowe faste by, 
Trewe and siker, curteys, and hend, 3345 
And he was called by name a Freend ; 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (B^r\\<x\ini of tU (^oet. 



35 



A trewer felowe was no-wher noon. 

In haste to him I wente anoon, 

And to him al my wo I tohle, 

Fro him right nought I wold withliohle. 

I tolde him al withottte were, 3351 

And made my compleynt on Daungere, 

How for to see lie was hidous, 

And to-me-ward contrarious ; 

The whiche through his cmelte 3355 

^Vas in poynt to have meygned me ; 

With Bialacoil whan he me sey 

Within the gardyn walke and pley, 

Fro me he made him for to go, 

And I bilefto aloon in wo ; 3360 

I dtirst no lenger with him spake. 

For Dannger seide he wolde be wreke, 

W'han that he sawe how I wente 

The fresshe botoun for to hente, 

If I were hardy to come neer 3365 

Bitwene the hay and the roser. 

This Freend, whan he wiste of my 
thought, 
He discomforted me right noiight, 
Biit seide, ' Felowe, be not so niad, 
Ne so abaysshed nor bistad. 3370 

My-silf I knowe fnl wel Daungere, 
And how he is feers of his chere. 
At prime temps, Love to manace ; 
Fnl ofte I have ben in his oaas. 
A feloun first though that he be, 3375 

Aftir thoii shalt him souple see. 
Of long ]3assed I knew him wcle ; 
Ungoodly first though men him fele, 
He wol meek aftir, in his bering. 
Been, for service and obeysshing. 3380 
I shal thee telle what thou shalt do : — 
Mekely I rede thou go him to, 
Of herte pray him specialy 
Of thy trespace to have mercy, 
And bote him wel, [him] here to plese, 3385 
That thou shalt nevermore him displese. 
Wlio can best serve of flatery, 
Shal plese Daunger most uttirly.' 

My Freend hath seid to me so wel. 
That he me esid hath somdel, 3390 

And eek allegged of my torment ; 
For through him had I hardement 
AgajTi to Daunger for to go. 
To ijreve if I might meke him so. 

To Daunger cam I, al ashamed, 3395 
The which aforn me hadde blamed. 



Desyring for to pese my wo ; 

BiTt over hegge durst I not go, 

For he f for bad me the passage. 

I fond him cruel in his rage, 3400 

And in his bond a gret burdoun. 

To him I knelid lowe adoiin, 

Ful meke of port, and simple of chere, 

And seide, ' Sir, I am conien here 

Only to aske of you mercy. 34^5 

That greveth me, [sir], ful gretly 

That ever my lyf I wratthed j'ou. 

But for to amende I ani come now. 

With al my might, bothe loude and stille. 

To doon right at your owne wille ; 3410 

For Love made me for to do 

That I have trespassed hidirto ; 

Fro whom I ne may withdrawe myn 

herte ; 
Yit shal I never, for joy ne smerte, 
"V\niat so bifalle, good or ille, 3415 

Offende more ageyn your wille. 
Lever I have endure disese 
Than do that shulde you displese. 

' I you require and pray, that ye 
Of me have mercy and pitee, 3420 

To stinte your yre that greveth so, 
That I wol swere for evermo 
To be redressid at your lyking, 
If I trespasse in any thing ; 
Save that I pray thee graunte me 3425 
A thing that may nat warned be. 
That I may love, al only ; 
Non other thing of you aske I. 
I shal doon elles wel, y-wis. 
If of your grace ye graunte me this. 3430 
And ye [ne] may not letten me. 
For wel wot ye that love is free. 
And I shal loven, -jsith that I wil, 
Wlio-ever lyke it wel or il ; 
And yit ne wold I, for al Fraunce, 3435 
Do thing to do you displesaunce.' 

Than Daunger fil in his entent 
For to foryeve his maltalent ; 
But al his wratthe yit at lasto 
He hath relesed, I preyde so faste : 3440 
Shortly he seide, ' Thy request 
Is not to mochel dishonest ; 
Ne I wol not werne it thee, 
For yit no-thing engreveth me. 
For thoiigh thoii love thiis evermore, 3445 
To me is neither softe ne sore. 



C 2 



36 



ZU (Uomauni of iU (Roae. 



[Fkac.ment B. 



Love Iwlier theo list ; what rcccliith mo, 

So [thou] fer fro my roses be ? 

Trust not on me, for noon assay, 

In any tymo to passo the hay.' 3450 

Thns hath ho granntod my prayoro. 

Than wonto I forth, withonton wore. 
Unto my Frecnd, and toldc him al. 
Which was ripfht joyful of my tale. 
Ho scide, ' Now goth wel thyn affaire, 3455 
He shal to thee be dobonairo. 
Though he aforn was dispitoiis, 
He slial heeraftir be gracious. 
If ho were touchid on som good voyne, 
He shuld yit rowen on thy peyno. .H^o 
Suffrp, I rede, and no boost make. 
Til thou at good nies mayst him take. 
By siiffraunco, and [by] wordis softe, 
A man may overcome[n] ofto 
Him that aforn ho hadde in drode, 3465 
In bookis sothly as I redo.' 

Thns hath my Freend with grot com- 
fort 
Avaiinccd me Avith high disport, 
Wliich woldo mo good as mich as I. 
And tlianno anoon ful sode.Aaily 3470 

I took my love, and streight I wont 
Unto tho hay ; for gi'ot talent 
I had to seen tho fresh botoun, 
Wherin lay my salvacioun ; 
And Daunger took kepe, if that I 3475 
Kepe him covenannt trewly. 
So sore I dradde his manasing, 
I durst not broke[n] his bidding ; 
For, lest that I were of him shcnt, 
I brak not his oomaundement, 34^^) 

For to purchase his good wil. 
It was [hard] for to come thor-til. 
His mercy was to fer bihinde ; 
I wepto, for I no might it findo. 
I compleyned and siglied sore, 34'*^5 

And languisshed evermore. 
For I durst not over go 
Unto tho rose I loved so, 
Thurghout my doming outorl^-, 
f Than liad Iio knowlege certeinly, 34Q0 
fThat Lovo me laddo in sich a wj'se. 
That in mo ther was no feyntyse, 
Falshoed, no no trecherye. 
And yit he, ful of vilanyo, 
Of disdeyne, and cruelte, 3495 

On me ne woldo have pite, 



His cruel wil for to refroyne. 

Though I wopo alwey, and f compleyne. 

And while I was in this torment, 
Were come of grace, by god sent, 3500 
Frannchyso, and with hir Pito 
Fulfild tlio botoun of bountee 
Tliey go to Daunger anon-right 
To forther me with al hir might. 
And helpe in worde and in dede, 3505 
For wel they saugh that it was node. 
First, of hir grace, dame Fraunchyse 
Hath taken [word] of this empryse : 
She seide, ' Daunger, grot wTong ye do 
To worclio this man so muche wo, 3510 
Or pynon liim so angerly ; 
It is to you gTet vilany. 
I can not see why, ne how, 
That ho hath trosiiassod ageyn you. 
Save that he loveth ; whorfore ye shulde 
The more in chereto of him holde. 3516 
The force of love makitli him do this ; 
Who woldo him blame he dido amis? 
Ho leseth more than ye may do ; 
His peyno is hard, ye may see, lo ! 35JO 
And Love in no wyse woldo consento 
That file have power to repentc ; 
For thougli that qiiilc ya woldo hini sloo. 
Fro Love his herto may not go. 
Now, swete sir, fis it your eso 3525 

Him for to angro or disese ? 
Alias, what may it you avaunce 
To doon to him so greet grevaunco ? 
Wh.at worship is it agayn him take. 
Or on your man a werro make, 3530 

Sith ho so lowly exeiy wyso 
Is rody, as yo lust dcA'^'se ? 
If Lovo hath caught him in his lace. 
You for t'obeyo in every caas, 
And been yoiir suget at your wille, 3535 
Shulde ye therfore willen him ille? 
Ye shulde him spare more, al-ont, 
Than him that is bothe proud and stont. 
Curtes.ye wol that ye soctmr 
Hcn^ that ben meke undir your euro. 3540 
His herto is hard, that wole not moke. 
Whan men of mokonesso him biseke.' 

' That is certoyn,' seide Pite ; 
' Wg see ofte that hiimiliteo 
Bothe ire, and also felonye 3545 

Vonqviissheth, and also molancolyo ; 
To stondo forth in such duresse, 



Fragment B.] 



tU dPiomaunt of t^i (Uoee. 



37 



Tliis crueltee and ^vikkednesse. 
Whcrf<<re I pray you, sir Daungere, 
For to mayntene no lenger here 3550 

Such cruel werre agayn your man, 
As hoolly youres as ever he can ; 
Nor that ye worchen no more wo 
f On this caytif that languisshith so, 
Wliieh wol no more to you trespasse, 3555 
But put him hoolly in your grace. 
His offense ne was biit lyte ; 
The God of Love it was to wyte. 
That he your thral so gretly is. 
And if ye harm him, ye doon amis ; 3560 
For ho hath had ful hard penaunce, 
Sith that ye refte him th'aqueyntauiice 
Of Bialacoil, his moste joye. 
Which alio his peynes might acoye. 
He was biforn anoyed sore, 3565 

But than ye doubled him wel more ; 
For he of blis hath ben ful bare, 
Sith Bialacoil was fro him fare. 
Love hath to him do greet distresse. 
He hath no nede of more duresse. 3570 
Voideth from him your ire, I rede ; 
Ye may not winnen in this dede. 
Maketh Bialacoil repeire ageyn. 
And haveth pite upon his peyn ; 
For Fraunchise wol, and I, Pite, 3575 

That merciful to him ye be ; 
And sith that she and I accorde, 
Have upon him misericorde ; 
For I you pray, and eek moneste. 
Nought to refusen our requeste ; 3580 

For he is hard and fel of thought. 
That for us two wol do right nought.' 
Daunger ne might no more endure, 
He meked him unto mesure. 

' I wol in no wyse,' seith Daungere, 3585 
' Denye that ye have asked here ; 
It wore to greet uneurtesye. 
I wol ye have the companye 
Of Bialacoil, as ye devyse ; 
I wol him lette[n] in no wyse.' .\S9<> 

To Bialacoil than wente in hy 
Fraunchyse, and seide ful curteisly : — 
' Ye have to longe be deignous 
Unto this lover, and daungerous. 
Fro him to withdi-awe your presence, 3595 
Which hath do to him grete offence, 
That ye not wolde upon him see ; 
Wherfore a sorowful man is he. 



Shape ye to paye him, and to plese, 
Of my love if ye wol have ese. 3600 

Fulfil his wil, sith that ye knowe 
Daunger is daunted and brought lowe 
Thurgh help of me and of Pite ; 
You "fthar no more afered be.' 

' I shal do right as ye wil,' 3605 

Saith Bialacoil, ' for it is skil, 
Sith Daunger wol that it so be.' 
Than Fraunchise hath him sent to me. 

Bialacoil at the biginning 
Salued me in his coming. 36111 

No straungenes was in him seen. 
No more than he ne had wrathed been. 
As faire semblaunt than shewed he me. 
And goodly, as afom did he ; 
And by the honde, withouten doute, 3615 
Within the haye, right al aboute 
He ladde me, with right good chere, 
Al environ the vergere. 
That Daunger had me chased fro. 
Now have I leve over-al to go ; 3621 1 

Now am I raised, at my devys. 
Fro helle unto paradys. 
Thus Bialacoil, of gentilnesse, 
With alle his peyne and besinesse, 
Hath shewed me, only of grace, 3625 

The estres of the swote place. 

I saw the rose, whan I was nigh, 
Was gretter woxen, and more high, 
Fresh, rody, and fair of liewe. 
Of colour ever yliche newe. 3630 

And whan I had it longe seen, 
I saugh that through the leves grene 
The rose spredde to spanishing ; 
To sene it was a goodly thing. 
But it ne was so spred on brede, 3635 

That men within might knowe the sede : 
For it covert was and [enjclose 
Bothe with the leves and with the rose. 
The stalk was even and grene upright. 
It was theron a goodly sight ; 3640 

And wel the better, withouten wene, 
For the seed was not [y]-sene. 
Ful faire it spradde, fgod it blesse ! 
For suche another, as I gesse, 
Aforn ne was, ne more vermayle. 3645 
I was abawed for merveyle. 
For ever, the fairer that it was. 
The more I am bounden in Loves laas. 
Longe I abood there, soth to saye. 



38 



ZU (Komaunf of tU (S^oei. 



[FlIAGMEXT 15. 



Til Bialacoil I gan to praye, 3650 

Wlian that I saw him in no wyse 

To me warnen his servyse, 

That he me wolde graimte a thing, 

Which to remembre is wel sitting ; 

This is to sajTie, that of his grace 3655 

He wolde me yeve leyser and sx^ace 

To me that was so desirotis 

To have a kissing precious 

Of the goodly freshe rose, 

That "I swetely smelleth in my nose ; 3660 

' For if it yoi\ displesed nought, 

I wolde gladly, as I have sought. 

Have a cos therof freely 

Of your yoft ; for certainly 

I wol non have but by your leve, 3665 

So loth me were you for to greve.' 

He sayde, ' Frend, so god me spede, 
Of Chastite I have suche drede. 
Thou shuldest not warned he for me. 
But I dar not, for Chastite. 3670 

Agayn liir dar I not misdo, 
For alwey biddeth she me so 
To yeve no lover leve to kisse ; 
For who therto may winnen, y-wis, 
He of the surplus of the pray 3675 

May live in hope to get som day. 
For who so kissing may attayne. 
Of loves peyne hath, sotli to saync, 
The beste and most avenannt, 
And ernest of the remenaunt.' 3680 

Of his answere I syghed sore ; 
I durst assaye him tho no niore, 
I had such drede to greve him ay. 
A man shulde not to muche assayn 
To chafe his frend out of mesvire, 3685 
Nor put his lyf in aventiire ; 
For no man at the firste stroke 
Ne may nat felle doun an okc ; 
Nor of the reisins ha,ve tho wyne, 
Til grapes frj^ie and wel atyno 3690 

Be sore empressid, I you ensure, 
And drawen out of the pressure. 
But I, forpeyned wonder stronge, 
■| Thought that I ahood right longo 
Aftir the kis, in peyne and wo, 3695 

Sith I to kis desyred so : 
Til that, frewing on my distresse, 
Ther ■] to me Venus the goddesse. 
Which ay werreyeth Chastite, 
Came of hir grace, to socoure me, 3700 



Wlios might is knowe fer and wyde, 

For she is modir of Cupyde, 

The Cxod of Love, blinde as stoon, 

That helpith lovers many oon. 

This lady brought in hir right hond 3705 

Of brenning fjT a biasing brond : 

Wherof the flawme and bote fyr 

Hath many a lady in desyr 

Of love brought, and sore het, 

And in hir servise hir -]-hertes set. 3710 

This lady was of good entayle, 

Eight wondirful of apparayle ; 

By hir atjTe so bright and shene, 

Men might perceyve wel, and seen, 

She Avas not of religioun. 3715 

Nor I nil niake mencioun 

Nor of [hir] robe, nor of tresour, 

Of broche, "j-nor of hir riche attour ; 

Ne of hir girdil aboute hir syde. 

For that I nil not long abyde. 3720 

But knowith wel, that certeynly 

She was arayed richely. 

Devoyd of pryde certeyn she was ; 

To Bialacoil she wente a pas. 

And to him shortly, in a clause, 3725 

She seide : ' Sir, what is the cause 

Ye been of port so daungerous 

Unto this lover, and deynous. 

To graunte hini no-thing but a kis ':' 

To werne it him ye doon amis ; 3730 

Sith wel ye wote, how that he 

Is Loves servaunt, as ye may see. 

And hath beaute, wher-through [he] is 

Worthy of love to have the blis. 

How he is semely, biholde and see, 3735 

How he is fair, how he is free. 

How he is swote and debonair. 

Of age yong, lustj-, and fair. 

Ther is no lady so hauteyne, 

Duchesse, countesse, ne chasteleJ^^e, 3740 

That I uolde holde hir iingoodly 

For to refuse him outerly. 

His breeth is also good and sweto. 

And eke his lippis rody, and mete 

Only to f pleyen, and to kisse. 3745 

Graunte him a kis, of gentilnesse ! 

His teeth am also whyte and clene ; 

Me thinkith wi'ong, withouten wene. 

If ye now werne him, trustith mo, 

To gravinte that a kis have he ; 3750 

The lasse -f-to helpe him that 3-0 haste, 



Fragment B. 



ZU (Siomaunt of tU (Foee. 



The more tj-nie sliul ye waste.' 

Wlian the flawnie of the verrj' brond, 
That Venus brought in hir right hond, 
Had Biahicoil with hete sniete, 3755 

Anoon he f bad, withouten lette, 
Graunte to me tlie rose kisse. 
Than of my pe.yne I gan to lisse, 
And to the rose anoon wento I, 
And kissid it ful feithfuUy. 3760 

Thar no man aske if I was blythe, 
Wlian the savour soft and lythe 
Strook to myn herte withoute more, 
And me aleggod of my sore, 
So was I ful of joye and blisse. 3765 

It is fair sich a floiir to kisse, 
It was so swote and savcrous. 
I might not be so anguisshous. 
That I mote ghid and joly be, 
Whan tliat I remembro me. ^yyo 

Yit ever among, sotlily to seyn, 
I suffre noye and moche peyn. 

The see may never be so stil, 
That with a litel winde it -j-nil 
Overwhelme and turne also, 3775 

As it were wood, in wawis go. 
Aftir the calm the trouble soue 
Mot folowe, and chaunge as the mono. 
Eight so fareth Love, that selde in oon 
Holdith his anker ; for right anoon 3780 
^'\^lan they in ese wene best to live, 
They been with temx^est al fordrive. 
"\^'ho serveth Love, can telle of wo ; 
The stoundemele joye mot overgo. 
Now he hurteth, and now he cureth, 37<S5 
For soldo in 00 poynt Love endureth. 

Now is it right me to prooede, 
How Shame gan medle and take hede, 
Thurgh whom felle angres I have had ; 
And how the stronge wal was maad, 379<-> 
And the castell of brede and lengthe. 
That God of Love wan with his strengtlio. 
Al this in romance wil I sette. 
And for no-thing ne wil I lette. 
So that it lyking to hir be, 3795 

That is the flour of beaute ; 
For she maj' best my labour quyte. 
That I for hir love shal endyte. 

Wikkid-Tunge, that the covj-no 
Of every lover can do\'yaie 3800 

U'orst, and addith more somdel, 
(For Wikkid-Tunge seith never wel\ 



To me-ward bar he right grot hate. 
Espying mo erly and late. 
Til ho hath seen the gret[e] cliere 3S05 
Of Bialacoil and me y-fere. 
He mighto not his timge withstondo 
Worse to rei^orte than ho fonde, 
He was so ful of cursed rage ; 
It sat him wol of his linage, 3810 

For him an Irish womn^an bar. 
His tunge was fyled sharp, and sqnar, 
Poignaunt and right kerving. 
And wonder bitter in speking. 
For whan that he me gan esiij-e, 3S15 

He swoor, afferming sikirlj-, 
Bitwene Bialacoil and me 
Was yvel aquayntaunce and privee. 
He spak therof so folily. 
That he awakid Jelousy ; 3820 

Which, al afrayed in his rysing. 
Whan that he lierde [him] jangling, 
He ran anoon, as he were wood. 
To Bialacoil ther that he stood ; 
Which hadde lever in this caas 3825 

Have been at Reynes or Amyas ; 
For foot-hoot, in his felonyo 
To him thus seide Jelousye : — 
' Wliy hast thou been so necligent, 
To kepen, whan I was absent, 3830 

This verger here left in thj' ward ? 
To me thou liaddist no reward, 
To truste (to thy confusioun) 
Him thus, to whom suspeccioun 
I have right greet, for it is nede ; 3835 
It is wel shewed by the dede. 
Greet faute in thee now have I founde ; 
By god, anoon thou shalt be boiinde, 
And faste loken in a tour, 
Withoute refuyt or socour. 3840 

For Shame to long hath be thee fro ; 
Over sone she was ago. 
Whan thou hast lost bothedrede and fere, 
It semed wel she was not here. 
She was [not] bisy, in no wyse, 3845 

To kepe thee and [to] chastyse. 
And for to helxjen Chastitoo 
To kepe the roser, as thinkith me. 
For than this boy-knavo so boldely 
Ne sholdo not have be hardy, 3850 

[Ne] in this fverger had such game,. 
Which now mo turneth to grot shame.' 
Bialacoil nist what to sey ; 



40 



^^e (Komaunf of iU (]PioBt. 



[Fkacment B. 



Fill fayn lie wolde have fled awey, 

For fere haii hid, nere than he 3855 

Al sodeynly took him with me. 

And whan I saugh he hadde so, 

This Jelousye, take us two, 

I was astoned, and knew no rede, 

But fledde awey for verrey drede. 3860 

Than Shame cam forth ful simply ; 
She wende have trespaced ful gretly ; 
Humble of hir port, and made it simple, 
Wering a vayle in stede of wimple. 
As nonnis doou in hir abbey. 3865 

Bicause hir herte was in affray, 
She gan to speke, within a throwe. 
To J elousye, right wonder lowe. 
First of his grace she bisoiight. 
And seide : — ' Sire, ue leveth noiight 3870 
Wikkid-Tunge, that fals espye. 
Which is so glad to feyne and lye. 
He hath yovi maad, thurgh flatering. 
On Bialaooil a fals losing. 
His falsnesse is not now anew, 3875 

It is to long that he him knew. 
This is not the firste day ; 
For Wikkid-Tunge hath custom ay 
Yong6 folkis to bewreye, 
And false lesinges on hem "f-leye. 3880 

' Yit nevertheles I see among. 
That the loigne it is so longe 
Of Bialaooil, hertis to lure. 
In Loves servise for to endvire. 
Drawing suche folk him to, 3885 

That ho had no-thing with to do ; 
Biit in sothnesse I trowe nought. 
That Bialaooil hadde ever in thought 
To do trespace or vilanye ; 
But, for his modir Curtesye 3890 

Hath taught him ever [for] to be 
Good of aqueyntaunoe and privee ; 
For he loveth non hevinesse, 
But mirthe and pley, and al gladnesse ; 
He hateth alle ftrecherous, 3895 

SolejTi folk and envious ; 
For [wel] ye witen how that he 
Wol ever glad and joyful be 
Honestly with folk to pley. 
I have be negligent, in good fey, 3900 

To chastise him ; therfore now I 
Of herte -j-crye you here mercy, 
That I have been so recheles 
To tanaen him, withouten lees. 



Of my foly I me repente ; 3905 

Now wol I hool sette raj-n entente 
To kepe, bothe floude and stille, 
Bialaooil to do your wille.' 

' Shame, Shame,' seyde Jelousy, 
' To be bitrasshed gret drede have I. 3910 
Lecherye hath clombe so hye. 
That almost blered is mjni ye ; 
No wonder is, if that drede have I. 
Over-al regnith Lechery, 
^Vhos might [yit] growith night and day. 
Bothe in cloistre and in abbey 3916 

Chastite is werreyed over-al. 
Therfore I wol with siker wal 
Close bothe roses and roser. 
I have to longe in this maner 3920 

Left hem imclosid wilfully ; 
'WTierfore I am right inwardly 
Sorowful and repente me. 
But now they shal no lenger be 
Unclosid ; and yit I drede sore, 3925 

I shal repente ferthermore. 
For the game goth al amis. 
Counsel I f mot [take] newe, y-wis. 
I have to longe tristed thee. 
But now it shal no lenger be ; 3930 

For he may best, in every cost, 
Disceyve, that men tristen most. 
I see wel that I am nygh shent, 
But-if I sette my ful entent 
Remedye to purveye. 3935 

Therfore close I shal the weye 
Fro hem that wol the rose espye. 
And come to waji;e me vilanye. 
For, in good feith and in troiithe, 
I wol not lette, for no slouthe, 394<' 

To live the more in sikirnesse, 
f To make ano<^n a forteresse, 
■fTo enclose the roses of good savoiir. 
In niiddis shal I make a tour 
To putte Bialaooil in prisoun, 3945 

For ever I drede me of trcsoun. 
I trowe I shal him kepe so, 
That he shal have no might to go 
Aboute to make companye 
To hem that thenke of vilanye ; 3950 

Ne to no such as hath ben here 
Aforn, and founde in him good chere, 
Which ban assailed him to shende. 
And with hir trowandyse to blende. 
A fool is eyth [for] to bigyle ; 3955 



Fkagmknt B.] 



ZU (Uowaunf of tU (Hoae. 



41 



But may I lyve a litel while, 

He shal forthenke liis fair semblaunt.' 

And with that word cam Di'edo avaunt, 
Whieli was abasshed, and in gret tero, 
Whan he wiste Jelonsye was tliere. 3960 
Ho was for drcde in siich affray, 
That not a word durste he say, 
But qnaliing stood ful stille aloon, 
Til Jelonsye his wey was goon. 
Save Shame, that him not forsook ; 3965 
Bothe Drede and she fnl sore quook ; 
[Til] that at lasto Drede abreyde. 
And to his cosin Shame seyde : 
' Shame,' he seide, ' in sothfastuesse, 
To me it is grot hevinesse, 3970 

That the noyse so fer is go, 
And the sclaundre of iis two. 
But sith that it is [so] bifalle, 
\\'o may it not ageyn [do] calle. 
Whan onis sprongen is a fame. 3975 

For many a yeer withoiiten blame 
We han been, and many a day ; 
For many an Ajjril and many a May 
^\'e han [j-]-passod, not [a]shamed. 
Til Jelonsye hath irs blamed 3980 

Of mistrust and suspecioun 
Causeles, withouten enchesoun. 
Go we to Dannger hastily. 
And late us shewe him oj)enly. 
That he hath not aright [y]-wrought, 3985 
^^'han that he sette nought his thought 
To kepe better the puipryso ; 
In his doing he is not wyse. 
Ho hath to ixs [y]-do gret wrong, 
That hath suffred now so long 399" 

Bialacoil to have his wille, 
AUe his lustes to fulfille. 
Ho must amende it iitterly, 
Or ellis shal he -| vilajaisly 
Exyled be out of this londe ; 3995 

For he the werre may not withstonde 
Of Jelonsye, nor the greef, 
Sith Bialacoil is at mischeef.' 

To Daunger, Shame and Drede anoon 
The righto wey ben [bothe a]-goon. 4«k) 
The cherl they founden hem aforn 
Digging undir an hawethorn. 
Undir his heed no pilowe was, 
But in the stede a trusse of gras. 
He slombred, and a nappe he took, 4005 
Til Shame pitously him shook. 



And greet manace on him gan make. 
'Why slejiist thou whan thou shuld wake?' 
Quod Shame ; ' thou dost us vilanye ! 
Who tristith thee, he doth folye, 4010 
To kepe roses or botouns, 
Whan they ben faire in hir sesouus. 
Thou art woxe to familiere 
Wliere thou shulde be straunge of chere, 
Stout of thy port, redy to greve. 4015 

Thou dost gret foly for to leve 
Bialacoil here-in, to calle 
The yonder man to shenden us alle. 
Though that thou slope, we may here 
Of Jelousie gret noyse hero. 41 20 

Art thou now late ? ryse up i in hy. 
And stoppe sone and deliverly 
Alle the gapjiis of the hay ; 
Do no favour, I thee pray. 
It fallith no-thing to thy name 4025 

fMake fair semblaunt, where thou maist 
blame. 

' If Bialacoil bo swete and free. 
Dogged and fel thou shuldist be ; 
Froward and outrageous, y-wis ; 
A cherl ehaungetli that curteis is. 4030 
This have I herd ofte in seying. 
That man [ne] may, for no daunting, 
Make a sperhauko of a bosarde. 
Alle men wole holde thee for musarde, 
That debonair have founden thee ; 4035 
It sit thee nought curteis to be ; 
To do men p)lesaunce or servyse. 
In thee it is recreaundyse. 
Det thy werkis, fer and nere, 
Be lyke thy name, which is Daungere.' 

Than, al abawid in shewing, 4041 

Anoon spak Dreed, right thus seying, 
And seide, ' Daunger, I drede me 
That thou ne wolt [not] bisy be 
To kepe that thou hast to kepe ; 4045 

Wlian thou shuldist wake,thou art aslepe. 
Thou, shalt be greved certejaily. 
If thee aspye Jelousy, 
Or if he finde thee in blame. 
He hath to-day assailed Shame, 4051) 

And chased awey, with gret manace, 
Bialacoil out of this place. 
And swereth shortly that he shal 
Enclose him in a sturdy wal ; 
And al is for thy wikkednesse, 4055 

For that thee faileth straungenesse. 



c 3 



42 



ZU (Kontaunf of tU (Hooe. 



[FUAGMENT B. 



Thyn herte, I trowe, be failed al ; 

Thou slialt repente in special, 

If Jelousye the sothe knewe ; 

Thou shalt forthenke, and sore rewe.' 4060 

With that the cheii liis clubbe gan shake, 
Frouning his eyen gan to make. 
And hidous chere ; as man in rage, 
For ire he brente in his visage. 
Whan that he herde him blamed so, 4065 
He seide, ' Out of my wit I go ; 
To be discomfit I have gret wrong. 
Certis, I have now lived to long, 
Sith I may not this closer kepe ; 
Al quik I wolde be dolven depe, 4070 

If any man slial more repeire 
Into this garden, for foule or faire. 
Myn herte for ire goth a-fere, 
That I lete any entre here. 
I have do foly, now I see, 4075 

But now it shal amended be. 
Who settith foot here any more, 
Truly, he shal repente it sore ; 
For no man mo into this place 
Of me to entre shal have grace. 4080 

Lever I hadde, with swerdis tweyne, 
Thurgh-out myn herte, in every veyne 
Perced to be, with many a wounde, 
Than slouthe shulde in me be founde. 
From hennesforth, by night or day, 4085 
I shal defende it, if I may, 
Withouten any excepcioun 
Of ecli maner condicioun ; 
And if I fany man it graunte, 
Holdeth me for recreaiinte.' 4090 

Than Daiinger on his feet gan stonde, 
And hente a burdoun in his honde. 
Wroth in his ire, ne lefte he nought. 
But thurgh the verger he hath sovight. 
If he might finde hole or trace, 4"95 

Wher-thurgh thatme[n] mot forth by pace. 
Or anj' gappe, he dide it close. 
That no man mighte touche a rose 
Of the roser al aboute ; 
He shitteth every man withoute. 4uxj 

Thus day by day Daunger is wers. 
More wondirful and more divers. 
And feller eek than ever he was ; 
For him ful oft I singe ' alias ! ' 
For I ne may nought, thurgh his ire, 4105 
Recover that I most desire. 
Myn herte, alias, wol brest a-two. 



For Bialacoil I wratthed so. 
For certeynly, in every membre 
I (|uake, whan I me remembre 41 lu 

Of the botoun, which [that] I wolde 
Fulle ofte a day seen and biholde. 
And whan I thenke iipon the kisse. 
And how muche joye and blisse 
I hadde thurgh the savour swete, 41 15 
For wante of it I grone and grete. 
Me thenkith I fele yit in my nose 
The swete savovir of the rose. 
And now I woot that I mot go 
So fer the fresshe floures fro, 4i.'<> 

To me ful welcome were the deeth ; 
Absens therof, alias, me sleeth ! 
For whylom with this rose, alias, 
I touched nose, mouth, and face ; 
But now the deeth I miist abyde. 4125 
But Love consente, another tyde. 
That onis I touche may and kisse, 
I trowe my pejTie shal never lisse. 
Theron is al my coveityse, 
Which brent myn herte in many wyse. 
Now shalrepaire agayn sighinge, 4131 
Long wacche on nightis, and no slepinge ; 
Thought in wisshing, torment, and wo. 
With many a turning to and fro. 
That half my peyne I can not telle. 4135 
For I am fallen into helle 
Froni paradys and welthe, the more 
My turment greveth ; more and more 
Anoyeth now the bittirnesse, 
,That I toforn have felt swetnesse. 414c 
And Wikkid-Tunge, thurgh his falshede, 
Causeth al my wo and drede. 
On me he leyeth a pitous charge, 
Bicause his tu.nge was to large. 

Now it is tyme, shortly that I 4 '45 

Telle you som-thing of Jelousy, 
That was in gret suspecioun. 
Aboute him lefte he no masoun. 
That stoon coude leye, ne querrour ; 
He hired hem to make a tour. 4150 

And first, the roses for to kepe, 
Aboute hem made he a diche depe, 
Right wondir large, and also brood ; 
Upon the whiche also stood 
Of squared stoon a sturdy wal, 4155 

Wliich on a cragge was founded al. 
And right gret thikkenesse eek it bar. 
Abouten, it was founded squar, 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (B^wauttt of iU (Roe^. 



An hiindrecl fadome on every syde, 

It was al liclie longe and wyde. 4160 

Lest any tynie it were assayled, 

Ful wel aboiite it was batayled ; 

And roiinde enviroun eek were set 

Ful many a rielie and fair touret. 

At every corner of this wal 4165 

Was set a tour ful principal ; 

And everich hadde, withoute fable, 

A porte-colys defensable 

To kepe of enemies, and to greve. 

That there hir force wolde preve. 4170 

And eek amidde this purpryse 

Was maad a tour of gret niaistryse ; 

A fairer sangh no man with sight, 

Large and wyde, and of gret might. 

They [ne] dredde noon assaut 4175 

Of giune, gunne, nor skaffant. 

[For] the temprure of the mortere 

Was maad of licour wonder dere ; 

Of quikke lyme persant and egre. 

The which was tempred with vinegre. 

The stoon was hard -f-as ademant, 4 181 

Wherof they made the foundement. 

The tour was rounde, maad in compas ; 

In al this world no richer was, 

Ne better or deigned ther withal. 4185 

Aboute the tour was maad a wal. 

So that, bitwixt that and the tour, 

■f Eosers were set of swete savour, 

With many roses that they here. 

And eek within the castel were 4190 

Springoldes, gunnes, bows, archers ; 

And eek above, atte corners, 

Men se5Ti over the walle stonde 

Grete engynes, f whiche were nigh honde ; 

And in the kernels, here and there, 4195 

Of arblasters gret plentee were. 

Noon armure might hir stroke with- 

stonde. 
It were foly to preoe to honde. 
W^ithout the diche were listes made, 
With walles batayled large and brade,42oo 
For men and liors shulde not atteyne 
To neigh the diche over the pleyne. 
Thus Jeloiisye hath enviroun 
Set aboute his garnisoun 
With walles rounde, and diche depe, 4205 
Only the roser for to kepe. 
And Daunger [eek], erly and late 
The keyes ke^Jte of the utter gate. 



The which openeth toward the eest. 
And he hadde with him atte leest 4210 
Thritty servauntes, echon by name. 

That other gate kepte Shame, 
Which openede, as it was couth, 
Toward the parte of the soutlL 
Sergeauntes assigned were hir to 4215 
Fill many, hir wille for to do. 

Than Drede hadde in hir baillye 
The keping of the conestablerye, 
Toward the north, I undirstonde, 
That opened upon the left honde, 4220 
The which for no-thing may be sure, 
But-if she do [hir] bisy cure 
Erly on morowe and also late. 
Strongly to shette and barre the gate. 
Of every thing that she may see 4225 

Drede is aferd, wher-so she be ; 
For with a puff of litel winde 
Drede is astonied in hir minde. 
Therfore, for stelinge of the rose, 
I rede hir nought the yate unclose. 4230 
A foulis flight wol make hir flee. 
And eek a shadowe, if she it see. 

Thanne Wikked-Tunge, ful of envye. 
With soudiours of Norman dye. 
As he that causeth al the bate, 4235 

Was keper of the fourthe gate. 
And also to the tother three 
He went ful ofte, for to see. 
Whan his lot was to wake a-night. 
His instrnmentis wolde he dight, 4240 
For to blowe and make soun. 
Offer than he hath enchesoun ; 
And walken oft upon the wal, 
Corners and wikettis over-al 
Ful narwe serchen and espye ; 4245 

Though he nought fond, yit wolde he lye. 
Discordaunt ever fro armonye. 
And distoned from melodye, 
Controve he wolde, and foule fayle, 
With hornpypes of Cornewajde. 4250 

In floytes made he discordaunce. 
And in his mnsik, with mischaunce. 
He wolde seyn, with notes newe. 
That he [ne] fond no womman trewe, 
Ne that he saugh never, in his lyf, 4255 
Unto hir husbonde a trewe wyf ; 
Ne noon so ful of honestee. 
That she nil laughe and mery be 
Whan that she hereth, or may espye, 



C 5 



44 



ZU (Komaun^ of tU (Koee. 



[Fragmekt B, 



A mail speken of leclieiye. 4260 

Everioli of hem hath somme vyce ; 

Oon is dishonest, another is nyoe ; 

If oon be ful of vilanye, 

Another hath a likerous ye ; 

If oon be ful of wantonesse, 4265 

Another is a chideresso. 

Thus Wikked-Tunge (god ycve him 
shame !) 
Can putte hem everichone in blame 
Withoute desert and causeles ; 
He lyetli, though they been giltles. 4^70 
I have pite to seen the sorwe, 
That -j-vvaketh bothe eve and morwe, 
To innocents doth such grevaunce ; 
I pray god yeve him evel chaunce, 
That he ever so bisy is 4-75 

Of any wommaii to seyn amis ! 

Eok Jelousye god confounde, 
That hath [y]-maad a tour so roiinde, 
And made aboute a gariso'un 
To sette Bialacoil in prisoun ; 4280 

The which is shet there in the tour, 
Ful longe to holde there sojour. 
There for to live[n] in penaunce. 
And for to do him more grevaunce, 
-f-Ther hath ordeyned Jelousye 4285 

An olde vekke, for to espye 
The maner of his governaunce ; 
The whiche devel, in hir enfaunce, 
Had lerned [miiche] of Loves art, 
And of his pleyes took hir part ; 4290 

She was f expert in his servyse. 
She knew ech wrenche and every gyse 
Of love, and every [loveres] wyle. 
It was [the] harder hir to gj'le. 
Of Bialacoil she took ay hede, 4295 

That ever he liveth in wo and drede. 
He kepte him coy and eek privee, 
Lest ill him she hadde see 
Any foly countenaunce, 
For she knew al the olde daunce. 4300 
And aftir this, whan Jelousye 
Had Bialacoil in his baillye. 
And shette him np that was so free, 
For seure of him he wolde be. 
He trusteth sore in his castel ; 4305 

The stronge werk him lyketh wel. 
He dradde nat that no glotouns 
Shulde stele his roses or botouns. 
The roses weren assiu-ed alle, 



Defenced with the stronge walle. 4310 
Now Jelousye ful wel may be 
Of drede devoid, in libertee. 
Whether that he slepe or wake ; 
For of his roses may noon bo take. 

But I, alias, now morne shal ; 4315 

Bicaiise I was without the wal, 
Ful moche dole and mono I made. 
Who hadde wist what wo I hadde, 
I trowe he wolde have had pitee. 
Love to deere had sold to me 4320 

Tlie good that of his love hadde I. 
I -f-wende a bought it al queyntly ; 
But now, thurgh doubling of my peyn, 
I see he wolde it selle ageyn, 
And me a newo bargeyn lere, 4325 

The which al-out the more is dere, 
For the solace that I have lorn, 
Tlian I hadde it never aforn. 
Certayn I am ful l3'k, indeed. 
To him that cast in erthe his seed ; 4330 
And hath joie of the iiewe scoring, 
Wlian it greneth in the ginning. 
And is also fair and fresh of flour. 
Lusty to seen, swote of odour ; 
But er he it in sheves sliore, 4335 

May falle a weder that shal it dere. 
And make[n] it to fade and falle, 
The stalk, the gi'cyn, ar.d floures alle ; 
That to the f tiliur is fordone 
The hojie that he hadde tv) sone. 4340 

I drede, certeyn, that so fare I ; 
For hope and travaile sikerly 
Ben me biratt al with a storm ; 
The floiire nil seden of my corn. 
For Love hath so avauneed me, 4345 

Whan I bigan my priviteo 
To Bialacoil al for to telle, 
^Vllom I ne fond froward ne felle, 
But took a-gree al liool my play. 
Biit Love is of so hard assay, 4350 

That al at onis he reved inc, 
Wlian I fwend best aboven have be. 
It is of Love, as of Fortune, 
That chaungeth ofte, and nil contune ; 
Wliich whylom wol on follce smyle, 4355 
And gloumbe on hem another whyle ; 
Now freend, now foo, [thou] shalt hir fele. 
For [in] a twinkling tourneth hir wheel. 
She can WTythe hir heed awey. 
This is the coucours of liii- ploy ; 4360 



Fragmknt B.] 



ZU (SiomAunt of f^e (Roee. 



45 



she can areyse that doth morne, 

And whiiio adown, and overttirne 

Who sittith liieghst, fal as hir flist ; 

A fool is he that wol hir trist. 

For it -f-am I that am com doun 4365 

Thurgh -j-change and revolucioun ! 

Sith Bialacoil mot fro me twinne, 

Shet in the prisoun yond ■withinne, 

His absence at myn herte I i'ele ; 

For al my joye and al myn hele 43/0 

Was in him and in the rose, 

That but yon fwal, which him doth close, 

Open, that I may him see. 

Love nil not that I cured be 

Of the peynes that I endure, 4375 

Nor of my criiel aventure. 

A, Bialacoil, myn owne dere ! 
Though thoii be now a prisonere, 
Kepe atte leste thyn herte to me, 
And snffre not that it daunted be ; 4380 
Ne lat not Jelousye, in his rage, 
Putten thyn herte in no servage. 
Although he chastioe thee withoute, 
And make thy body unto him loute, 
Have herte as hard as dyamaunt, 4385 
Stedefast, and nought pliaunt ; 
In prisoun thoiigh thj' body be, 
At large kepe thvn herte free. 
A trewe herte wol not plye 
For no manace that it may drye. 4390 
If Jelousye doth thee payne, 
Quyte him his whyle thu^s agayne. 
To venge thee, atte leest in thought, 
If other way thou mayest nought ; 
And in this wyse sotilly 4395 

Worche, and winne the maistry. 
But yit I am in gret affray 
Lest thou do not as I say ; 
I drede thou canst me greet maugree. 
That thou emprisoned art for me ; 4400 
But that [is] not for my trespas. 
For thiirgh me never discovered was 
Yit thing that oughte be secree. 
Wei more anoy [ther] is in me. 
Than is in thee, of this mischaunce ; 4405 
For I endure more hard penaimce 
Than any [man] can sejni or thinke, 
Tliat for the sorwo almost I sinke. 
Whan I remembre me of my wo, 
Ful nygh otit of my wit I go. 44io 

Inward myn herte I fele blede, 



For comfortles the deetli I drede. 
Ow I not wel to have distresse. 
Whan false, thurgh hir wikkednesse. 
And traitours, that arn envyous, 4415 

To noyen me be so coragioiis ? 

A, Bialacoil ! ful wol I see. 
That they hem shape to discej^'c thee. 
To make thee buxom to hir lawe. 
And with hir corde thee to drawe 4420 
Whei'-so hem lust, right at hir wil ; 
I drede they have thee brought thertil. 
Withoute comfort, thought me sleeth ; 
This game wol bringe me to my deeth. 
For if j'our -j-gode wille I lese, 44^5 

I mote be deed ; I may not chese. 
And if that thou foryete me, 
Myn herte shal never in lyking be ; 
Nor elles-where finde solace. 
If I be put out of your grace, 4430 

As it shal never been, I hope ; 
Than shulde I falle[n] in wanhope. 

[7/erc, at 1. 4(70 of ihe French text, 
ends the icork of G. de Lorris ; and 
hcrjins the work 0/ Jean de Meun.] 

Alias, in wanhope ? — nay, pardee ! 
For I wol never dispeired be. 
If Hope me faile, than am I 4435 

L^ngracious and unworthy ; 
In Hope I wol comforted be, 
For Love, whan he bitaught hir me, 
Seide, that Hope, wher-so I go, 
Shulde ay be relees to my wo. 444" 

But what and she my balis bete. 
And be to me curteis and swete ? 
She is in no-thing ful certeyn. 
Lovers she put in ful gret peyn. 
And makith hem with wo to dele. 4445 
Hir fair biheest disceyveth fele, 
For she wol liihote, sikirly. 
And fallen aftir outrely. 
A ! that is a ful noyous thing ! 
For many a lover, in loving, 445<> 

Hangeth upon hir, and trusteth fast, 
Whiolie lese hir travel at the last. 
Of thing to comen she woot right nought ; 
Therfore, if it be wysly sought, 
Hir counseille, foly is to take. 4455 

For many tymes, whan she wol make 
A ful good silogisme, I drede 



46 



ZU (KomaurU of tU (Koee. 



[FitAGMENT B. 



That aftirward ther slial in dedo 

Folwo an evel connlnsionn ; 

This put me in confusioun. 4460 

For many tyinos I have it seen, 

That many have bigylcd hoen, 

For trnst that they liave sot in Hope, 

Wliich i'ol liom altirward a-slo])0. 

But natholes yit, ghuUy she woldo, 4465 
That ho, that wol him with hir hokle, 
Haddo alio tymos fhis pnrpos clere, 
Withonte deceyto, or any were. 
That she desireth sikirly ; 
Whan I hir blamed, I did foly. 4470 

But wliat avayloth hir good wille, 
'Wlian she no may stauncho my stonndo 

illo ? 
That ]i(>lpith litol, that she may do, 
Outako biheest nnto my wo. 
And hoeste certeyn, in no wyso, 4475 

WitlioTite yift, is not to fpryso. 

Whan hoost and deed a-sundir vario. 
They doon.[mo have] a grot contrario. 
Tims am I possod up and doun 
With dool, thought, and confusioun ; 4480 
Of my disoso thor is no noumbre. 
Daungor and Shame mo onounibrc, 
Drodc nlso, and Jolousyo, 
And Wikkod-Tungc, f'ul of onvyo. 
Of whicho tlio sharpo and cruel ire 4485 
Ful oft mo put in grot martiro. 
Thoy ban my joyo fully let, 
Sith Bialacoil they have bishet 
Fro mo in prisoun wikkidly, 
"Whom I love so entierly, 449" 

That it wol my ba.no be. 
But I the sonor may him see. 
And yit moreover, wnrst of alio, 
Ther is set to kopo, fonlo hir bifallo ! 
A rimplod vekke, fer ronno in age, 4405 
Frowning and yelowo in hir visage. 
Which in awayte lyth day and night. 
That noon of hem may have a sight. 
Now moot my sorwe enforced bo ; 
Ful soth it is, that Love yaf mo 45'>o 

Throo wonder yiftes of his grace. 
Which I liavo lorn now in this place, 
Sith thoy no may, withonte drede, 
Helpon Imt litol, who takcth hodo. 
For here availoth no Swete-Thought, 4505 
And Swoto-Spocho holpith right nought. 
The thridchi was called Sweto-Loking, 



That now is lorn, without losing. 

[Thel yiftes were fair, but not forthy 

Thoy helpe me but simp[il]ly, 4510 

But Bialacoil [may] loosed be, 

To gon at largo and to be free. 

For him my lyf lyth al in dout, 

Bnt-if ho come tlio rather out. 

Alias ! 1 trowo it wol not been ! 4515 

'For how shnld I evermore him seen ? 

Ho may not out, and that is wrong, 

Bicauso the tour is so strong. 

How shiUde he out ? by whos prowesse. 

Out of so strong a fortoresso ? 4^20 

By mo, certe.^ni, it nil be do ; 

God woot, I have no wit therto ! 

But wol I woot I was in rage. 

Whan I to Love dido homage. 

Who was in cause, in sothfastnosse, 4525 

But hir-silf, damo Idolnosse, 

Wliich mo conveyed, thurgh fair prayere, 

To entre into that fair vergero ? 

She was to blame me to love. 

The which now doth me sore grevo. 4530 

A foolis word is nought to trowe, 

No worth an a]ipel for to lowo ; 

Mon shuldo him snibbo bittirly, 

At pryme temps of his foly. 

I was a ibol, and sho me loved, 45:55 

Thurgh whom I am right nought reloved. 

Sho accomplisshod al my wil. 

That now me greveth wondir il. 

Resoun mo seido what shvildo falle. 

A fool my-silf I may wel calle, 454" 

That love asyde I had not loyde, 

And trowed that dame Resoun seydo. 

Besoun had botho skile and riglit. 

Whan sho mo blamed, with al hir might, 
To medio of love, that hath mo shent ; 
But certeyn now I wol repent. 4546 

' And shuldo I repent ? Nay, parde ! 
A fals traitotir than shuldo I bo. 
The develles cngins wolde me take, 
If I my florde wolde forsake, 4550 

Or Bialacoil falsly bitrayo. 
Shuldo I at mischoof hate him ? nay, 
Sith ho now, for his curtesye, 
Ts in prisoun of Jolousyo. 
Curtesye cortoyn dido he me, 4555 

So fmuclio, it may not yoldon bo, 
Whan he the hay passen me leto. 
To kisso the rose, faii-o and swoto : 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (fiomamt of tU (Koee. 



47 



Shuldo I thorforo cunno liini maufjrcc ? 

Nay, corteyiily, it slial not be ; 456(3 

For Love shal never, f if god wil. 

Here of me, thurgli word or wil, 

Offence or comiilaynt, more or lesse. 

Neither of Hope nor Idihicsse ; 

F'or eertis, it were wrong that I 4565 

Hated hem for hir ciirtesyo. 

Thor is not ellis, but suffre and thinke, 

And waken whan I shulde winke ; 

Abydc in hope, til Love, thurgh chaunce, 

Sende me socour or allegeaunce, 457<> 

Expectant ay til I may mete 

To goten mercy of that swete. 

' Whylom I thinke how Love to me 
Seyde he wolde take[n] att[o] groe 
My servise, ifunpacienco 4575 

Caused me to doon offence. 
He seyde, " In thank I shal it take, 
And high maister eek thee make. 
If wikkednesso ne reve it thee ; 
But sone, I trowe, that shal not be." 4580 
These were his wordis by and by ; 
It semed he loved me trowly. 
Now is ther not but servo him wele, 
If that I thinke his thank to felc. 
Mj' good, myn harm, lyth hool in mo ; 
In Love may no defauto be ; 45^6 

For trewe Lovo f failid never man. 
Sothly, the fatito mot nedis than 
(As God forbede !) be founde in me. 
And how it cometh, I can not see. 4590 
Now lat it goon as it may go ; 
Wliether Love wol socoure me or slo. 
He may do hool on me his wil, 
I am so sore boundo him til. 
From his servyse I may not fleen ; 4595 
For lyf and doth, withouten wene, 
Is in his hand ; I may not cheso ; 
He may me do bothe winne and lose. 
And sith so sore he doth me grove, 
Yit, if my lust he wolde acheve 4600 

To Bialacoil goodly to be, 
I yeve no force what folio on me. 
For though I dye, as I mot nede, 
I prayo Love, of his goodlihedo. 
To Bialacoil do gentilnesse, 4605 

For whom I live in such distrosse. 
That I mote doyen for penaimce. 
Bvit first, withoute ropontaunce, 
I wol mc confesse in good entent, 



And make in haste my testament, 4610 
As lovers doon that felon smerte : — 
To Bialacoil love I myn horto 
Al hool, withoute departing, 
Or doublenesse of repenting.' 

Coment Raisoun vient a L'amant. 

Thus as I made my passage 4615 

In comploy»t, and in cruel rage. 
And I fnist wher to finde a loche 
That coutho unto myn helping echo, 
Sodeynly agayn comen doun 
Out of hir tour I saugh Ilesoun, 4620 

Discrete and wys, and ful islesaunt. 
And of hir porte ful avenaunt. 
The righto woy she took to mo. 
Which stood in greet por^ilexito, 
That was posshed in every side, 4625 

That I nist where I might abyde, 
Til she, demurely sad of chere, 
Seide to me as she com nere : — 

' Myn owno froend, art thou yit greved ? 
How is this quarol yit achevcd 4630 

Of Loves syde ? Anoon me telle ; 
Hast thoii not yit of love thy fille ? 
Art thou not wery of thy servyse 
That theo hath [pyncd] in sich wyse ? 
Wliat joye hast thou in thy loving ? 4635 
Is it swete or bitter thing ? 
Canst thou yit chose, lat mo see. 
What best thy socour mighte bo ? 

' Thou servest a i'nl noble lord. 
That maketh thee thral for thy reward. 
Which ay renewith thy turment, 4641 
With tbly so he hath thee blent. 
Thou fello in mischeef thilko day, 
Wlian thou didest, the sothe to say, 
Obeysaunce and eek homage ; 4645 

Thou vsToughtest no-thing as the sago. 
WHian thou bicam his liogo man, 
Thoii didist a grot foly than ; 
Thou wistest not what fel therto. 
With what lord thou haddist to do. 4650 
If thou haddist him wol knowo. 
Thou haddist nought be brought so lowo ; 
For if thou wistest what it were, 
Thou noldist servo him half a yeer. 
Not a weke, nor half a day, 4655 

Ne yit an hour withoute delay, 
Ne never -fhan loved paramours. 



48 



ZH (Uomaunf of tU (Hoee. 



[Fragment B. 



, His lordship is so fnl of slioiires. 
Knowest him oitght ? ' 

L'Amaunt. ' Ye, dame, iiarde ! ' 

Raisoun. ' Niiy, nay.' 

L'Amannf. ' Yos, I.' 

Raisoun. ' Wherof, lat see ? ' 4660 

L'Amaunt. ' Of that he seyde I shiilde 
bo 
Clad to have sicli lord as ho, 
And niaister of sich seignorjy 

Rawoun. ' Knowist him no moro ? ' 

L'Ammint. ' Nay, certis, I, 

Save that he yaf me rewlos there, 4665 
And wente his wey, I niste where, 
And I ahood hounde in balaunce.' 

Raisoun. ' Lo, there a noble conisannce ! 
But I wil that thou knowe him now 
Ginning' and ende, sith that thou 4''>70 
Art so anpfuisshons and mate, 
Pisfignred out of astate ; 
Ther may no wrecche have more of wo, 
Ne caitif iioon enduren so. 
It were to every man sitting 4675 

Of his lord have knowleching. I 

For if thou knewe him, out of dout. 
Lightly thou shnlde oseapen out 
Of the prisoun that marreth thee.' 

L'Amaunt. 'Ye, dame! sith my lord 
is he, 4680 

And I his man, maad with myn hondc, 
I wolde right fayn undirstondo 
To knowc[n] of what kinde ho bo, 
If any woldo enforme me.' 

Raisoun. ' I wolde,' seid Resoun, ' thee 
lore, 4685 

Sith thou to lerne hast sich desire, 
And shewe thee, withouten fable, 
A thing that is not demonstrable. 
TIiou shalt [here lerne] without science, 
And knowe, withoute experience, 461)0 
The thing that may not knowon bo, 
Ne wist ne showid in no degree. 
Thou mayst the sotlio of it not witen. 
Though in theo it were writon. 
Thou shalt not knowe tlierof more 4695 
Wlayle thou art reuled by his lore ; 
But unto him that love wol flee, 
The knotto may unclosed be, 
Which hath to thee, as it is fonnde. 
So long be knot and not nnbounde. 4700 
Now sette wel thvn ontencioun. 



To here of love discripcioun. 
' Love, it is an hateful pees, 

A free acquitaunce, without relees, 

fA trouthe, fret full of falshede, 4705 

A sikernesse, al set in drede ; 

In hcrte is a dispeiring hope. 

And fullc of hope, it is wanhope ; 

Wyse woodnesse, and wood resoun, 

A swete peril, in to drouno, 47io 

An bevy birthen, light to hero, 

A wikked wawe awey to were. 

It is Caribdis perilous, 

Disagreable and gracious. 

It is discordaunce that can accorde, 4715 

And accordaunce to discord e. 

It is cunning withoute science, 

Wisdom withoute sapience, 

Wit withoute discrecioun, 

Havoir, withoute possossioun. 47-" 

It is fsike hole and hool siknesse, 

A -[-thriist dro-\vnod fin dronkenesse, 

f An heltho fill of maladye. 

And charitee ful of envye, 

fAn himger ful of ha.bundaunce, 4715 

And a grody suffisaunce ; 

Delyt right ful of hevinesse. 

And drori[h]ed iv\ of gladnesse ; 

Bitter swotnesse and swete errour. 
Right cvol savoiired good savour ; 47^0 

■j-Sinno that pardoun hath withinno, 
And pardoun spotted without [witlij 

sinne ; 
A peyne also it is, joyous, 
And felonye right pitous ; 
Also ploy that selde is stable, 47^5 

And stodofast [stat], right movable ; 
A strengthe, weyked to stonde upright. 
And fcblenesse, ful of might ; 
Wit unavysed, sago folye, 
And joyo ful of turmentrye ; 474o 

A laugliter it is, weping ay. 
Rest, that traveyloth night and day ; 
Also a swete helle it is, 
And a sorowful Paradys ; 
A plcsaunt gayl and osy prisoun, 4745 
And, ful of frostc, somor sesoun ; 
Prymo temps, ful of frostes whyte, 
And May, dovoide of al delyte. 
With seer braimches, blossoms ungrene : 
And newo fruyt, fillid with winter tene. 
It is a slowe, may not forbere 4751 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Uomaunf of t^ (Koee. 



49 



Ragges, ribaned witli gold, to were : 

For al-so wel wol love be set 

Under ragges as riclie rocliet ; 

And cek as wel f be amourettes 4755 

In mourning blak, as bright buruettes. 

For noon is of so mochel prys, 

Ne no man founden [is] so wys, 

Ne noon so liigh is of parage, 

Ne no man founde of wit so sage, 4760 

No man so hardy ne so wight, 

Ne no man of so mochel might. 

Noon so fulfilled of bounte, 

f But he with love may daunted be. 

Al the world holdith this way ; 4765 

Love makith alle to goon miswey. 

But it be they of j-vel lyf, 

Whom Genius cursith, man and wyf, 

Tliat -wrongly werke ageyn nature. 

N(jon suche I love, ne have no cure 4770 

Of suche as Loves servaunts been, 

And wol not by my counsel fleen. 

For I ne preyse that loving, 

Wher-thurgh man, at the laste ending, 

Shal calle hem wrecchis fulle of wo, 4775 

Love greveth hem and shendith so. 

But if thou wolt wel Love eschewe, 

For to escape out of his mewe. 

And make al hool thy sorwe to slake. 

No bettir counsel mayst thou take, 4780 

Than thinke to fleen wel, y-wis ; 

May nought helpe dies ; for witc thou 

this : — - 
If thou flee it, it shal flee thee ; 
Folowe it, and folowen shal it thee.' 
JjAmcmnt. Whan I hadde herd al 
Resoun sej'n, 47S5 

Wliich hadde spilt hir speche in veyn : 
• Dame,' seyde I, ' I dar wel sey 
Of this avaunt mo wel I may 
Tliat from your scole so deviaiint 
I am, that never the more avaunt 4790 
Right noTight am I, thurghyoiar doctryne ; 
I duUe iinder yoiir disciplyne ; 
I wot no more than [I] wist f er, 
To me so eontrarie and so fer 
Is every thing that ye me lere ; 4795 

And yit I can it al fparcuere. 
Myn herte fory-etith tlierof right nought. 
It is so writen in my thoiight ; 
And depe -f-graven it is so tendir 
That al by herte I can it rendre, 4800 



And rede it over comunely ; 
Biit to my-silf lowedist am I. 

' But sith ye love discroven so, 
And lakke and preise it, bothe two, 
Defyneth it into this letter, 4*^05 

That I may thenke on it the better 
For I herde never f diffj'ne it ere. 
And wilfully I wolde it lore.' 

Itdmnin. ' If love be serched wel and 
sovight. 
It is a sykenesse of the tliought 4810 

Annexed and -j-knet bitwixe tweyne, 
■(-Which male and female, with 00 eheyne. 
So frely byndith, that they nil twinne. 
Whether so therof they lese or winne. 
The roote springith, thurgh hoot l)ren- 
ning, 4815 

Into disordinat desiring 
For to kissen and enbrace. 
And at her lust them to solace. 
Of otlier thing love recchith nought, 
But setteth hir herte and al hir thought 
More for delectacioun 48-' i 

Than any procreacioun 
Of other fruyt by -f-engendring ; 
Which love to god is not plesing ; 
For of hir body fruyt to get 4S25 

They yeve no force, they are so set 
Upon delyt, to ploy in-fere. 
And somme have also this manere, 
To feynen hem for love seke ; 
Sich love I preise not at a leke. 48,^0 

For paramours they do but feyne ; 
To love truly they disdoyne. 
They falsen ladies traitourslj^. 
And sweren hem othes utterlj'. 
With many a lesing, and many a faTile. 
And al they fmden decey\'able. 48^0 

And, whanne they fher lust han geten, 
The hoote ernes they al foryeten. 
Wimmen, the harm they byen ful sore : 
But men this thcnken evermore, 48-10 
That lasse harm is, so mote I thee, 
Disceyve them, than disceyved be ; 
And namely, wher they ne may 
Finde non other mene wey. 
For I wot wel, in sothfastnesse, 4S45 

That fwho doth now his bisynesse 
With any womman for to dele, 
For any lust that he may fele, 
But-if it be for engendrure, 



5° 



ZU (Rowaunf of tU (Hoee. 



[Fkaomknt B. 



He doth trespasse, I you ensure. 4S50 

For he shtilde setten al his wil 

To geten a likly thing him til, 

And to sustene[n], if he might, 

And kepe forth, by kindes right. 

His owne lyknesse and semblable, 4855 

For bicanse al is coriimpable, 

And faile shtilde successioun, 

Ne were fther generacioun 

Our sectis strene for to save. 

Whan fader or moder arn in grave, 4860 

Hir children shulde, whan they ben deede, 

Ful diligent ben, in hir steede, 

To use that werke on such a wyse, 

That oon may thurgh another ryse. 

Therfore set Kinde therin delyt, 4865 

For men therin shulde hem delyte, 

And of that dede be not erke. 

But ofte sythes haunt that werke. 

For noon wolde drawe therof a draught 

Ne were delj't, which hath him caught. 

This hadde sotil dame Nature ; 4S71 

For noon goth right, I thee ensure, 

Ne hath entont hool ne parfyt ; 

For hir desir is for delyt, 

The which fortened crece and eke 4S75 

The pley of love for-ofte seke, 

And thralle hem-silf, they be so nyce. 

Unto the prince of every vyce. 

For of ech sinne it is the rote, 

Unlefulle lust, though it be sote, 48S0 

And of al j^vel the racyne. 

As Tullius can determyne. 

Which in his tyme was ful sage, 

In a boke he made of Age, 

Wher that more he preyseth Elde, 4885 

Though he be croked and iinwelde, 

And more of conimendacioun, 

Than Youthe in his discripcioun. 

For Youthe set bothe man and wyf 

In al perel of soule and lyf ; 481)0 

And perel is, but men have grace, 

The -j-tyme of youthe for to pace, 

Withoute any deth or distresse, 

It is so ful of wildenesse ; 

So ofte it doth shame or damage 4895 

To him or to his linage. 

It leditli man now up, now doun. 

In mochel dissolucioitn. 

And makith him love yvel company. 

And lede his lyf disrewlily, 4900 



And halt him payed with noon estate. 

Within him-silf is such debate. 

He chatingith purpos and entent. 

And yalt [him] into som covent, 

To liven aftir her empryse, 4905 

And lesith fredom and fraunohyse, 

That Nature in him hadde set. 

The which ageyn he may not get, 

If he there make his mansiotm 

For to abyde professioitn. 4910 

Though for a tyme his herte absente, 

It may not fayle, he shal repente. 

And eke abyde thilke day 

To leve his abit, and goon his way. 

And lesith his worship and his name, 

And dar not come ageyn for shame ; 4916 

But al his lyf he doth so mourne, 

Bicanse he dar not hoom retourne. 

Fredom of kinde so lost hath he 

That never may recured be, 4920 

fBut-if that god him gratinte grace 

That he may, er he hennes pace, 

Conteyne undir obedience 

Thurgh the vertii of pacience. 

For Youthe set man in al folye, 4925 

In imthrift and in ribaudye. 

In leccherye, and in oittrage. 

So ofte it chaungith of corage. 

Youthe ginneth ofte sich bargeyn. 

That may not ende withouten peyn. 4930 

In gret perel is set youth-hedo, 

Del,\'t so doth his bridil lede. 

Delji; -fthus hangith, drede thee nought, 

Bothe mannis body and his thought, 

Only thurgh f Youthe, his chamberere. 

That to don yvel is customere, 4U.?f' 

And of nought elles taketh bede 

But only folkes for to lede 

Into disporte and wildenesse, 

So is [she] froward from sadnesse. 4940 

' But Elde drawith hem therfro ; 
Who wot it nought, he may wel go 
■f-Demand of hem that now arn olde. 
That whylom Youthe hadde in holde. 
Which yit "f-remembre of tendir age, 4945 
How it hem brought in many a rage, 
And manj' a foly therin wrought. 
But now that Elde hath fhena thurgh- 

sought. 
They repente hem of her folye, 
That Youthe hem putte in jupardye, 4950 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Hontaunf of tU (S^oat. 



51 



In perel and in muche wo, 
And made hem ofte amis to do, 
And snen yxel companye, 
Riot and avonterye. 

' But Elde -t"can ageyn restreyne 4955 
From snclie foly, and refrejaie, 
And set men, by hir ordinaunce, 
In good renle and in governaunce. 
But yvel she spendith hir servyse, 
For no man wol hir love, -f-ne pryse ; 4960 
She is hated, this wot I wele. 
Hir acqueyntaunce wolde no man fele, 
Ne han of Elde companye, 
Men hate to be of hir alye. 
For no man wolde bicomen olde, 4965 
Ne dye, whan he is yong and bolde. 
And Elde merveilitli right gretly, 
Milan they renicmbre hem inwardly 
Of many a pereloiis empryse, 
^^^liche that they wrought in sondry 
w;yse, 4970 

How ever they might, withoute blame. 
Escape awey withoute shame. 
In youthe, withoute[n] damage 
Or repreef of her linage, 
Losse of membre, sheding of blode, 4975 
Perel of deth, or losse of good. 

' Wost thou nought where Youthe 
abit. 
That men so preisen in her wit ? 
With Delyt she halt sojour. 
For bothe they dwellen in 00 tour. 4980 
As longe as Youthe is in sesoun. 
They dwellen in oon mansioun. 
Delyt of Youthe wol have servyse 
To do what so he wol devyse ; 
And Youthe is redy evermore 4985 

For to obey, for smerte of sore. 
Unto Delyt, and hiui to yive 
Hir servise, whyl that she may live. 

' Where Elde abit, I wol thee telle 
Shortly, and no whyle dwelle, 4990 

For thider bihoveth thee to go. 
If Deth in youthe thee not slo, 
Of this journey thou maist not faile. 
With hir Labour and Travaile 
Logged been, with Sorwe and Wo, 4995 
That never out of hir coiirte go. 
PejTie and Distresse, Syknesse and Ire, 
And Malencoly, that angry sire, 
Ben of hir paleys senatours ; 



Groning and Grucching, hir herber- 
geours, 5000 

The day and night, hir to turment. 
With cruel Deth they hir present, 
And tellen hir, erliche and late. 
That Deth fstant armed at hir gate. 
Than briuge they to hir remenabraunce 
The foly dedis of hir infaunce, 5006 

^Vliich causen hir to moiirne in wo 
That Yoiithe hath hir bigiled so. 
Which sodeynly awey is hasted. 
She fwepeth the tyme that she hath 
wasted, 5010 

Compleyiiing of the preterit. 
And the present, that not abit. 
And of hir olde vanitee. 
That, but aforn hir she may see 
In the future som socour, 5015 

To leggen hir of hir dolour. 
To graunt hir tyme of repentaunce, 
For hir sinnes to do penaunce, 
And at the laste so hir governs 
To winne the joy that is eterne, 5020 

Fro which go bakward Youthe ^l-hir made. 
In vanitee to droune and wade. 
For present tyme abidith nought. 
It is more swift than any thought ; 
So litel 'whyle it doth endure 5025 

That ther nis compte ne mesure. 

' But how that ever the game go, 
WIio list -fhave joye and mirth also 
Of love, be it he or she, 
High or lowe, who[so] it be, 5030 

In fruyt they shulde hem delyte ; 
Her part they may not elles quyte, 
To save hem-sLlf in honestee. 
And yit ful many oon I see 
Of wimmen, sothly for to seyne, 5035 

That [ay] desire and wolde fayne 
The pley of love, they be so wilde. 
And not coveite to go with childe. 
And if with child they be perchaunce. 
They wole it holde a gret mischaunce ; 
But what-som-ever wo they fele, 5041 

They wol not pleyne, but concele ; 
But-if it be any fool or nyce. 
In whom that shame hath no justyce. 
For to delyt echon they drawe, 5045 

That haunte this werk, bothe high and 

la we. 
Save sich that ar[e]n worth i-ight nought, 



5^ 



tU (Koniaunf of t^t (Kose. 



[FUAGMKXT B. 



That for money wol be boiiglit. 

Such love I preise in no wyse, 

Whan, it is f given for covoitise. 5050 

I preise nowoniman, though "t-shebewood, 

That yeveth hir-silf for any good. 

For litel shiilde a man telle 

Of hir, that wol hir body sella, 

Be she mayde, be she wj'f, 5055 

That qn.ik wol selle hir, by hir lyf. 

How faire chere that ever she mahe, 

He is a ^vTecehe, I nndirtake, 

That floveth snch one, for swete or sonr, 

Though she him calle hir paramour, 5060 

And laiigheth on liim, and makith him 

feeste. 
For certejTily no suche [a] beesto 
To be loved is not worthy, 
Or here the name of dru[e]ry. 
Noon shulde hir please, but he were wood, 
That wol dispoile him of liis good. 5066 
Yit nevertheles. I wol not sey 
f But she, for solace and for pley, 
May a jewel or other thing 
Take of her loves free yeving ; 5070 

But that she aske it in no wyse, 
For drede of shame of eoveityse. 
And she of hirs may him, certeyn, 
Withoute sclaundre, yeven ageyn. 
And joyne her hertes togidre so 5075 

In love, and take and yeve also. 
Trowo not that I wolde hem twinne, 
Whan in her love ther is no sinne ; 
I wol that they togedre go, 
And doon al that they ban ado, 5080 

As curteis shulde and debonaire, 
And in her love beren hem faire, 
Withoute vyce, bothe he and she ; 
So that alwey, in honestee. 
Fro foly love fthey kepo hem clere 5085 
That brenneth hertis with his fere ; 
And that her love, in any wyse. 
Be devoid of eoveityse. 
Good love shulde engendrid be 
Of trewe herte, just, and secree, 5000 

And not of such as sette her thought 
To have her lust, and ellis nought, 
So are they caught in Loves lace, 
Trul.v, for bodily solace. 
Fleshly delyt is so present 5095 

With thee, that sette al thyn entent, 
Withoute more (what shi\lde I glose V) 



For to gete and have the Rose ; 

Which makith thee so mate and wood 

Tliat thou desirest noon other good. 5100 

But thoii art not an inche the nerre. 

But ever abydest in sorwe and werre, 

As in thy face it is sene ; 

It niakith thee bothe pale and lene ; 

Thy might, thy vertu goth away. 5105 

A sory gost, in goode fay, 

ThoiT fherberedest than in th.yn inne. 

Tlie God of Love whan thou let inne ! 

Wherfore I rede, thou shette him out. 

Or he shal grove thee, out of doute ; ,t;iio 

For to thy profit it wol turne. 

If he nomore with thee sojourne. 

In gret mischeef and sorwe sonken 

Ben hertis, that of love arn dronken, 

As thou peraventiire knowen shal, 51 15 

AVhan thou hast lost fthy tyme al. 

And spent i thy youthe in ydilnesse. 

In waste, and woful lustinesse ; 

If thou maist live the tyme to see 

Of love for to delivered be, 5120 

Thy tyme thou sbalt biwepe sore 

The whiche never thou maist restore. 

(For tyme lost, as men may see, 

For no-thing may recured be). 

And if thou scape yit, atte laste, s'-? 

Fro Love, that hath thee so faste 

Knit and bounden in his lace, 

CerteJ^^, I holde it but a grace. 

For many oon, as it is seyn. 

Have lost, and spent also in veyn, 5130 

In his servyse, withoute socour, 

Bodj' and soule, good, and tresour, 

Wit, and strengthe, and eek richesse, 

Of which they hadde never redresse.' 

Thus tatight and preched hath Resoun, 
But Love spilte hir sermoun, 5136 

That was so imped in my thought. 
That hir doctrine I sette at noiight. 
And yit ne seide she never a dele. 
That I ne understode it wele, 5'4" 

Word by word, the mater al. 
But unto Love I was so thral, 
Which callith over-al his pray. 
He chasith so my thought falway. 
And holdith myn herte undir his sele. 
As trust and trew as any stele ; 514(1 

So that no devoeioun 
Ne hadde I in the sermoun 



FUAGMENT B.] 



ZU (^omaunf of tU (^oee. 



53 



Of dame Eesoun, ne of liir rede ; 

It toke no sojour in myn hede. 5150 

For alle yede out at oou ere 

Tliat in tliat other she dide lere ; 

Fully on me she lost liir lore, 

Hir speche me greved wondir sore. 

f Than imto hir for ire I seide, 5155 

For anger, as I dide abiaide : 
• Dame, and is it your willc algate, 
That I not love, but that I hate 
Alle men, as ye me teehe ? 
For if I do aftir your speche, 5 '60 

Sith that ye seyn love is not good, 
Than must I nedis say with mood, 
If I it leve, in hatrede ay 
Liven, and voide love away 
From me, [and been] a sinful wrecche, 
Hated of all that [love that] tecche. 5166 
1 may not go noon other gate, 
F(jr cither must I love or hate. 
And if I hate men of-newe 
More than love, it wol me re we, 5170 

As by your preching semeth me, 
For Love no-thing no preisith thee. 
Ye yeve good counseil, sikirly. 
That prechith me al-day, that I 
Shvilde not Loves lore alowe ; 5175 

He were a fool, wolde you not trowe ! 
In speche also ye han me taught 
Another love, that knowen is naiight, 
Which I have herd yoii not repreve. 
To love ech other ; by your leve, 5180 

If ye wolde diffyne it me, 
I wolde gladly here, to see. 
At the leest, if I may lere 
Of sondry loves the manere.' 

Iiaiso7i. ' Certis, freend, a fool art 
thou 5185 

Whan that thou no-thing wolt allowo 
That I [thee] for thy profit say. 
Yit wol I sey thee more, in fay ; 
For I am redy, at the leste, 
To accomplisshe thy requeste, 5190 

But I not wher it wol avayle ; 
In veyne, perauntre, I shal travayle. 
Love ther is in sondry wyse, 
As I shal thee here devyse. 
For som love leful is and good ; 5195 

I mene not that which makith thee wood. 
And bringith thee in many a iit. 
And ravisshith fro thee al thy wit. 



It is so nierveilous and queynt ; 

With such love be no more aqiieynt. 5JU0 

Comment Raisoun diffinist 
+Amistie. 

' Love of Frendshipe also ther is. 
Which naakith no man doon amis. 
Of wille knit bitwixe two. 
That wol not brekc for wele ne wo ; 
Which long is lykly to contiine, 5205 

Whan wille and goodis ben in comtiue ; 
Grounded by goddis ordinaunce, 
Hool, withoute discordaunce ; 
With hem holding comuntee 
Of al her goode in charitee, 5210 

That ther be noon excepcioun 
Thurgh chaiinging of entencioun ; 
That ech helpe other at hir ueede, 
And wysly liele bothe word and dede ; 
Trewe of mening, devoid of slouthe, 5215 
For wit is nought withou.te troutho ; 
So that the ton dar al his thought 
Seyn to his freend, and spare nought, 
As to him-silf, without dreding 
To be discovered by wreying. 5220 

For glad is that conjunccioun, 
Wnian ther is noon sus^jecioiin 
[Ne lak in hem], whom they wolde prove 
That trew and j)arlit weren in love. 
For no man may be amiable, 5225 

But-if he be so ferme and stable. 
That fortune ehaunge him not, ne blinde, 
Biit that his freend alwey him finde, 
Bothe pore and riche, in oo[n] [e]state. 
For if his freend, thurgh any gate, 5230 
Wol compleyne of his poverteo. 
He shulde not byde so long, til he 
Of his helping him requere ; 
For good deed, don [but] thurgh prayerc, 
Is sold, and bought to dcre, y-wis, 5235 
To hert that of gret valour is. 
For hert fulfilled of gentilnesse 
Can yvel demene his distresse. 
And man that worthy is of name 
To asken often hath gret shame. 5240 

A good man brenneth in his thought 
For shame, whan he axeth ought. 
He hath gret thought, and dredith ay 
For his disese, whan he shal pray 
His ft'eend, lest that he warned be, 5245 



54 



ZU (S^omannt of t^e (Hoee. 



[Fragment B. 



Til tliat lie preve his stabiltee. 

But whan that he hath fotinden oon 

That trusty is and trew as stone, 

And [hath] assayed him at al, 

And found him stedefast as a wal, 5250 

And of his freendship be certeyne, 

He shal hina shewe bothe joye and peyne, 

And al that [lie] dar thinke or sej', 

Withoute shame, as he wel may. 

For how shulde he ashamed be 5255 

Of sich oon as I tolde thee? 

For whan he woot his secree thought, 

The thridde shal knowe ther-of right 

nought ; 
For tweyn in nombre is bet than three 
In every counsel and secree. 5260 

Eepreve he dredeth never a del. 
Who that biset his wordis wel ; 
For every wys man, out of drede, 
Can kepe his tunge til he see nede ; 
And fooles can not holde hir tunge ; 5265 
A fooles belle is sone runge. 
Yit shal a trewe freend do more 
To helpe his felowe of his sore. 
And socoure him, whan he hath nede, 
In al that he niay doon in dede ; 5270 

And gladder [be] that he him plesith 
Than [is] his felowe that he esith. 
And if he do not his requeste, 
He shal as mochel him moleste 
As his felow, for that he 5275 

May not fulfllle his voluntee 
[As] fully as he hath reqnered. 
If fbothe hertis Love hath fered, 
Joy and wo they shul depart. 
And take evenly ecli his part. 5280 

Half his anoy he shal have ay. 
And comfort [him] what that he may ; 
And of fhis blisse parte shal he. 
If love wol departed be. 

' And whilom of this ■famitee 5285 

Spak Tullius in a ditee ; 
"f-" A man shulde maken his request 
Unto his freend, that is honest ; 
And he goodly shulde it fulfille. 
But it the more were out of skile, 5290 
And otherwise not graunt therto, 
Except only in -[-cases two : 
If men his freend to deth wolde dryve, 
Lat him be bisy to save his lyve. 
Also if men wolen him assayle, 5295 



Of his wurship to make hina faile. 

And hindren him of his renoun, 

Lat him, with ful entencioun. 

His dever doon in ech degree 

That his freend ne shamed be, 5300 

In this two "fcases with his might. 

Taking no kepe to skile nor right. 

As ferre as love may him excuse ; 

This oughte no man to refuse." 

This love that I have told to thee 5305 

Is no-thing contrarie to me ; 

This wol I that thou tblowe wel, 

And leve the tother everydel. 

This love to vertu al attendith, 5309 

The tothir fooles blent and shendith. 

' Another love also there is. 
That is contrarie unto this. 
Which desyre is so constreyned 
That [it] is but wille feyned ; 
Awey fro trovithe it doth so varie, 5315 
That to good love it is contrarie ; 
For it maymeth, in many wyse, 
Syke hertis with coveityse ; 
Al in winning and in profyt 
Sicli love settith his delji:. 5320 

This love so hangeth in balaunce 
That, if it lese his hope, perchaunce, 
Of lucre, that he is set upon, 
It wol faile, and quenche anon ; 
For no man may be amorous, 5325 

Ne in his living vertuous, 
Bvit-[if ] he love more, in mood, 
Men for hem-silf than for hir good. 
For love that profit doth abyde 
Is fals, and bit not in no tyde. 5330 

[This] love cometh of dame Fortune, 
That litel whyle wol contune ; 
For it shal chaungen vi^onder sone. 
And take eclips right as the mone, 
Whan f she is from us [y]-let 5335 

Thurgh erthe, that bitwixe is set 
The Sonne and hir, as it may faile. 
Be it in party, or in alle ; 
The shadowe maketh her bemis merke. 
And hir homes to shewe derke, 5340 

That i)art where she hath lost f the lyght 
Of Phebus fully, and the sight ; 
Til, whan the shadowe is overpast. 
She is enlumined ageyu as faste, 534-1- 

■f-Thurgh brightnesse of the sonne hemes 
That yeveth to hir ageyn hir lemes. 



Fragment B.] 



tU (Hotnaunf of t^i (Kcee. 



55 



That love is right of sich nature ; 

Now is [it] fair, and now ohscure, 

Now bright, now clipsy of manere, 

And whyloni dim, and whyloni clere. 5350 

As sone as Poverte ginneth take, 

With mantel and [with] wedis blake 

[It] hidith of Love the light awey, 

That into night it turueth day ; 

It may not see Eichesse shyne 5355 

Til the blakke shadowes fyne. 

For, whan Richesse shyneth bright, 

Love recovereth ageyn his light ; 

And whan it failith, he wol flit, 

And as she "j-groweth, so groweth it. 5360 

' Of this love, here what I sey : — 
The riche men are loved ay. 
And namely tho that sparand bene. 
That wol not wasshe hir hertes clene 
Of the filthe, nor of the vyce 5365 

Of gredy brenning avaryce. 
The riche man ful fond is, y-wis, 
That weneth that he loved is. 
If that his herte it nndirstood, 
It is not he, it is his good ; 5370 

He may wel witen in his thought. 
His good is loved, and he right nought. 
For if he be a nigard eke. 
Men wole not sette by him a leke, 
But haten him ; this is the soth. 5375 

Lo, what proiit his catel doth ! 
Of every man that may him see, 
It geteth him nought but enmitee. 
But he amende f him of that vyce. 
And knowe him-silf, he is not wys. 5380 

' Certis, he shulde ay freendly be, 
To gete him love also ben free. 
Or ellis he is not wyse ne sage 
No more than is a gote ramage. 
That he not loveth, his dede proveth, 
Whan he his richesse so wel loveth, 5386 
That he wol hyde it ay and spare, 
His pore freendis seen forfare ; 
To kepe "f-it ay is his purpose, 
Til for drede his eyen close, 5390 

And til a wikked deth him take ; 
Him hadde lever asondre shake, 
And late f his limes asondre ryve. 
Than leve his richesse in his l3^e. 
He thenkith parte it with no man ; 5395 
Certayn, no love is in him than. 
How shulde love within him be. 



Whan in his herte is no pite ? 

That he trespasseth, wel I wat. 

For ech man knowith his estat ; 540u 

For wel him -l-oughte be reproved 

That loveth nought, ne is not loved. 

' But sith we arn to Fortune conien, 
And f han our sermoun of hir nomen, 
A wondir wil I telle thee now, 5405 

Thou herdist never sich oon, I trow. 
I not wher thoii me leven shal, 
Though sothfastnesse it be fin al, 
As it is vva-iten, and is sooth. 
That iinto men more profit doth 541*' 

The froward Fortune and contraire, 
Than the swote and debonaire : 
And if thee thinke it is doiitable. 
It is thurgh argument jirovable. 
For the debonaire and softe 54^5 

Falsith and bigylith ofte ; 
For liche a moder she can cherishe 
And milken as doth a norys ; 
And of hir goode to "j-hem deles. 
And yeveth fhem part of her joweles. 
With grete richesse and dignitee ; 54-' i 
And hem she hoteth stabilitee 
In a state that is not stable, 
But chaunging ay and variable ; 
And fedith -f-hem with gloria veyne, 54J.S 
And worldly blisse noncerteyne. 
Whan she fhem settith on hir whale, 
Than wene they to be right wele, 
And in so stable state withalle, 
That never they wene for to falle. , 543*^ 
And whan they set so high[e] be, 
They wene to have in certeintee 
Of hertly frendis f so gret noumbre, 
That no-thing mighte her stat encombre , 
They truste hem so on every syde, 5435 
Weniug with fhem they wolde abyde 
In every perel and mischauuce, 
Withouta chaunge or variaunce, 
Bothe of catel and of good ; 
And also for to spende hir blood 544^^ 
And alle hir membris for to spille, 
Only to fulflUe hir wille. 
They maken it hole in many wyse, 
And hoten hem hir ful servyse. 
How sore that it do hem smerte, 5445 

Into hir very naked sherte ! 
Herte and al, so hole they yeve. 
For the tyme that they may live, 



56 



'tU (Romaunt of t^i^ (Roee. 



[Fragment B. 



545L> 



5+55 



So that, with her flateryo, 

They maken foolis glorifye 

Of hir wordis [greet] speking, 

And han •f-there-of a rejoysing, 

And trowe hem as the Evangyle ; 

And it is al falsheed and gyle, 

As they shal afterwarde[s] see, 

Whan they arn falle in povertoo, 

And been of good and catel bare ; 

Than shiilde they seen who freendis 

ware. 
For of an hundred, certeynly, 
Nor of a tliousand ful soarslj', 5-i-6^> 

Ne shal they fynde unnethis oon, 
Whan povei'tee is comen upon. 
For f this Fortune that I of telle, 
With men whan hir lust to dwello, 
Makith hem to leso hir conisaiincc, 54('>5 
And nourishith hem in ignoraunce. 

' But froward Fortune and perverse. 
Whan high estatis she d(.)th roverso, 
Antl makoth hem to tumble douu 
Of hir whole, with sodcyu tourn, 5470 

And from hir richesse doth hem flee. 
And plongeth hem in povertee. 
As a stepmodor envyous. 
And leyetli a piastre dolorovis 
I'nto her hertis, woiinded egrc, 5475 

Wliich is not tempred with vinegre. 
But with poverte and indigence, 
'[She showoth, by experience. 
That she is Fortune verely 
In whom no man shulde affy, 5480 

Nor in hir yeftis have fiaunce, 
She is so ful of variaunco. 
Thus can she maken high and lowe, 
Whan they from richesse ar[e]n throwo. 
Fully to knowen, withouten wore, 54<S5 
Freend of f effect, and freend of chere ; 
And which in love wercn trew and stable, 
And whiohe also weren variable, 
After Fortune, hir goddessc, 
lu poverte, ovither in richesse ; 5490 

For al fslie yeveth, out of dredc, 
Unhappe bereveth it in dede ; 
For Infortune "llat not oon 
Of freendis, whan Fortune is goon ; 
I mene tho freendis that wol flee 5495 
Anoon as entreth povertee. 
And yit they wol not leve hem so. 
But in cell j)lace where they go 



They callo hem " wrecche," scorne ami 

blame. 
And of hir mishappe hem diffame, ^•,'.k> 
And, namely, sicho as in richesse 
Pretendith most of stablenesse. 
Whan that they sawe him set onlofte, 
And weren of him socoured ofte. 
And most y-holpe in al hir nede : 5505 
But now they take no maner hede, 
But seyn, in voice of flateryo. 
That now apperith hir folye, 
Ovor-al where-so they fare. 
And singe, " Go, farewel feldefare." ^^n> 
AUe suche freendis I beshrewe, 
For of [the] trewe ther be to fewe ; 
But sothfast freendis, what so bityde. 
In every fortune wolen abydo ; 
Tliey han hir hertis in suche noblesse 
That they nil love for no richesse ; 5516 
Nor, for that Fortune may hem sende. 
They wolen hem socoure and defende ; 
Antl chaungo for softe ne for sore, 
For who is freend, loveth evermore. 5520 
Though men drawe swerd his freend to slo, 
Ho may not howe hir love atwo. 
But, in [the] case that I shal sey, 
For pride and ire leso it he may, 
And for reprove by nycetec, 5525 

And discovering of priviteo. 
With tongc wounding, as feloun, 
Thurgh venemoiis detraccioun. 
Frond in this case wol gon his wa^'. 
For no-thing grove him more ne may ; 
And for nought ellis wol he flee, 5531 

If that he love in stabilitce. 
And certeyn, he is wel bigoon 
Among a thovisand that fyndith oon. 
For ther may be no richesse, 55,^5 

Ageyns frendship, of worthinesso; 
For it ne may so high atteigne 
As may the valoure, sooth to seyne. 
Of him that loveth trew and wel ; 
Frendship is more than is catol. 5540 

For freend in court ay better is 
Than peny in [his] purs, certis ; 
And Fortune, mishapping. 
Whan upon men she is f falling, 
Thurgh mistiirning of hir chaunce, 5545 
And -j-casteth hem ovite of balaunce, 
She makith, thiargh hir adversitee. 
Men ful cleerly for to see 



Fragment B.] 



ZU (Kontaunf of ih (Hoee. 



57 



Him that is freend in existence 

Prom him that is b.y ajjparence. 5550 

For Inforttine makith anoon 

To knowe thy freendis fro tliy foon, 

By experience, right as it is ; 

The which is more to preyse, j'-wis, 

Than fis miche riehesse and tresour ; 

For more f doth profit and valonr 5556 

Poverte, and such adversitee, 

Bifore than doth prosperitee ; 

For the toon yeveth conisannce, 

And the tother ignoraunce. 5560 

' And thiis in poverte is in dede 
Trouthe declared fro falsehede ; 
For feynte freudis it wol declare, 
And trewe also, what wey thej^ fare. 
For whan he was in his riehesse, 5565 

These freendis, ful of doublenesse, 
Offrid him in many wyse 
Hert and body, and servj'se. 
What wolde he than ha f j'eve to ha 

bought 
To knowen openly her thought, 557© 

That he now hath so clerlj' seen ? 
The lasse bigyled he sholde have been 
And he hadde than perceyved it, 
But riehesse nold not late him wit. 
Wei more avauntage doth him than, 5575 
Sith that it makith him a wys man. 
The greet mischeef that he ■f-receyveth, 
Than doth riehesse that him deceyveth. 
Eichesse riche ne makith nought 
Him that on treaour set his thought ; 
For riehesse stont in suifisaunce 5581 

And no-thing in habundaunce ; 
For suffisaunce al-only 
Makith men to live richely. 
For he that hath [but] miches tweyne, 
Ne [more] value in his demeigne, 5586 

Liveth more at ese, and more is riche. 
Than doth he that is [so] chiche. 
And in his bern hath, sotli to seyn. 
An hundred f miiwis of whete greyn, 5590 
Though he be chapman or marchaunt, 
And have of golde many besaunt. 
For in the geting he hath such wo. 
And in the keping drede also. 
And set evermore his bisjTiesse 5595 

For to encrese, and not to lesse. 
For to augment and multiply. 
And though on hepis fit lye him by, 



Yit never shal make his riehesse 

Asseth unto his gredinesse. 56(_h) 

But the povre that recchith nought. 

Save of his Ij'flode, in his thought, 

Which that he getith with his travaile, 

He dredith nought that it shal faile. 

Though he have lytel worldis good, g6:)^ 

Mete and driuke, and esy food. 

Upon his travel and living. 

And also suffisaunt clothing. 

Or if in syknesse that he falle, 

And lothe mete and drink withalle, 5610 

Though he have nought, his mete to bj-, 

He shal bithiuke him hastely. 

To putte him out of al daunger, 

That he of mete hath no mister ; 

Or that he may with litel eke 5t^i5 

Bo founden, whj'l that he is seke ; 

Or that men shul him -j-bere in hast. 

To live, til his syknesse be past, 

To somme maysondewe bisyde ; 5619 

He cast nought what shal him bityde. 

He tlienkith nought that ever he shal 

Into any syknesse falle. 

' And though it falle, as it may be, 
That al betyme spare shal he 
As mochel as shal to him sufF3'ce, 5625 
Whyl he is syke in any wyse. 
He doth [it], for that he wol be 
Content with his povertee 
Withoute nede of any man. 
So miche in litel have he can, 5630 

He is apayed with his fortime ; 
And for he nil be importune 
Unto no wight, ne onerous. 
Nor of hir goodes coveitovis ; 
Therfore he sparetb, it may wel been, 
His p<ire estat for to sustene. 5636 

^ ' Or if him lust not for to spare, 
But suffrith forth, as nought ne ware, 
Atte last it hapneth, as it may. 
Eight unto his laste day, 5640 

And ftaketh the world as it wolde be ; 
For ever in herte thenkith he. 
The soner that [the] deeth him slo, 
To paradys the soner go 
He shal, there for to live in blisse, 5645 
Where that he shal no good misse. 
Tliider he hopith god shal hini sende 
Aitir his wrecchid Ij'ves ende. 
Pictagoras himsilf reherses, 



58 



ZU (Kotnaunf of tU (^00^. 



[Fragment B. 



In a book that the Grolden Vorses 5650 
Is olei^id, for the nobilitoo 
Of the honourable diteo : — 
•• Than, whan then gost thy body fro, 
Free in the eir thon shalt up go. 
And leven al humanitee, 5655 

And purely live in deiteo." — 
He is a fool, withouten were. 
That trowith have his countre hero. 
•■ In erthe is not our countree," 
That may these clerkis seyn and see 5660 
In Boece of Consolacioim, 
Where it is maked mencioun 
Of our countree pleyn at the eye. 
By teching of philosophyo. 
Where lewid men might lere wit, 5665 
Wlio-so that wolde translaten it. 
If he be sich that can wel live 
Aftir his rente may him yive. 
And not desjTeth more to have. 
That may fro povertee him save : 5670 
A wys man seide, as we may seen, 
Is no man wrecched, but he it wene, 
Be he king, knight, or ribaud. 
And many a ribaud is mery and baud. 
That swinkith, and berith, bothe day and 
night, 5675 

Many a biirthen of gret might, 
The whiche doth him lasse offense. 
For ho suffrith in pacience. 
They laugh and daunce, trippe and singe. 
And ley not up for her living, 5681) 

But in the tavern al dispendith 
The winning that god hem senditli. 
Than goth he, fardels for to berc, 
W'ith as good chere as he dide ere ; 
To swinke and traveile he not feynith, 
For for to robben he disdeynith ; 56S6 
But right anoon, aftir his swinke, j 

He goth to tavern for to drinko. 
Alle these ar riche in abundaunco, 
Tliat can thus have suifisaunce 5690 

^^'el inore than can an ixsurere. 
As god wel knowith, withoute were. 
For an usurer, so god me see, 
Shal never for richesse riche bee, 
But evermore pore and indigent, 5695 
Scarce, and gredy in his cntont. 

' For soth it is, whom it displese, 
Ther may no marchaunt live at ese ; 
His licrte in sich a -j-werc is set, 



That it quik brenneth [more] to get, 57(x) 

Ne never shal -f-enough have geten ; 

Though he have gold in gerners yeten. 

For to be nedy he dredith sore. 

W^herfore to geten more and niore 

He set his herte and his desire ; 5705 

So bote he brennith in the fire 

Of coveitise, that makith him wood 

To pixrchase other mennes good. 

He undirfongith a gret peyne, 

That undirtakith to drinke up Sejnie ; 

For the more he drinkith, ay 571 1 

Tlie more he leveth, the soth to say. 

•f-This is the thurst of fals geting. 

That last ever in coveiting. 

And the anguisshe and distresse 5715 

With the fire of gredinesse. 

She fighteth with him ay, and stryveth. 

That his herte asondre ryveth ; 

Such gredinesse him assaylith, 

That whan he most hath, most he faylith. 

' Phisiciens and advocates 57J i 

Gon right by the same yates ; 
They selle hir science for winning. 
And haunte hir crafte for greet geting. 
Hir winning is of such swetnesse, 5725 
That if a man falle in sikenesse, 
They are ful glad, for hir encrese ; 
For by hir wille, withoute lees, 
Evericbe man shulde be sekc, 5729 

And though they dye, they set not a leke. 
After, whan they the gold have take, 
Ful litel care for hem they make. 
They wolde that fourty were seke at onis, 
Ye, two hundred, in flesh and bonis. 
And yit two thousand, as I gesse, ^-^$ 
For to encresen her richesso. 
They wol not worchen, in no wyse. 
But for lucre and coveityse ; 
For fysyk ginneth first liy fi/, 
The fysj'cien also sothely : 5740 

And sithen it goth fro J)/ to fat/ ; 
To trnsto on hem, it is foly ; 
For they nil, in no manor gree. 
Do right nought for charitee. 

' Eke in the same secte are set 5745 

Alle tho that prechen for to get 
Worshipes, honour, and richesse. 
Her hertis arn in greet distresse, 
That folk [ue] live not holily. 
But aboven al, specialy, 5750 



FUAGMENT B.] 



ZU (Uomauni of tU (^00^ 



59 



Sich as prechen [for] veynglorie, 

And toward god have no memorio, 

But forth as j-poerites trace, 

And to her soules deth purchace, 

And otitward f shewen holynesse, 5j^=;^ 

Thongh they be fulle of ciirsidnesse. 

Not liche to the apostles twelve, 

They deceyve other and hem-selve ; 

Bigyled is the g.vler than. 

For preching of a cursed man, 5760 

Thongh [it] to other may profyte, 

Himsilf availeth not a myte ; 

For oft good predicacioun 

Cometh of evel enteneioun. 

To him not vailith his preching, 5765 

Al helpe he other with his teching ; 

For where they good ensanmple take, 

There is he with veynglorie shake. 

• But lat us leven these prechoures. 
And spoke of hem that in her toures 5770 
Hepe up her gold, and faste shette. 
And sore theron her herte sette. 
They neither love god, ne dredo 
They kepe more than it is nede. 
And in her bagges sore it binde, 5775 

Out of the Sonne, and of the winde ; 
They putte up more than nede ware, 
Whan they seen pore folk forfare, 
For hunger dye, and for cold qiiake ; 
God can wel vengeannce therof take. 5780 
f Three gret mischeves hem assailith. 
And thus in gadring ay travaylith ; 



With moche pe.yne they winne richesse ; 

And drede hem holdith in distresse, 

To kepe that they gadre faste ; 5785 

With sorwe they leve it at the laste ; 

With sorwe they hothe dj^e and live, 

That -j-to richesse her hertis yive, 

And in defatite of love it is, 

As it shewith ful wel, y-wis. 5790 

For if these gredy, the sothe to seyn, 

Loveden, and were loved ageyn. 

And good love regned over-alle. 

Such wikkidnesse ne shulde falle ; 

But he shulde yeve that most good had 

To hem that weren in nede bistad, 5796 

And live witliotite fals usure. 

For charitee ful clene and pure. 

If they hem yeve to goodnesse. 

Defending hem from ydelnesse, 5800 

In al this world than pore noon 

We shnlde finde, I trowe, not oon. 

Bnt chaunged is this world unstable ; 

For love is over-al vendable. 

We see that no man loveth now 5805 

But for winning and for prow ; 

And love is thralled in servage 

Whan it is sold for avanntage ; 

Yit wommen wol hir bodies selle ; 5S09 

Suche soules goth to the devel of helle.' 

[He7-e ends 1. 5170 of the F. text. A 
great gap folluws. The next line an- 
swers to I. 10717 of the same.] 



PEAGMENT C. 



Whan Love had told hem his entente. 

The baronage to councel wente ; 

In many sentences they fille. 

And dyversly they seide hir willo : 

But aftir discord they accorded, 5815 

And hir accord to Love recorded. 

' Sir,' seiden they, ' we been at oon, 

By even accord of everichoon, 

Out-take Richesse al-only, 

That sworen hath ful hauteynly, 5820 

That she the castel f nil assaile, 

Ne smyte a stroke in this bataile, 

With dart, ne mace, spere, ne knyf, 



For man that speketh or bereth the Ijf, 

And blameth your empryse, y-wis, 5SJ5 

And from our hoost departed is, 

(At leeste wey, as in this plj-te,) 

So hath she this man in dispyte ; 

For she seith he ne loved hir never, 

And therfor she wol hate him ever. 5830 

For he wol gadre no tresore. 

He hath hir wrath for evermore. 

He agilte hir never in other caas, 

Lo, here al hooUy his trespas ! 

She seith wel, that this other day 5835 

He asked hir leve to goon the way 



6o 



ZU (Komaunf of tU (Foe^- 



[Fragment C. 



That is clepid To-moclie-Yeving, 

And spak ful faire in liis praying ; 

Biit whan he jirayde hir, pore was he, 

Therfore she warned him the entree. 5840 

Ne yit is he not thriven so 

That he hath geten a peny or two, 

That qiiitly is his owne in hold. 

Thus hath Eichesse tis alle told ; 

And whan Eichesse ns this recorded, 5845 

Withouten hir we been accorded. 

' And we finde in our accordatince, 
That False-Semblant and Abstinaunce, 
With alle the folk of hir bataile, 
Shulle at the hinder gate assayle, 5850 
That Wikkid-Tunge hath in keping. 
With his Normans, fulle of jangling. 
And with hem Curtesie and Largesse, 
That shulle shewe hir hardinesse 
To the olde w^yf that -f-kepeth so harde 
Fair-Welcoming within her warde. 5856 
Than shal Delyte and Wel-Helinge 
Fonde Shame adoun to bringe ; 
With al hir boost, erly and late. 
They shulle assailen -j-thilke gate. 5860 
Agajaies Drede shal Hardinesse 
Assaj'le, and also Sikernesse, 
With al the folk of hir leding. 
That never wist what was fleing. 

' Fraunchyse shal fighte, and eek Pitee, 
With Daunger ful of crueltee. 5866 

Thus is your boost ordeyned wel ; 
Doun shal the castel every del, 
If everiche do his entente. 
So that Veniis be presente, 5870 

Your moder, ful of vassalage, 
That can y-nough of such usage ; 
Withouten hir maj- no wight spede 
This werk, neither for word ne dede. 
Therfore is good ye for hir sende, 5875 
For tliurgh hir may this werk amende.' 

Amour. ' Lordinges, my moder, the 
goddesse. 
That is my lady, and my maistresse, 
Nis not [at] al at my willing, 
Ne doth not al my desyring. 5880 

Yit can she som-tyme doon labour, 
Whan that hir hist, in my socour, 
f Al my nedes for to acheve. 
But now I thenke hir not to greve. 
My moder is she, and of chlldhede 5885 
I bothe worshipe hir, and eek drede ; 



For who that dredeth sire ne dame 

Shal it abye in body or name. 

And, natheles, yit cunne we 

Sende after hir, if nede be ; 5890 

And were she nigh, she comen wolde, 

I trowe that no-thing might hir holde. 

' My moder is of greet prowesse ; 
She hath tan many a forteresse. 
That cost hath many a pound er this, 5895 
Ther I nas not present, y-wis ; 
And yit men seide it was my dede ; 
But I come never in that stede ; 
Ne me ne lyketh, so mote I thee. 
Such ftoures take withoute nie. 590<> 

For-why me thenketh that, in no Avj'se, 
It may ben cleped but marchandise. 

' Go bye a coiirser, blak or whyte. 
And pay therfor ; than art thou quyte. 
The marchaunt oweth thee right nought, 
Ne tlioii him, whan thou [hast] it bought. 
I wol not selling clepe yeving, 5907 

For selling axeth no guerdoning ; 
Here lyth no thank, ne no merji:e. 
That oon goth from that other al quyte. 
But this selling is not semblable ; 591 1 
For, whan his liors is in the stable. 
He may it selle ageyn, pardeo. 
And winne on it, such hap may be ; 
Al may the man not lese, y-wis, 5915 

For at the leest the skin is his. 
Or elles, if it so bityde 
That he wol kepe his hors to ryde, 
Yit is ho lord ay of his hors. 
But thilke chaffare is wel wors, 5920 

There Venus entremeteth nought ; 
For wlio-so such chaffare hath bought, 
He shal not worchen so wysly. 
That he ne shal lese al outerly 
Bothe his money and his chaffare ; 5925 
But the seller of the ware 
The prys and profit have shal. 
Certeyn, the byer shal lese al ; 
For he ne can so dere it bye 
To have lordship and ful maistrye, 5930 
Ne have power to make letting 
Neither for yift ne for preching, 
That of his chaffare, maugre his. 
Another shal have as moche, y-wis. 
If he wol yeve as moche as he, 5935 

Of what contrey so that he be ; 
Or for right nought, so happe may. 



Fragment C] 



ZU (Komaunf of tU (S^OQt. 



6i 



If he can flater hir to hir pay. 

Ben than suche marchaunts wyse ? 

No, but fooles in every wyse, 5940 

Whan they bye such thing wilfully, 

Ther-as they lese her good -f-fully. 

But natheles, this dar I saye, 

My moder is not wont to paye, 

For she is neither so fool ne nyce, 5945 

To entremete hir of sich vyce. 

But truste wel, he shal paye al, 

That repente of his bargeyn shal. 

Whan Poverte put him in distresse, 

Al were he scoler to Eichesse, 5950 

That is for me in gret yerning. 

Whan she assenteth to my willing. 

' But, [by] my moder seint Venus, 
And by hir fader Saturnus, 
That hir engendrid by his Ijnf, 5955 

But not upon his wedded ■w'yf ! 
Yit wol I more unto you swere. 
To make this thing the seurere ; 
Now by that feith, and that f leautee 
fl owe to alle my brethren free, 5960 

Of which ther nis wight under heven 
That can her fadres names neven. 
So dyvers and so many ther be 
That with my moder have be privee ! 
Yit wolde I swere, for sikernesse, 5965 
The pole of helle to my witnesse, 
Now drinke I not this yeer clarree. 
If that I lye, or forsworn be ! 
(For of the goddes the u.sage is. 
That who-so him forswereth amis, 5970 
Shal that yeer drinke no clarree). 
Now have I sworn y-noiigh, pardee ; 
If I forswere me, than am I lorn. 
But I wol never be forsworn. 
Sith Eichesse hath me failed here, 5975 
She shal abye that trespas -f-dere. 
At leeste wey, but [she] hir arme 
With swerd, or sparth, or gisarme. 
For certes, sith she loveth not me. 
Fro thilke tyme that she may see 5980 
The castel and the tour to-shake. 
In sory tyme she shal awake. 
If I may grype a riche man, 
I shal so pulle him, if I can. 
That he shal, in a fewe stoundes, 59S5 
Lese alle his markes and his poundes. 
I shal him make his pens outslinge, 
But-[if] they in his gerner springe ; 



Our maydens shal eek pilukke him so, 
That him shal neden fetheres mo, 5990 
And make him selle his lond to spende. 
But he the bet cunne him defende. 

' Pore men han maad hir lord of me ; 
Although they not so mighty be, 
That they may fede me in delyt, 5995 

I wol not have hem in desjiyt. 
No good man hateth hem, as I gesse ; 
For chinche and feloun is Eichesse, 
That so can chase hem and dispyse. 
And hem defonle in sondry wyse. 6000 
They loven ful bet, so god me spede, 
Than doth the riche, chinchy fgnede, 
And been, in good feith, more stable 
And trewer, and more serviable ; 
And therfore it si^ffyseth me 6005 

Hir goode herte, and hir fleautee. 
They han on me set al hir thoiight. 
And therfore I forgete hem nought. 
I fwolde hem bringe in greet noblesse. 
If tliat I were god of Eichesse, 6on) 

As I am god of Love, sothly. 
Such roiithe upon hir pleynt have I. 
Therfore I must his socour be. 
That peyneth him to serven me ; 
For if he deyde for love of this, 6015 

Than semeth in me no love ther is.' 

' Sir,' seide they, ' sooth is, every del. 
That ye reherce, and we wot wel 
Thilk oth to liolde is resonable ; 
For it is good and covenable, 6020 

That ye on riche men han sworn. 
For, sir, this wot we wel biforn ; 
If riche men doon you homage, 
That is as fooles doon outrage ; 
But ye shul not forsworen be, 6025 

Ne let therfore to drinke clarree. 
Or piment maked fresh and newe. 
Ladyes shulle hem such pepir brewe. 
If that they falle into hir laas. 
That they for wo mowe seyn ' Alias ! ' 
Ladyes shuln ever so curteis be, 6031 

That they shal quyte yoiir oth al free. 
Ne seketh never other vicaire. 
For they shal speke with hem so faire 
That ye shal holde you payed ful wel, 
Though ye you medle never a del. 6036 
Lat ladies worche with hir thinges. 
They shal hem telle so fele tydinges. 
And moeve hem eke so many requestis 



62 



^3^ (jRomaunf of tU (^ioec. 



[Fkagment C. 



By flateiy, that not lioncst is, 6140 

And tlierto yeve hem such thankinges, 
What with kissing, and with talkinges, 
That certes, if they trowed he, 
Shal never leve hem lond ne fee 
Tliat it nil as the moehle fare, 6045 

Of which they first delivered are. 
Now may ye telle us al your wille. 
And we yoiir hestes shal fulfillc. 

' But Pals-Semblant dar not, for drede 
Of you, sir, medle him of this dede, 6050 
For he seith that ye been his fo ; 
He not, if ye wol worche him wo. 
Wherfore we pray yoii alle, beau-sire. 
That ye forgive him now your ire. 
And that he may dwelle, as your man, 
AVith Abstinence, his dere lemman ; 6056 
This our accord and our wil now.' 

' Parfay,' seide Love, ' I graiinte it yow ; 
I wol wel holdo him for my man ; 6059 
Now lat him come : ' and he forth ran. 
' Fals-Semblant,' quod Love, ' in this wyse 
I take thee here to my servyse, 
That thou our freendis helpe alway, 
And fhindre hem neither night ne day, 
But do thy might hem to releve, 6065 
And cek our enemies that thou greve. 
Thyn be this might, I graunt it thee. 
My king of harlotes shalt thou bo ; 
We wol that thou have such honour. 
Certeyn, thou art a fals traitour, 6070 
And eck a theof ; sith thou were born, 
A thousand tyme thou art forsworn. 
But, natheles, in our hering. 
To putte our folk out of douting, 
I bid thee techc hem, ■\vostow how ? 6075 
By somme general signe now, 
In what place thou shalt founden 1)C, 
If that men had mister of thee ; 
And how men shal thee best espye. 
For thee to knowe is greet maistrj'o ; 6080 
Tel in what place is thyn haunting. ' 

F. Sent. ' Sir, I have fele dy\'ers woning. 
That I kcpe not rehersed be. 
So that ye wolde respyten me. 
For if that I telle you the sothe, 60S5 
I may have harm and shame bothe. 
If that my felowes wisten it. 
My tales shul den me be quit ; 
For certeyn, they wolde hate me, 
If ever T knewc hir cruelte ; ' 6090 



For they wolde over-al holde hem stille 

Of troutho that is ageyn hir wille ; 

Suche tales kepen they not here. 

I might eftsoue bye it ful dere. 

If I seide of hem anj- thing, f'oo.; 

That ought displeseth to hir hering. 

For whatword that hem prikke orbyteth. 

In that word noon of hem delyteth, 

Al were it gospel, the evangyle, 

That wolde reprove hem of hir gyle, Cnmi 

For they are cruel and hauteyn. 

And this thing wot I wel, certeyn. 

If I speke ought to peiro hir loos. 

Your court shal not so wel be cloos, 

That they ne shal wife it atte last. 6105 

Of good men am I nought agast. 

For they wol taken on hem no-thing. 

Whan that they knowe al my mening : 

But he tiiat wol it on him take. 

He wol himself suspecious make, 61 10 

That he his Ij-f let covertly, 

In Gyle and in Ipocrisy, 

That me engendred and yaf fostring.' 

' They made a ful good engendring,' 
Quod Love, ' for who-so soothly telle, 61 15 
Thej' engendred the devel of helle ! 

' But nedely, how-so-ever it be,' 
Quod Love, ' I wol and charge thee, 
To telle anoon thy wouing-places, 
Hering ech wight that in this place is : 
And what lyf that thou livest also, 61 21 
Hyde it no lenger now ; wherto ? 
Thou most discover al thy -WTirching, 
How thou servest, and of what thing, 
Though that thou shuldest for thy soth- 
sawe 6125 

Ben al to-beten and to-drawe ; 
And yit art thou not wont, pardee. 
But natheles, though thou beten be, 
Thou shalt not be the first, that so 
Hath for soth-sawe suffrod wo.' 6130 

F. Sem. ' Sir, sith that it may lyken 
.you. 
Though that I shulde be slayn right now. 
I shal don your comaundement, 
For therto have I gret talent.' 6i_^4. 

Withouten wordes mo, right than, 
Fals-Semblant his sermon bigan. 
And seide hem thus in audience : — 
' Barouns, tak hede of my sentence ! 
That wight that list to have knowing 



Fragment C. 



ZU (Romaunf of iU (Koe^. 



Of Fals-Semblant, ful of flatering, 6140 
He must in worldly folk him seke, 
And, certes, in the cloistres eke ; 
I wone no-where but in liena tweye ; 
But not lyk even, sooth to seye ; 
Shortly, I wol herherwe me 6145 

There I hope best to hulstred be ; 
And certeynly, sikerest hyding 
Is Tinderneth humblest clothing. 

' Religious folk ben fnl covert ; 
Seculer folk ben more appert. 6150 

But nathelos, I wol not blame 
Religious folk, ne hem diffame. 
In what habit that ever they go : 
Religioun humble, and trewe also, 
Wol I not blame, ne dispyse, 6155 

But I nil love it, in no wyse. 
I mene of fals religious, 
That stoute ben, and malicious ; 
That wolen in an abit go. 
And setten not hir herte therto. 6160 

' Religious folk ben al pitotis ; 
Thou shalt not seen oon dispitous. 
They loven no x^ryde, ne no stryf. 
But humbly they wol lede hir lyf ; 
With fswich folk wol I never be. 6165 
And if I dwelle, I feyne me 
I may wel in her abit go ; 
But me were lever my nekke atwo. 
Than f leto a purpose that I take, 
What covenaunt that ever I make. 6170 
I dwelle with heni that proude be. 
And fiiUe of w.vles and subtelte ; 
That Avorship of this world coveyten. 
And grete fnedes cunne espleyten ; 6174 
And goon and gadren greet pitauuces, 
And purchace hem the acqtieyntaunces 
Of men that mighty lyf may leden ; 
And feyne hem pore, and hem-self feden 
With gode morcels delicious, 
And drinken good wyn precious, 6180 

And preche us povert and distresse, 
And fisshen hem-self greet richesso 
With wyly nettis that they caste : 
It wol come foul out at the laste. 
They ben fro clene religioun went ; 61S5 
They make the world an argument 
That hath a foul conclusioim. 
" I have a robe of religioun. 
Than am I al religious : " 
This argument is al roignous ; 6190 



It is not worth a oroked brere ; 
Habit ne maketh fmonk ne frere. 
But clene lyf and devocionn 
Maketh gode men of religioun. 
Nathelesse, ther can noon ansAvere, 6195 
How high that ever his heed he shere 
With rasonr whetted never so kene, 
That Gyle in braunches cut thrittene ; 
Ther can no wight distincte it so. 
That he dar sey a word therto. 62(X) 

' But what herberwe that ever I take. 
Or what semblant that ever I make, 
I mene but gyle, and folowc that ; 
For right no mo than Gibbe our cat 
[fFro myce and rattes went his wyle], 
Ne entende I [not] bvit to fbegyle ; 6206 
Ne no wight may, by my clothing, 
Wite with what folk is my dwelling , 
Ne by my wordis j'et, pardee. 
So softe and so plesaunt they be. 6ji<i 

Bihold the dedes that I do ; 
But thou be blind, thou oughtest so ; 
For, varie hir wordis fro hir ded.e, 
They thenke on gyle, without[en] drede. 
What maner clothing that they were. 
Or what estat that ever they here, 6216 
Lered or lewd, lord or lady. 
Knight, squier, burgeis, or bayly.' 

Right tlm.s whyl Fals-Semblant ser- 
moneth, 
Eftsones Love him aresoneth, 6220 

And brak his tale in the speking 
As though he had him told lesing ; 
And seide : ' What, devel, is that I here ? 
What folk hast thoii us nempned here ? 
May men finde religioun 6225 

In worldly habitacioun ? ' 

F. Sem. ' Ye, sir ; it foloweth not that 
they 
Shulde lede a wikked lyf, parfey, 
Ne not therfore her soiiles lese, 
That hem to worldly clothes chese ; 6230 
For, certes, it were gret pitee. 
Men may in seculer clothes see 
Florisshen holy religioun. 
Ful many a seynt in feeld and toun. 
With many a virgin glorious, 6235 

Devout, and ful religious. 
Had deyed, that fcomun clothe ay beren, 
Yit seyntes never-the-les they weren 
I coiide reken you many a ten ; 



64 



ZU dPiomMnt of tU (Koee. 



[PnAGMENT C. 



Ye, wel nigh alle these holy wimmen, 
That men in chirches herie and seke, 6241 
Bothe maydens, and these wyvcs eke, 
That baren fmany a fair child here, 
Wered alwey cloth is seciilere, 
And in the same dydeu they, 6245 

That seyntes weren, and been alwey. 
The eleven thousand maydens dere. 
That bereu in heven hir cierges clere, 
Of which men rede in chircho, and singe. 
Were take in seculer clothing, 6250 

Whan they resseyved martirdom, 
And wonnen heven unto her hoom. 
Good herte maketh the godo thought ; 
The clothing yeveth ne reveth nought. 
The gode thought and the worching, 6255 
That maketh freligioun flowring, 
Ther lyth the good religioun 
After the right entencioun. 

' Wlio-so toke a wethers skin. 
And wrapped a gredy wolf therin, 6260 
For he shulde go with lanibes whytc, 
Wenest thou not he wolde hem byte ? 
Yis ! never-the-las, as he were wood. 
He wolde hem wery, and drinke the 

blood ; 
And wel the rather hem disceyve, 6265 
For, sith they coude not perceyvo 
His treget and his crueltee. 
They wolde him folowe, al wolde ho flee. 

' If ther be wolves of sich hewe 
Amonges these apostlis newe, 62-0 

Thoii, holy chirclic, thoii mayst be wayled! 
Sith that thy citee is assayled 
Thourgh kniglites of thyn owne table, 
God wot thy lordship is doutable ! 
If they enforce [hem] it to winne, 6275 
That shvilde defende it fro withinne, 
Wlio might defence ayens hem make ? 
Without[en] stroke it mot be take 
Of trepeget or mangonel ; 
Without displaying of pensel. 62S0 

And if god nil don it socour. 
But lat [hem] renue in this colour, 
Thou moost thyn lieestes laten be. 
Than is ther nought, but yeldo thee, 
Or yeve hem tribute, doutelees, 6285 

And holde it of hem to have yees : 
But gretter harm bityde thee. 
That they al maister of it be. 
Wel conne they seorne thee withal ; 



By day stuffen they the wal, 6290 

And al the night they mynen there. 
Nay, thou f most planten elleswhere 
Thyn impes, if thou wolt fruyt have ; 
Abyd not there thy-self to save. 

' But now pees ! here I turne ageyii ; 
I wol no more of this thing -t-seyn, 6296 
If I may passen me herby ; 
I mighte maken you wery. 
But I wol heten you alway 
To helpe your freendes what I may, 6300 
So they wollen my company ; 
For they be shent al-outerly 
But-if so falle, that I be 
Oft with hem, and they with me. 
And eek my lemman mot they serve, 6305 
Or they shiil not my love deserve. 
Forsothe, I am a fals traitour ; 
God jiTgged me for a theef trichour ; 
Forsworn I am, but wel nygh non 
Wot of my gyle, til it be don. 6310 

' Tliourgli me hath many oon deth 
resseyved. 
That my treget never aporceyved ; 
And yit resseyveth, and shal resseyve, 
That my falsnesse fnever aperceyve : 
But who-so doth, if he wys be, 6315 

Him is right good be war of me. 
But so sligh is the [fdeceyving 
That to hard is the] aperceyving. 
For Pi'otheus, that coude him chaunge 
In every shap, hoomly and straunge, 6320 
Coude never sich gyle ne tresoun 
As I ; for I com never in touu 
Ther-as I mighte knowen be, 
Though men me bothe might here and see. 
Ful wel I can my clothes chaunge, 6325 
Take oon, and make another straunge. 
Now am I knight, now chasteleyn : 
Now prelat, and now chapeleyn ; 
Now prest, now clerk, and now forstere ; 
Now am I maister, now scolere ; 6330 

Now monk, uo'vv chanouu, now baily ; 
Wliat-ever mister man am I. 
Now am I prince, now am I page, 
And can by herte every langage. 
Som-tjone am I hoor and old ; 6335 

Now am I yong, [and] stout, and bold ; 
Now am I Robert, now Robyn ; 
Now frere Menour, now lacobyn ; 
And with me folweth my loteby, 



Fragment C] 



tU (^omaunt of (U (Rose. 



65 



To don ine solas and comxiany, 6340 

That liight dame -j-Abstinence-Streyned, 

In many a quejmt array [yj-fejoied. 

Riglit as it cometh to hir lyking, 

I fnlfille al liir desiring. 

Somtj-me a wommans cloth take I ; 6345 

Now am I mayde, now lady. 

Sonityme I am religious ; 

Now lyk an anker in an hous. 

Somtyme am I prioresse, 

And now a nonne, and now abhesse ; 0,^50 

And go tlmrgh alle regioi^ns, 

Seking alle religionns. 

But to what ordre that I am sworn, 

I take the strawe, and f lete the corn ; 

To f blynde folk [tlier] I enhabite, 6355 

I axe no-more but hir abite. 

Wliat wol ye more ? in every wyse, 

Eight as me list, I me disgyse. 

Wei can I bere me under weed ; 

Unlyk is my word to mj' deed. 6360 

Thus make I in my trappes falle, 

Thurgh my pr^-vileges, alle 

That ben in Cristendom alyve. 

I may assoile, and I may shrj've, 

That no prelat maj' lette me, 6365 

Al folk, wher-ever they founde be : 

I noot no prelat may don so, 

But it the pope be, and no mo, 

That made thilk establisshing. 

Now is not this a i^ropre thing ? 6370 

But, were my sleightes aperceyved, 

[f Ne shulde I more been rece,^•ved] 

As I was wont ; and wostc >w why ? 

For I (lide hem a trcgetry ; 

But therof yeve I litel tale, 6375 

1 have the silver and the male ; 

So have I preched and eek sliriven. 

So have I take, so have fme yiven, 

Thurgh hir foly, husbond and wyf. 

That I lede right a joly lyf, 6380 

Thurgh simplesse of the prelacye ; 

The.v know not al my tregetrye. 

' But for as moche as man and wyf 
Shuld shewe hir paroche-prest hir lyf 
Ones a yeer, as seith the book, 6385 

Er any wight his housel took. 
Than have I pryvileges large, 
That may of moche thing discharge ; 
For he may seye right thus, pardee : — 
" Sir Freest, in shrift I telle it thee, 6390 



That he, to whom that I am sliriven. 

Hath me assoiled, and me yiven 

Penaunce soothly, for my sinne, 

Which that I fond me gilty inne ; 

Ne I ne have never entencioun 'M95 

To make double confessioun, 

Ne reherce eft my shrift to thee ; 

shrift is right y-ncv.gh to me. 
This oughte thee sufT.'ce wel, 

Ne be not rebel never-a-del ; 6400 

For certes, though thoii haddest it sworn, 

1 wot no prest ne prelat born 

That may to shrift eft me eonstreyne. 

And if they don, I wol ine pleyne ; 

For I wot where to islejaie wel. 6405 

Thou shalt not streyne me a del, 

Ne enforce me, ne f yit me trouble, 

To make my confessioun double. 

Ne I have none affeccioun 

To have doiible absolucioun. 6410 

The firste is right y-nough to me , 

This latter assoiling quj'te I thee. 

I am uubounde ; what mayst thou, finde 

More of nay sinnes me to unbinde '? 

For he, that might hath in his hond, 6415 

Of alle my sinnes me unbond. 

And if thou wolt me thus eonstreyne. 

That me mot nedis on thee pleyne, 

There shal no jugge imperial, 

Ne bisshop, ne official, 6420 

Don jiTgement on me ; for I 

Shal gon and pleyne me openly 

Unto my shrift-fader newe, 

(That hight not Frere Wolf untrewe !) 

And he shal fchevise him for me, 6425 

For I trowe he can hampre thee. 

But, lord ! he wolde be wrooth withalle, 

If men him wolde Frere Wolf calle ! 

For he wolde have no pacience, 

But don al cruel vengeaunce ! 6430 

He wolde his might don at the leest, 

[Ne] no-thing spare for goddes heest. 

And, god so wis be my soeotir. 

But thou yeve me my Saviour 

At Ester, whan it lyketh me, 6435 

Withoute presing more on thee, 

I wol forth, and to him goon, 

And he shal housel me anoon. 

For I am out of thy grucching ; 

I kepe not dele with thee no-thing." 6440 

Thus may he shryve him, that forsaketli 



66 



ZU (Komautt( of t^^ (Hoee. 



[FitAGMENT C. 



His parocho-prost, and to nio taketli. 

And if tho prost wol him rofuso, 

I am i'ul I'ody liim to acouso, 

And him punisslio and liampro so, f)445 

That ho liis cliircho shal f'oi'Ro. 

' But who-so liath in his f'cling 
Tho consoquouco of sucli aliryvinj?, 
Shalscion that prost may novor havo might 
To knowo tlio conscience aright 6450 

Of him that is nndor his citro. 
And this ageyns holy scripture, 
That biddotli every herde lionoste 
Havo vorry knowing of his besto. 
But pore folk that go(m liy stroto, 6455 
That havo no gold, no sommos greto, 
Hoin woldo I Icto to hir prelates, 
Or leto hir pi-ostos knowo hir states, 
For to mo right nought yovo thoy.' 

Ahiour. ' And why fis it '? ' 

F. Seiii. ' For thoy no may. 6460 

Tlioy bon so bare, I take no keep ; 
But T wol havo tho fatto shoop ; — 
Lat parish prestos havo the lono, 
I yovo not of hir harm a l)ono ! 
And if that prolats grucchcn it, 6465 

That oughton f wroth bo in hir wit, 
To lose her fatto bostes so, 
T shal yovo hoiu a stroke or two, 
That they shal loson with [tho] force, 
Ye, botho hir mytro and hir croco. 6470 
Thus jape I hem, and havo do longe, 
My i)rivologes been so strongo.' 

Fals-Somblant woldo havo stinted here, 
But Love no made him no such chore 
That ho was wcry of his sawe ; 6475 

But for to make him glad autl i'awo, 
J to siiido : — ■' Tol on more spocialy, 
How that thou servost nntrewly. 
Ti'l forth, and shamo thee novor a del ; 
For as thyn abit shewith wel, 6480 

Thou -|-semost an holy horemyto.' 

>'. Sem. ' Soth is, but I am an ypocryte.' 

Amour. ' Thou gost and prochest povor- 
teo?' 

F. Sem. ' Ye, sir ; but richesse hatli 
p<5ustoo.' 

Ainotir. ' Thou pi-cchest abstinence 
also ? ' 6485 

F. Sem.. ' Sir, I wol lillon, so mote I go, 
My pauncho of godo mete and wyno, 
As slnildo a maister of divyno ; 



For how that I me povor fejnie, 

Yit alio pore folk I disdeyne. 6490 

' I lovo fbot tho acqueyntaunco 
Ton tymos, of the king of Fraunoo, 
Tlian of -jporo man of myldo mode, 
Though tliat his soulo bo also godo. 
For whan T see boggers quaking, 6495 
Naked on mixcns al stinking. 
For hnngro crye, and eek for care, 
I ontromoto not of hir i'are. 
Thoy boon so pore, and ful of xiyno. 
They might not ones yovo mo fdyne, 6500 
For thoy havo no-thing but hir lyf ; 
What shulde ho yovo that likkoth his 

knyf? 
Tt is but foly to entremeto. 
To soke in houndos nest fat mote. 
Lot bore hem to the spitol anoon, 6505 
But, for me, comfort goto thoy noon. 
But a rioho sikc usurore 
Woldo I visyte and drawe noro ; 
Him wol I comlbrto and rehete. 
For I hope of his gold to goto. 65 lu 

And if that wikked deth him have, 
I wol go with him to his grave. 
And if ther any roprovo mo, 
Why that I loto tlie pore be, 
Wostow how I 'l-mot ascapo '? 6515 

I soy, and sworii him fnl rape. 
That richo men han more tocches 
Of sinne, than han pore wrecches, 
And han of counsoil more mister ; 
And thorforo I wol drawe hem nor. 6520 
Bvit as grot hurt, it may so bo, 
Hath fsonl in right gret povorte. 
As soi\l in grot riehcsse, forsothe, 
Al-bc-it that thoy hurten botho. 
For richesse and mendicitoes 6525 

Ben eloped two extremiteos ; 
The mono is olepod snffisaunce, 
Thor lyth of vortu tho aboundaunce, 
For Salamon, ful wol I woof, 
Tn his Parables lis wroot, 6530 

As it is knowo of many a wight. 
In his ■[•thrittotho ehapitre right : 
" God, thou mo kepe, lor thy poustee. 
Fro richesse and mondicitoo ; 
For if a richo man him d rosso ()535 

Ty thonko to moche on [his] richesse. 
His horte on that so for is sot. 
That ho his crcatour foryot ; 



Fkaoment C.l 



ZU (Uowaunf of tU (Hoc^. 



67 



And liim, that -f-begging wol ay grove, 

How shuldo I l)y his word him love ? 6540 

Unnethe that ho nis a niiehor, 

Forsworn, or elles fgod is lyor." 

Thus soitli Salamon[es] sawes ; 

No we findo writen in no lawes. 

And namely in our Cristen hij^ — ^>545 

(Who seith ' ye,' I dar sey ' nay ') — 

Tiiat Crist, no liis apostles dcre, 

Whyl that they walkode in ortlio hero, 

Were never seen her bred begging. 

For they noldo beggon for no-tliing. 6550 

And right thus wore men wont to techo ; 

And in this wyse wolde it precho 

Tho maistros of diviniteo 

Somtymo in Paris the citoo. 

'And if men wolde ther-geyn appose 
The naked text, and lete the glose, 6556 
It mighto sono assoiled be ; 
For men may wel tlio sotlie see. 
That, parde, they mighte axe a thing 
Pleynly forth, without Ijogging, (>5Cm 

For they woren god<los hordes dere, 
And euro of soules liadden here. 
They noldo no-thing beggo hir fodc ; 
Ftiv after Crist was don on rode, 
With "l-hir propro hondes they wrought. 
And with travel, and olios nought, 6566 
Thoy wonnen all hir sustenaunce. 
And livedon forth in hir pcnaunco, 
And tho renionaunt fyovo awoy 
To other pore i folk alweJ^ 6570 

They neither bilden tour no hallo. 
But -t-leyo in houses smalo withallo. 
A mighty man, that can and may, 
Shuldo witli his hondo and body alway 
Winne him his food in laboring, 6575 

If ho no have rent or sich a thing, 
Although ho bo religious, 
And god to serven curious. 
Thus mote he don, or do trospas, 
But-if it bo in certeyn cas, 65*^0 

That I can roherce, if mister be. 
Eight wel, whan the tymo I see. 

' Soke tlie book of Soynt Austin, 
Bo it in paper or perchomin, <'>5^4 

There-as ho writ of these worchinges, 
Thou shalt scon that non excu.singes 
A parfit man ne shuldo soke 
By wordes, ne by dodos eke, 
Although ho bo religious, 



And god to serven curious, 6590 

That ho no shal, so mote I go, 

With projjro hondes and body also, 

Octe his food in laboring. 

If ho no have propretee of thing. 

Yit shuldo he selle al his substaunco, 6595 

And with his swink have sustonaunco, 

If ho bo parfit in bountoe. 

Thus han tho bookes tolde mo : 

For lie that wol gon yd illy. 

And useth it ay bosily 66(X) 

To haunten other mennes table. 

He is a trechour, ful of fable ; 

Ne ho ne may, by godo resoun. 

Excuse hini by his orisoun. 

For men bihoveth, in som gysc, 6605 

fSom-tymo levon goddes sorvyso 

To gon anil purchasen her node. 

Men mote oten, that is no drode, 

And slepo, and eek do other thing ; 

So longo may they love praying. 6610 

So may they cok hir prayer blinne, 

Whilo that thoy werko, hir mete to winne. 

Soynt Austin wol thorto accord©, 

In thilko book that I rocorde. 

Justinian eek, that made lawes, 6615 

Hath thus forboden, by oldo dawes, 

" No man, up peyne to bo deed. 

Mighty of body, to bogge his brood, 

if lie may swinko, it lor to goto ; 

Men sliuldo him rather mayme or bete. 

Or doon of him apert justice, 6621 

Tlian sufFron hini in such malice." 

They dou not wel, so moto I go. 

That taken such almosso so. 

But if they have som privelego, 6625 

That of tho peyno hem wol allege. 

But how that is, can I not see, 

But-if the prince disseyved be ; 

No I ne wene not, sikcrly, 

That they may have it rightfullj'. 6630 

But I wol not determyno 

Of princes power, ne defyne. 

No by my word comprcndo, y-wis. 

If it so for may strecche in this. 

I wol not entremete a del ; 6635 

But I trowe that tho book seith W(!l, 

Wlio that takoth almosses, that bo 

Dewe to folk that men may see 

Lame, feble, wery, and bare. 

Pore, or in such manor care, ()(')4u 



I) 2 



68 



ZU ($iomaunt of f^e (Hose. 



[FUAGMENT C. 



(That conne winne hem nevermo, 

For thej' have no power therto), 

He eteth his owne dampning, 

But-if he lye, that made al thing. 

And if ye snch a triiannt finde, 6645 

Cliastise him wel, if ye be kinde. 

But they wohle hate you, percas, 

And, if ye fiUen iu hir laas, 

They wolde eftsones do you scathe, 

If that they mighte, late or rathe ; 6650 

For they he not ful pacient, 

That han the world thtis ionle blent. 

And witeth wel, [wher] that god bad 

The good man scUe al that he had, 

And folowe him, and to pore it yive, 6655 

He wolde not therfore that he live 

To serven him in mendience, 

For it was never his sentence ; 

But he bad wirken whan that nede is. 

And folwe him in goode dedes. 6660 

Seynt Poule, that loved al holy chirche. 

He bade th'apostles for to wirche, 

And winnen hir lyflode in that wyse, 

And hem defended truaundyse, 6664 

And seide, " Wirketh with your honden ; " 

Thiis shnlde the thing be understondeu. 

He nolde, y-wis, fbidde hem begging, 

Ne sellen gospel, ne preching. 

Lest they berafte, with hir asking, 

Folk of hir catel or of hir thing. 6670 

For in this world is many a nian 

That yeveth his good, for he ne can 

Weme it for shame, or elles he 

Wolde of the asker delivered be ; 

And, for he him encombreth so, 6675 

He yeveth him good to late him go : 

But it can him no-thing profyte. 

They lese the yift and the meryte. 

The goode folk, that Poule to preched, 

Profred him ofte, whan he hem teched, 

Soni of hir good in charite ; 6681 

But therof right no-thing took he ; 

But of his hondwcrk w(3lde he gete 

Clothes to wryen him, and his mete.' 

Amoiu: ' Tel me than how a man may 
liven, 6685 

That al his good to pore hath yiven. 
And wol but only bidde his bedes, 
And never with fhond laboure his nedes: 
May he do so ? ' 

F. Sem. ' Ye, sir.' 



Amour. '• And how ? ' 

F. Sem. ' Sir, I wol gladly telle yow :— 
Seynt Austin seith, a man may be 6691 
In hoiT.ses that han propretee. 
As temijlers and hospitelers. 
And as these chanouns regulers, 
Or whyte monkes, or these blake — 6695 
(I wole no mo eusamples make) — 
And take therof his sustening, 
For therinne lyth no begging ; 
But other-weyes not, y-wis, 
f Yif Austin gabbeth not of this. 6700 

And yit fu.1 many a monk laboureth. 
That god in holy chirche honoureth ; 
For whan hir swinking is agoon. 
They rede and singe in chirche anoon. 

' And for ther hath ben greet discord, 
As many a wight may here record, 6706 
Upon the estate of f mendience, 
I wol shortly, in yoiir presence, 
Telle how a man may begge at nede. 
That hath not wherwith him to fede, 6710 
Maugre his felones jangelinges. 
For sothfastnesse wol non hidinges ; 
And yit, percas, I may abeye 
That I to yow sothly thus seye. 

' Lo, here the caas especial : 6715 

If a nian be so bestial 
That he of no craft hath science, 
And novight desyreth ignorence. 
Than may he go a-begging yerne, 
Til he som maner craft can lerne, 6720 
Tlnirgh which, without[e] trviaunding. 
He may in trouthe have his living. 
Or if he may don no labour. 
For elde, or syknesse, or langour, 
Or for his tendre age also, 6725 

Than may he yit a-begging go. 
' Or if he have, peraventure, 
Thurgh usage of his noriture. 
Lived over delicionsly. 
Than oughten good folk conaunly 6730 
Han of his mischeef som pitee, 
And suffren him also, that he 
May gon aboute and begge his breed, 
That he be not for hungur deed. 
Or if he have of craft cunning, 6735 

And strengthe also, and desiring 
To wirken, as he hadde what, 
But he finde neither this ne that, 
Than may he begge, til that he 



Fkagment C] 



ZU (Fowauttf of tU ($^oH. 



69 



Have geteii his necessitee. 6740 

' Or if his winning be so lj"te, 
That his lalwur wol not acqtiyte 
Sufficiantly al his living. 
Yit may he go his breed begging ; 
Fro dore to dore he may go trace, 6745 
Til he the remenaiiut mny purchace. 
Or if a man wolde undertake 
Any empryse for to make, 
In the rescous of our lay, 
Aiid it defeuden as he may, 6750 

Be it with amies or lettrure, 
Or other covenable cnre, 
If it be so he pore be, 
Than may he begge, til that he 
May iinde in tronthe for to swinke, 6755 
And gete him clothe[s], mete, and drinke. 
Swinke he with hondes corporel. 
And not with hondes esijirituel. 

' In al this[e] caas, and in semblables, 
If that ther ben mo resonables, 6760 

He may begge, as I telle yon here, 
And elles nought, in no manere ; 
As William Seynt Amonr wolde preche, 
And ofte wolde dispute and teclie 
Of this matere alle openly 6765 

At Paris fnl solemp[ne]ly. 
And al-so god my soule blesse, 
As he had, in this stedfastnesse, 
The accord of the universitee, 
And of the iiuple, as semeth me. 6770 

' No good man oughte it to refuse, 
Ne oughte him tlierof to excuse, 
Be wrooth or blythe who-so be ; 
For I wol speke, and telle it thee, 
Al shulde I dye, and be put doun, 6775 
As was seynt Poul, in derk prisoun ; 
Or be exiled in this caas 
With WTTong, as maister William was. 
That my moder Ypocrisye 
Banisshed for hir greet envye. 6780 

' My moder flemed him, Seynt Amour : 
This noble dide such labour 
To siisteyne ever the loyaltee, 
That he to moche agilte me. 
He made a book, and leet it wryte, 6785 
Wlierin his lyf he dide al wryte, 
And wolde ich reneyed begging. 
And lived by my traveyling. 
If I ne had rent ne other good. 
Wliat ? wened he that I were wood ? 6790 



For labour might me never plese, 

I have niore wil to been at ese ; 

And have wel lever, sootl\ to sey, 

Bifore the puple patre and prey. 

And wrye me in my foxerye 6795 

Under a cope of papelardye." 

Quod Love, ' What devel is this I here? 
"Wliat wordes tellest thou me here ? ' 

F. Sent. ' What, sir ? ' 

AviOKi: ' Falsnesse, that apert is ; 

Than dredest thou not god ? ' 

F. Sem. No, certes : 6800 

For seldo in greet thing shal he spede 
In this world, that god wol drede. 
For folk that hem to vertu yiven. 
And trulj' on her owne liven, 
And hem in goodnesse ay contene, 6805 
On hem is litel thrift y-sene ; 
Such folk drinken gret misese ; 
That lyf [ne] may me never plese. 
But see what gold han usurers. 
And silver eek in [hir] garners, 68io 

Taylagiers, and these monyours, 
Bailifs, bedels, provost, coimtours ; 
Tliese liven wel nygh by ra\'jme ; 
The smale puple hem mote enclyne, 
And they as wolves wol hem eten. 6S15 
Upon the pore folk they geten 
Ful moche of that they spende or kepe ; 
Nis none of hem that he nil strepe, 
And fwryen him-self wel atte fuUe ; 
Without[e] scalding they hem puUe. 6820 
The stronge the feble overgoth ; 
But I, that were my simple cloth, 
Robbe bothe f robbed and robbours, 
And gyle f gyled and gylours. 
By my treget, I gadre and threste 6825 
The greet tresour into my cheste, 
That lytli with me so faste bounde, 
MjTi highe paleys do I founde, 
And my delytes I fultille 
With wyne at feestes at my wille, 6830 
And tables fuUe of entremees ; - 
I wol no Ij'f, but ese and pees. 
And winne gold to spende also. 
For whan the grete bagge is go. 
It cometh right [eft] -wdth my japes. 6835 
Make I not wel tumble myn apes ? 
To winne is alwey myn entent ; 
My purchas is better than my rent ; 
Fur thovigh I shulde beten be. 



7° 



ZU (Kowaunf of th (S^oei. 



[Fkaomknt C. 



Over-al I entremete me ; 6840 

Without[o] mo may no wight dure. 

1 walko soulos ior to euro. 

01' al tlio worldo euro havo I 

In brodo and lengtho ; boldoly 

I wol botho procho and cok couiicoilen ; 

Witli liondos willo I not travoilon, 6846 

For of tho pope I havo the Imllo ; 

I no holdo not my wittes duUo. 

I wol not stinten, in my lyvo, 

Those emperouros for to shrwo, 6850 

Or kyngos, dukes, and lonles groto ; 

But pore folk al quyte I lote. 

I love no such shryving, pardeo, 

But it for other eauso bo. 

I rokko not of ])oro men, 6855 

llir Hstato is not worth an hon. 

Whoro fynilest thou a swinkor ol' labour 

Havo mo unto his confossour i* 

But cmperesses, and duchesses, 

Tliiso queues, and oek [thise] countesses, 

Thiso abbesses, and oek Bigyns, r>S()i 

Those groto ladyes palasj-ns, 

Those joly knightes, and baillyves, 

Thiso nonnes, and thiso burgeis wyvcs. 

That riche been, and oek plosing, 6S65 

And tliiso maidens welfaring, 

Whor-so they clud or naked bo, 

Uncounceiled goth ther noon fro mo. 

And, ior her soules savetee. 

At lord and lady, and hir meynee, O870 

I axe, whan they hem to mo shryvo, 

The propretoo of al hir lyve, 

And make hem trowo, botho meest and 

leest, 
Hir paroch-prest nis but a boost 
A>-ens mo and my company, 0875 

Tliat shrowos been as greet as 1 ; 
For whiehe I wol not hydo in hold 
No privotee that mo is told, 
That I by word or signe, y-wis, 
•|Nil make hem knowo what it is, 6880 
And tliey wolon also tellen mo ; 
They helo fro mo no i)rivitoo. 
And ior to make yow horn perceyven. 
That usen Iblk thus to disceyven, 
1 wol you seyn, withouten drwle, 6885 
What men may in tho gospel retio 
Of Sejmt Matliow, tho gospelere. 
That seith, as 1 shal you soy hero. 
' Upon the eliaire of Moyses — 



Thus is it glosed, douteles : 6890 

That is the olde testament, 

For therby is tho chaire ment- 

Sitto Scriljos and Pharis[i]en ; — 

That is to seyn, the cursed men 

Whiehe that we ypocrites calle — 0895 

Dotli tbat tlicy preche, I rede you alio, 

But doth not as they don a del. 

That been not wery to seye wel. 

But to do wel, no willeliave they ; 

And they wolde binde on folk alwe>', 

That ben to [be] begyled able, 691)1 

fBurdons that ben importable ; 

On folkos sliuldres thingcs they conchen 

That tliey nil with her fingres toviehen.' 

Amour. ' And why wol they not touche 
it?' 

F. Sem. 'A\Tiy? f)9i>.S 

For hom ne list not, sikerly ; 
For saddo fburdons that men taken 
Make folkes sliuldres aken. 
And if tliey do ought that good be, 
Tliat is for folk it shuldo see : 6910 

Her -fborders larger makon they, 
And make hir hemmes wyde alwey. 
And loven setes at the table,. 
Tlie firsto and most lionourable ; 
And for to ban tlio first ehaieres 6915 

In synagogos, to hem i'ul dere is ; 
And willen that folk hem louto and grete. 
Whan that they passen thurgh tho strete. 
And wolon be cleped ' Maister ' also. 
But they ne shuldo not willen so ; 691'u 
Tlie gospel is tluM-ageyns, I gesse : 
That sheweth wel hir wikkidnesse. 

i Another custom use we : — 
Of hem that wol a^ens us be. 
Wo hate -j-liem deedly everichoon. (h)2^ 
And wo wol werry fliem, as oon. 
Him that oon hateth, hate we alio, 
And conjecte how to doon him falle. 
And if wo seen him winne honour, 
Kiehesse or preys, thurgh his valour, (19^0 
I'rovendo, rent, or dignitee, 
Ful fast, y-wis, eompassen we 
By what ladder ho is clomben so ; 
And fur to maken him doun to go, 
With traisoun we wolo him defame, (>935 
And doon him lose his gode name. 
Thus from his ladder we him take. 
And thus liis freendos foes we make ; 



Fragment C] 



ZU (Homaunf of tU (^oae. 



71 



But word ne wite shal ho noon, 

Til alio his freondes been his foon. 0941) 

For if wo dido it openly, 

We miglit liRvo blamo redily ; 

For hudde he wist of our nialyce, 

Ho haddo him kept, hut he were nyco. 

' Another is this, that, if so fallo 6945 
That ther he oon among us alio 
That doth a good tui'n, out of drede. 
We soyn it is our alder dedo. 
Ye, sikorly, though ho it fcynod, 
Or that him list, or that him deyned 6950 
A man thurgh him avaiincod he ; 
Therof alio parceners be wo, 
And tellen i'olk, wher-so we go, 
That man thurgh i\s is sprongon so. 
An<l for to have of men jiroysing, 6955 
We purchaco, thurgli our flatoring, 
Of richo men, of grot poustoo, 
Lottrcs, to witnesse our bountoe ; 
So tliat man wcneth, that maj^ vis soo. 
That alio vortu in us be. 6960 

And alwey pore wo its foyne ; 
But how so that wo boggo or pleyno, 
Wo ben tho folk, without losing, 
Tliat al thing have without having. 
Thus bo we drod of tho puple, y-wis. 6965 
And gladly my purpos is this : — 
I dole with no wight, but he 
Have gold and tresour grot plenteo ; 
Hir acqueyntaunco wel love I ; 
This is moche my desyr, shortly. ()97o 
I ontremete mo of brocages, 
I make peos and mariagos, 
I am gladly oxccutour. 
Ami many tymos proouratour ; 
I am somtyme messager ; 6975 

That falleth not to my mister. 
And many tymos I make onquostes ; 
For mo that ofiice not honest is ; 
To dole with other mennes thing. 
That is to me a grot lyking. ()9<S() 

And if that yo have ought to do 
In i)lace that I repoire to, 
I shal it speden thurgh my wit, 
As sono as ye have tokl me it. 
So that ye serve mo to pay, ()985 

My servise shal bo your alway. 
But who-so wol chastyse me. 
Anoon my lovo lost hath ho ; 
For I lovo no man in no gyso. 



That wol mo reprove or chastyse ; 6990 
But I wolde al i'olk undertake, 
And of no wight no toching take ; 
For I, that other folk chastye, 
Wol not bo taught I'ro my folye. 

' I love noon hcrmitago more ; ^^995 

Alio dosertos, and holtes horo. 
And grote wodes everichoon, 
1 loto horn to the Baptist lolian. 
I quethe him quyto, and him relcsse 
Of Egipt al tho wildirnosso ; 7000 

To for wore alio my mansiouns 
Fro alio citeos and goode tonnes. 
My palois and myn hous make I 
There men may renne in openly, 
And sey that I tho world forsake. 7005 
But al amidde I bilde and make 
My hous, ami swimmo and ploy therinne 
Bot tlian a fish doth with his flnne. 

' Of Antccristos men am T, 
Of wliicho that Crist scith openly, 7010 
They have abit of holinosso, 
Antl liven in such wikkednesse. 
Outward, lambron somen we, 
FuUe of goodnesse and of pitee, 
And inward we, withovtten fable, 7015 
Ben gredy wolves ravisable. 
W'o enviroune bothe londe and see ; 
With al tho world fwerrcyon we ; 
We wol ordeyno of alle thing, 
Of folkos good, and her living. 7020 

' If ther bo castel or citoe 
Whorin that any bougerons be. 
Although that they of Milayne wore. 
For thor-of ben they blamotl there : 
Or if a wight, out of mesiire, 7025 

Wolde lone his gold, and take usure. 
For that he is so covoitous : 
Or if he bo to loccherous. 
Or fthefo, or haunte simonyo ; 
Or provost, ful of trocherye, 7030 

Or prelat, living jolily. 
Or prest tliat halt his (jucnc liijii liy ; 
Or oklo hores hostilers, 
Or other Ijawdes or bordillers. 
Or olios blamed of any vyco, 7035 

Of whiche men shuldon doon justyce : 
By alle the soyntes that wo pray, 
]!ut they dofende "Ihem with lamprey, 
With luce, with cles, with samoiins. 
With tendro goes, and v.itli capouns, 7040 



72 



ZU (Homautti of f0e (Roee. 



[Fraomekt C. 



With tartes, or with f cheses fat, 
With deynto flawnes, brode ami flat, 
With caloweys, or with puUaillo, 
With coningos, or with lyn vitailh^. 
That wo, iTnder <mr clothes wydo, 7045 
Maken tlnirgh otxr golet glyde : 
Or but he wol do come in haste 
Eoo-vonisoim, [yj-bake in paste : 
Whether so that ho loure or groino. 
Ho shal have of a cordo a loigno, 7050 
With whicho men shal him bimle and 

loile, 
To brenno him for his sinful dodo. 
That men shulle here him crye and roro 
A mjde-wey aboute, and more. 
Or ellos ho shal in prisoun dj-c, 7055 

But-if ho wol [oiir] fromlship l\yo, 
Orsmerten that that he hath do. 
More than his gilt anu>unteth to. 
But, and ho couthc tliurgh his sleight 
Do niakon up a tour ot height, 7060 

Nought roughto I whether of stone or tree, 
Or ertho, or turves though it be, 
Tliough it were of no voundo stone 
Wrovight with squyre and scantilono, 
So that the tour wore stuffed wcl 7005 
With alio richosso temporel ; 
And tlianne, that ho wolde updrosso 
Engyns, botho more and lesse, 
To caste at us, by every syde — 
To bore his goodo name wjxle — 7070 

Such sleightos [as] I shal j'ow nevene, 
Barellos of wj'ne, bj- sixe or sevene. 
Or gold in sakkes gret plento, 
He shuldo sone delivered bo 
And if he ha^•o noon sich pitaunces, 7075 
Late him study in oquipolences. 
And lote lyes and fallaces. 
If that he wohlo deserve our graces ; 
Or we shal bore him such witnosso 
Of sinne, and of his wrecchi<lnesso, 7o.Si) 
And doon his loos so wj-do ronno, 
That al quik we shulde hhn brenno, 
Or olios yeve him suche penaiince, 
That is wol wors than the pitaunco. 

' For thou shalt never, for no-thing, 
Con knowen aright by her clothing 7086 
The traitours fulle of trocheryo. 
But thou her workes can aspyc. 
And no haddo the good kcping bo 
Wliylom of the universitco, 71)90 



That kepeth the kej' of Cristendome, 

fThey had beenturmented, alio and some. 

Suche boon the stinking [fals] prophotis ; 

Nis non of hem, that good prophoto is ; 

For they, thurgh wikked entoncioun, 7095 

The yeer of the incarnacioun 

A thousand and two hundred yeer, 

Fyve and fifty, forthor no nor, 

15roughten a book, with sory grace, 

To yeven ensample in comunc place, 7100 

Tliat seide thus, though it were fable : — 

" This is the Gospel Perdurable, 

That fro the Holy Goost is sent.'" 

Wei were it worth to ben [y]-bront ! 

Entitled was in si\ch manero 7105 

This book, of which I telle hero. 

Thor nas no wight in al Parys, 

Bitbrn Our Lady, at parvys, 

f That [he] no mighte bye the book, 

■(■To copy, if him talent took. 71 10 

Thor might he see, bj- greet trosoun, 

Ful many fals ct)mparisoun : — 

" As moche as, thurgh his greto might, 

Be it of hete, or of light. 

The sunne sux'mounteth the mono, 71 15 

That troublor is, and chaimgeth sone. 

And the note-kernel tho shollc — 

(I scorno nat that I yow telle) — 

Eight so, withoutcn any gylo, 

Surmountoth this noble Evang,\Io 71J0 

The w(ird of any evangelist." 

And to her title they token Christ ; 

And many such comparisoun. 

Of which I make no mencioun, 

Might men in that boke finck^, 7125 

Who-so coude of hem have mintle. 

' Th' uuivorsitee, that tho was aslepe, 
Gan for to braide, and taken kepe ; 
A nd at tho noys the hood up-caste. 
No never sithon slepto it faste, 7130 

Hut up it storte. and armos took 
Ayons this fals horrible book, 
Al rody batail for to make, 
And to the juge tho hook to take. 
But thoy that broughten the book thei'e 
Hente it anoon awey, for fere ; 7136 

Thoy noldo shewe it more a del. 
But thenne it kepto, and kepen wil, 
Til such a tyme that they may see 
That thoy so sti-ongo woxen bo, 7140 

That no wight may hem wol withstoude ; 



Fragment C.J 



ZU (Rotnaunf of tU (Roee. 



For by that book they durst not stonde. 

Awcay they gonne it for to here, 

For they ne durste not answere 

By exposicioun "t-ne glose 7145 

To that that clerkes wole appose 

Ayens the cursednesse, y-wis, 

That ill that boke writen is. 

Now wot I not, ne I can not see 

What maner ende that there shal be 7150 

Ofal this [boke] that they hyde ; 

But yit algate they shal abyde 

Til that they may it bet defende ; 

This trowe I best, wol be hir ende. 

' Thus Antecrist abyden we, 7155 

For we ben alle of his ineynee ; 
And what man that wol not be so, 
Right sone he shal his lyf forgo. 
We wol a puple -t-on him areyse. 
And thurgh our gyle doon him seise, 7160 
And him on sharpe speres ryve, 
Or other-weyes bringe him fro lyve, 
But-if that he wol folowe, j'-wis, 
That in ovir boke writen is. 
Thus moche wol our book signifye, 7165 
That wlij'l [that] Peter hath maistrye, 
May never Johan sliewe wel his might. 

' Now have I you declared right 
The mening of the bark and rinde 
That niaketh the entenciotins blinde. 7170 
But now at erst I wol biginne 
To expowne you the pith withiune : — 
[ f And first, by Peter, as I wene, 
Tlie Pope himself we wolden mene,] 
And [eek] the seculers comprehende, 7175 
That Cristes lawe wol defende. 
And sliulde it kepen and mayiitenen 
Ayeines hem that al sustenen. 
And falsly to the puple techen. 
■fAnd Johan bitokeneth hem -j-that pre- 
chen, 7180 

That ther nis lawe covenable 
But thilke Gospel Perdurable, 
That fro the Holy Gost was sent 
To turne folk that been miswent. 
The strengths of Johan they undirstoiide 
The grace in which, they seye, they 
stonde, 7186 

That doth the sinful folk converte, 
And hem to Jesus Crist reverte. 

' Ful many another horriblete 
May men in tliat boke see, 7190 

D 



That ben comaunded, douteles, 

Ayens the lawe of Rome expres ; 

And alle with Antecrist they holden, 

As men may in the book biholden. 

And than comaunden they to sleen 7:95 

Alle tho that with Peter been ; 

But they shal nevere have that might, 

And, god toforn, for stryf to fight. 

That tliey ne shal y-nough [men] finde 

That Peters lawe shal have in minde, 7200 

And ever holde, and so mayntene. 

That at the last it shal be sene. 

That they shal alle come therto, 

For ought that they can speke or do. 

And thilke lawe shal not stonde, 7205 

That they by Johan have undirstonde ; 

But, maugre hem, it shal adoun. 

And been brought to confvisioun. 

But I wol stinte of this matere. 

For it is wonder long to here ; 7210 

But hadde that ilke book endured, 

Of better estate I were ensured : 

And freendes have I yit, pardee. 

That han me set in greet degree. 

' Of al this world is emperour 7215 

Gyle my fader, the trechour. 
And emp[e]resse my moder is, 
Maugre the Holy Gost, y-wis. 
Our mighty linage and our route 
Regneth in every regne aboute ; 7220 

And wel is fworth we maistres be, 
For al this world governe we, 
And can the folk so wel disceyve, 
That noon our gyle can jiercej've ; 
And though they doon, they dar not 

saye ; 7225 

The sothe dar no wight biwreye. 
But he in Cristis wrath him ledeth, 
That more than Crist mj' bretheren dre- 

deth. 
He nis no ful good champioun. 
That dredeth such similacioun ; 7230 

Nor that for peyne wole refusen 
Us to correcten and accusen. 
He wol not entremete by right, 
Ne have god in liis eye-sight. 
And tlierfore god shal him punyce : 7235 
But me ne rekketh of no vyce, 
Sithen men us loven comunably. 
And holden us for so worthy. 
That we may folk repreve echoon 



74 



ZH (]^on\amt of tU C^oee. 



I Fkaoment C. 



And we nil have repref of noon. 7240 

Whom sht\l(lon folk -worshipen so 
But U3, that stinten never nio 
To piitren wliyl that folk us soo, 
Tlioiigh it not so bihindo hem ho ? 

' And whoro is more wood i'olye, 7-'45 
Than to enhaunce chivalryo, 
And love noble men and gay, 
That joly clothes weron alway ? 
If they be sich folk as thej' semen, 
So cleno, as men her clothes demen, 7250 
And that her wordes folowe her tleile. 
It is gret pite, out of drede, 
For tlioy wol bo noon ypocrites ! 
Of hem, mo thinkcth [it] gret spite is ; 
I can not love hem on no syde. 7255 

But Beggers with these hodes wyde, 
With sleigho and jiale faces lene, 
And greye clothes not ful clene, 
But fretted lul of tatarwagges, 
And higho shoes, kuopped with dagges. 
That frouncen lylio a quaUo-pyiie, 7261 
Or botes riveling as a gJi^o ; 
To svich folk as I you dovyso 
Shulde princes and these lordes wj'se 
Take alio her londos and her thinges, 7265 
Botho werro antl pees, in governinges ; 
To such folk shulde a prince him yive, 
That wolde his Ij-f in honour live. 
And if tliey bo not as they seme. 
That servcn thus the world to queme, 7270 
There wolde I dwelle, to disceyve 
The folk, for they shal not perceyve. 

' But I no speke in no such wyse, 
That men shulde humble abit dispyse, 
So that no prj-de ther-uniler be. 7275 

No man shulde hate, as thinketh mo, 
The pore man in sich clothing. 
But god no preiseth him no-thing, 
That scith ho hath the world forsake, 
And hath to worldly glorie him take, 7280 
And wol of sicho delyces iiso ; 
Who may that Begger wol excuse ? 
That papelard, that him yeldeth so, 
And wol to worldly ese go, 
And seith that he the world hath left, 
And gredily it grjiieth eft, 72S6 

He is the hound, shame is to seyn. 
That to his casting goth ageyn. 

' But unto you dar I not lye : 
But miglite I felen or aspye 721;*;) 



That ye perceyved it no-thing, 
Ye shiilde[n] have a stark losing 
Right in your bond thus, to biginuo, 
I nolde it lette for no sinne.' 

The god lough at the wonder tho, 7295 
And eveiy wight gan laughe also, 
And seide : — ' Lo here a man aright 
For to be trusty to every wight ! ' 

' Fals Semblant,' quod Love, ' sey to me, 
Sith I thus have avaunced thee, 731x1 

Tliat in my court is thy dwelling, 
And of ribaudes shalt be my king, 
"Wolt thou wcl holden my forwardes? ' 

F. Seiii. ' Ye, sir, from hennes fore- 
wardes ; 
Hadde never your fader here-biforn 7305 
Servaunt so trewe, sith he was born.' 

Amota: ' That is ayeines al natiire.' 

F. Sem. ' Sir, put you in that .iven- 
turo ; 
For though ye borowes take of me, 
The sikorer shal yo never bo 7310 

For ostages, no sikirnesse. 
Or chartres, for to here witnesse. 
I take j-our-self to record here, 
That men ue may, in no manere, 
Teren the wolf out of his hj-de, 7315 

Til ho be -f-flayn, bak and syde, 
Though men him bote and al detyle ; 
What ? wene ye that I wolo bigyle ? 
For I am clothed mokely, 
Ther-under is al m>- trechery ; 7320 

Myn licrto chaungeth never the mo 
For noon abit, in which I go. 
Though I have chore of simplenesse, 
I am not wery of shrewediiesse. 
My lomman, Streyned-Abstinence, 7325 
Hath mister of my purveauiice ; 
She hadde ful longe ago be deed, 
Nore my councel and my reed ; 
Lete hir allone, and you and me.' 

And Love answerdo, ' I truste thee 7330 
Without[e] borowe, for I wol noon.' 
And Fals-Semblant, tho theef, anoon, 
Eight in that ilko same place, 
That hadde of tresoun al his face 7334 

Right blak withinne, and whyt withoute, 
Thauketh him, gan on his knees k)ute. 

Than was ther nought, but ' Every man 
Now to assaut, that sailon can.' 
Quod Love, ' and that ful hardil,%-.' 



Fragment C] 



ZU (Komaunf of tU Q^oee. 



75 



Than armed they hem commnnly 7,^40 

Ofsich aj-mrmr as to hem fol. 

Whan they were armed, fers .and ihl, 

Thoy wente hem forth, alle in a route, 

And sette tlio castol al abouto ; 

Thoy wil nonglit away, for no drede, 7345 

Til it so ho tliat tlioy ben dodo, 

Or til tlioy have the castel take. 

And fouro batols thoy gan make, 

And parted hem in fonre anoon, 

And toko her way, and forth they goon. 

The fouro gates for to assaile, 7351 

Of whicho the kepers wol not faile ; 

For tlioy ben neither syko ne dedo» 

But hardy folk, and strongo in dede. 

Nowwole I seyn the countenaunce 7355 
Of Fals-Semblant, and Abstinaunce, 
That ben to Wikkid-Tongo went. 
But first thoy hoMo her parlement, 
Whether it to done were 
To maken hem bo knowen there, 7360 
Or elles walken forth dLsgysed. 
But at the laste they deyysed. 
That they wold goon in tapinage, 
As it were in a pilgrimage, 
Lyk good and holy folk i^nfoyned. 7365 
And Dame Abstinence-Streyned 
Took on a ro))e of camelyne, 
And gan liir -fgraithe as a Begyno. 
A largo covorchiof of throdo 
She wrapped al aboute hir hedo, 7370 

But she forgat not hir sautero ; 
A poire of bedos eek she bore 
Upon a lace, al of whyt threde, 
On which that she hir bedes bede ; 
But she ne boughto hem never a del, 7375 
For they were geven her, I wot wel, 
God wi>t, of a ful holy frere. 
That seide ho was hir I'ader dero. 
To whona she haddo offer wont 
Than any froro of his covcnt. 7380 

And ho visyted hir also. 
And naany a sermoiin seido hir to ; 
He nolde lette, lor man on l.yve. 
That ho ne woldo hir ofte shryve. 
And with so grot devocion 7385 

Thoy made[n] her confession. 
That thoy liatl olto, for the nones, 
Two hedes in one IiockI at ones. 

Of fair shape I fdevyse her thee, 
But pale of face somtymo was she ; 739c) 



That false traitouresse untrowe 

Was lyk that salowc hors of hewe, 

That in the Apocalips is shewed. 

That signifyeth f tho folk boshrewed, 

That been al ful of trecheryo, 7395 

And })ale, tliurgh hyiiocrisye ; 

For on that hors no colour is. 

But only dee<l and pale, y-wis. 

Of suche a colour enlangoured 

Was Abstinence, y-wis, coloured ; 7400 

Of hor estat she her repented. 

As hor visage represented. 

She had a burdoun al of Thefte, 
That Gylo had yovo her of his yefte ; 
And a scrippo of Fainto Distresse, 7405 
That ful was of elengenesse. 
And forth she walked sobrcly : 
And Falso-Semblant saynt, ie vint8 du, 
fHad, as it were for such mistere, 
Don on the cope of a froro, 74ii> 

With chore simple, and ful pitous ; 
His h)oking was not disdeinous, 
Ne proud, but moke and ful pesible. 
About his nekke ho bar a bible. 
And squiorly forth gan he gon ; 7415 

And, for to rosto his Jimmes upon, 
He had of Trcson a potento ; 
As he were feble, his way ho wento. 
But in his sieve ho gan to thringe 
A rasour sharp, and wel bytinge, 742(1 
That was forged in a forgo, 
Which that men clcpen Coupe-gorge. 

So longo forth hir way they nfimen. 
Til they to Wicked-Tonge comen, 
That at his gate was sitting, 7425 

And saw folk in the way passing. 
The pilgrimes saw he faste l)y, 
That borcn honi ful mokoly, 
And f humbloly thoy with him mette. 
Dame Abstinence first him grotto, 7430 
And sith him Falso-Somblant salued, 
,\nd he hem ; but he not f remued. 
For he ne dreddo hem not a-del. 
For when ho saw hir faces wel, 
Alway in herte him thoughto so, 743,"; 

He shulde knowe hem hot he two ; 
For wel ho knew Dame Abstinaunce, 
But he no knew not Constroynaunce. 
He knew nat that she was constraynod, 
Ne of her thovcs lyfo foynod, 744" 

But wende she com of wil al free ; 

5 



76 



ZU (Howaunt of iU (Foe^- 



[Fragment C. 



But she com in another degree ; 
And if of good wil she began, 
Tliat wil was failed her [as] tlian. 

And Fals-Semblant had he sc3'n als, 
But he knew nat that he was fals. 7446 
Yet fals was he, but his falsnesse 
Ne coude he not espye, nor gesse ; 
For Semblant was so slye wrought, 
That falsnesse he ne espyed nought. 7450 
But haddest thou knoweu him beforn, 
Tliou woldest on a boke have sworn, 
Whan thou him saugh in thilke aray 
That he, that whylom was so gay, 
And of the daunce Joly Eobin, 7455 

Was tho become a Jacobin. 
But sothely, what so men him calle, 
Fi'ere[s] Prechours been good men alle ; 
Hir order wickedly they beren, 
Suche minstrelles if [that] they wereu. 
So been Augustins and Cordileres, 7461 
And Carmes, and eek Sakked Freres, 
And alle freres, shodde and bare, 
(Though some of hem ben grete and 

square) 
Ful holy men, as I hem denie ; 7465 

Everich of hem wolde good man seme. 
But shalt thou never of apparence 
Seen conclude good consequence 
In none argument, y-wis. 
If existence al failed is. 7470 

For men may finde alway sophyme 
The consequence to envenyme, 
Who-so that -j-liath the subteltee 
The double sentence for to see. 

AVlian the pilgrymes commen were 7475 
To Wicked-Touge, that dwelled there, 
Hir harneis nigh hem was algate ; 
By Wicked-Tonge adoun they sate. 
That bad hem ner him for to come. 
And of tydinges telle him some, 7480 

And saydo hem : — ■ What cas maketh 

yow 
To come into this place now ? ' 
' Sir,' seyde Strained-Abstinaunce, 
' We, for to drye our penaiince, 
With hertes pitoias and devoute, 7485 

Are commen, as jnlgrimes gon aboute ; 
Wei nigh on fote alway we go ; 
Ful -fdusty been our heles two ; 
And thvis bothe we ben sent 
Thurghout this world that is miswent, 



To yeve ensamiile, and preche also. 7491 

To iisshen sinful men we go, 

For other fisshing ne f.sshe we. 

And, sir, for that charitee. 

As we be wont, herberwe we crave, 7495 

Your Ij'f to amende ; Crist it save ! 

And, so it shulde yoti nat displese, 

We wolden, if it were your ese, 

A short sermoun iinto you seyn.' 

And Wikked-Tonge answei'de ageyn, 

' The hous,' quod he, ' such as ye see, 7501 

Shal nat be warned you for me, 

Sey what you list, and I wol here." 

' Graunt mercy, swete sire dere ! ' 

Quod alderfirst Dame Abstinence, 7505 

And thus began she hir sentence : 

Const. Abstinence. ' Sir, the first vertue, 
certeyn. 
The gretest, and most sovere.yn 
That may be founde in any man, 
For having, or for wit he can, 7510 

That is, his tonge to refreyne ; 
Therto ought every wight him peynie. 
For it is better stille be 
Than for to speken harm, pardee ! 
And he that herkeneth it gladly, ' 7515 
He is no good man, sikerl3'.. 
And, sir, aboven al other sinne, 
In that art thou most gilty inne 
Tliou spake a jape not long ago, 
(And, sir, that was right j~v'el do) 7520 
Of a yong man that here repaired. 
And never yet this place apaired. 
Thou seydest he awaited nothing 
But to discey ve- Fair- Welcoming. 
Ye seyde nothing sooth of that : 75.'5 

But, sir, ye lye ; I tell you plat ; 
He ne cometli no more, ne goth, pardee ! 
I trow ye shal him never see. 
Fair-Welcoming in prison is. 
That ofte hath pleyed with you, er tliis, 
The fairest games that he coude, 7531 

Withoute filthe, stille or loude ; 
Now dar -f-he nat himself solace. 
Ye han also the man do chace, 
That he dar neither come ne go. 7535 

What meveth you to hate him so 
But properly yoiir wikked thought, 
That many a fals lesing hath thoiight ? 
That meveth your foole eloquence, 
That jangleth ever in audience, 7540 



Fragment C] 



tU (Homaun< of iU (^oet. 



77 



And on the folk areysetli blame, 

And doth hem dishonour and shame, 

For thing that may have no preving, 

But lyklinesse, and contriving. 

For I dar seyn, that Eoson demeth, 7545 

It is not al sooth thing that semeth 

And it is sinne to controve 

Thing that is [for] to reprove ; 

This wot ye wel ; and, sir, therefore 

Ye arn to blame [wel] the more. 7550 

And, nathelesse, he rekketh lyte ; 

He yeveth nat now thereof a myto ; 

For if he thoughto harm, parfay, 

He wolde come and gon al day ; 

He coude him-selfe nat abstene. 7555 

Now cometh ho nat, and that is sene. 

For he ne talceth of it no cure, 

But-if it be through aventnre, 

And lasse than other folk, algate. 

And thoxL here watchest at the gate, 7560 

With spere in thyne arest alway ; 

There muse, musard, al the day. 

Thou wakest night and day for thouglit ; 

Y-wis, thy traveyl is for nought. 

And Jelousye, withou^ten faile, 7565 

Shal never quyte thee thy travaile. 

And scathe is, that Fair-Welcoming, 

Without[en] any trespassing, 

Shal wrongfully in prison be, 

Ther wepeth and languissheth he. 757<> 

And though thoix never yet, y-wis, 

Agiltest naan no more bu.t this, 

(Take not a-greef ) it were worthy 

To putte thee out of this baily, 

And afterward in prison lye, 75-,^ 

And fettre thee til that thou dye ; 

For thou shalt for this sinne dwelle 

Eight in the devils ers of helle, 

Bnt-if that thou repente thee.' 7579 

' Ma fay, thou lyest falsly ! ' quod he. 
• What ? welcome with mischaunce now ! 
Have I therfore herbered you 
To seye me shame, and eek reprove ? ' 
With sory happe, to your bihove. 
Am I to-day your herbergere ! 7585 

Go, herber you elleswhere than here. 
That lian a Iyer called me ! 
Two tregetours art thou and he. 
That in niyn hons do nie this shame, 
And for my soth-sawe ye me blame. 7590 
Is this the sermoun that ye make ? 



To alle the develles I me take. 

Or elles, god, thou me confounde . 

But er men diden this castel founde, 

It passeth not ten dayes or twelve, 7595 

But it was told right to my-selve. 

And as they seide, right so tolde I, 

He kiste the Eose privily ! 

Thus seide I now, and have seid yore ; 

I not wher he dide any more. 7600 

Wliy shulde men sey me such a thing. 

If it hadde been gabbing? 

Eight so seide I, and wol seye yit ; 

I trowe, I lyed not of it ; 

And with my hemes I wol blowe 7605 

To alle neighboris a-rowe. 

How he hath bothe comen and gon.' 

Tho spak Fals-Semblant right anon, 
' Al is not gospel, out of doute, 
That men seyn in tho tonne aboute ; 7610 
Ley no deef ere to my speking ; 
I swere yow, sir, it is gabbing ! 
I trowe ye wot wel certeynly, 
That no man loveth him tenderly 
That seith him harm, if he wot it, 7615 
Al be he never so pore of wit. 
And sooth is also sikerly, 
(This knowe ye, sir, as wel as I), 
That lovers gladly wol visyten 
The places ther hir loves habyten. 7620 
This man you loveth and eek honoureth ; 
This man to serve you laboureth ; 
And clepeth yoii his freend so dere, 
And this man maketh you good chere. 
And every-wher that [he] you meteth. 
He you saleweth, and he you greteth. 7626 
He preseth not so ofte, that ye 
Ought of his come encombred be ; 
Ther presen other folk on yow 
Ful ofter than [that] he doth now. 7630 
And if his herte him streyned so 
Unto the Eose for to go. 
Ye shulde him seen so ofte nede. 
That ye shulde take him with the dede, 
He coude his coming not forbere, 7635 
Though ye him thrilled with a spere ; 
It nere not thanne as it is now. 
But trusteth wel, I swere it yow, 
That it is clene out of his thought. 
Sir, certes, he ne thenketh it nought ; 
No more ne doth Fair- Welcoming, 764 1 
That sore abyeth al this thing. 



78 



ZU (Komauttf of t^ (Koee. 



[Fragment C. 



And if they were of oon assent, 

Fnl sone were the Eose hent ; 

The maugre youres wolde he. 7645 

And sir, of o thing hex-keneth nie : — 

Sith ye tliis man, tliat lovetli yow, 

Han seid such liarm and shame now, 

Witeth wel, if he gessed it, 

Ye may wel demen in your wit, 7650 

He nolde no-thing love yon so, 

Ne callen you his freend also, 

But night and day he fwolde wake. 

The castel to destroye and take. 

If it were sooth as ye de\'yse ; 7655 

Or som man in som maner wyse 

Might it warne him everydel. 

Or by him-self perceyven wel ; 

For sith he might not come and gon 

As he was whylora wont to don, 7660 

He might it sone wite and see ; 

But now al other-wyse f doth he. 

Than have f ye, sir, al-ou^terly 

Deserved helle, and jolyly 

The deth of hello, douteles, 7665 

That thrallen folk so gilteles.' 

Fals-Semblant proveth so this thing 
That he can noon answering. 
And seeth alwey such apparaunce. 
That nygh he fel in reijentaiince, 7670 
And seide him : — ' Sir, it may wel be. 



Semblant, a good man semen ye ; 
And, Abstinence, ful wyse ye seme ; 
Of o talent you bothe I deme. 7674 

What counceil wole ye to me yeven ? ' 
F. Sem. ' Eight here anoon thou shalt 
be shriven, 
And sey thy sinne withoute raore ; 
Of this shalt thou repente sore ; 
For I am preest, and have poustee 
To shryve folk of most dignitee 7680 

That been, as wyde as world may dure. 
Of al this world I have the cure, 
And that had never yit persoun. 
No vicarie of no maner toim. 
And, god wot, I have of thee 7685 

A thousand tymes more pitee 
Than hath thy preest parochial. 
Though he thy freend be special. 
I have avauntage, in o wyse, 
Tliat your prelates ben not so wyse 7690 
Ne half so lettred as am I. 
I am licenced boldely 
In divinitee to rede, 
And to confessen, out of drede. 
If ye wol yoii now confesse, 7695 

And leve yoiir sinnes more and lesse, 
Without abood, knele doun anon, 
And you shal have absolvicion.' 7698 



Explicit. 



THE MINOR POEMS. 



I. AN A. B. C. 



Incipit camien secundum ordinem Uteranim Alphabet:. 



Almighty and al merciaWe queue, 

To whom that al this world fleeth for 

socour, 
To have relees of sinne, sorwe and tene, 
Gloriovis virgine, of alle flonres Homt, 
To thee I flee, confounded in erroiir ! 5 
Help and releve, thou mig-hty debonaire, 
Have mercy on my xserilous langour ! 
Venqnisshed m' liath my cruel adversaire. 

Bountee so fix liath in thyn herte his 

tente, 
Tliat wel I wot thoi^ wolt my socour be, 10 
Thou canst not warne him that, with 

good entente, 
Axeth thyn help. Thyn herte is ay so free, 
Thou art largesse of pleyn felicitee. 
Haven of refut, of quiete and of reste. 
Lo, how that theves seven chasen me ! 15 
Help, lady bright, er that my ship to- 

breste ! 

Comfort is noon, but in yow, lady dere ; 
For lo, my sinne and my confusioun, 
Which oughteu not in thy presence ap- 

pere, 
Han take on mo a grevous accioun 20 
Of verrey right and desperacioun ; 
And, as by right, they mighten wel sus- 

tene 
That I were worthy my dampnacioixn, 
Nere mercy of you, blisful hevcne quene. 



Doiite is ther noon, thou queen of miseri- 

corde, 25 

That thou n'art cause of grace and mercy 

here ; 
God voviched saiif thiirgh thee with us 

t'acorde. 
For certes, Cristes blisful moder dere, 
"Were now the bowe bent in swich manere, 
As it was first, of justice and of yre, 30 
The rightful God nolde of no mercy here ; 
But thiirgh thee han we gi'ace, as we 

desyre. 

Ever hath myn hope of refut been in thee, 
For heer-biforn lul ofte, in many a wyse, 
Hast thou to misericorde receyved me. 35 
But mercy, lady, at the grete assyse. 
Whan we shul come bifore the hye jus- 

tyse ! 
So litel iruit shal thanne in me be founde, 
That, biit thou er that day me fwel 

chastyse. 
Of verrey right my werk me wol con- 

founde. 40 

Fleeing, I flee for socour to thy tente 
Me for to hyde from tempest ful of drede, 
Biseching you that ye j'ou not absente. 
Though I be wikke. O help j'it at this nede ! 
Al have I been a beste in wille and dede, 
Yit, lady, thou rae clothe with thy grace. 
Thyn enemy and myn (lady, tak hede) 47 
Un-to my deeth in poynt is me to chace. 



8o 



ZU (Mlinor (poeni0. 



Glorious mayde and moder, whioh that 

never 
Were bitter, neither in erthe nor in see, 50 
But ful of swetnesse and of mercy ever, 
Help that my fader be not wroth with me ! 
Spelv thou, for I ne dar not him y-see. 
So have I doon in erthe, alias ther-whylc ! 
That certes, hut-if thou my socour be, 55 
To stink eterne he wol nay gost exyle. 

He vouched satif, tel him, as was his willo, 
Bicome a man, to have our alliaunce, 
And with his i^recious blood ho wroot the 

bille 
Up-on the crois, as general acqiiitaunce. 
To every penitent in ful creaunce ; 61 
And therfor, lady bright, thou for its 

praye. 
Than shalt thou bothe stinte al his grev- 

au.nce, 
And make our foo to fallen of his praj-e 

I wot it wel, thou wolt ben our socour, 65 
Thou art so ful of bountee, in certeyn. 
For, whan a soule falleth in errour. 
Thy pitee goth and haleth him ayeyn. 
Than makest thou his pees with his 

sovereyn. 
And bringest him out of the crooked 

strete. 70 

Who-so thee lovoth he shal not love in 

veyn, 
That shal he finde, as he the lyf shal lete. 

Kalenderes enlumined ben thej- 

That in this world ben lighted with thy 

name. 
And who-so goth to .you the righte wey, 75 
Hin:i thar not drede in soitle to be lame. 
Now, queen of comfort, sith thovx art that 

same 
To whom I seche for my medicyne, 
Lat not my foo no more my wounde en- 
tame, 
Myii hele in-to thyn hand al I resigne. 80 

Lady, thy sorwe can I not portreye 
Under the cros, ne his grevoiis penaunce. 
But, for yoiir bothes peyiies, I you preye, 
Lat not oiir alder foo make his bobaunce. 
That he hathinhislistes of mischaunce 85 
Convict that ye bothe have bought so 
dere. 



As I seide erst, thou ground of our sub- 

staunce. 
Continue on us thy pitous eyen clere ! 

Moises, that saugli the bush with flatimes 

rede 
Brenninge, of which ther never a stikke 

brende, 90 

Was signe of thjTi unwemmed maiden- 

hede. 
Thou art the bush on which ther gan 

descende 
The Holy Gost, the which that Moises 

wende 
Had ben a-fjT ; and this was in figiire. 
Now lady, from the fyr thou us defende 95 
Which that in helle eternally shal dure. 

Noble princesse, that never haddest pere, 

Certes, if any comfort in us be, 

That Cometh of thee, thou Cristes moder 

dere, 
We han non other melodye or glee 100 
Us to rejoyse in oixr adversitee, 
N' advocat noon that wol and dar so preye 
For lis, and that for litel hj're as ye. 
That helpen for an Ave-Marie or tweye. 

O verrey light of eyen that ben blinde, 105 
O verrey lust of labour and distresse, 
O tresorere of bountee to mankinde. 
Thee whom God chees to moder for 

humblesse ! 
From his ancille he made thee maistresse 
Of hevene and erthe, our bille \vp for to 

bede. no 

This world awaiteth ever on thy good- 

nesse. 
For thou ne failest never wight at nede. 

Purpos I have sum tyme for t'enquere, 
"Wlierfore and why the Holy Gost thee 

soiTghte, 
Wlian Gabrielles vols cam to thyn ere. 115 
He not to werre us swich a wonder 

wroughte. 
But for to save its that he sithen boughte. 
Than nedeth iis no wepen lis for to save, 
But only ther we did not, as us oughte, 
Do penitence, and mercy axe and have. 120 

Queen of comfort, yit whan I me bithink 
That I agilt have bothe, him and thee, 



II. ZU Compk^nU unto (piU. 



And that my sonle is worthy for to sinke, 
Alias, I, caitif, whider may I flee ? 
Who shal iin-to thy sone my mene be? 125 
Who, but thy-self, that art of pitee welle ? 
Thou hast more revithe on our adversitpe 
Than in thisworldmighteanytungetelle. 

Redresse me, nioder, and me chastyse, 
For, certejnily, my fadres chastisinge 130 
That dar I nought abyden in no -^yse : 
So hidoiis is his rightful rekeninge. 
Moder, of whom our mercy gan to springe, 
Beth ye mj' juge and eek my soules leche ; 
For ever in you is pitee haboimdinge 135 
To ech that wol of pitee you biseche. 
Soth is, that G-od ne graiinteth no pitee 
With-oiite thee ; for God, of his goodnesse, 
Foryiveth noon, but it lyke un-to thee. 
He hath thee maked vicaire and mais- 
tresse i+o 

Of al the world, and eek governeresse 
Of hevene, and he represseth his justyse 
After thy wille, and therefore in witnesse 
He hath thee crouned in so ryal wyse. 

Temple devout, ther god hath his won- 
inge, 145 

Fro which these misbileved pryved been. 
To you my soule penitent I bringe. 
Recej^e me ! I can no ferther fleen ! 
With thornes venimous, hevene qiieen, 
For which the erthe acursed was ful yore, 
I am so wounded, as ye niay wel seen, 151 
That I am lost almost ; — it smert so sore. 

Virgine, that art so noble of apparaile. 
And ledest us in-to the hye tour 154 



Of Paradys, thoti me wisse and counsaile, 
How I may have thy grace and thysocour ; 
Al have I lieen in filthe and in errour. 
Lady, tin-to that court thou me ajourne 
That cleped is thy bench, O fresshe flour ! 
Ther-as that mercy ever shal sojourno. 160 

Xristus, thy sone, that in this world 

alighte, 
Up-on the ores to suffre his passioun. 
And f eek, that Longius his hertc pighte, 
And made his herte blood to renneadoun ; 
And al was tbis for my salvaciovin ; 165 
And I to him am fals and eek unkinde, 
And yit he wol not my dampnaciovm — 
This thanke I you, socour of al mankinde. 

Ysaac was figure of his deeth, certej-n, 
That so fer-forth his fader wolde obeye 170 
That him ne roughte no-thing to bo slajn ; 
Eight so thy sone list, as a lamb, to dej-e. 
Now lady, ful of mercy, I you preye, 
Sitli he his mercy mesured so large. 
Be ye not skant ; for alle we singe and 
seye 175 

That ye ben from vengeaunce ay our targe. 

Zacharie yoii clepeth the open welle 
To wasshe sinfiil sonle out of his gilt. 
Therfore this lessoim oughte I wel to telle 
That, nere thy tender herte, we weren 

spilt. 180 

Now lady brighte, sith thou canst and wilt 
Ben to the seed of Adam merciable. 
So bring us to that palais that is bilt 
To penitents that ben to mercy able. 

Amen. 184 



Explicit carmen. 



II. THE COMPLEYNTE UNTO PITE. 



PriK, that I have sought so yore ago. 
With herte sore, and ful of besy peyne. 
That in this world was never wight so wo 
With-oute dethe ; and, if I shal not feyne. 
My j)urpos was, to Pite to compleyne 5 
Upon the crueltee and tirannye 
Of Love, that for my trouthe doth me dye. 



And when that I, by lengthe of certeyn 

yeres, 
Had ever in oon a tyme sought to speke, 
To Pite ran I, al bespreynt with teres, 10 
To preyen hir on Crueltee m' awreke. 
But, er I might with any words out- 

breke. 



82 



ZU QUtnor ^ome. 



Or tellen any of my peynes smerte, 

I foml liir deed, and buried in an lierte. 

Adoim I fel, -when that I saugli the herse, 
Deed as a stoon, whyl that tlie swogh me 

histo ; "6 

But i\p I roos, witli colour fnl diverse, 
And pitously on hir niyn ja^n caste, 
And ner the corps I gan to presen faste. 
And for the soule I shoop me for to 

preye ; ^o 

I fnas but L^rn ; ther fnas no more to 

seye. 

Thus am I slayn, sith that Pite is deed ; 
Alias ! that day ! that ever hit shulde 

falle ! 
"What maner )iian dar now holde ixp his 

heed? 
To whom shal any sorwful herte calle ? 25 
Now Crueltee hath cast to sleen us alle. 
In ydel hope, folk redelees of peyne — 
Sith she is, deed — to whom shul we com- 

pleyne ? 
But yet encrescth me this wonder newe. 
That no wight woot that she is deed, but I ; 
So many men as in hir tyme hir knewe, 
And yet she dyed not so sodeynly ; 32 
For I have sought hir ever fill besily 
Sith first I hadde wit or raannes minde ; 
But she was deed, er that I coudo hir 
finde. 35 

Aboute hir herse ther stoden lustily-, 
Withouten any wo, as thoughte me, 
Bountee parfit, wel armed and richely, 
And fresslie Beautee, Lust, and Jolitee, 
Assured Maner, Youthe, and Honestee, 40 
Wisdom, Estaat, [and] Dreed, and Go- 

vernaunce, 
Confedred bothe by bonde and alliaunce. 

A compleynt haddo I, writen, in myn 

hond, 
For to have put to Pite as a bille. 
But wlian I al this companye ther fond. 
That rather woldcn al my cause spillc 46 
Than do me help, I held my pleynte stille ; 
For to that folk, withoiiten any faile, 
Withoute Pite may no bille availe. 

Then leve I al thise virtues, sauf Pite, 50 
Keping the corps,as ye have herd me seyn. 



Confedred alle by bonde of Crueltee, 
And been assented that I shal be sleyn. 
And I have put my compleynt up ageyn ; 
For to my foos my bille I dar not shewe, 
Theffect of which seith thus, in wordes 
fewe : — 5^^ 

The Bille. 
H ' Humblest of herte, hyest of reverenc. . 
Benigne flour, coroune of vertues alle, 
Sheweth unto your rial excellence 
Yoiir servaimt, if I di^rste me so calle, <><> 
His mortal harm, in which he is y-falle. 
And noght al only for his evel fare. 
But for your renoun, as he shal declare. 

' Hit stondeth thus : your contraire, 

Crueltee, 
AUyed is ageynst your regalye (>5 

Under colour of womanly Beaiitee, 
For men [ne] shuld not knowe liir 

tirannye. 
With Bountee, Gentilesse, and Cnrtesye, 
And hath depry\-ed you now of your place 
That hight "Beautee, apertenant to 

Grace." "'> 

' For kindly, by yoitr heritage right. 
Ye been annexed ever unto Bountee : 
And verrayly ye oughtc do your might 
To helpe Trouthe in his adversitee. 
Ye been also the coroime of Beautee ; 75 
And certes, if ye wanten in thise tweyne, 
The world is lore ; ther fnis no more to 

seyne. 
^r ' Eek what availetli Maner and (!<'n- 

tilesse 
Withoute you, benigne creature V 
Shal Crueltee be yoiir governeresse V ^o 
Alias ! what herte may hit longe endtire ? 
Wlierfor, but yc the rather take cure 
To breke that perilous alliaunce, 
Ye sleen hem that ben in your obeisaunce. 

' And further over, if ye suffre this, <S5 
Yoiir renoun is fordo than in a throwe ; 
Ther shal no man wite wel what Pite is. 
Alias ! that your renoun shiild be so lowe ! 
Ye be than fro your heritage y-throwe 
By Crueltee, that occtipieth your place ; 90 
And we despeired, that soken to your 
grace. 



III. Z^c Q0ooft of tU ©uc0e60e. 



83 



' Have mercy on me, thou Herenus quene, 
That yoti have sought so tenderly and 

yore ; 
Let som stream of your light on me be sene 
That love and drede you, ay lenger the 

more. 95 

For, sothly for to seyne, I here the sore, 
And, though I he not cunning for to 

pleyne. 
For goddes love, have mercy on my peyne ! 

\ ' My peyne is this, that what so I desire 
That have I not, ne no-thing lyk therto ; 
And ever set Desire myn herte on fire ; 
Eek on that other syde, wher-so I go, 102 
What maner thing that may encrese wo 
That have I redy, unsoght, everywhere ; 
Me [ne] lakketh hut my deth, and than 
my here. 105 



' Wliat nedeth to shewe parcel of my 

peyne ? ■ 
Sith evei-y wo that herte may bethinks 
I siiifre, and yet I dar not to you pleyne ; 
For wel I woot, al-though I wake or 

winke, 
Ye rekke not whether I flete or sinke. uo 
But natheles, my trouthe I shal sustene 
Unto my deeth, and that shal wel ho 

sene. 

' This is to seyne, I wol be yoiires ever ; 
Though ye me slee by Crueltee, your fo, 
Algate my spirit shal never dissever 115 
Fro your servj'se, for any peyne or wo. 
Sith ye he deed — alias ! that hit is so ! — 
Thus for yotir deth I may wel wepe and 
pleyne 1 1 8 

With herte sore and ful of besy ijeyne.' 



Here endeth tlie exclamacion of the Deth of Fyte. 



III. THE BOOK OF THE DUCHESSE. 



The Proem. 

I HAVE gret wonder, by this lighte. 
How that I live, for day ne nighte 
I may nat slepe wel nigh noght ; 
I have so many an ydel thoght 
Purely for defaute of slepe. 
That, by my trouthe, I take fkepe 
Of no-thing, how hit cometh or goth, 
Ne me nis no-thing leef nor loth. 
Al is y-liche good to me — 
Joye or sorowe, wherso hit be — 
For I have feling in no-thing, 
But, as it were, a mased thing, 
Alway in point to falle a-doun ; 
For tsory imaginacioun 
Is alway hooUy in my minde. 

And wel ye woot, agajaies kinde 
Hit were to liven in this wyse ; 
For nature wolde nat sufFyse 
To noon erthely creature 
Not longe tyme to endure 



Withoute slepe, and be[en] in sorwe ; 
And I ne may, ne night ne morwe, 
Slepe; and -[-thus uielancolye. 
And dreed I have for to dj^e, 
Defaute of slepe, and hevinesso 
Hath sleyn my spirit of quiknesse, 
That I have lost al lustihede. 
Suche fantasyes ben in myn hede 
So I not what is best to do. 

But men mighte axe me, why so 
I may not slepe, and what me is ? 
But natheles, who aske this 
Leseth his asking trewely. 
My-selven can not telle why 
The sooth ; but trewely, as I gesse, 
I holds hit be a siknesse 
That I have sufFred this eight yere, 
And yet my bote is never the nere ; 
For ther is phisicien but oon, 
That may me hele ; but that is doon, 
Passe we over until eft ; 
That wil not be, moot nede be left ; 



3u 



ZU QUtnotr (J)oem6. 



Our first matere is good to kepe. 

So whan I saw I might not slepe, 
Til now late, this other night, 45 

Upon my bedde I sat upright, 
And bad oon reche me a book, 
A romaunce, and he hit me took 
To rede and dryve the night away ; 
For me thoghte it better play 50 

Then iilaye[n] eitlier at chesse or tables. 

And in this boke were writen fables 
That clorkes hadde, in olde tyme, 
And other poets, put in ryme 
To rede, and for to be in minde 55 

Whyl men loved the lawe of kinde. 
Tliis book no spak but of such thinges, 
Of queues lyves, and of kinges, 
And many othere thinges smale. 
Amonge al this I fond a tale 60 

That mo thoughte a wonder thing. 

This was the tale : Ther was a king 
That highte Seys, and hadde a wyf, 
The beste that mighte here lyf ; 
And this quone highte Alcyone. 65 

So hit befel, therafter sone, 
This king wolde wenden over see. 
To tellen shortly, whan that he 
Was in the see, thus in this wyse, 
Soche a tempest gan to ryse 70 

That brak hir mast, and made it falle. 
And clefto hir ship, and dreintc hem alio. 
That never was founden, as it telles, 
Bord ne man, no nothing elles. 
Right thus this king Seys loste his lyf. 75 

Now -ffor to speken of his v^f : — 
This lady, that was left at homo. 
Hath wonder, tliat the king ne come 
Hoom, for hit was a longe termo. 
Anon her licrto fgan to erme ; 80 

And for that hir thoughte evorrao 
Hit was not wel f he dwolto so. 
She longed so after the king 
That certes, hit were a pitous thing 
To telle hir hertely sorwful lyf 85 

That fhadde, alas ! this noblo wyf; 
For him she loved alderbest. 
Anon she sento bothe eest and west 
To soke him, but they founde nought. 

'Alas! ' quoth she, 'that I was wrought ! 
And wher my lord, my love, bo deed ? 91 
Certes, I nil never etc breed, 
I make a-vowo to mj- god hero. 



But I mowe of my lorde here ! ' 

Such sorwo this lady to her took 95 

That trewely I, wliich made this book. 

Had swich pite and swich rowtho 

To rede hir sorwe, that, by my trowthe, 

I ferdo the worse al the morwe 

After, to thenken on her sorwe. 100 

So whan -f-sho coude here no word 
That no man mighte finde hir lord, 
Ful oft she swoiined, and seide ' alas ! ' 
For sorwe ful nigh wood she was, 
Ne she coude no reed but oon ; 105 

But doun on knees she sat anoon. 
And fweep, that pite was to here. 

' A ! mercy ! swete lady dere ! ' 
Quod she to Jiino, hir goddesse ; 
' Help me out of this distresse, 1 10 

And yevo me grace my lord to see 
Sone, or wite wher-so he be. 
Or how he fareth, or in what wyse, 
And I shal make you sacrifyse, 
And hoolly youres become I shal 115 

With good wil, body, herte, and al ; 
And but thou wilt this, lady swete, 
Send me grace to slepe, and mete 
In my slepe som certeyn sweven, 
Wher-throiigh that I may knowen even 
Wliether my lord bo quik or deed.' 121 
With that word she hong doun the heed, 
And fil a-swown as coUl as ston ; 
Hir women caughte her rip anon. 
And broghten hir in bed al naked, 1 25 
And she, forweped and forwaked. 
Was wery, and thus the dede sleep 
Fil on her, or she toke keep, 
Tlirough Juno, that had herd hir bone. 
That made liir [for] to slepe sone ; 130 

For as she praydo, f so was don. 
In dodo ; for Juno, right anon. 
Called thus her messagero 
To do her erande, and he coni nere. 
Wlian he was come, she bad him thus : 135 
' Go bet,' qviod Juno, ' to Morpheus, 
Thoii knowest him wel, the god of sleexj ; 
Now iinderstond wel, and tak keep. 
Sey thus on my halfe, that he 
Go faste into the greto see, 140 

And bid him that, on alio thing. 
He take up Soys body tlie king. 
That lyth I'ul palo and no-thing rody. 
Bid him crepe into the body. 



III. ZU ^oo& of tH ©uc^eeee. 



85 



And do it goon to Alcyone 145 

The quene, ther she lyth alone, 
And sliewe liir shortly, hit is no nay, 
How hit was dreynt this other day ; 
And do the body speke fso 
Right as hit was wont to do, 150 

The whyles that hit was on lyve. 
Go now faste, and hy thee blyve ! ' 

This messager took leve and wente 
Upon his wey, and never ne stente 
Til he com to the derke valeye 155 

That stant bji;wene roches tweye, 
Ther never yet grew corn ne gras, 
Ne tree, ne f nothing that ought was, 
Beste, ne man, ne f nothing elles, 
Save ther were a fewe welles 160 

Came renning fro the cliffes adoun, 
That made a deedly sleping soun, 
And ronnen doun right by a cave 
That was nnder a rolcke y-grave 
Amid the valey, wonder depe. 165 

Ther thise goddes laye and slepe, 
Morpheus, and Eelj-napasteyre, 
That was the god of slepes hejTe, 
That slepe and did non other werk. 

This cave was also as derk 170 

As helle pit over-al aboute ; 
They had good leyser for to route 
To envye, who might slepe beste ; 
Some henge hir chin upon hir breste 
And fslepe upright, hir heed y-hed, 175 
And some laj'[e] naked in hir bed, 
And slepe whyles the dayes laste. 

This messager com flying faste. 
And cryed, ' O ho ! awak anon ! ' 179 

Hit was for noght ; ther herde him non. 
' Awak ! ' quod he, ' who is, lyth there ? ' 
And blew his horn right in hir ere, 
And cryed ' awaketh ! ' wonder hye. 
This god of slepe, with his oon ye 
Cast up, "f-axed, ' who clepeth there ? ' 185 
' Hit am I,' quod this messagere ; 
' Juno bad thou shuldest goon ' — ■ 
And tolde him what he shulde doon 
As I have told yow here-tofore ; 
Hit is no need reherse hit more ; 190 

And wente his wey, whan he had sayd. 

Anon this god of slepe a-l)rayd 
Out of his slepe, and gan to goon, 
And did as he had bede him doon ; 
Took up the dreynte body sone, 195 



And bar hit forth to Alcyone, 

His wyf the quene, ther-as she lay, 

Eight even a quarter before day, 

And stood right at hir beddes fete, 

And called hir, right as she hete, 200 

By name, and seyde, ' my swete wyf, 

Awak ! let be your sorwful lyf ! 

For in your sorwe ther lyth no reed ; 

For certes, swete, I fnam but deed ; 

Ye shul me never on ly\'e y-see. 205 

But good swete herte, [look] that ye 

Bury my bodj-, -fat whiche a tyde 

Ye mowe hit fiude the see besyde ; 

And far-wel, swete, my worldes blisse ! 

I praye god yoiir sorwe lisse ; 2ii> 

To litel whyl our blisse lasteth ! ' 

With that hir eyen itp she casteth, 
And saw noght ; ' fA ! ' quod she, ' for 

sorwe ! ' 
And deyed within the thridde morwe. 
But what she sayde more in that swow 
I may not telle yow as now, 216 

Hit were to longe for to dwelle ; 
My first matere I wil yow telle, 
Wlierfor I have told this thing 
Of Alcione and Seys tlie king. 220 

For thus moche dar I say[e] wel, 
I had be dolven everydel, 
And deed, right through defaute of sleep, 
If I nad red and take[n] keep 
Of this tale next before : 225 

And I wol telle yow wherfore ; 
For I ne might, for bote ne bale, 
Slepe, or I had red this tale 
Of this dreynte Seys the king, 
And of the goddes of sleping. 230 

Whan I had red this tale wel, 
And over-loked hit everydel. 
Me thouglite wonder if hit were so ; 
For I had never herd speke, or tho. 
Of no goddes that coude make 235 

Men [for] to slepe, ne for to wake ; 
For I ne knew never god but oon. 
And in my game I sayde anoon — 
And yet me list right evel to pleye — 
' Eatlier then that I shulde deye 240 

Through defaute of sleping thus, 
I wolde j'ive thilke Morpheus, 
Or his goddesse, dame Juno, 
Or som wight elles, I ne roghte who — 
To make me slepe and have som reste — 



86 



ZU dUtnor (porno. 



246 



I wil yivo him tliG alder-beste 

Yift tliat over ho abood his lyve, 

An<l horo on wanlo, right now, as blyve ; 

if ]io wol make mo slope a lyto, 

Of (lowno of pitro dowvos whyte 250 

I wil yivo him a fothor-bed, 

Eayed with golde, and right wel cled 

In fvn blak satin dontromore, 

And many a pilow, and every boro 

Of clothe of Eeynes, to slope softo ; 255 

Him thar not node to turnen ofte. 

And I wol yivo him al that fallos 

To a chambro ; and al his hallos 

1 wol do poynto with pixrt; goldo, 

And tapito horn ful many I'olde 260 

Of 00 suto ; this shal ho have, 

If I wiste whor wore his cave, 

If ho can make mo slope sone, 

As did the goddosse f Alcionc. 

And tlms this ilke god, Morpheus, 265 

May winno of me mo foes thus 

Than over lie wan ; and to Juno, 

That is his goddosse, I shal so do, 

I trow that she shal holdo hor payd.' 

I haddo unnoth that word y-saytl 270 
Kight thus as I have told hit yow. 
That sodoynly, I niste how, 
Swich a lust anoon me took 
To slope, that right upon my book 
1 fil aslopo, and thorwith even 275 

Mo motto so inly swoto a swevcn. 
So wonderful, that never yit 
I trowo no man haddo the wit 
To conno wel my swevon rode ; 
No, not .losoiih, withouto drede, 280 

Of Egipto, he tliat roddo so 
The kingos meting Pharao, 
No more than coiido the losto of us ; 
No nat scarsly Jlacrobous, 
( 1 lo that wroot al tli'avisioun 285 

That ho motto, king Scipioiin. 
The noblo man, the Affrican — 
Swioho morvayles fortunod than) 
I trowo, a-redo my dremes even. 
Lo, thus hit was, this was my swevon. 290 

The Dream. 

Mk thoughte thus : — that hit was May, 

And in the dawning ther I lay, 

Mo metto thus, in my l)pd al naked : — 



f I loked forth, for I was waked 
With smale foulcs a grot hope, 295 

Tliat had affrayod mo out of fslope 
Through noysc and swotnosse of hii- song ; 
And, as me motto, they sate among, 
Upon my chambre-roof withouto, 
Upon the tyles, "fal a-boute, 301) 

And songen, evorich in his wyso. 
The moste solempno scrvyse 
By note, that ever man, I trowe, 
Had herd ; for som of hem song lowe, 
Som bye, and al of oon acordo. 305 

To telle shortly, at 00 wordo, 
Was never y-hord .so swete a Steven, 
But liit had bo a thing of hoven ; — 
So mery a soun, so swete ontuncs. 
That certes, for the tonne of Tewnes, 310 
I nolde but I had herd hem singe ; 
For al my chambro gan to ringe 
Through singing of hir armonye. 
For instrument nor molodyo 
Was nowhor herd j-ot half so swete, 315 
Nor of acordo half so mote ; 
F<»r ther was noon of hem that feyned 
To singe, for ech of bom him peyned 
To finde out niory craft.v notes ; 
They ne spared not hir throtes. 320 

And, sooth to seyn, my chambro was 
Ful wel dopeyntod, and with glas 
Were al the windowes wel y-glased, 
Ful clore, and nat an holo y-crased. 
That to beholde hit was grot joye. 325 
For hoolly al the storio of Troye 
Was in the glasing y-wroght thus, 
Of Kctor and fking Priamns, 
Of Achilles and f Lamodon, 
Of f Medea and of Jason, 330 

Of Paris, Elojmo, and LaAyno. 
And falle the walles with colours fyne 
Wore peynted, botho text and glose, 
fOf al the Romaunco of the Hose. 
My windowes woren shot cchcm, 335 

And through the glas the sunne shon 
I'pon my bed with brighto hemes. 
With many glado gilden strcmes ; 
And oek the wolkon was so fair. 
Blew, bright, clore was the air, 340 

And ful atompro, for sotho, hit was ; 
For nother f cold nor hoot hit nas. 
No in al the wolkon was a cloude. 
And as F lay thus, wtmder loude 



III. ZU (^ooft of t^e ©uc^esee. 



87 



Me thoughte I lierde an liuiite blowe 345 
T' assaye his horn, and for to knowo 
Whether liit were clero or hors of Sonne. 

f I hcrde £joinge, iip and doune, 
Men, hors, houndes, and other thing ; 
And al men speken of hixnting, 350 

How they wohle sleo the hort with 

strengthe. 
And how the hort had, iii^on lengthe, 
So mochc enibosed, I not now what. 
Anon-right, wlian I herde that, 
How tliat they wolde on hunting goon, 
I was right glad, and ni) anoon ; 356 

[IJ took my hors, and forth I wento 
Out of my chamhre ; I never stente 
Til I com to the feld withoute. 
Thcr overtook I a gret route 360 

Of lumtes and eok of foresteres, 
U'ith many relayes and lymeres, 
.\ud hycd hem to the forest faste, 
.\ud I with hem ; — so at the laste 
f askctl oon, laddo a lymere : — 365 

' Say, felow, who shal liunte[n] here?' 
'I'uod I ; and ho answorde agoyn, 
■ Sir, th'empcrour Octovien,' 
(^uod he, ' and is heor faste hy.' 
' A goddos halfe, in good tyme,' quod I, 
' Go wo faste ! ' and gan to rydo. 371 

Whan we came to the forest-sydo, 
Every man dide, right anoon, 
As to hunting fil to doon. 
The mayster-hunte anoon, fot-hoot, 375 
With a gret home blew three moot 
At the uncoupling of his houndes. 
Within a whyl the hert [y]-foundc is, 
Y-liulowed, and rechasod ftiste 
Longc tj'me ; and fat the laste, 380 

This hert rused and stal away 
Fro alio the houndes a prevy way. 
Till' houndes had overshote hem alle, 
Anil were on a defaute y-falle ; 
Therwith the hu.nto wonder faste 385 

Blew a forloyn at the lasto. 

T was go walked fro my tree, 
And as I wente, ther cam by mo 
A vvlieli>, that fauned me as I stood, 
That haddc y-folowed, and coude no good. 
Hit com and creei) to me as lowe, 391 
Eight as hit hadde me j'-knowe, 
Hild doun his heed and joyne<I his ercs, 
An'l loyde al smotho d'^un his heres. 



I wolde han caught hit, and anoon 395 

Hit flcddo, and was fro mo goon ; 

And I liim folwed, an<l hit forth wento 

Doun by a fl(niry grene wonte 

Pul thikko of gras, ful softo and sweto, 

With flouros fcle, fairo under fete, 400 

And litel used, hit seemed thus ; 

For bothe Flora and Zephirus, 

They two that make floures growe, 

Had mad hir dwelling ther, I trowe ; 

For hit was, on to beholde, . 4(^5 

As thogh the erthe onvye wohh^ 

To bo gayer than the hcven. 

To have mo flouros, swicho sovon 

As in the welkon sterres bo. 

Hit had forgeto the poverteo 410 

That winter, through his colde morwcs. 

Had mad hit suffre[n], and his sorwes ; 

Al was forgeten, and that was sene. 

For al the wodo was waxen grene, 

Swetncsso of dowe had mad it waxe. 415 

Hit is no need eek for to axe 
Wher thor were many grone groves. 
Or thikko of trees, so ful of loves ; 
And every tree stood ]>y him-selvo 
Fro other wel ten foot or twelve. 420 

So greto trees, so huge of strengthe, 
Of fourty or fiity fadmo lengthe. 
Clone withoute bough or stikko. 
With croppes brode, and eek as thikke — 
Thoy were nat an inclio a-sondor — 425 
That hit was shadwe ovor-al under ; 
And many an hert and many an himb: 
Was both before me and bihindo. 
Of founos, soiires, bukkos, does 
Was lul the wodo, and many roes, 430 
And many s(iuirellos, that setc 
Ful bye upon the trees, and ete, 
And in hir manor made festes. 
Shoi'tly, hit was so ful of bestes. 
That thogh Argus, the noble countour, 
Seto to rekonc in his countour, 436 

And rekene[d] with his figures ton — 
For by tho figures mowe al ken, 
If thoy bo crafty, rekcnc and noumbre, 
And telle of every thing the noumbre — 
Yet sliulde he faylo to rekono even 441 
The wondres, me mette in my sweveu. 

But forth they romed f wonder faste 
Doun the wodo ; so at the laste 
I was war of a man in blak, 445 



88 



^0e QUinor (poems. 



That sat and had y-tvirned his bak 

To an oke, an hnge tree. 

' Lord,' thoghte I, ' who may that be ? 

What ayleth liim to sitten here ? ' 

Anoon-right I wente nere ; 4v'5" 

Than fond I sitte even upright 

A wonder wel-faringe knight — 

By the maner me thoughte so — 

Of good mochel, and tyo"S therto, 

Of the age of four and twenty yeer. 455 

Upon his berde but litel heer, 

And he was clothed al in blakke. 

I stalked even tinto his bakke, 

And ther I stood as stille as ought, 

That, sooth to saye, he saw mo nought, 

For-why he heng his heed adoune. 461 

And with a deedlj' sorwful soune 

He made of ryme ten vers or twelve, 

Of a compleynt to him-selve. 

The moste pite, the moste rowtlie, 465 

That ever I herde ; for, by my trowthe, 

Hit was gret wonder that nature 

Might suffre[n] any creature 

To have swich sorwe, and be not deed. 

Fill pitous, pale, and nothing reed, 470 

He saj'de a lay, a maner song, 

Withoute note, withoute song, 

And hit was this ; for f wcl I can 

Eeherse hit ; right thiis hit began. — 

If I have of sorwe so gret woon, 475 

That joye gete I never noon. 

Now that I see my lady bright, 

Which I have loved with al mj^ might. 
Is fro me deed, and is a-goon.f 479 

•il Alias, [o] deetli ! what ayleth thee, 4<Si 
That thoii n oldest have taken me, 

^V^lan that thou toke mj' lady swete ? 
That was so fayr, so fresh, so free. 
So good, that men may wel [y]-see 485 

Of al goodnesse she had no mete ! ' — 
Whan he had mad thus his complaynte, 
His sorowful herte gan faste faynte, 
And his spirites wexen dede ; 
The blood was fled, for pure drede, 490 
Doun to his herte, to make him warm — 
Por wel hit feled the herte had harm — 
To wite eek why hit was a-drad 
By kinde, and for to malvo hit glad ; 
For hit is membre principal 405 

Of the body ; and that made al 
His hewe chaunge and wexe grene 



And pale, for fno blood was sene 
In no maner lime of his. 

Anoon therwith whan I saw this. 5(x) 
He ferde thus evel ther he sete, 
I wente and stood right at his fete. 
And grette him, but he spak noght, 
Biit argued with his owne thoght. 
And in his witte disputed faste 505 

Why and how his lyf might laste ; 
Him thoughte his sorwes were so smerte 
And lay so colde iipon his herte ; 
So, throu^gh his sorwe and hevy thoglit, 
Made him that he ne herde me noght ; 
For he had wel nigh lost his minde, 511 
Thogh Pan, that men clepe god of kinde, 
Were for his sorwes never so wrooth. 

But at the laste, to sayn right sooth, 
He was war of me, how I stood 515 

Before him, and dide of myn hood. 
And tgrette him, as I best cotide. 
Debonairly, and no-thing loude. 
He sayde, ' I prey thee, be not wrooth. 
I herde thee not, to sayn the sooth, 520 
Ne I saw thee not, sir, trewely.' 

' A ! goode sir, no fors,' quod I. 
' I am right sorj^if I have ought 
Destroubled yow out of yoiir thoiight : 
For-yi\'e me if I have mis-take." 5-'5 

' Yis, th' amendes is light to make,' 
Quod he, ' for ther lyth noon ther-to ; 
Ther is no-thing missayd nor do." 

Lo ! how goodly spak this kniglit, 
As it had been another wight ; 530 

He made it nouther tough ne queynte. 
And I saw that, and gan me aqueynte 
With him, and fond him so tretable. 
Eight wonder skilful and resonable. 
As me thoghte, for al his bale. 535 

Anoon-right I gan iinde a tale 
To him, to loke wher I might ought 
Have more knowing of his thoitght. 

' Sir,' quod I, ' this game is doon ; 
I holde that this hert be goon ; 540 

Thise huntes conne him nowher see.' 

' I do no fors therof,' quod he, 
' My thought is ther-on never a del." 

' By our lord,' qiiod I, ' I trow yow wel, 
Eight so me thinketh by your chere. 545 
But, sir, 00 thing wol .ye here? 
Me thinketh, in gret sorwe I yow see 
But certes, [good] sir, yif that ye 



III. ZU Q2»ooft of tU ©uc^eeee. 



89 



Wolde ought discure me your wo, 

T wolde, as wis god helpe me so, 550 

Amende hit, yif I can or may ; 

Ye mowe preve liit by assay. 

For, by my troiithe, to make yow hool, 

I wol do al my power hool ; 

And telleth me of your soi-wes smerte, 

Paraventure hit may ese your herte, 556 

That semeth ful seke under your syde.' 

With that he loked on me asyde. 
As wlio sayth, ' nay, that wol not be' 
' Graunt mercy, gode trend,' quod he, 
' I thanko thee that thou woldest so, 561 
But hit may never the rather be do. 
No man may my sorwe glade, 
That maketh my hewe to falle and 

fade. 
And hath myn understonding lorn, 565 
That me is wo that I was born ! 
May noght make my sorwes slyde. 
Nought the remedies of Ovj'de ; 
Ne Orpheus, god of melodye, 
Ne Dedalus, with f playes slye ; 570 

Ne hele me may i phisicien, 
Noght Ipocras, ne Galien ; 
Me is wo that I live houres twelve ; 
But who so wol assaye him-selve 
Whether his herte can have pite 575 

Of anj' sorwe, lat him see me. 
I wrecche, tliat deeth hath mad al naked 
Of alle blisse that was ever maked, 
Y-worthe worste of alle wightes. 
That hate my dayes and my nightes ; 580 
My lyf, my lustes be me lothe. 
For al welfare and I be wrotho. 
The pure deeth is so f my fo, 
f Thogh I wolde deye, hit wolde not so ; 
For whan I folwe hit, hit wol flee ; 585 
I wolde have "fhit, hit nil not me. 
This is my peyno withoute reed, 
Alway ilcying, and be not deed. 
That f Scsiphus, that lyth in helle. 
May not of more sorwe telle. 590 

And who so wiste al, by mj- trouthe. 
My sorwe, but he hadde routhe 
And pite of my sorwes smerte, 
'I'hat man hath a feendlj- herte. 
For who so seeth me first on morwe 595 
May seyn, he hath [y]-met with sorwe ; 
For I ana sorwe and sorwe is I. 
■ Alias ! and I wol telle the why ; 



My fsong is turned to xjleyning. 

And al my laughter to weping, Ouo 

My glade thoghtes to hevinesse, 

In travaile is myn ydelnesse 

And eek my reste ; my wele is wo. 

Mj' good is harm, and ever-mo 

In wrathe is turned my pleying, 605 

And my delyt in-to sorwing. 

MyiT hole is tiu'ned into seeknesse. 

In drede is al my sikernesse. 

To derke is turned al my light. 

My wit is foly, my day is night, 610 

My love is hate, my sleep waking, 

My mirthe and meles is fasting. 

My coimtenaunce is nycete, 

And al abaved wher-so I be, 

My pees, in pleding and in werre ; 615 

Alias ! how mighte I fare werre ? 

' My boldnesse is turned to shame. 
For fals Fortune hath plej'd a game 
Atte dies with me, alias ! the whyle ! 
The trayteresse fals and ful of gyle, 620 
That al behoteth and no-thing halt. 
She gotli upright and yet slie halt, 
That baggeth foule and loketh faire, 
The dispitouse debonaire. 
That scorneth many a creattire ! 625 

An j'dole of fals portraiture 
Is she, for she wil sone wrj-en ; 
She is the monstres heed y-wryen, 
As filtli over y-strawed with floures ; 
Hir moste worship and hir -f-flour is 630 
To lyen, for that is hir nature ; 
A\'ithoute feyth, lawe, or mesure 
She is fals ; and ever laughinge 
With con eye, and that other wepinge. 
That is broght up, she set al doun. 635 
I lykne hir to the scorpioun, 
That is a fals flatering beste ; 
For with his hede lie maketh feste, 
But al amid his flateringe 
AVith his tayle he wol stinge, 640 

And envenyme ; and so wol she. 
She is th' onvyous charito 
That is ay fals, and semeth wele ; 
So turneth she hir false wliele 
Aboute, for it is no-thing stable, 645 

Now by the fyi'e, now at table ; 
Ful many oon hath she thus y-blent. 
She is pley of cnchauntement. 
That semeth oon and is nat so. 



yo 



Z^t (DXtttor (poime. 



The false theef ! what hath she do, 650 
Trowest thou ? by onr lord, I wol thee 

soyo. 
Atte clics with me she gan to ploye ; 
With hir false draxaghtes divers 
She stal on me, and took my fers 
And wlian I saw my fers aweyc, 655 

Alas ! I coutlie no longer pleye. 
But scyde, " farwel, swete, y-wis, 
And farwel al that over ther is ! " 
Therwith Fortune seydo " chek here ! " 
And " mate ! " in fmid pointe of the 

chokkore 660 

Witli a poune erraunt, alias ! 
Ful craftier to pley she was 
Than Athalus, that made the game 
First of tlie dies : so was his name. 
But god wolde I had ones or twyes 665 
Y-]coud and knowo the jeupardycs 
Tliat coudc the Grelc Pitliagores ! 
I shulde have plcyd tlie hot at ches, 
And Icopt my iers tlio bet therby ; 
And thogh wlicrto '? for trewely 670 

1 liold tliat wish nat worth a stree ; 
Hit had bo never the bet for me. 
For Fortune can so many a wyle, 
Ther be but i'ewe can hir begylo, 
And eek she is the las to blame ; 675 

My-self I woldo have do the same, 
Before god, haddo I been as she ; 
She oghte the more excused be. 
For tliis I say yet more therto, 
Hadde I be god and mighte liave do 680 
My wille, whan 'I'my iers she caughte, 
I wolde have drawe the same draughte. 
For, also wis god j'ivc nae rcste, 
T dar wcl swcro she t(jok the beste ! 

'But through that draughte I have 

lorn 685 

My blisso ; alias ! that I was born ! 
For evermore, I trowc trewly. 
For al my wil, my lust liooUy 
Is turned ; but yet, what to done i* 
By our lord, hit is to deyo sono ! (><.)u 

For no-thing I [no] love it noght. 
But live and doye right in this thoght. 
•|-Ther nis plancte in firmament, 
Ne in air, ne in erthe, noon element, 
Tliat they no yivo nie a yiit echooii 695 
Of woi)ing, whan I am aloon. 
For whan that I avyso mo wel, 



And bethenke me every-del, 

How that ther lyth in rekening, 

In my sorwe, for no-thing ; ytn> 

And how ther leveth no gladnesse 

May gla<l'le mo of my distresse. 

And how I have lost sufHsance, 

And therto I have no plesance, 

Than may I say, I have right noght. 705 

And whan al this fialleth in my thoght, 

Alias ! than am I overcome ! 

For that is doon is not to come I 

I have more sorowe than Tantale." 

And whan I horde him telle this talo 
Thus pitously, fis I yow telle, 71 r 

Unnethe niighto I lenger dwelle, 
Hit dide myn lierte so moche wo. 

' A ! good sir ! ' quod I, ' say not so ! 
Have som pite on your nature 715 

That formed yow to creature ; 
Eemembre yow of Socrates ; 
For he ne counted nat three strees 
Of noght that Fortune coude do.' 

' No,' quod he, ' I can not so.' y2o 

' Why so? good sir ! fparde ! ' (juod T ; 
' Ne say noght so, for trewely, 
Thogh j'O had lost the forses twelve, 
And ye for sorwe mordred your-selve, 
Ye sholde be dampned in this cas "j.s 

By as good right as Medea was. 
That slow hir children for Jason : 
And Phyllis f als for Demophon 
Heng hir-self, so wcylawaj' ! 
For he had broke his terme-da.\- 7,^0 

To come to hir. Another rage 
Had Dydo, f queue eek of Cartage, 
That slow hir-solf, for Eneas 
Was fals ; [a !] whiclie a fool she was ! 
And Ecquo dyed for Narcisus 735 

Nolde nat love hir ; and right thus 
Hath many another foly don. 
And for Dalida dyed Sampson, 
That slow hini-solf with a pilere. 
But thor is -| noon a-lyvo hero y^u 

Woldo for a fers make[n] this wo ! ' 

' Why so ? ' quod he ; ' hit is nat so ; 
Thou west ful litcl what thou menest ; 
I have lost more than thou wenest.' 
' Lo, "fsir, how may that be ? ' qviod 1 : 745 
' Good sir, tel me al lioolly 
In what 'wj-se, how, why, and wherl'ore 
That ye have thus your blisse lore.' 



III. "^^e (^ooft of tU ®uc6e00e. 



9^ 



' Blythly,' quod he, ' com sit adoun ; 
I telle thee tip coiidicioun ys^) 

That tliou ■f-lioolly, with al thy wit, 
Do thyii entcnt to herkeno hit.' 
' Yis, sir.' ' Swore thy trouthe ther-to.' 
' Ghullj'.' ' Do tliaii holde her-to ! ' 
' I shal right blythly, so god mo save, 755 
Hoolly, with al the witte I have, 
Here yow, as wel as I can.' 

' A goddes half ! ' quod he, and began : — 
' Sir,' quod he, ' sith first I couthe 
Have any manor wit fro youthe, 760 

Or kindoly vinderstonding 
To comprehendo, in any thing. 
What love was, in myn owne wit, 
Dredeles, I have ever yit 
Be tributary, and yiven rente 765 

To love hoolly with gode entente. 
And through plesaunce become his thral, 
With good wil, body, lierte, and al. 
Al this I putto in his servage. 
As to my lordo, and dido homage ; jyo 
And ful devoutly •] 2)raydo liim to, 
'He shulde besette myn herte so. 
That it plesaunce to him wore. 
And worship to my lady dore. 

' And this was longe, and many a yeer 
Or that myn herte was set o-wher, 776 
That I did thus, and niste why ; 
I trowe hit cam me kindely. 
Paraunter I was thcrto f able 
As a whyt wal or a table ; 7X0 

For hit is rody to cacchc and take 
Al that men wil tlierin make, 
Wher-so men wol portreyc (jr peynto. 
Be the werkes never so queynte. 

' And tliilko tyme I ferdo f so 785 

I was able to have lerned tho. 
And to have coud as wel or better, 
Paraunter, other art or letter. 
But for love cam first in my thouglit, 
Therfbro I forgat it nought. yqu 

I chees love to my firsto craft, 
Therlor liit is witli me [y]-laft. 
Forwhy I took hit of so yoiig age, 
That malice hadde my corage 
Nat that tyme turned to no-thing 7CJ5 
Through to mochol knowleching. 
For that tyme Youthe, my maistresse. 
Governed me in ydclnosse ; 
For liit was in my firsto youthe, 



And tho ful litel good I couthe ; <So<> 

For al my werkes were flittinge, 

f And al my thoghtes varyinge ; 

Al wex'o to me y-liche good, 

Tliat I know tho ; but thus hit stood. 

' Hit hapiied that I cam fa day {^05 

Into a place, ther f I say, 
Trewly, the fayrest companye 
Of ladies, that ever man with ye 
Had seen togedres in 00 place. 
Shal I clepo hit hap other grace Sio 

Tliat broghte me ther ? nay, but Fortune, 
That is to lyen ful comiinc. 
The false traytcresso, pervers, 
God wolde I coude dope hir wers ! 
For now she worcheth mo ful wo, .S15 

And I wol telle sone why so. 

' Among thise ladies thus cchoon, 
Soth to seyn, I saw [ther] oon 
That was lyk noon of [al j the route ; 
For I dar swore, withouto douto, Mi'o 

That as the someres sonne bright 
Is fairer, clorer, and hath more light 
Than any fplanotc, [is] in heven, 
The mono, or the storres seven, 
For al tlio worlde, so had she 825 

Surmounted hem alio of beaute. 
Of manor and of comlinesse. 
Of stature and fwel set gladnesse. 
Of goodlihede fso wel bcscye — 
Shortly, what shal I more soye? 830 

By god, and l)y his halwes twelve. 
It was my sweto, right as hir-selvc ! 
Slio had so stedfast countenaunce, 
So noble port and mojaitenaunce. 
And Love, that hiid herd my bono, 835 
Had espycd me thus sone. 
That she ful sone, in my thoght. 
As helpo me god, so was y-caught 
So sodenly, that I no took 
No maner freed but at hir look «4(,- 

And at myn herte ; for-why hir eyon 
So gladly, I trow, myn herte seycn. 
That purely tho myn owne thoght 
Soyde hit were -tb(t serve liir for noglit 
Than witli another to be wel. 845 

And hit was sooth, for, everydel, 
I wil anoon-right telle thee why. 

' I saw hir daunco so comlily, 
Carole and singe so swetely, 
Laughe and pleye so womanly. 850 



92 



^le (nimor Cpome. 



And loke so debonairly, 

So goodly speke and so frendly, 

That certes, I trow, that evermore 

Nas seyn so hlisfnl a tresore. 

For every heer [np]on hir hede, 855 

Soth to sej-n, liit was not rede, 

Ne nonther yelw, ne hrouii hit nas : 

Me thoghte, most lyk gold hit was. 

And whiche eyen my lady hadde ! 

Debonair, goode, glade, and sadde, 860 

Simple, of good mochel, noght to wyde ; 

Therto hir look nas not a-syde, 

Ne overthwert, bnt beset so wel, 

Hit drew and took np, everydel, 

AUe that on hir gan beholde. 865 

Hir eyen semed anoon she woldc 

Have mercy ; fooles wenden so ; 

Bnt hit was never the rather do. 

Hit nas no conntrefeted thing. 

It was hir owne pnre loking, 870 

That the goddesse, dame Nature, 

Had made hem opene by mesure. 

And close ; for, were she never so glad, 

Hir loking was not foly sprad, 

Ne wildely, thogh that slie pleyde ; 875 

But ever, nie thoghte, hir ej-en seyde, 

" By god, my wrathe is al for-yive ! " 

' Therwith hir liste so wel to live. 
That dulnesse was of hir a-drad. 
She nas to sobre ne to glad ; 880 

In alle thinges more mesure 
Had never, I trowe, creature. 
But many oon with hir loke she herte, 
And that sat hir ful lyte at herte, 
For she knew no-ihing of hir thoght : 885 
But whether she knew, or Jcnew hit noght, 
Algate she ne roghte of hem a stree ! 
To gete hir love no ner nas he 
That woned at home, than he in Inde ; 
The formest was alwaj' bchinde. 890 

But gode folk, over al other, 
She loved as man may do his brother ; 
Of whiche love she was wonder large. 
In skilful places that here charge. 

' f Which a visage had she ther-to ! 895 
Alias ! myn herte is wonder wo 
That I ne can discrj-ven hit ! 
Me lakketh bothc English and wit 
For to undo hit at the fuUe ; 
And eek mj- spirits be so duUe 90CJ 

So greet a thing for to devj'se. 



I have no wit that can suiFyse 

To comprehende[n] hir beaute ; 

But thus moohe dar I seyn, that she 

Was frody, fresh, and lyvely hewed ; 905 

And every day hir beaute newed. 

And negh hir face was alder-best ; 

For certes, Nature had swich lest 

To make that fair, that trewly she 

Was hir cheef patron of beaiitee, 910 

And cheef ensample of al hir werke. 

And moustre ; for, be hit never so derke, 

Me thinketh I see hir ever-mo. 

And yet more-over, thogh alle tho 

That ever lived were now a-ly^^e, 915 

[They] ne sholde have founde to discrj've 

In al hir face a wikked signe ; 

For hit was sad, simple, and benigne. 

' And which a goodly softe speche 
Had that swete, my lyves leche ! 920 

So frendly, and so wel y-groivnded, . 
Up al resoun so wel y-foimded, 
And so tretable to alle gode. 
That I dar swere "fby the rode. 
Of eloquence was never foimde 925 

So swete a sowninge facounde, 
Ne trewer tonged, ne scorned lasse, 
Ne bet coude hele ; that, by the masse 
I durste swere, thogh the pope hit songe. 
That ther was never f through hir tonge 
Man ne woman gretly harmed ; 931 

As for hir, [ther] was al harm hid ; 
Ne lasse flatering in hir worde. 
That purely, hir simple recorde 
Was founde as trewe as any bonde, 935 
Or trt)uthe of any mannes honde. 
Ne chyde she coude never a del. 
That knoweth al the world ful wel. 

' But swich a fairnesse of a nekke 
Had that swete, that boon nor brekke 
Nas ther non sene, that mis-sat. 941 

Hit was whyt, smotlie, streght, and -fflat, 
Withouten hole ; fand canel-boon. 
As by seming, had she noon. 
Hir throto, as I have now memoire, 945 
Semed a round tour of j-^'oiro. 
Of good gretnesse, and noght to grete. 

' And gode faire Whyte she hete. 
That was ray lady name right. 
She was bothe fair and bright, 050 

She hadde not hir name wrong. 
Kisjht faire shuldres, and T)odj- long 



III. ZU Q2>oo6 of t^e ©uc0C00e. 



93 



She hadde, and armes, every litli 
Fattish, flesshy, not greet tlierwith ; 
Eight whyte handes, and nayles rede, 955 
Eounde brestes ; and of good hrede 
Hir hijDpes were, a streight flat hak. 
I knew on hir non other lak 
Tliat al hir limmes nere fsewing. 
In as fer as I had knowing. 9O0 

' Therto she coude so wel pleye, 
Whan that hir liste, that I dar seye, 
That she was lyk to torche bright. 
That every man may take of light 
Ynogh, and hit hath never the lesse. 965 

' Of maner and of comlinesse 
Eight so ferde my lady dere ; 
For every wight of hir manere 
Might cacche ynogh, if that he wolde. 
If he had eyen hir to beholde. 970 

For I dar fsweren, if that she 
Had among ten thousand be, 
She wolde have be, at the leste, 
A cheef mironr of al the feste, 
Thogh they had stonden in a rowe, 975 
To mennes eyen that conde have knowe. 
For wher-so men had pleyd or waked, 
Me thoghte the felawship as naked 
Withouten hir, that saw I ones. 
As a coronne withoute stones. 9.S0 

Trewely she was, to myu ye. 
The soleyn fenix of Arabye, 
For ther liveth never but oon ; 
Ne swich as she ne knew I noon. 

' To spoke of goodnesse ; trewly she 9<S5 
Had as moche debonairte 
As ever had Hester in the bible. 
And more, if more were possible. 
And, soth to seyne, therwith-al 
She had a wit so general, 990 

So hool onelyned to alle gode. 
That al hir wit was set, by the rode, 
Withoiite malice, upon gladnesse ; 
•f-Therto I saw never yet a lesse 
Harmful, than she was in doing. 995 

I sey uat that she ne had knowing 
Wliat "t-was harm ; or elles she 
Had coud no good, so thinketh me. 

' And trewly, for to speke of trouthe, 
But she had had, hit had be routhe. 1000 
Therof she had so moche hir del — 
And I dar seyn and swere hit wel — 
That TroiTthe him-pelf, over al and al, 



Had chose his maner principal 

In hir, that was his resting-place. 1005 

Ther-to she hadde the mosto grace, 

To have stedfast perseveraunce, 

And esj% atempre governauuce, 

That ever I knew or wiste yit ; 

So pure siiffraunt was hir wit. 1010 

And reson gladly she understood. 

Hit folowed wel she cotide good. 

She used gladly to do wel ; 

These were hir maners every-del. 

' Tlierwith she loved so wel right, 1015 
She ^vrong do wolde to no wight ; 
N<j wight might do hir no shame, 
She loved so wel hir owne name. 
Hir luste to holde no wight in honde ; 
Ne, be thou siker, she -f-nolde fonde 1020 
To holde no wight in balaunce, 
By half word ne by cou.ntenauuce, 
But-if men wolde upon hir Ij^e ; 
Ne sende men in-to Walakye, 
To Pruyse and in-to Tartarye, 1025 

To Alisaundre, ne in-to Turkye, 
And bidde him faste, anoon that he 
Go hoodies fto the drye see. 
And come hoom by the Carrenare ; 
And seye, " Sir, be now right ware 1030 
That I may of yow here seyn 
Worship, or that ye come ageyn ! " 
She ne used no suche knakkes sniale. 

' Bu.t wherfor that I telle my tale ? 
Eight on this same, as I have seyd, 1035 
Was hoolly al my love leyd ; 
For certes, she was, that swete wyf. 
My suffisaunce, my lust, my Ij'f, 
Myn hap, myn liele, and al my blisse, 
My worldes welfare and my flisse, 1040 
And I hirs hoolly, everj'del.' 

' By our lord,' quod I, ' I trowe yow wel ! 
Hardely, your love was wel beset, 
I not how ye mighte have do bet.' 
' Bet? ne no wight so wel ! ' quod he. 1045 
' I trowe hit, sir,' quod I, ' paixle ! ' 
' Nay, leve hit wel ! ' ' Sir, so do I ; 
I leve yow wel, that trewely 
Yow thoghte, that she was the beste, 
And to beholde the alderfaireste, 1050 
Wlio so had loked -f-witli your eyen.' 

' With myn ? nay, alle that hir seyen 
Seyde, and swore[n] hit was so. 
And thogh they ne hadde, I wolde tho 



94 



ZU QUtnor ^oeme. 



Have loved best mj- lady fre, 1055 

Thogh I had liad al the beautee 

That ever had Alcipyades, 

And al the strengthe of Erciiles, 

And therto had the worthinesse 

Of Alisaundre, and al the richesse 1060 

That ever was in Babiloyne, 

In Cartage, or in Macedoyne, 

Or in Rome, or in Ninive ; 

And therto al-so hardy be 

As was Ector, so have I joyo, 1065 

That Achilles slow at Troye — 

And therfor was he slayn also 

In a temple, for bothe two 

Were slayn, he and "f-Autilogua, 

And so seyth Dares Frigius, 1070 

For love of [hir] Polixena — 

Or been as wys as Minerva, 

I wolde ever, withoute drede, 

Have loved hir, for I moste nede ! 

" Nede ! " nay, fl gabbe now, 1075 

Noght " nede," and I wol telle how, 

For of good wille myn herte hit wolde. 

And eek to love hir I was holde 

As for the fairest and the beste. 

' She was as good, so have I reste, loSo 
As ever was Penelope of G-rece, 
Or as the noble wyf Lncrece, 
That was the beste — he telleth thiis. 
The Romain Tytns Livitis — ■ 
She was as good, and no-thing lyke, 1085 
Thogh hir stories be autentyke ; 
Algate she was as trewe as she. 

' But wherfor that I telle thee 
WHian I first my lady sey? 
I was right yong, [the] sooth to sey, 1090 
And ful gret need I hadde to lerne ; 
Wlian mj^ herte wolde yerne 
To love, it was a greet empryse. 
But as my wit coudo best suifyse. 
After iny yonge childly wit, 1095 

Withoute drede, I besette hit 
To love hir in my beste wyse, 
To do hir worship and servyse 
That I f tlio coude, by my trouthe, 
Withoute feyning oiithcr slouthe ; 1100 
For wonder fayn I wolde hir see. 
So mochel hit amended me, 
That, whan I saw hir first a-morwe, 
I was warished of al my sorwe 
Of al day after, til hit were eve ; ii('5 



Me thoghte no-thing mighte me greve, 
Were my sorwes never so smerte. 
And yit she sit so in myn herte, 
That, by my trouthe, I nolde noght. 
For al this worlde, out of my thoght 11 10 
Leve my lady ; no, trewly ! ' 

' Now, by my trouthe, sir,' quod I, 
' Me thinketh ye have such a chaunce 
As shrift withoute ropentaunce.' 

' Repentaunce ! nay fy,' quod he ; 11 15 
' Shulde I now repente me 
To love ? nay, certes, than were I wel 
Wers than was Achitofel, 
Or Anthenor, so have I joye. 
The traytoiir that betraysed Troye, U20 
Or the false Genelon, 
He that purchased the treson 
Of Rowland and of Olivere. 
Nay, whyl I nm. a-lj've here 
I nil foryete hir never-mo.' 1125 

' Now, gode sir,' quod I [right] tho, 
' Ye han wel told me her-before. 
It is no need reherse hit more 
How ye sawe hir first, and where ; 
But wolde ye telle me the n:ianere, 1130 
To hir which was your firste speche — 
Therof I wolde yow be-seche — 
And how she linewo first your thoght, 
Wliether ye loved hir or noght. 
And telleth me eek what ye have lore ; 
I herde yow telle her-before.' 1136 

' Ye,' seyde he, ' thoii nost what thou 
menest ; 
I have lost more than thou weuest.' 

' Wliat los is that, [sir] ? ' quod I tho ; 
' Nil she not love yow? is hit so? 1140 
Or have ye oght [y-]doon amis. 
That she hath left yow ? is hit this ? 
For goddes love, tel me al.' 

' Before god,' quod he, ' and I slial. 
I saye right as I have seyd, 1145 

On hir was al my love leyd ; 
And yet she niste hit fnever a del 
Noght longe tyme, leve hit wel. 
For be right siker, I durste noght 1 149 
For al this worlde telle hir my thoght, 
Ne I wolde have wratthed hir, trewly. 
For wostow why ? she was lady 
Of the body ; she had the herte, 
And who hath that, may not asterte. 

' But, for to kepe me fro ydelnesse, 1 155 



III. ZU Q^ooft of tU ©uc^eeee. 



95 



Trewly I did my besinesse 

To make songes, as I best eoude, 

And ofte tyme I song hem londe ; 

And niade songes a gret del, 

Al-thogh I coude not make so wel 1160 

Songes, ne knowe the art al, 

As ooude Lamekes sone Tubal, 

That fond out first the art of songe ; 

For, as his brothers hamers ronge 

Upon his anvelt up and doun, 1165 

Therof he tooli the firste soun : 

But G-rekes seyu, Pictagoras, 

That he the firste finder was 

Of the art ; Aurora telleth so. 

But therof no fors, of hem two. 11 70 

Algates songes thus I made 

Of my feling, myn herte to glade ; 

And lo ! this was [the] alther-firste, 

I not wher [that] hit were the werste. — 

^ "Lord, hit malietli myn herte light, 

Whan I thenke on that swete wight 11 76 

That is so semely on to see ; 

And wisshe to god hit might so be. 
That she wolde holde me for hir knight, 
My lady, that is so fair and bright ! " — 

' Now have I told thee, sooth to saye. 
My firste song. Upon a daye 1182 

I bethoghte me what wo 
And sorwe that I suffred tho 
For hir, and yet she wiste hit noght, 1185 
Ne telle hir durste I nat mj^ thoglit. 
" Alias ! " thoghte I, " I can no reed ; 
And, but I telle hir, I "f-nam but deed ; 
And if I telle hir, to seye "f-sooth, 
I am a-dred she wol be ^v^ooth ;_ 1190 

Alias ! what shal I thanne do?" 

• In this debat I was so wo, 
Me thoghte myn herte braste a-tweyn ! 
So atte laste, soth to seyu, 
I me bethoghte that natiire 1195 

Ne formed never in creature 
So nioche beaute, trewely, 
And bounte, withouten mercy. 

' In hope of that, my tale I tolde 
With sorwe, as that I never sholde, 1200 
For nedes ; and, maugree my heed, 
I moste have told hir or be deed. 
I not wel how that I began, 
Ful evel reherse[n] hit I can ; 
And eek, as helpe me god with-al, 1205 
I trowe hit was in the dismal. 



That was the ten woundes of Egipte ; 

For many a word I over-skipte 

In my tale, for pure fere 

Lest my wordes m.is-set were. 12 to 

With sorweful herte, and woundes dede, 

Softe and quaking for pure drede 

And shame, and stinting in my tale 

For ferde, and myn hewe al pale, 

¥\\l ofte I wex bothe pale and reed ; 12 15 

Bowing to liii', I heng the heed ; 

I durste nat ones loke hir on, 

For wit, manere, and al was gon. 

I sej'de " mercy ! " and no more ; 

Hit nas no ganie, hit sat me sore 1220 

' So atte laste, sooth to seyu, 
Wlian that myn herte was come ageyn, 
To telle shortly al my speche. 
With hool herte I gan hir beseche 
That she wolde be my lady swete ; 1225 
And swor, and gan hir hertely bete 
Ever to be stedfast and trewe. 
And love hir alwey freshly newe. 
And never other lady have. 
And al hir worship for to save 1230 

As I best coude ; I swor hir this — 
" For yoiires is al that ever ther is 
For evermore, myn herte swete ! 
And never i false yow, but I mete, 
I nil, as wis god helpe me so ! " 1235 

' Aiid whan I had my tale y-do, 
God wot, she acounted nat a stree 
Of al my tale, so thoghte me. 
To telle shortly fas hit is, 
Trewly hir answere, hit was this ; 1240 
I can not now wel counterfete 
Hir wordes, bu.t this was the grete 
Of hir answere ; she sayde, " nay" 
Al-outerly. Alias ! that day 
The sorwe I suffred, and the wo ! 1245 
That trewly Cassandra, that so 
Bewayled the destruccioun 
Of Troye and of Ilioun, 
Had never swich sorwe as I tho. 
I durste no more say therto 1250 

For pure fere, but stal away ; 
And thus I lived ful many a day : 
That trewely, I hadde no need 
Ferther than my beddes heed 
Never a day to seche sorwe ; 1255 

I fond hit redy every morwe, 
For-why I loved hir in no gere. 



96 



ZU QHtnor (poewe. 



' So hit befel, another yere, 
I thoiiEjhte ones I wolde fbnde 
To do hir knowe and imderstonde i.'(h) 
My wo ; and she wel understood 
That I ne wilned thing but good, 
And worship, and to kepe hir name 
Over fal tiling, and drede hir sliamo, 
And was so bosy liir to serve ; — 1265 

And jnte were I shiilde stervo, 
Sitli tliat I M'ihied noon harm, y-wis. 
So whan my hidy knew al this, 
My hidy yaf me al hoolly 
The noble yift of hir merej', 1270 

Saving hir worship, by al weyes ; 
Dredles, I mono noon other wej^es. 
And therwith she yaf me a ring ; 
I trowe hit was the firste thing ; 
But if myn herte was j'-waxe 1275 

Glad, that is no need to axe ! 
As helpe me god, I was as blyve, 
Eeysed, as fro dethe to lyve, 
Of alle happes the alder-beste, 
The gladdest and the moste at reste. 1280 
For trewely, that swete wight. 
Whan I had wrong and she the riglit. 
She wolde alwey so goodely 
For-yeve mo so debonairly. 
In alle my youthe, in alle chaunce, 1285 
She took me in hir governaunce. 

' Therwith she was alway so trewe, 
Our joj'e was ever y-liche newe ; 
Our hertes wern so even a payre, 
That never nas that oon coutrayre 1290 
To that other, for no wo. 
For sothe, y-liche they suffred tlio 
Oo blisse and eek 00 sorwe bothe ; 
Y-liche they were bothe gladde and 

wrothe ; 
Al was us oon, withoute were. 1295 

And thus we lived fnl many a yere 



Sq wel, I can nat telle how.' 

' Sir,' qxiod I, ' wher is she now? ' 
' Now ! ' quod he, and stinte anoon. 

Therwith he wex as deed as stoon, i V" 
And seyde, ' alias ! that I was bore ! 
That was the los, that hcr-before 
I toldo thee, that I had lorn. 
Bethenk how I seyde her-beforn, 1,^04 

" Thou wost ful litel what thou menest ; 
I have lost more than thou wenest " — 
God wot, alias ! right that was she ! ' 

' Alias ! sir, how ? what may that be V ' 
'She is deed!' 'Nay!' ' Yis. by my 

trouthe ! ' 
' Is that your los ? by god, hit is ronthe ! ' 

And with that worde, right anoon, 1311 
They gan to strake forth ; al was doon, 
For that tyme, the hert-hnnting. 

With that, me thoghte, that this king 
Gan [qttikly] hoomward for to ryde 1 vs 
Unto a place f ther besyde. 
Which was from us but a lyte. 
A long castel with walles whyte. 
By seynt Johan ! on a riche hil. 
As me m^tte ; but thvis it fil. i.<2C) 

Eight thus me mette, as 1 y<>\v telle, 
That in the castel f was a belle. 
As hit had smiten houres twelve. — 

Therwith I awook my-selve, 
And fond me lying in my bed ; 1,^25 

And the book that I had red. 
Of Alcyone and Seys the king, 
And of the goddes of sleping, 
I fond it in myn honde ful even. 

Thoghte I, ' this is so queynt a sweveu, 
That I wol, by processe of tyme, 1,^31 

Fonde to putte this sweven in ryme 
As I can best ; and that anoon." — 
This was my sweven ; now hit is doon. 1334 



Explicit the Boke of the Duchesse. 



IV. Z^t tompk^rxt of (mare. 



97 



IV. THE COMPLEYNT OF MAES, 



The Proem 

' Gladetii, ye foules, of the morow gray, 
Lo ! Venus risen among yon rowes rede ! 
And floures fresshe, honoureth ye this 

day ; 
For when the Sonne iiprist, tlien wol ye 

spredo. 
But ye lovers, that lye in any drede, 5 
Fleeth, lest wikked tonges yow espye ; 
Lo ! j'ond the sonne, the candel ofjelosye! 

With teres blewe, and with a wounded 

herte 
Taketh your leve ; and, with seynt John 

to horow, 
Apeseth soniwhat of your sorowes smcrto, 
Tymo Cometh eft, that cese shal your 

sorow ; 1 1 

The glade night is worth an hevy 

morow ! ' — 
(Seynt Valentyne ! a foul thiis herdo I 

singe 
Upon thy day, er sonne gan vip-sj)ringe). — 

Yet sang this foul — ' I rede yow al a- wake, 
And ye, that han not chosen in humble 

wyse, 16 

Without repenting cheseth yow your 

make. 
And yo, that han ful chosen as I devysc. 
Yet at the leste renoveleth your ser\'yse ; 
Confermeth it perpetut ly to dure, 20 

And paciently taketh your aventure. 

And for the worship of this hye feste. 
Yet wol I, in my hriddes wyse, singe 
The sentence of the compleynt, at the 

leste, 
That woful Mars made atte departinge 25 
Fro fresshe Venus in a morweninge. 
Whan Phebus, with his fyry torches rede, 
Kansaked every lover in his drede. 

The Story. 
IT Whylom the thridde iLevenes lord 

above, 
As wel by hevenish revolucioun 30 



As by desert, hath wonne Venus his love, 
And she hath take him in subjeccioun. 
And as a maistresse taught him his 

lessoiin, 
Comaunding him that never, in hir ser- 

vyse. 
He nere so bold no lover to despyse. 35 

For she forbad him jelosye at alle. 
And cruelte, and host, and tirannye ; 
She made him at hir lust so humble and 

talle. 
That when hir deyned caste on him hir ye. 
He took in pacience to live or dye ; 40 
And thus she brydeleth him in hir man- 

ere, 
With no-thing biit with scourging of hir 

chere. 

Who regneth now^ in blisse but Veniis, 
That hath this worthy knight in govern- 

aunce ? 
Wlio singeth now but Mars, that serveth 

thus 45 

The faire Venus, causer of plesaunce ? 
He bynt him to perpetual obeisaunce, 
And she bynt hir to loven him for ever, 
But so be that his trespas hit dissever. 

Thus be they knit, and regnen as in heven 
By loking most ; til hit fil, on a tyde, 51 
That ]iy hir bothe assent was set a steven, 
That Mars shal entre, as faste as he may 

glyde. 
Into hir nexte paleys, to abyde. 
Walking his cours til she had him a-take. 
And ho preyde hir to haste hir for his 

sake. 56 

Then seydo he thus — " myn hertes lady 

swete. 
Ye knowe wel my mischef in that place ; 
For sikerly, til that I with yow mete, 59 
My lyf stant ther in aventure and grace ; 
But when I see the beaute of your face, 
Ther is no dreed of deeth may do me 

smerte. 
For al your lust is ese to myn herte." 



98 



Z^t QlXtnor ^oema. 



Shehatli sogret compassion of hir kniglat, 
That dwelleth in solitude til she come ; 65 
For hit stood so, that itte tyme, no wight 
Counseyled him, ne seyde to him welcome, 
That nigh hii- wit for wo was overcome ; 
Wlierfore she spedde hir as faste in hir 

weye, 
Almost in oon day, as he dide in tweye. 70 

The grete joye that was betwix hem two, 
Whan they be met, ther may no tunge 

telle, 
Ther is no more, but unto bed they go. 
And tlius in joye and blisse I lete hem 

dwelle ; 
This worthy Mars, that is of knighthod 

welle, 75 

The flour of fairnes lappeth in his armes, 
AndVenus kisseth Mars, the god of armes. 

Sojourned hath this Mars, of which I rede. 

In chambre amid the paleys prively 

A certejai tyme, til him fel a drede, 80 

Through Phebus, that was comen hastely 

Within the paleys-yates sturdely, 

With torche in houde, of which the 

stremes brighte 
On Venus chambre knokkeden ful lighte. 

The chambre, ther as lay this fresshe 
queue, °5 

Depeynted was with whyte boles gi'ete. 
And by the light she knew, that shoon 

so shene, 
That Phebus cam to brenne hem witli his 

hete ; 
This sely Venus, f dreynt in teres wete, 
Enbraceth Mars, and seyde, " alas ! I dye ! 
The torch is come, that al this world wol 
wrye." 9' 

Up sterte Mars, him liste not to slepe. 
Whan he his lady herde so compleyne ; 
But, for his nature was not for to wepe, 
In stede of teres, fro his eyen tweyno 95 
The fyry sparkes brosten out for peyne ; 
And hente his hauberk, that lay him be- 

syde ; 
Flee wolde he not, ne mighte him-selven 

hyde. 
He throweth on his helm of huge wighte. 
And girt him with his swerde ; and in 
his honde 200 



His mighty spere, as he was wont to 

fighte, 
He shaketh so that almost it to-wonde ; 
Ful hevy he was to walken over londe ; 
He may not holde with Venus companye, 
But bad hir fleen, lest Phebus hir espye. 

O woful Mars ! alas ! what mayst thoii 
seyn, ^06 

That in the paleys of thy disturbaunce 

Art left behinde, in peril to be sleyn ? 

And yet ther-to is double thy penannce. 

For she, that hath thyn herte in govern- 
aunce, "" 

Is passed halfe the stremes of thyn yen ; 

That thou nere swift, wel mayst thou 
wepe and cryen. 

Now fleeth Venus un-to Cylcnius tour, 

With voide cours, for fere of Phebus light. 

Alas ! and ther ne hath she no socour, 1 15 

For she ne fond ne saw no maner wight ; 

And eek as ther she had but litil might ; 

Wher-for, hir-selven for to hyde and save, 

Within the gate she fledde into a cave. 

Derk was this cave, and smoking as the 
heUe, 120 

Not but two pas within the gate hit stood ; 

A naturel day in derk I lete hir dwelle. 

Now wol I speke of Mars, furious and 
wood ; 

For sorow he wolde have seen his herte 
blood ; 

Sith that he mighte fhir don no com- 
panye, 1-5 

He ne roghte not a myte for to dye. 

So feble he wex, for hete and for his wo, 
That nigh he swelt, he mighte imuethe 

endure ; 
He passeth but 00 steyre in dayes two. 
But nor the les, for al his hevy armure, 130 
He foloweth hir that is his lyves cure ; 
For whos departing ho took gretter yre 
Thanue for al his brenning in the fyre. 

After he walketh softely a pas, 
Complej'ning, that hit pite was to here. 135 
He seyde, " O lady bright, Venus ! alas ! 
That ever so wyde a compas is my spere ! 
Alas ! whan shal I mete yow, herte dere, 
This tweU'te day of April I endure. 
Through jelous Phebus, this misaventtire." 



IV. ZU ^ompk^nt of (mare. 



99 



Now flielpe god sely Venus allone ! 141 
But, as god volde, hit happed for to Ije, 
That, whyl that Venus weping made hir 

mone, 
Cylenius, ryding in his chevaiiehe, 144 
Fro Venus valance niighte his paleys see, 
And Venus he sahieth, and maketh chere. 
And hir receyveth as his frend ful dere. 

Mars dwelleth forth in his adversitce, 
Compleyning over on hir departinge ; 
And what his compleynt was, remeni- 

breth nie ; 150 

And therfore, in this lusty morweninge. 
As I best can, I wol hit seyn and singe. 
And after that I wol my leva take ; 
And god yeve every wight joye of his 

make ! 



The Compleynt of Mars. 

The Proem of the Coinjjleynf. 

H The ordre of compleynt requireth skil- 
fully, 155 
That if a wight shal pleyne pitously, 
Ther mot be cause wherfor that men 
pleyne ; 
Or men may demo he pleyneth folily 
And causeles ; alas ! that am not I ! 
Wherfor the ground and cause of al 
my peyne, 160 
So as my troubled wit n:iay hit ateyne, 
I wol reherse ; not for to have redresse. 
But to declare my ground of hevinesse. 

Devotion. 

^ The iirste tyme, alas ! that I was wroght. 
And for certe.yn effectes hider broght 165 

By him that lordeth ech intelligence, 
I yaf my trewe servise and my thoglit. 
For evermore — how dere I have hit 
boght !— 
To hir, that is of so gret excellence. 
That what wight that first sheweth his 
presence, 170 

When she is wroth and taketh of him no 

cure. 
He may not longe in joye of love endure. 

This is no feyned mater that I telle ; 
My lady is the verrey sours and welle 



Of beaute, lust, fredom, and gentil- 

nesse, 1 75 

Of riche aray — how dere men hit sellc ! — 

Of al disport in which men frendlj' dwelle, 

Of love and pley, and of benigne hum- 

blesse. 

Of soune of instruments of al swetnessc ; 

And therto so wel fortuned and thewed. 

That through the world hir goodnesse is 

y-shewed. 181 

Wliat wonder is then, thogh that I be- 

sette 

My servise on suche oon, that may me 

knette 

To wele or wo, sith hit lyth in hir 

might? 1 84 

Therfor my herte for ever I to hir hette ; 

Ne trewly, for my dethe, I shal not lette 

To ben hir trewest servauut and hir 

knight. 
I flatcr noght, that may wite every 
wight ; 
For this day in hir servise shal I dye ; 
But grace be, I see hir never with ye. 190 

A Lady in fear and tvoe. 

^ To whom shal I than pleyne of my dis- 

tresse ? 
WTio may me helpe, who may my harm 
redresse ? 
Shal I complejTie unto niy lady free ? 
Nay, cartes ! for she hath such hevinesse. 
For fere and eek for wo, that, as I gesse, 
In litil tyme hit wol hir bane be. 196 
But were she sauf, hit wer no fors of me. 
Alas ! that ever lovers mote endure. 
For love, so many a perilous aventure ! 

For thogh so be that lovers be as trewe 200 
As any metal that is forged newe, 

In many a cas hem tydeth ofte sorowe. 

Somtyme hir ladies will not on hem rewe, 

Somtyme, yif that jelosyo hit knewe. 

They mighten lightly leye hir heed to 

borowe ; 205 

Somtyme envyous folke with tunges 

horowe 

Depraven hem ; alas ! whom may they 

idese ? 
But he be fals, no lover hath his ese. 



ZU QUtnor {pome. 



But -wliat availeth suclie a long sermoun 
Of aventures of love, up and doun ? 210 

I wol retunie and speken of my peyne ; 
The point is this of my destruccioun, 
My righte lady, my salvacioun, 

Is in affray, and not to whom to pleyne. 

O herte swete, O lady sovereyne ! 215 
For your disese, wel oghte I swoune and 

pwelte, 
Thogh I non other harm ne drede felte. 

Instability of Happiness. 
% To what fyn made the god that sit so 

tye, 
Benethen him, love other companye, 
And streyneth folk to love, malgre hir 
hede ? 220 

And then hir joye, for oght I can espye, 
Ne lastetli not the twinkeling of an ye. 
And somme han never joye til they be 

dede. 
Wliat meneth this ? what is this misti- 
hede ? ' 
Wherto constreyneth he his folk so faste 
Thing to desyre, but hit shiUde laste ? 226 
And thogh he made a lover love a thing, 
Andmakcth hit seme stcdfast and during, 
Yet putteth he in hit such misaveuture, 
That reste nis ther noon in his yeving. 230 
And that is wonder, that so just a king 
Doth siich hardnesse to his creature. 
Thus, whether love breke or elles dure, 
Algates he that hath with love to done 
Hath ofter wo then changed is the mone. 
Hit someth ho hath to lovers enmite, 236 
And lyk a fissher, as men alday may see, 
Baiteth his angle-hook with som ples- 
aunce. 
Til mony a fish is wood til that he be 239 
Sesed ther-with ; and then at erst hath he 
Al his desyr, and ther-with al mis- 

chaunce ; 
And thogh the lyno breke, he hath 
penaunce ; 
For with the hoke he wounded is so sore, 
That he his wages hath for ever-more. 

The Brooch of Thebes. 
% The broche of Thebes was of sucho a 
kinde, 245 

So ful of rubies and of stones lude. 



That every wight, that sette on hit an 

ye, 

He wende anon to wortlie out of his 

minde ; 
So sore the beaute wolde his herte binde, 
Til ho hit hadde, him thoghte he moste 

dye ; 250 

And whan that hit was his, than shuldo 

he drye 
Such wo for drede, ay whyl that ho hit 

hadde. 
That welnigh for the fere he shulde 

madde. 

And whan hit was fro his possessioun. 
Than had he double wo and passioun 255 

For he so fair a tresor had forgo ; 
But j'et this broche, as in eonclusioun. 
Was not the cause of this confusioun ; 

But he that wroghte hit enfortuned hit 
so, 

Tliat every wight that had hit shield 
have wo ; 261) 

And therfor in the wordier was the ^'yce, 
And in the covetour that was so nyce. 

So fareth hit by lovers and by me ; 
For thogh my lady have so gret beaute. 
That I was mad til I had gete hir 
grace, 265 

She was not cause of mJ^l adversitee. 
But he that wroghte hir, also mot I 
thee. 
That putte sviche a beaute in hir face. 
That made me to covete and purchaee 
Myn owne deth ; him vyte I that I 
dye, 270 

And myn unwit, that ever I clomb so 
hye 

An Appeal for Sympathy. 

11 But to yow, hardy knightes of renoun. 
Sin that ye be of my divisioun, 

Al be I not worthj' j so grete a name. 
Yet, seyn these clerkes, I am your pa- 
troun ; 275 

Ther-for ye oghte have som compassiouu 

Of my disese, and take it noght a-game. 

The proudest of yow may be mad ful 
tame ; 
Wherfor I prey j'ow, of your gentilesse. 
That ye compleyno for myn hevinesse. 280 



V. ZH $arPemen< of foufee. 



lOI 



And ye, my ladies, that ben trewe and 

stable. 
By way of kinde, ye oghten to be able 

To have jnte of folk that be in peyne : 
Now have ye cause to clothe yow in sable ; 
Sith that your emperice, the honorable, 
Is desolat, wel oghte ye to pleyne ; 286 
Now shuld your holy teres falls and 
reyne. 
Alas ! youi' honour and your emperice. 
Nigh deed for drede, ne can hir not 
chevise. 



Compleyneth eek, ye lovers, al in-fere, 291) 
For hir that, with unfeyned humble chere, 

Was ever redy to do yow socour ; 
Compleyneth hir that ever hath had yow 

dere ; 
Compleyneth beaute, fredoni, and manere ; 
Compleyneth hir that endetli your la- 
bour ; 21)5 
Compleynetli thilke ensample of al 
honour. 
That never dide but al gentilesse ; 2()7 
Kytheth therfor on hir som kindenesse.' 



V. THE PAELEMENT OF FOULES. 



ITie Proem. 

• The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne, 
Th'assay so hard, so sharp the conquering, 
The dredfiil joye, that alwey slit so yerne, 
Al this mene I by love, that my feling 4 
Astonyeth with his wonderful worching 
So sore y-wis, that whan I on him thinke, 
Nat wot I wel wher that I wake or winke. 

For al be that I knowe not love in dede, 
Ne wot how that he quyteth folk hir hyre, 
Yet happeth me ful ofte in bokes rede 10 
Of his miracles, and his cruel yre ; 
Ther rede I wel he wol be lord and syre, 
I dar not seyn, his strokes been so sore. 
But god save swich a lord ! I can no 
more. 

Of usage, what for luste what for lore, 15 
On bokes rede I ofte, as I yow tolde. 
But wherfor that I speke al this? not yore 
Agon, hit happed me for to beholde 
Upon a boke, was write with lettres olde ; 
And ther-upon, acerteyn thing to lerne,2o 
The longe day ful fasto I radde and j'erne. 

For oiit of olde feldes, as men seith, 
Cometh al this newe corn fro yeer to yere ; 
And out of olde bokes, in good feith, 
Cometh al this newe science that men 
lere. 2 ? 



But now to purpos as of this mat ere — 
To rede forth hit gan me so delj'te. 
That al the day me thoughte but a Ij-tc. 

This book of which I make naencioun, 
Entitled was al thiis, as I shal telle, 30 
' Tulliu.s of the dreme of Scii)ioun ' ; 
ChaxDitres seven hit hadde, of hevene and 

helle. 
And erthe, and soules that therinne 

dwelle, 
Of whiche, as shortly as I can hit trete, 34 
Of his sentence I wol you seyn the grete. 

First telleth hit, whan Scipioun was come 
In Afrik, how he mette Massinisse, 
That him for joye in arraes hath y-nome. 
Than telleth fhit hir speche and al the 

blisse 
That was betwix hem, til the day gan 

misse ; 40 

And how his auncestre, African so dere, 
Clan in his sleiie that night to him appere. 

Than telleth hit that, fro a sterry ijlace, 
How African hath him Cartage shewed. 
And warned him before of al his grace, 45 
And seyde him, what man, lered other 

lewed. 
That loveth comun i^rofit, wel y-thewed, 
He shal iinto a blisful place wende, 
Ther as joye is that last withouten endc. 



ZU (nitnor (pocme. 



Than asked he, if folk that heer be dede 
Have l^'f and dwellingin another place ; 51 
And African seyde, ' ye, withoute drede,' 
And that our present worldes lyves space 
Nis but a maner deth, what wey we trace, 
And rightful folk shal go, after they dye. 
To heven ; and shewed him the galaxye. 56 

Than shewed he him the litel erthe, that 

heer is. 
At regard of the hevenes quantite ; 
And after showed he him the nyne speres, 
And after that the nielodj^e horde he 60 
That comoth of thilke speres thryes three. 
That welle is of musyke and melodyo 
In this world heer, and cause of armonye. 

Than bad ho him, sin orthe was so Ij'te, 
And ful of torment and of harde grace, 65 
That ho no shulde him in the world 

delyte. 
Than tolde he him, in certeyn yores space. 
That every sterre shulde come into his 

place 
Ther hit was first ; and al shulde out of 

minde 69 

That in this worlde is don of al maiikinde. 

Than prayde him Scipioun to telle him al 
The wey to come un-to that hevene blisse ; 
And he seyde, 'know thy-self first im- 
mortal. 
And loke ay besily thou werke and wisse 
To connin profit, and thou shalt nat misse 
To comen swiftly to that place dere, 76 
That ftil of blisse is and of soules clere. 

But brokers of the lawe, soth to seyne, 
And lecherous folk, after that they be 

dede, 79 

Sh nl alwoy whirle abouto th'erthe in peyne, 
Til many a world be passed, out of drede, 
And than, for-yeven alle hir wikkod dede, 
Tlian shul they come unto that blisful 

place. 
To which to comen god thee sonde his 

grace ! ' — 

The day gan fallen, and the derke night, 
That reveth bestes from hir besinesse, 86 
Berafto mo my book for lakko of light, 
And to my bedde I gan mo for to dresso, 
I'nlflM of thought and besy hevinesse ; 



For bothe I hadde thing which that I 
nolde, 90 

And eek I no haddo that thing that I 
wolde. 

But fynally my spirit, at the l*iste, 
For-wery of my labour al the day. 
Took rest, that made mo to slope fasto. 
And in my slope I mette, as I lay, 95 

How African, right in that selfe aray 
That Scipioun him saw before that 

tyde. 
Was comen, and stood right at my beddes 

syde. 

The wery hunter, slopinge in his bed. 
To wode ayein his minde goth anoon ; 100 
The juge dremeth how his plees ben 

sped ; 
The carter dremeth how his cartes goon ; 
The riche, of gold ; the knight fight witli 

his foon. 
The soke mot he drinketh of the tonne ; 
The lover met he hath his lady wonne. 105 

Can I nat seyn if that the cause were 

For I had red of African beforn, 

That made me to mete that he stood 

there ; 
But thus seyde he, ' thoii hast thee so 

wel born 
In loking of myn oldc book to-torn, iiu 
Of which Maerobie roghte nat a lyte, 
That somdel of thy labour wolde I 

quyte ! ' — 

Citherea ! thou blisful lady swete. 
That with thy fyr-brand dauntest whom 

thee lest, 
And madest me this swevcn for to mote, 
Be thou my help in this, for thou mayst 

best ; 116 

As wisly as I saw thee north-north-west. 
When I began my sweven for to wryte. 
So yif me might to ryme hit and endyte ! 

The Story. 
This forseid African me hento anoon, 120 
And forth with hiu^ unto a gate broghte 
Right of a inarke, walled with grene stoon; 
And over the gate, with lettros large 

y-wroghte, 
Ther weren vers y-writen, as me thoghte, 



V. ZU (patrfemenf of §c\ik6. 



103 



On eyther lialfe, of fvil gret difference, 125 
Of which I shal yow sey the pleyn sen- 
tence. 

' Thorgh me men goon in-to that blisful 

place 
Of hertes hele and dedly woundes cure ; 
Thorgh me men goon vinto the welle of 

Grace, 
Ther grcne and lusty May shal ever 

endure ; 130 

This is the wey to al good aventure ; 
Be glad, thou reder, and thy sorwe of- 

caste, 
Al open am I ; passe in, and hy the 

faste ! ' 

' Thorgh me men goon,' than spiak that 

other syde, 
' Unto the mortal strokes of the spere, 135 
Of which Disdayn and Daunger is the 

Ther tree shal never fruit ne leves here. 
This streem you ledeth to the sorwful 

were, 
Ther as the fish in prison is al drye ; 
Th'eschewiug is only the remedye.' 140 

Thisevers of gold and blak y-writenwere, 
The whiche I gan a stounde to beholde, 
For with that oon encresed ay my fere, 
And with that other gan myn herte bolde ; 
That oon me hette, that other did me 
colde, 145 

No wit had I, for errour, for to chase, 
To entre or flee, or me to save or lese. 

Right as, betwixen adamauntes two 
Of even might, a pece of iren y-set, 149 
That hath no might to meve to ne fro — • 
Per what that on may hale, that other 

lot— 
Ferde I, that niste whether me was bet, 
To entre or leve, til African my gyde 
Me hente, and shoof in at the gates 

wyde. 

And seyde, ' hit stondeth writen in thy 
face, 155 

Thyn errour, though thou telle it not to 
mo ; 

But dred thee nat to come in-to this 
place, 



For this wryting is no-thing ment by 

thee, 
Ne by noon, but he Loves servant be ; 
For thou of love hast lost thy tast, 1 

gesse, 160 

As seek man hath of swete and bitter- 

nesse. 

But natheles, al-though that thou be 

diille, 
Yit that thou canst not do, yit mayst 

thou see ; 
For many a man that may not stonde 

a pulle, 
Yit lyketh hina at the wrastling for 

to be, 165 

Arid demeth yit wher he do bet or he ; 
And if thou haddest cunning for t'endyte, 
I shal thee shewen mater of to wryte.' 

With that myhond in his he took anoon, 
Of which I comfort caughte, and wente 

in faste ; 170 

But lord ! so I was glad and wel begoon ! 
For over-al, wher that I myn eyen caste, 
Were trees clad with leves that ay shal 

laste, 
Eche in his kinde, of colour fresh and 

grene 
As emeraude, that joye was to sene. 175 

The bilder ook, and eek the hardy asshe ; 
The piler elm, the cofre unto careyne ; 
The boxtree piper ; holm to whi]jpes 

lasshe ; 
The sayling iirr ; the cix^res, deth to 

pleyne ; 179 

The sheter ew, the asp for shaftes pleyne ; 
The olyve of pees, and eek the drunken 

vyne, 
The victor palm, the laurer to devyne. 

A garden saw I, ful of blosmy bowes, 
Upon a river, in a grene mede, 184 

Ther as that swetnesse evermore y-now is, 
With floures whyte, blewe, yelowe, and 

rede ; 
And colde welle-stremes, no-thing dede. 
That swommen ful of smale fisshes lighte. 
With finnes rede and scales silver-brighte. 

On every bough the briddes herde I singe, 
With voys of aungel in hir armonye, 191 



lO. 



ZU QTlinor (pome. 



Som besyed hem hir briddes forth to 

bringe ; 
The litol conyes to hir pley gimne hj'e, 
And further al aboute I gan espye 
The drodful roo, the buk, the hert and 

hinde, i<)5 

Squerels, and bestes smale of gentilkindo. 

Of instruments of strenges in acord 
Herde I so pleye a ravisshing swetnesse, 
That god, that maker is of al and lord, 
Ne herde never better, as I gesse ; 2<.x> 
Therwitli a wind, unnethe hit might be 

lesse, 
Made in the leves grene a noise softe 
Acordant to the fonles songe on-lofte. 

The air of that place so attempre was 
That never was grevaunce of hoot ne 

cold ; 205 

Ther wex eek every holsom spyce and 

gras, 
Ne no man may ther wexe seek ne old ; 
Yet was ther joye more a thousand fold 
Then man can telle ; ne never wolde it 

nighte, 
But ay cleer day to any mannes sighte. 

Under a tree, besyde a welle, I say 2 1 1 
Cupyde our lord his arwes forge and fyle ; 
And at his fete his bowe al redy lay, 
And wel his doghter temxjred al the whyle 
The hedes in the welle, and with hir 

wj'le 215 

She couched hem after as they shxilde 

serve, 
Som for to sleo, and som to wounde and 

kerve. 

Tho was I war of Plesavince anon-right, 
And of Aray, and Liist, and Curtesyo ; 
And of the Craft that can and hath the 

might 220 

To doon by force a wight to do folye — • 
Disflgurat was she, I nil not lye ; 
And by him-self, vmder an oke, I gesse, 
Sawe I Delyt, that stood with Gentil- 

nesse. 
I saw Beautee, withouten any atyr, 225 
And Youthe, fvil of garue and lolyte, 
Fool-hardiiiosso, Flatcry, and Desyr, 
Messagerye, and Medo, and other three — 
Hir names shul noght here be told for me — 



And upon pilers grete of jasper longe 23i> 
I saw a temple of bras y-founded stronge. 

Aboute the temple daunceden alway 
Wommen y-nowe, of whiche somme ther 

were 
Faire of hem-gelf, and somnie of hem 

were gay ; 
In kirtels, al disshevele, wente they 

there — ■ 235 

That was hir office alwcy, yeer liy yere — 
And on the temple, of doves whyte and 

faire 
Saw I sittinge many a hundred pairs 

Before the temple-dore ful soberly 
Dame Pees sat, with a curteyn in hir 

hond : 240 

And hir besyde, wonder discretly. 
Dame Pacience sitting ther I fond 
With face pale, upon an hille of sond ; 
And alder-next, within and eek with- 

oute, 244 

Behest and Art, and of hir folke a route. 

Within the temple, of syghes bote as fyr 
I herde a swogh that gan aboute renne ; 
Wliich syghes were engendred with desjrr, 
That maden every auter for to brennc 
Of newe flaume ; and wel aspyed I thenne 
That al the cause of sorwes that they 
drye 25' 

Com of the bitter goddesse Jalousye. 

The god Priapus saw I, as I wente. 
Within the temple, in soverayn place 

stonde, 
In swich aray as whan the asse him 

shente 255 

With crye by night, and with his ceptre 

in honde ; 
FvtI besily men gunno assaye and fonde 
Upon his hede to sette, of sondry hewe, 
Garlondes ful of fresshe floiires newe. 

And in a privee corner, in disporte, 26<> 
Fond I Venus and hir porter llichesse, 
That was ful noble and hauteyn of hir 

porte ; 
Derk was that place, but afterward liglit- 

nesse 
I saw a lyte, unnethe hit might be lesse, 
And on a bed of golde she lay to reste, 265 
Til that the bote sonne gan to weste. 



V. ZH (parfetnenf of ^ouke. 



105 



Hir gilte heres with a golden tlirede 
Y-bonnden were, tintressed as she lay, 
And naked fro the breste tinto the hede 
Men might hir see ; and, sothly for to 
say, 27" 

The remenant wel kevered to my pay 
Eight with a subtil kerchef of Valence, 
Ther was no thikker cloth of no de- 
fence. 

The place yaf a thousand savours swote. 
And Bachus, god of wyn, sat hir besyde, 
And Ceres next, that doth of hunger 

bote ; 276 

And, as I seide, amiddes lay Cipryde, 
To whom on knees two yonge folkes 

cryde 
To ben hir help ; but thus I leet hir lye. 
And ferther in the temple I gan espye 

That, in dispyte of Diane the chaste, 281 
Fill many a bowe y-broke heng on the 

wal 
Of maydens, suche as gunne hir tymes 

waste 
In hir servyse ; and peynted over al 
Of many a story, of which I totiche shal 
A fewe, as of Calixte and Athalaunte, 286 
And many a mayde, of which the name I 

wante ; 

Semyramiis, Candace, and Erctiles, 
Biblis, Dido, Tisbe and Piramus, 
Tristram, Isovide, Paris, and Achilles, 290 
Eleyne, Cleopatre, and Troilus, 
Silla, and eek the moder of Romulus — • 
Alio these were peynted on that other 

syde. 
And al hir love, and in what plyte they 

dyde. 

Whan I was come ayen into the place 295 
That I of spak, that was so swote and 

grene. 
Forth welk I tho, my-selven to solace. 
Tho was I war wher that ther sat a 

queue 
That, as of light the somer-sonne shene 
Passeth the sterre, right so over niesure 
She fairer was than any creature. 301 

And in a launde, upon an hille of floures. 
Was set this noble goddesse Nature ; 



Of braunches were hir halles and hir 

boures, 
Y-wrought after hir craft and hir mesure ; 
Ne ther nas foul that cometh of en- 

gendrure, 306 

That they ne were jsrest in hir jaresence. 
To take hir doom and j-eve hir audience. 

For this was on seynt Valentynes day, 
Wlian every foul cometh ther to chese 

his make, 3'° 

Of every kinde, that men thenke may ; 
And that so huge a noyse gan they 

make, 
That erthe and see, and tree, and every 

lake 
So ful was, that unnethe was ther space 
For me to stonde, so ful was al the place. 

And right as Aleyn, in the Pleynt of 
Kinde, 316 

Devyseth Nature of aray and face, 
In swioh aray men mighte[n] hir ther 

finde. 
This noble emperesse, ful of grace, 
Bad every foul to take his owne place, 320 
As they were wont alwey fro ycer to 

yere, 
Seynt Valentynes day, to stonden there. 

That is to sey, the foules of ravyne 
Were hyest set ; and than the foules 

smale. 
That eten as hem nature wolde enclyne, 
As worm, or thing of whiche I telle no 

tale ; 326 

But water-foul sat lowest in the dale ; 
And foul that liveth by seed sat on the 

grene. 
And that so fele, that wonder was to 

sene. 

Ther mighte men the royal egle finde. 
That with his sharpe look perceth the 

Sonne ; 33' 

And other egles of a lower kinde, 
Of which that clerkes wel de\'ysen conne. 
Ther was the tyrannt with his fethres 

donne 
And greye, I mene the goshauk, that 

doth pyne 335 

To briddes for his oiitrageous ravyne. 



E 3 



io6 



tU QUt'nor (poime. 



The gentil fancon, that with his feet 

distreyneth 
The kinges houd ; the hardy sperhaiik 

eke, 
The quayles foo ; the merlion that peyneth 
Him-self ful ofte, the larke for to seke ; 
Ther was the douve, witli hir eyen 

meke ; 341 

The jalous swan, ayens his deth that 

singeth ; 
Tlie oule eek, that of dethe the bode 

briugeth ; 

The crane the geaunt, with his trompes 
soune ; 

The tlieef, the chogh ; and eek the jang- 
ling pye ; 345 

The scorning jay ; the eles foo, tlie 
heroune ; 

The false lapwing, fnl of trecherye ; 

The stare, that the counseyl can bewrye ; 

The tame ruddok ; and the coward kyte ; 

The cok, that orloge is of thorpes lyte ; ^50 

The sparow, Venus sone ; the nightin- 
gale, 

That clepeth forth the fresshe leves newe ; 

The swalow, mordrer of the flyes smale 

That maken hony of floures fresshe of 
hewe ; 

The wedded turtel, with hir herte trewe ; 

The pecok, with his aungels fethres 
brighte ; 356 

The fesaunt, seorner of the cok by nighte ; 

The waker goos ; the cukkow ever iin- 

kinde ; 
The popinjay, fill of delicasye ; 
The drake, stroyer of his owne kiude ; 360 
The stork, the wreker of avoiiterye ; 
The hote cormeraunt of glotonye ; 
The raven wys, the crow with vois of 

care ; 
The throstel olde ; the frosty feldefare. 

What shiilde I seyn ? of foules every 
kinde 365 

That in this worlde ban fethres and 
stature. 

Men niighten in that place assembled 
finde 

Before the noble goddesse Nature. 

And everich of hem did his besy cure 



Benignely to chese or for to take, 370 

By hir acord, his formel or his make. 

But to the poynt — Nature held on hir 

honde 
A formel egle, of shap the gentileste 
That ever she among hir werkes fonde, 
The most benigne and the goodlieste ; 
In hir was every vertu at his reste, 376 
So ferforth, that Nature hir-self had 

blisse 
To loke on hir, and ofte hir bek to kisse. 

Nature, the vicaire of th'almyghty lorde, 
That hoot, cold, hevj', light, [and] moist 

and dreye 3811 

Hath knit by even noumbre of acorde, 
In esy vois began to speke and seye, 
' Foules, tak hede of my sentence, I 

preye. 
And, for your ese, in furthering of your 

nede, 384 

As faste as I may speke, I wol me spede. 

Ye know wel how, seynt Valentines day, 
By my statut and through my gover- 

naunce, 
Ye come for to chese — and flee your way — 
Your makes, as I prik yow with plesauuce. 
But natheles, my rightfvil ordenaunce 390 
May I not lete, for al this world to winne. 
That he that most is worthy shal beginne. 

The tercel egle, as that ye knowen wel, 
The foul royal above yow in degree. 
The wyse and worthy, secree, trewe as 

stel, 395 

The which I f formed have, as ye may see, 
In every part as hit best lyketh me, 
Hit nedeth noght his shap yow to devyse. 
He shal first chese and speken in his 

gyse. 

And after him, by order shul ye chese, 400 
After your kinde, everich as yow lyketh, 
And, as your hap is, shul ye winne or 

lese ; 
But which of yow^ that love most en- 

trj-keth, 
God sende him hir that sorest for him 

syketh.' 
And therwith-al the tercel gan she calle, 
And seyde, ' my sone, the choys is to 

thee falle, 406 



V. ZU (pavimint of 5«wfe0. 



107 



But natheles, in this condiciouu 
Mot be the choys of everich that is here, 
That she agree to his elecciovm, 409 

Wlio-so he be that shulde been hir fere ; 
This is our usage alwey, fro yeer to yere ; 
And who so may at this time have his 

grace, 
In blisful tyme he com in-to this place.' 

With hed enclyned and with ful liumble 

chere 
This royal tercel spak and taried nought ; 
' Unto my sovereyn lady, and noght my 

fere, 416 

I chese, and chese with wille and herte 

and thought. 
The formel on your hond so wel y- 

wronght, 
Whos I am al and ever wol hir serve, 
Do what hir list, to do me live or sterve. 

Beseching hir of mercy and of grace, 421 
As she that is my lady sovereyne ; 
Or let me dye jiresent in this place. 
For certes, long may I not live in peyne ; 
For in myn herte is corven every veyne ; 
Having reward [alj only to my trouthe, 426 
My dere herte, have on my wo som 
routhe. 

And if that I to hir be fovinde untrewe, 
Disobeysaunt, or wilful negligent, 
Avauntour, or in proces love a newe, 430 
I pray to you this be my jugement, 
That with these foules I be al to-rent, 
That ilke day that ever she me iinde 
To hir untrewe, or in my gilte vinkinde. 

And sin that noon loveth hir so wel as I, 
Al be she never of love me behette, 436 
Than oghte she be myn thourgh hir 

mercy. 
For other bond can I noon on hir knette. 
For never, for no wo, ne shal I lette 439 
To serven hir, how fer so that she wende ; 
Sey what yow list, my tale is at an ende.' 

Eight as the fresshe, rede rose newe 
Ayen the somer-sonne coloured is. 
Eight so for shame al wexen gan the 

hewe 
Of this formel, whan she herde al this ; 
She neyther answerde ' wel,' ne seyde 

amis. - 446 



So sore abasshed was she, til that Nature 
Seyde, ' doghter, drede yow noght, I yow 
assure. ' 

Another tercel egle spak anoon 

Of lower kinde, and seyde, ' that shal 

not be ; 450 

I love hir bet than ye do, by seynt John, 
Or atte leste I love hir as wel as ye ; 
And lenger have served hir, in my degree. 
And if she shulde have loved for long 

loving, 454 

To me allone had been the guerdoning. 

I dar eek seye, if she me finde fals, 
Unkinde, jangler, or rebel any ■svyse, 
Or jalous, do me hongen by the hals ! 
And but I here me in hir servyse 
As wel as that my wit can me suffyse, 460 
Fro poynt to poynt, hir honour for to 

save, 
Tak she my lyf, and al the good I have.' 

The thridde tercel egle answerde tho, 
' Now, sirs, ye seen the litel leyser here ; 
For every foul cryeth out to been a-go 465 
Forth with his make, or with his lady 

dere ; 
And eek Nature hir-self ne wol nought 

here. 
For tarying here, noght half that I wolde 

seye ; 
And but I speke, I mot for sorwe deye. 

Of long servyse avaunte I me no-thing, 
But as possible is me to dye to-day 471 
For wo, as he that hath ben languisshing 
Thise twenty winter, and wel happen may 
A man may serven bet and more to pay 
In half a yere,al-though hitwere no more, 
Than som man doth that hath served ful 
yore, 4/6 

I ne say not this by me, for I ne can 
Do no servyse that may my lady plese ; 
But I dar seyn, I am hir trewest man 
As to my dome, and feynest wolde hir ese ; 
At shorte wordes, til that deth me sese, 481 
I wol ben hires, whether I wake or winke, 
And trewe in al that herte may bethinke.' 

Of al my lyf, sin that day I was born, 
So gentil plee in love or other thing 485 
Ne herde never no man me beforn. 



E 5 



io8 



ZU (minor (poem0. 



Who-[so] that hadde leyser and cmining 
For to reherse hir chere and liir spoking ; 
And from the morwo gan this speche laste 
Til dounwarddrowthe sonnewonderfaste. 

The noyse of foules for to ben delivered 491 

So loude rong, ' have doon and let lis 
wcnde ! ' 

That -wel wendo I the wode had al to- 
shivered. 

' Come of ! ' they cryde, ' alias ! ye wil us 
shende ! 

Whan shal your cursed pleding have an 
cnde ? 405 

How shulde a juge eyther party leve, 

For yee or nay, ■with-outen any preve ? ' 

The goos, the cokkow, and the doke also 
So cryden ' kek, kek ! ' ' kuklcow ! ' ' quek, 

quek ! ' hye, 
That thorgh niyn eres the noyse wente tho. 
The goos seyde, ' al this nis not worth a 

flye ! 501 

Bat I can shape hereof a remedye, 
And I wol scy my verdit faire and swythe 
For water-foul, who-so he wrooth or 

hlythe.' 

'And I for worm-foul,' seyde the fool 
cukkow, 505 

' For I wol, of myi\ owne auctorite, 
For comune spede, take the charge now. 
For to delivere us is gret charity. ' 
' Ye may abyde a whyle yet, parde ! ' 
Seide the tiirtel, ' if hit he your wille 510 
A wight may speke, him were as good be 
stille. 

I am a seed-foul, oon the unworthieste, 
That wot I wel, and litel of kunninge ; 
But bet is that a wiglites tonge reste 
Than cntremeten him of such doiuge 515 
Of which he neyther rede can nor singe. 
And who-so doth, ful foule himself acloy- 

eth. 
For office uncommitted ofte anoyeth. ' 

Nature, which that alway had an ere 
To murmoiir of the lewednes behinde, 520 
With facound voys seide, ' hold your 

tonges there ! 
And I shal sone, I hope, a counseyl finde 
You to delivere, and fro this noyse iin- 

binde ; 



I juge, of every folk men shal oon calle 
To seyn the verdit for you foules alle. ' 525 

Assented were to this conclusiouu 
Tho briddes alle ; and foules of ravyne 
Han chosen first, by pleyn eleccioun. 
The tercelet of the faucon, to diffyne 529 
Al hir sentence, and as him list, termyne; 
And to Nature him gouncn to presente. 
And she accepteth him with glad entente. 

Tho tercelet seide than in this manere : 
' Ful hard were hit to preve hit by resoun 
Who loveth best this gentil formel here ; 
For everich hath swich replicacioun, 536 
That noon by skilles niaj' be broght 

a-doun ; 
I can not seen that arguments avayle ; 
Than semeth hit ther moste be batayle.' 

' Al^redy ! ' quod these ogles tercels tho. 
' Nay, sirs ! ' quod he, ' if that I dorste it 

seye, 541 

Ye doon me wrong, my tale is not y-do ! 
For sirs, no taketh noght a-gref, I preye. 
It may noght gon, as ye wolde, in this 

weye ; 
Oure is the voys that han the charge in 

honde, 545 

And to the juges dome yo moten stonde ; 

And therfor pees ! I seye, as to my Avit, 
Me wolde thinke how that the worthieste 
Of knighthode, and longest hath used hit, 
Moste of estat, of blode the gentileste, 550 
AVere sittingest for hir, if that hir leste ; 
And of these throe she wot hir-self, Itrowe, 
Wliich that he be, for hit is light to 
knowe. ' 

Tlie water-foules han her hcdes lej'd 
Togeder, and of short a'vysement, 555 

Whan everich had his large golee seyd. 
They seyden sothly, ai by oon assent, 
How that ' the goos, with hir facounde 

gent. 
That so desyreth to pronounce our nede, 
Shal telle our tale,' and preyde ' god hir 

spede. ' 560 

And for these water-foules tho began 
The goos to speko, and in hir cakelinge 
She seyde, ' pees ! now tak kepe every 
man, 



V. ■^^e ^avkmtnt of ^ouke. 



109 



And herkeneth which a reson I shal 

bringe ; 
My wit is sharjj, I love no taryinge ; 565 
I seye, I rede him, though he were my 

brother, 
But she wol love him, lat him love 

another ! ' 

' Lo here ! a parfit reson of a goes ! ' 
Quod tlie sperhaiik ; ' never mot she thee ! 
Lo, swich hit is to have a tonge loos ! 570 
Now parde, fool, yet were hit bet for 

thee 
Have holde thy pees, than shewed thy 

nycete ! 
Hit lyth not in his wit nor in his wille, 
But sooth is seyd, " a fool can noght be 

stille." ' 

The laughter aroos of gentil foules alle. 

And right anoon the seed-foul chosen 
hadde 576 

The turtel trewe, and gunne hir to hem 
calle. 

And preyden hir to seye the sothe sadde 

Of this matere, and asked what she raddo ; 

And she answerde, that pleyiily hir en- 
tente 580 

She wolde shewe, and sothly what she 
mente. 

'Nay, godforbede alovershuldechaunge ! ' 
The turtel seyde, and wex for shame al 

reed ; 
' Thogh that his lady ever-more be 

straunge, 584 

Yet let him serve hir ever, til he be deed ; 
For sothe, I preyse noght the gooses reed ; 
For thogh she deyed, I wolde non other 

make, 
I wol ben hires, til that the deth me take. ' 

' Wei bourded ! ' quod the doke, ' by my 
hat ! 589 

That men shulde alwey loven, canseles, 

Wlio can a reson finde or wit in that ? 

Dauncetli he mury tliat is mirtheles ? 

Wlio shulde recche of that is reccheles ? 

Ye, quek ! 'yit quod tlie doke, fulwel and 
faire, 

' There been mo sterres, god wot, than a 
paire ! ' 595 



' Now fy, cherl ! ' quod the gentil tercelet, 
' Out of the dunghil com that word ful 

right. 
Thou canst noght see which thing is wel 

be-set : 
Tliou farest by love as oules doon by light. 
The day hem. blent, ful wel they see by 

night ; 600 

Thy kind is of so lowe a wrechednesse, 
That what love is, thou canst nat see ne 

gesse. ' 

Tho gan the cukkow putte him fortli in 

prees 
For foul that eteth worm, and seide blyve, 
' So I, ' quod he, ' may have my make in 

pees, 605 

I recche not how longe that j'e stryve ; 
Lat eeh of hem be soleyn al hir lyve, 
This is my reed, sin tliey may not acorde ; 
This shorte lesson nedeth noght recorde. ' 

' Ye ! have the glotoun fild ynogh his 

paunche, 610 

Than are we wel ! ' seyde the merlioun ; 
' Thou mordrer of the heysugge on the 

braunche 
That broghte thee forth, thou f rewthelees 

glotoun ! 
Live thou soleyn, wormes corrupcioun ! 
For no fors is of lakke of thy nature ; 615 
Go, lewed be thou, whyl the world may 

dure ! ' 

' Now pees,' quod Nature, ' I comaunde 

here ; 
For I have herd al your opinioun. 
And in effect yet be Ave never the nere ; 
But fjTially, this is my conclusioun, 620 
Tliat she hir-self shal ban the eleccioun 
Of whom hir list, who-so be wrooth or 

blythe. 
Him that she cheest, he shal hir have as 

swythe. 

For sith hit may not here discussed be 
Who loveth hir best, as seide the tercelet, 
Thau wol I doon hir this favour, that 

she 626 

Shal have right him on whom hir herte 

is set. 
And he hir that his herte hath on hir 

knet. 



I 10 



ZH QUtnor ^oem0. 



This juge I, Nature, for I may not ly6 ; 
To noon estat I have non other y6. 630 

But as for counseyl for to chese a make, 
If hit were reson, certes, than wolde I 
Counseyle yow the royal tercel take. 
As seide the tercelet ful skilfully, 
As for the gentilest and most worthy, 635 
VMiich I have wroght so wel to my ples- 

aunce ; 
That to yow oghte been a suffisaunce.' 

With dredful vois the formel hir an- 

swerde, 
' My rightful lady, goddesse of Nature, 
Soth is that I am ever under your yerde, 
Lyk as is everiche other crea-ture, 641 
And moot be youres whyl my lyf may 

dure ; 
And therfor graunteth me my firste bone. 
And myn entente I wol yow sey right 

sone. ' 

• I graunte it you,' quod she ; and right 
anoon 645 

This formel egle spak in this degree, 

' Almighty quene, unto this yeer be doon 

I aske respit for to a\'ysen me. 

And after that to have my choys al 
free ; 

This al and som, that I wolde sf)eke and 
seye ; 650 

Ye gete no more, al-though ye do me deye. 

I wol noght serven Venus ne Cupyde 
For sothe as yet, by no manere wey.' 
' Now sin it may non other wyse betyde,' 
Quod tho Nature, ' here is no more to 

sey ; 655 

Than wolde I that these fouleswere a-wey 
Ech with his make, for tarying lenger 

here ' — • 
And seyde heni thus, as ye shul after here. 

■To you .speke I, je tercelets,' quod 

Nature, 
' Beth of good herte and serveth, alle 

three ; 660 

A yeer is not so longe to endure. 
And ech of yow peyne him, in his degree. 
For to do wel ; for, god wot, quit is she 



Fro yow this yeer ; what after so befalle. 
This entremes is dressed for you alle.' 665 

And whan this werk al broght was to an 

ende, 
To every foule Nature yaf his make 
By even acorde, and on hir wey they 

wende. 
A ! lord ! the blisse and joye that they 

make ! 669 

For ech of hera gan other in winges take, 

' And with hir nekkes ech gan other winde. 

Thanking alwey the noble goddesse of 

I kinde. 

' But first were chosen foules for to singe, 
! As yeer by yere w^as alwey liir usaunce 

To singe a roundel at hir departinge, 675 
I To do Nature honour and plesaunce. 

The note, I trowo, maked was in Fraunce ; 

The wordes were swich as ye may lieer 
finde. 

The nexte vers, as I now have in minde. 

Qui hien aime a tard ouhlie. 
'Now welcom somer, with thy Sonne 
softe, 680 

That hast this wintres weders over-shake. 
And driven awey the longe nightes blake ! 
Seynt Valentyn, that art ful hy on- 

lofte ;— 
Thus singen smale foules for thy sake — 
Now vxlcom somer, tdth thy Sonne softe, 6S5 
That hast this wintres iveders over-shake. 

Wel han they cause for to gladen ofte, 
Sith ecli of hem recovered hath his make ; 
Ful blisful may they singen whan they 
wake ; 
Now tcelcom somer, vnth thy sonne softe, 690 
Tluit liast this wintres vseders over-shake. 
And driven awey the longe nightes blake.' 

And with the showting, whan hir song 

was do, 
Tliat foules maden at hir flight a-way, 
I wook, and other bokes took me to 695 
To rede iipon, and yet I rede alway ; 
I hope, y-wis, to rede so som day 
That I shal mete som thing for to fare 698 
Tlie bet ; and thus to rede I nil not sjiare. 



Explicit tractatus de congregacione Volucrum die sancti Valentini. 



VI. cS Comipkint (o ^te Babj. 



Ill 



VI. A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY. 



I. (In seven-line stanzas.) 

The longe night, whan every creature 
Shulde have hir rest in somwhat, as by 
kinde, 
Or elles ne may hir lyf nat long endure, 
Hit falleth most in-to my woful minde 
How I so fer have broght my-self be- 
hinde, 5 

That, sauf the deeth, ther may no-thing 

me lisse. 
So desespaired I am from alle blisse. 

This same thoght me lasteth til the 

morwe. 

And from the morwe forth til hit be eve; 

Tlier nedeth me no care for to borwe, 10 

For bothe I have good leyser and good 

leve ; 
Ther is no -wight that wol me wo bereve 
To wepe y-nogh, and wailen al my fille ; 
The sore spark of peyne fdoth me spille. 

II. {In Tersa Rima ; imperfect.) 

[fThe sore spark of peyne doth me spille ;] 

This Love hath [eek] me set in swich a 

place 16 

That my desyr [he] never wol fulfiUe ; 

For neither jjitee, mercy, neither grace 

Can I nat iinde ; and -f-fro my sor^vful 

herte, 
For to be deed, I can hit nat arace. 20 
The more I love, the more she doth nae 
smerte ; 
Through which I see,with-oute remedye. 
That from the deeth I may no wyse 
asterte ; 
[fFor this day in hir servise shal I dye]. 

III. {In Terza Rima ; imperfect.) 

[fThus am I slain, with sorwes ful dy- 
verse ; 25 

Ful longe agoon I oglite have taken 
hede]. 



Now sothlj', what she bight I wol re- 
herse ; 
Hir name is Bountee, set in womanhede, 
Sadnesse in youthe, and Beautee pryde- 

lees. 
And Plesaunce, under govemaunce and 
drede ; 30 

Hir surname eek is Faire Rewthelees, 
The Wyse, y-knit un-to Good Aventure, 
That, for I love hir, -j-sleeth me giltelees. 
Hir love I best, and shal, whyl I may 
dure. 
Bet than my-self an hundred thousand 
deel, 35 

Than al this worldes richesse or crea- 
ture. 
Now hath nat Love me bestowed weel 
To love, ther I never shal have part ? 
Alias ! right thus is turned me the wheel, 
Thus am I slayn with loves fyry dart. 40 
I can but love hir best, my swete fo ; 
Love hath me taught no more of his art 
But serve alwey, and stinte for no wo. 

IV. {In ten-line stanzas.) 

[With]-in my trewe careful herte ther is 
So moche wo, and [eek] so litel blis, 45 

That w^o is me that ever I was bore ; 
For al that thing which I desyre I mis. 
And al that ever I wolde nat, I-wis, 

Tliat iinde I redy to me evermore ; 
And of al this I not to whom me pleyne. 50 

For she that mighte rae out of this 
bringe 

Ne reccheth nat whether I wepe or 
singe ; 
So litel rewthe hath she upon my peyne. 

Alias ! whan sleping-time is, than I wake, 
Whan I shulde daunce, for fere than I 

quake ; 55 

[fYow rekketh never wher I fleto or 

sinke ;] 
This bevy lyf I lede for your sake, 
Thogh ye ther-of in no wyse hede take, 



ZH Qlltnor (j)oetn0. 



[fFor on my wo j'ow deyneth not to 
thinke.] 59 

My liertes lady, and liool my lyves quene ! 
For trewly dorste I seye, as that I fele, 
Me semeth that your swete herte of stele 

Is whetted now ageynes me to kene. 

My dere herte, and best beloved fo. 
Why lyketh yow to do me al this wo, 65 
Wliat have I doon that greveth yow, or 
sayd. 
But for I serve and love yow and no mo ? 
And whylst I live, I wol "tdo ever so ; 
And therfor, swete, ne beth nat evil 
apayd. 
For so good and so fair as [that] ye be, 70 
Hit were [a] right gret wonder biit ye 

hadde 
Of alio servants, bothe goode and badde ; 
And leest worthy of alle hem, I am he. 

But never-the-les, my righte lady swete, 
Thogh that I be unconning and nnmete 75 

To serve as I best coude ay your hy- 
nesse, 
Yit is ther fayner noon, that wolde I hete, 
Than I, to do fyow ese, or elles bete 

What-so I wisto were to fyow distresse. 
And hadde I might as good as I have wille, 

Than shulde ye fele wher it wer so or 
noon ; 81 

For fin this worlde living is ther noon 
That fayner wolde your hertes wil fulfiUe. 

For bothe I love, and eek dreed yow so 

sore, 
And al gates moot, and have doon yow, 
ful yore, 85 

That bet loved is noon, ne never shal ; 
And yit I wolde beseche yow of no more 
But leveth wel, and be nat wrooth ther- 
fore. 
And lat me serve yow forth ; lo ! this 
is al. 
For I am nat so hardy ne so wood 90 

For to desire that ye shulde love me ; 
For wel I wot, alias ! that may nat be ; 
I am so litel worthy, and ye so good. 

For ye be oon the worthiest on-lyve, 
And I the most unlykly for to thry\'e ; 95 
Yit, for al this, [now] witeth ye right 
wole, 



That ye ne shiil me from your service 

dryve 
That I nil ay, with alle my wittes fyve, 

Serve yow trewly, what wo so that I fele. 

For I am set on yow in swich manere 100 

That, thogh ye never wil upon me rewe, 

I moste yow love, and fever been as 

trewe 

As any can or may on-lyve [here]. 

f The more that I love yow, goodly free. 
The lasse finde I that ye loven me ; 105 

Alias ! whan shal that harde wit a- 
mende ? 
Wlier is now al your wommanly pitee. 
Your gentilesse and your debonairtee, 

Wil ye no thing ther-of upon me 
spende ? 
And so hool, swete, as I amyoures al, no 

And so gret wil as I have yow to servo, 

Now, eertes, and ye lete me thus sterve, 
Yit have ye wonne tlier-on but a smal. 

For, at iny knowing, I do fno-thing 

why. 
And this I wol beseche yow hertely, 115 

That, ther ever ye finde, whyl ye live, 
A trewer servant to yow than am I, 
Leveth [me] thanne, and sleeth me 
hardely, 
And I my deeth to you wol al forgive. 
And if ye finde no trewer f man than me, 
[Why] will ye suffre than that I thus 
spille, '-' 

And for no maner gilt but my good 
wille ? 
As good wer thanne untrewo as trewe 
to be. 

But I, my lyf and deeth, to yow obeye. 
And with right buxom herte hoolly I 
preye, 1^5 

As [is] your moste plesure, so doth by me ; 
f Wel lever is me lyken yow and deye 
Than for to any thing or thinke or seye 
That f mighte yow offende in any tyme. 
And therfor, swete, rewe on my peynes 
snierte, 13*^ 

And of your grace gi'anteth me som 

drope ; 
For elles may me laste f blis ne hope, 
Ne f dwellen in my trouble careful herte. 



VII. ilnefiba an^ Mvcik, 



113 



VII. ANELIDA AND AECITE. 



The Compleynt of feire Anelida 
and fals Arcite. 

Proem. 
Thou ferse god of amies, Mars the rede, 
That in the frosty country called Trace, 
Within thy grisly temple fnl of dredo 
Honoured art, as patrotin of that place ! 
AVith thy Bellona, Pallas, ful of grace, 5 
Be present, and my song continue and 

At my beginning thus to thee I crye. 

For hit ful depe is sonken in my minde, 
With i^itous herte in English for t'endyte 
This olde storie, in Latin which I finde, 10 
Of queue Anelida and fals Arcite, 
That elde, which that al can frete and 

byte. 
As hit hath freten mony a noble storie. 
Hath nigh devoured out of oiu* memorie. 

Be favorable eek, thou Polymnia, 15 

On Parnaso that, with thy siistres glade. 
By Elicon, not fer from Cirrea, 
Singost with vois memorial in the shade. 
Under the laurer which that may not 

fade. 
And do that I my ship to haven winne ; 20 
First folow I Stace, and after him 

Coriune. 

TJie Story. 

lamque domos patrias, dc. ; Statii Thebais, 

xii. 519. 

Whan Theseus, with werres longe and 

grete. 
The aspre folk of Cithe had over-come. 
With laurer crouned, in his char gold- 
bete, 
Hoom to his contre-houses is y-come ; — 25 
For which the peple blisful, al andsomme, 
So cryden, that unto the sterres hit wente. 
And him to honouren dide al hir en- 
tente ; — 



Boforn this duk, in signe of hy victorie, 
The tromjies come, and in his baner large 
The image of Mars ; and, in token of 

glorie, 31 

Men mighten seen of tresor many a 

charge. 
Many a bright helm, and many a spere 

and targe. 
Many a fresh knight, and many a blisftil 

route. 
On hors, on fote, in al the felde aboute. 3^ 

Ipolita his wyf, the hardj^ queue 
Of Citliia, that he conquered hadde. 
With Emelye, hir yonge suster shene, 
Faire in a char of golde he with him ladde, 
That al the ground aboute hir char she 

spradde 40 

With brightnesso of the beautee in hir 

face, 
Fulfild of largesse and of alle grace. 

With his triumphe and laurer-crouned 

thus. 
In al the floure of fortunes yevinge, 
Lete I this noble prince Theseiis 45 

Toward Athenes in his wey rydinge. 
And founde I wol in shortly for to bringe 
The slye wey of that I gan to wrjH:e, 
Of queue Anelida and fals Arcite. 

Mars, which that through his furioiis 

coiirse of yre, 50 

The olde wrath of Juno to fulfille, 
Hath set the peples hertes bothe on fyre 
Of Thebes and Grece, everich other to 

kille 
With blody speres, ne rested never stille. 
But throng now her, now ther, among 

hem bothe, 5:^ 

That everich other slough, so wer they 

wrothe. 

For whan Amphiorax and Tydeus, 
Iljomedon, Parthonopee also 
Were dede, and slayn [was] proud Cam- 
pancus, 



114 



ZU QUtnor (poeme. 



And whan the wrecches Thebans, broth- 
eren two, 60 

Were slayii, and king Adrastns lioom 
a-go, 

So dosolat stood Thobes and so bare, 

That no wight cotide remedie of his caro. 

And whan tho oldo Creon gan espyo 
How that the blood roial was broght 

adonn, 65 

Ho hcUl the cite by his tirannyc, 
And did the gentils of that regionn 
To been his frendes, and dwellen in tho 

tonn. 
So what for love of him, and what for awe, 
The noble folk wer to the toune y-drawo. 

Among al these, Anelida the qiieno 71 
Of Ermony was in that tovin dwellinge. 
That fairer was then is tho sonne shene ; 
TluYmgh-out tho world so gan hir name 

springe. 
That hir to seen had every wight lykinge ; 
For, as of tronthc, is ther noon hir liche, 76 
Of al tho women in this worlde riche. 

Yong was this quono, of twenty yeor of 

elde. 
Of midcl statnre, and of swich fairnesse. 
That nature had a joyo hir to beheldo ; 80 
And for to speken of hir stedfastnesse. 
She passed hath Penelope and Lucrosse, 
And shortly, if she shal bo comprehended. 
In hir no mighte no-thing been amended. 

This Thoban knight [Arcite] eek, sooth to 

seyn, 85 

"Was yong, and ther-with-al a lusty knight, 

But ho was doiible in love and no-thing 

pleyn. 
And subtil in that crafto over any wight. 
And with his camning wan this lady 

bright ; 
For so foribrth ho gan hir trouthe assure. 
That she him ftrust over any creature. 91 

■^^^lat sluild I seyn ? she loved Arcito so, 
That, whan that ho was absent any throwo. 
Anon hir thoghte hir horte brast a-two ; 
Forin hir sight to hir ho bar him lowo, 95 
So that she wondo have al his herto 

y-knowo ; 
Hut he was fals ; it nas but foyncd chore. 
As uedeth not to men such craft to lero. 



But ncver-the-les ful mikel bcsinesse 
Had ho, or that ho mighte his lady winno. 
And swoor he wolde dyen for distrcsse,i()i 
Or from his wit he seydo ho woldc twinne. 
Alas, tho wliylo ! for hit was routhe and 

sinne. 
That slie upon his sorowes wolde rewo. 
But no-thing thenketh the fals as doth 

tho trowo. 105 

Hir fredom fond Arcito in swich manoro. 
That al was his that she hath, mocho or 

lyte, 
No to no creature made sho chere 
Ferther than that hit lyked to Arcite ; 
Ther was no lak with which ho mighto 

hir wyte, no 

She was so ferforth yeven him to plese. 
That al that lyked him, hit did hir ese. 

Ther nas to hir no manor lettre y-sent 
That touched love, from any n^aner 

wight. 
That sho no shewed hit him, er hit was 

brent ; 115 

So ployn she was, and did hir fvdle might, 
That she nil hyden nothing from hir 

knight. 
Lest ho of any untrouthe hir iipbreyde ; 
Withouton bode his heste she obeyde. 

And eek he made him jelous over here, 120 
That, what that any man had to hir seyd, 
Anoon he wolde ijrcyen hir to swore 
What was that word, or make him evel 

apayd ; 
Than wende sho out of hirwit havo brayd ; 
But al this nas bi\t sleight and flatoryo, 
Withouten love he feyned jolosye. 126 

And al this took sho so dobonerly. 
That al his wille, hir thoghte hit skilful 

thing. 
And ever tho longer f loved him tenderly. 
And did him honour as ho were a king, i ^c > 
Hir herto was wedded to him with a ring ; 
So ferforth upon trouthe is hir entente. 
That wher ho goth, hir herto with him 

wonte. 

Wlian sho shal ete, on him is so hir 

thoght, I.? 4 

That wcl unnothe of mote took sho keep ; 



VII. .Sneftia ani J^vciii, 



And -whan that she was to hir reste 

broght, 
On him she thoghte alwey til that she 

sleejj ; 
"WTian he was absent, prevely slie weep ; 
Thus liveth fair Anelida the quene 139 
For fals Arcite, that did hir al this tene. 

This fals Arcite, of his new-fangelnesse, 
For she to him so lowly was and trewe, 
Took lesse deyntee for hir stedfastnesse, 
And saw another lady, proud and newe,- 
And right anon he cladde him in hir 

hewe — 145 

Wot I not whether in whyte, rede, or 

grene — 
And falsed fair Anelida the quene. 

But never-the-les, gret wonder was hit 

noon 
Thogh he wer fals, for hit is kinde of 

man, 149 

Sith Lamek was, that is so longe agoon. 
To been in love as fals as ever he can ; 
He was the firste fader that began 
To lovon two, and was in bigamye ; 
And he found tentes first, but-if men lye. 

This fals Arcite sumwhat moste I16 feyne. 
Whan he wex fals, to covero his trai- 

torye, 156 

Eight as an hors, that can both byte and 

pleyne ; 
For he bar hir on honde of trecherye. 
And swoor he coude hir doublenessc 

espye. 
And al was falsncs that she to him mente ; 
Thus swoor this theef, and forth his way 

he wente. 161 

Alas ! what herte might enduren hit. 
For routhe or wo, hir sorow for to telle ? 
Or what man hath the cunning or the 

wit? 
Or what man might with-in the chambre 

dwelle, 165 

If I to him rehersen shal the helle. 
That suffreth fair Anelida the quene 
For fals Arcite, that did hir al this tene? 

She wepetli, waileth, swowneth pitously. 
To grounde deed she falleth as a stoon ; 
Al crampissheth hir limes crokedly, 171 
She speketh as hir wit were al agoon ; 



Other colour then asshen hath she noon. 
Noon other word -fslie speketh mocho or 

lyte. 
But ' mercy, cruel herte myn, Arcite !' 175 

And thus endureth, til that she was so 

mate 
That she ne hath foot on which she may 

sustene ; 
But forth languisshing ever in this estate. 
Of which Arcite hath nother rotithc ne 

tene ; 
His herte was elles-where, newe and 

grene, 180 

That on hir wo ne deyneth him not tf> 

thinke. 
Him rekketh never wher she flete or 

sinke. 

His newe lady holdeth him so narowe 
Up by the brydel, at the staves ende, 
That every word, he dradde hit as an 

arowe ; . 1S5 

Hir daunger made him bothe bowe and 

bende. 
And as hir liste, made him tairnc or 

wende ; 
For she ne graunted him in hir livinge 
No grace, why that he hath lust to singe; 

But drof him forth, unnethe liste hir 

knowe 190 

That he was servaunt -j-to hir ladyshippe. 

But lest that ho \ser proude, she held 

him lowe ; 
Thus serveth he, withouten fee or shipe. 
She sent hira now to londe, now to 
shippe ; 194 

And for she yaf him daunger al his fille, 
Therfor she had him at hir owne wille. 

Ensample of this, ye thrifty wimmen alle. 
Take here Anelida and fals Arcite, 
That for hir liste him ' dere herte ' calle, 
And was so meek, therfor he loved hir 

lyte ; 200 

The kinde of mannes herte is to delyte 
In thing that straunge is, also god me 

save ! 
For what he may not gete, that wokli; he 

have. 

Now turne we to Anelida agoyn, 

That pynetli day by day in languisshing ; 



ii6 



ZU dUtnor (poeme. 



But whan she saw that hir ne gat no 
geyn, 206 

Upon a (lay, ful sorowfiilly weping, 
She caste hir for to make a compleyning, 
And with hir owne honde she gan hit 

wryte ; 
And sento hit to hir Theban knight 
Arcito. 210 

The Compleynt of Anelida the quene 
upon fals Arcite. 

Proem. 

So thirleth with the poynt of remcm- 

hraunce, 
Tlie svverd of sorowe, y-whet with fals 
plosauncG, 
Myn hertc, bare of blis and blak of 
hewe, 
That turned is in quaking al my daunce, 
My si\retee in a-whapedcountenaunce ; 215 
Sith hit availetli not for to ben trewe ; 
For who-so trewcst is, hit shal hir 
rewe, 
That scrvcth lovo and doth hir observ- 
auuce 
Alwey to oon, and ehaungeth for no 
newe. 

(Stroi^he.) 

1. 

I wot my-solf as wcl as any wight ; 220 
For I loved oon with al nay herte and 
might 
More then my-self, an hundred thou- 
•sand sytho, 
And called him mj' hertes lyf, my knight, 
And was al his, as for as hit was right ; 
And whan that ho was glad, than was 
1 blytlie, 225 

And his disese was my dceth as sw^'tho ; 
And he ayein his troutho me had plight 
For ever-more, his lady me to kythc. 

2. 

Now is ho fals, alas ! and oausoles. 
And of my wo ho is so routheles, 2,?i) 

That with a wordo him list not ones 
deyne 
To bring ayein my sorowfnl herte in pees, 
•For he is caught uji in a-nother lees. 



Eight as him list, he laugheth at my 

peyne, 234 

And I ne can myn herte not restreyne. 

That I ne love him alwey, never-the-les ; 

And of al this I not to whom me plejnie. 

3. 

And shal I pleyne — alas ! the hardo 

stounde — ■ 
Un-to my foo that yaf m5' herte a wound e. 

And yet desyreth that myn harm b(> 
more? 2411 

Nay, certes ! ferther wol I never f founde 
Non other help, my sores for to sounde. 

My destinee hath shapen it ful yore ; 

I wil non other medecyne ne lore ; 
I wil ben ay ther I was ones bounde, 245 

That I have seid, bo seid for ever-more ! 

4. 

Alas ! wher is become your gentilesse ! 
Your wordes fviUe of plesaunce and hum- 
blcsse ? 

Your observaiinces in so low manere, 
And j'our awayting and yoair besinesse 250 
Upon me, that ye calden your maistresse. 

Your sovereyn lady in this worlde herey 

Alas ! and is ther nother word ne chere 
Ye vouchesanf upon myn hevinesse ? 

Alas ! your love, I bye hit al to dere. 255 

5. 

Now certes, swete, thogh that yo 
Thus causeles the cause be 
Of my dedly adversitee. 

Your manly reson oghte it to rospj'to 
To slee your frend, and namely me, 260 
That never yet in no degree 
Oifonded yow, as wisly he. 

That al wot, out of wo my soule quytc ! 
IT But for I shewed yow, Arcite, 
Al that men woldo to me wryte, 265 
And was so besy, yow to delyte — 

My honour save — meke, kinde, and free, 
Therfor ye piitte on mo the -vvyte, 
And of me recche not a myte, 
Thogh that the swerd of sorow byte 270 

My wol'ul herte through your crucltee. 

6. 

My swete foo, why do ye so, for shame? 
And thcnke ye that furthered be your 
name, 



VII. dRneftia drx^ M,vcik. 



117 



To love a newe, and been iintrowe ? 
nay ! 
And putte yow in sclaunder now and 
blame, 275 

And do to me adversitee and g^ame, 
That love yow most, god, wel thou 

wost ! alway ? 

Yet turn ayeyn, and be al plcyn soni 

day, 

And than slial this that now is mis bo 

game, 279 

And al for-yivc, whjl that I live may. 

{Antistro2}he.) 



Lo ! herte myn, al this is for to seyue. 
As whether shal I preye or elles pleyne ? 

Whiche is the wey to doon yow to be 

trewe ? 

For either mot I have yow in my cheyne. 

Or with the detho ye mot departe us 

tweyne ; 285 

Ther ben non other mene weyes newe ; 

For god so wisly on my soule rewe. 
As verily yo sleeu me with the jjejaie ; 

That may ye see unfeyned of myn hewe. 



For thus ferforth have I my deth [y]- 
soght, 290 

Mj'-self I mordro with my prevy thoght ; 
For sorow and routhc of your unkiude- 
nesse 
I wepe, I wake, I faste ; al helpeth noght ; 
I weyve joye that is to speke of oght, 
I voyde companye, I flee gladnesse ; 295 
Who may avaunto hir bet of hevinesso 
Then I ? and to this plyte have yo me 
broght, 
Withouto gilt ; mo nedetli no witnesso. 



And sholde I preye, and weyve woman- 

hede ? 
Nay ! rather deth then do so foul a dede. 
And axe mercy gilteles ! what node? 301 
And if I pleyne what lyf that I lede, 
Yow rekketh not ; that know I, out of 
drede ; 
And if I unto yow myn othes bede 



For myn excuse, a scorn shal bo my 

mode ; 305 

Yoiir chere floureth, bi\t hit wol not sede ; 

Ful longo agoon I oghto have take hede, 

4. 

For thogh I hadde yow to-morow ageyn, 
I might as wel holdo Averill fro reyn. 

As holde yow, to make yow stedfast. 310 
Almighty god, of trouthe sovereyn, 
Wher is the trouthe of man ? who hath 
hit sloyn ? 

Who that hem lovoth shal heni fyndo 
as fast 

As in a tempest is a roten mast. 
Is that a tame best that is ay feyn 315 

To renne away, when he is leest agast ? 



Now mercy, swete, if I misseye, 
Have I seyd oght amis, I preye ? 
I not ; my wit is al aweyo. 

I fare as doth the song of Chauntc-jdeiire. 
For now I pleyne, and now I pleye, 321 
I am so mased that I deyo, 
Arcite hath born awey the keye 

Of al my worlde, and my good aventure ! 
TT For in this worlde nis creature 325 
Wakinge, in more discomfiture 
Then I, ne more sorow endure ; 

And if I slepo a furlong wey or tweye. 
Than thinketh me, that your figure 
Before mo stant, clad in asure, 330 

To profren eft a newe assure 

For to be trewe, and naercy me to prej^e. 

6. 

The longe night this wonder sight I 

drye. 
And on the day for this afray I dye, 334. 
And of al this right noght, y-wis, j'o 
recche. 
Ne never mo myn yen two bo drye, 
And to your routho and to your trouthe 
I crye. 
But welawcj' ! to for be they to fecche ; 
Thvis holdeth me my destinee a 
wrecche. 339 

But me to rede out of this drede or gye 
Ne may my wit, so weyk is hit, not 
streccho. 



ii8 



ZH Q1\inor (poeme. 



C'onchision. 

Than ende I tlms, sith I may do no 

more, 
I yeve hit up for now and ever-more ; 

For I shal never oft putten in balaunce 

My sekernos, ne lerne of love tlie 

lore. 345 

But as the swan, T luive liord seyd ful 

yore, 

Ayeins his doth shul singe in liis 

pcnaunoo. 
So singe I here my destiny or chaunec. 



How that Arcite Anolichi so sore 

Hath thirled with the poynt of remem- 
braunco ! 350 

Tke story continued. 
Whan that Anelida this woful quene 
Hath of hir liando writen in this wyse, 
With face deed, betwixe pale and grene, 
She fel a-swowo ; and sith she gan to ryse. 
And unto Mars avoweth saerilyse 355 

With-in the temple, with a sorowful 

chere, 
That shajjon was as ye shal after here. 357 



(Unfinished.) 



Vni. CHAUCERS WORDES UNTO ADAM, 
HIS OWNE SCRIVEYN. 



Adam scriveyn, if ever it thee bifallo 
Boeco or Troilns to wryten ncwe. 
Under thy lokkcs thou most have the 

scalle, 
But after my making thou wryte trewe. 



I So ofte a dayo I mot thy werk rencwe, 5 
Hit to correcte and eek to nibbe and 

scrai>e ; 
And al is through thy negligence and 

rape. 



IX. THE FORMER AGE. 



A iii.iSFUL lyf, a paisible and a sweto 

Leddon the pcplcs in the former age ; 

They holde hem payed -[-of fruites, that 
they etc. 

Which that the foldes yave hem by visage ; 

They ne were nat forpampred with out- 
rage ; 5 

Unknowen was the <ini>rn and cok the 
melle ; 

They eten mast, hawos, and swich poun- 
age. 

And dronken water of the coldo wello. 



Yit nas the ground nat wounded with 

the xdough, 
But corn up-sprong, unsowe of manne:^ 

hond, _ 111 

The which they fgniden, and eote nat 

half y-nough. 
No man yit knew the forwes of his lond ; 
No man the I'yr out of the flint yit 

fond ; 
Un-korven and im-grobbed lay the \'>-ne ; 
No man yit in the morter spyces grond 15 
To clarre, no to sauso of galantync. 



VIII. (5S)orie0 uttfo cR^am.— X. ^^rfune. 



119 



No mader, welde, or wood no litestere 
Ne knew ; the flees was of his former 

hewe ; 
No flesh ne wisto offence of cgge or spere ; 
No coyn ne knew man which was fals or 

trewe ; 20 

No ship yit karf the wawes grene and 

blewe ; 
No marchaunt yit 110 fette outlandish 

ware ; 
No -f-trompes for the werres folk ne knewe, 
No toures heye, and walles roundo or 

square. 

What sholde it han avayled to wcrreye ? 25 
Ther lay no profit, ther was no richesse, 
But cursed was the tyme, I dar wel seye, 
That men first dide hir swety bysinesse 
To grobbe vip metal, lurkinge in dark- 

nesse, 
And in the riveres first gemmes soghte. 30 
Alias ! than sprong up al the ctirsednesse 
Of covetyse, that first our sorwe broghte ! 

Thise tyraunts putte hem gladly nat in 

pres, 
No fwildnesse, ne no busshes for to winne 
Ther poverte is, as seith Diogenes, 35 

Ther as vitaile is eek so skars and thinne 
That noght but mast or apples is ther- 

inne. 
But, ther as bagges been and fat vitaile, 
Ther wol they gon, and s^jare for no sinne 
\yith al hir ost the cite for t'assaile. 40 



Yit were no paleis-cliaumbres, ne non 

halles ; 
In caves and [in] wodes softo and swete 
Slepten this blissed Iblk with-oute walles. 
On gras or leves in parfit fquiete. 
No doun of fetheres, ne no bleched 

shcte 45 

Was kid to hem, but in senrtee they 

slepte ; 
Hir hortes were al oon, with-oute galles, 
Everich of hem his feith to other kepte. 

Unforged was the hauberk and the islate ; 
The lambish peple, voyd of alio vyce, 50 
Hadden no fantasye to debate. 
But ech of hem wolde other wel cherycc ; 
No pryde, non envye, non avaryce, 
No lord, no taylage by no tyrannye ; 
Hiimblesse and i)eos, good feith, the em- 
perice, 55 

[•f- Fulfilled erthe of olde curtesye.] 

Yit was not Jupiter the likerous. 
That first was fader of dclicacye. 
Come in this world ; ne Nembrot, de- 

siroiis 
To reynen, had nat maad his toures 

hye. 60 

Alias, alias ! now may men wepe and 

cryo ! 
For in our dayes nis but covetyse 
[And] doublenesse, and tresoun and envye, 
Poysoun, manslauhtre, and mordre in 

sondry wyse. 64 



Finit Etas prima. Chaucers. 



X. FOETUNE. 



Balades de visage sanz peinturc. 

I. Le Pleintif countre Fortune. 

Tins wrccched worhlos transmutacioun. 
As welo or wo, now povre and now 

honour, 
With-outen ordre or wys discrecioun 
Governed is by Fortunes errour ; 
But natheles, the lak of hir favour 5 



Ne may nat don me singen, though I dye, 
' lay tout perdu inon temps et mon labour r 
For fynally, Fortune, I thee defye ! 

Yit is me left the light of my resoun, 
To knowen frend fro fo in thy mirour. lu 
So muche hath yit thy whirling up and 

doun 
Y-taught me for to knowen in an hour. 
But trewcly, no force of thy rcddour 



I20 



ZU QUinor (poeme. 



To him that over him-self hath the mays- 

tryo ! 
My snffisaunco shal bo my socour : 15 

For fynally, Fortune, I thee defyo ! 

Socrates, thoxi stedfast champioun. 
She never mighte bo thy tormentoiir ; 
Thon never dreddest hir opjiressioun, 
Ne in hir cliore foiindo thou no savour. 20 
Thou kncwe wel doeoit of hir cohmr. 
And that hir niosto worshipo is to lyo. 

1 knowo hir ock a fals dissimnhmr : 
For lynally. Fortune, I thee defyo ! 

II. La respounse de Fortune an Pleintif. 

No man is wrecchcd, Imt liim-solf liit 

weno, 25 

And he tliat liath liini-sclf liath suf- 

lisaune(\ 
Why scystovv thanno I am to thee so 

kene, 
Thathastthy-selfoutof mygovernaunco? 
Sey thus : ' Graunt mercy of thj'u ha- 

bouudaiTnco 
Tliat thou hast lent or this.' Why wolt 

thou stryvo '? 30 

Wliat wostow jit, lu)w I tlico wol 

avauncc ? 
And eelc thou hast tliy boste frond alyvo ! 

I have thee tavight divisioiin bi-twone 
Frend of effect, and frend of counten- 

avinco ; 
Thee nedoth nat llio gallo of noon 

hyeno, 35 

That ciarcth c.ycn derko i'ro hir jienaunco ; 
Now seostow floor, that wore in ignor- 

aunco. 
Yit halt tliyn ancro, and yit tliou mayst 

arryvo 
Ther bountee berth tlie keyo of my sub- 

staunco : 3 » 

And eelc thou hast tliy besto frend alyvo. 

•How many have I refused to sustene, 
Sin I thee fostred have in thy plesaunce ! 
Woltow than make a statut on thy queno 
That I shal been ay at thyn ordinauuee ? 
Thou born art in my regno of variaunce. 



Aboute the wheel with other most thou 
dryvo. 4*^ 

My lore is hot than wikke is thy grev- 
annco, 

And ock thou hast thy boste fiond alj've. 

III. La respounse du Pleintif 
countre Fortune. 

Tlij' lore I dampno, hit is adversitee. 
My frend ma.ystow nat reven, blind god- 

desse ! 51 > 

That I thy frondes knows, I tlianko hit 

thoe. 
Tak horn agayn, lat hem go lye on presse ! 
Tlio nogardyo in keping hir richesse 
l'i'oni)stik is thou wolt hir tour assayle ; 
Wikko appotyt comth ay before soknosse: 
In general, this reulo may nat faylo. 56 

La respounse de Fortune countre 
le Pleintif. 
Thou pinchest at my mutabilitee, 
For I thoe lente a drope of my richesse, 
And now mo lyketh to with-drawo me. 
AVhy sholdostow my roaltee opprcsso ? 60 
The seo may obbe and llowen more or lesse ; 
The welkno hath might to shyno, reyne, 

or haylo ; 
Ivight so mot I kytlien my brotelnesse. 
In general, this reule may nat fayle. 

Lo, th'execucion of the magestee 65 

That al purveyeth of his rightwisnesse. 
That same thing ' Fortune ' clepen ye, 
Yo blindo bostos, ful of lewednesso ! 
The hevone hath proiiroteo of sikornessc. 
This world hath ever rosteles travayle ; 70 
Thy lasto day is endo of myn introsse : 
In general, this reule may nat fayle. 

Lenvoy de Fortune. 

Princes, I prey you of j-our gentilosse, 
I>at nat this raan on me thus crye and 

ploy no, 
And I shal quj'te you your bisinesse 75 
At nij^ roquosto, as three of youortweyne; 
And, but j-ou list releve him of his peyne, 
Proyoth his beste frond, of his noblesse. 
That to som bcter estat ho mayattoyne. 79 



Explicit. 



XI. QUercife© (§tauk. xii. Zo (Roeentounbe. 121 



XL MEECILES BEAUTE : A TKIPLE EOUNDEL. 



I. (Jdptivitij. 

Your ySn two wol slee me sodenly, 
I may the beautfe of hem not snstene, 
So woimdoth hit througli-out my herto 
kene. 

And but yoitr word wol helcn hastily 
My hertes woundc, whyl that hit is grenc, 
Yuur yen two icol slee me sodenly, 6 

J may the beautH of hem not sustene. 

I^pon my trouthe I sey yow i'eitlifully, 

That ye ben of my lyf and dooth the qiiene ; 

For with my deeth the trouthe shal be sene. 

Your yiin two ivul slee me sodenly, 1 1 

J may the beantd of hem not sttstene, 

So woundeth hit through-out my herte kene. 

II. liejectlon. 

So hath your beau^te fro your lierte chacod 

Pitee, that me ne availotli not to pleyne ; 

For Daunger halt your mercy in his 

cheyne. i6 

Giltles my deeth thus lian ye me pur- 

cliaced ; 
I sey yow sooth, mo nodeth not to feyne ; 



So hidh your hraidf fro your herte chaced 
I'itee, that me ne availeth not to i)lcyne. .-u 

Alias! that nature hatli in yow com- 
passed 
So greet beauti, that no man may iitteyne 
To mercy, though he starve lor the pcyne. 
So hath your beautd fro your herte chaced 
I'itee, that me ne availeth not to x)leyne; 25 
For Daunger halt your mercy in his cheyne. 

III. Escape. 
Sin I iro Love escaped am so ftvt, 
I never thenk to ben in his i)rison lene ; 
Sin I am free, I counte him not a bene. 

He may answcre, and seye this or that ; 30 
I tlo no fors, I speke right as I niene. 
Sin I fro Love escai)ed am so .fat, 
I never thenk to ben in his 2>rison lene. 

Love hath my name y-striko out of iiis 

sclat. 
And he is strike out of my bokes clene 35 
For ever-mo ; -|-ther is non other mene. 
Sin I fro Love escaxxd am so fat, 
I never thenk to ben in his prison lene ; 
Siti I am free, I counte him not a bene. 39 



Explicit. 



XTI. TO ROSEMOUNDE. A BALADE. 



Madame, ye ben of al beauti) shrync 
As fer as cercled is the maispemounde ; 
For as the cristal glorious ye shyne. 
And lyko rul)y ben your cliekes roundo. 
Tlierwith ye ben so mery and so jocounde, 
TJiat at a revel whan tliat I see you 
daunce, 6 

It is an oynement imto my wounde, 
Thogh ye to m.e ne do no daliaunce. 



For thogh I wepe of teres fal a tyne, 
Yet may that wo myn herte nat con- 

founde ; 10 

Your "l-seemly voj'S that ye so "t-smul out- 

t^\'yno 
Makotli my thoght in joyo and blis 

habounde. 
So curtcisly I go, with lovii boundo. 
That to my-self I sey, in my penaunce, 



ZU (Dltnor (po^me. 



Suifysetli me to love you, Rosemounde, 15 
Tiiogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce. 

Xas never pyk walwed in galauntyne 
As I in love am walwed and y-wonude ; 
For ■which ful ofte I of my-self di\-yne 

Tregentil. 



That I am trewe Tristam the secounde. 20 
My love may not refreyd be nor afounde ; 
I brenne ay in an amorous plesaunce. 
Do what yon list, I wil your thral be 

founde, 
Thogh ye to me ne do no daliaunce. 24 

Chaucer. 



XIII. TRUTH. 



Balade de bon conseyl. 

Flee fro the prees, and dwelle with soth- 

fastnesse, 
Suffyce imto th_y good, though hit be 

smal; 
For hord hath hate, and climbing tikel- 

nesse, 
Prees hath en\^e, and wele blent overal ; 
Savoiir no more than thee bihove shal ; 5 
Werk wel thy-self, that other folk canst 

rede ; 
And trouthe shal delivere, hit is no drede. 

Tempest thee noght al croked to redi-esse. 
In trust of liir that turneth as a bal : 
Gret reste stant in litel besinesse ; 10 

And eck be war to sporne ageyn an al ; 
Strj'^-e noght, as doth the crokke with 

the wal. 
Daunte thy-self, that dauntest otheres 

dede ; 
And trouthe shal delivere, hit is no drede. 



That thee is sent, receyve in buxumnesse, 
The wrastling for this worlde axeth a 

fal. 16 

Her nis non lioom, her uis but wilder- 

nesse : 
Forth, pilgrim, forth ! Forth, beste, out 

of thy stall 
Know thy contree, look up, thank God 

ofal; 
Hold the hye wej-, and lat thy gost thee 

lede : 20 

And trouthe shal delivere, hit is no drede. 

Envoy. 

Therfore, thou vache, leve thyii old 

wrecchednesse 
Unto the worlde ; leve now to be thral ; 
Crye hini mercy, that of his by goodnesse 
Made thee of noght, and in especial 25 
Draw imto him, and pray in general 
For thee, and eek for other, hevenlich 

mede ; 27 

And trotithe shal delivere, hit is no drede. 



Explicit Le bon counseill de G. Chaucer. 



XIV. GENTILESSE. 



Moral Balade of Chaucer. 

The firste stok, fader of geutilesse — 
Wliat man that claymeth gentil for to be. 
Must folowo his trace, and alle his wittes 

dresse 
Vertvi to sewe, and vyces for to flee. 
For unto vertu longeth dignitee, 5 



And noght the revers, saufly dar I deme, 
Al were he mj^:re, croune, or diademe. 

This firste stok was ful of rightwisnesse, 
Trewe of his word, sobre, pitous, and 

free, 
Clene of his goste, and loved besinesse, 10 
Ageinst the vyce of slouthe, in honestee ; 



XIII. Cruf0.— XVI. jEenvo^ a ^co^an. 



123 



And, but his heir love vertu, as dide he, 
He is noght gentil, thogh he riche seme, 
Al were he mytre, croi^ne, or diademe. 

Vyce may wel be heir to old richesse ; 15 
But ther may no man, as men may wel see, 



Bequethe his heir his vertuous noblesse 
That is apjiropred unto no degree, 
But to the firste fader in magestee, 
That ■j-niaketh him his heir, that can him 
quenie, 20 

Al were he mytre, croune, or diademe. 



XY. LAK OF STEDFASTNESSE. 



Balade. 

SoM tyme this world was so stedfast and 

stable, 
That mannes word was obligacioiin, 
And now hit is so fals and deceivable, 
That word and deed, as in conclusioun, 
Ben no-thing lyk, for turned up so doun 5 
Is al this world for mede and wilfulnesse, 
That al is lost for lak of stedfastnesse. 

What maketh this world to be so variable, 
But lust that folk have in dissensioun ? 
Among us now a man is holde unable, 10 
But-if he can, by som coUusioun, 
Don his neighbour wrong or oppressioun. 
What causeth this, but wilful wrecched- 

nesso. 
That al is lost, for lak of stedfastnesse ? 



Trouthe is put doun, resoun is holden 
fable ; 15 

Vertu hath now no dominacioun, 

Pitee exyled, no man is merciable. 

Through covetyse is blent discrecioun ; 

The world hath mad a permutacioun 

Fro right to wrong, fro trouthe to fikel- 
nesse, 20 

That al is lost, for lak of stedfastnesse. 

Lenvoy to King Richard. 

O prince, desyre to be honourable. 
Cherish thy folk and hate extorcioun ! 
Suffre no thing, that may be reprevable 
To thyn estat, don in thy regioiin. 25 

Shew forth thy swerd of castigacioun, 
Dred God, do law, love trouthe and worthi- 
nesse, 27 

And wed thy folk agein to stedfastnesse. 



Explicit. 



XVI. LENVOY DE CHAUCEE A SCOGAN. 



To-BROKEN been the statutshye inhevene 
That creat were eternally to dure, 
Sith that I see the brighte goddes sevene 
Mow wepe and wayle, and passioun en- 
dure, 
As may in erthe a mortal creature. 5 

Alias, fro whennes may this thing ]3ro- 

cede ? 
Of whiche errour I deye almost for drede. 



By worde eterne wliylom was hit shape 
That fro the fifte cercle, in no manere, 
Ne raighte a drope of teres doun es- 
cape. 10 
But now so wepeth Venus in hir spere, 
That with hir teres she wol drenche lis 

here. 
Alias, Scogan ! this is for thyn offence ! 
Thou causest this deluge of pestilence 



th Qntnor (poewe. 



Hast thou not seyd, in blaspheme of this 

goddes, 15 

Through pryde, or through thy grete 

rakeliiosso, 
Swich tiling as in tlio hxwe of love for- 

hode is ? 
That, for thy lady saw nat thy distresse, 
Therfor thou yave hir up at Micholmesso ! 
Alias, Scogan ! of olde folk no yongo 20 
Was never erst Scogan blamed for his 

tonge ! 

ThoiT drowe in scorn C'vipydo cek to record 
Of thilke rebel word that thou hast spoken, 
For which he wol no lenger bo thy lord. 
And, Scogan, thogh his bowo bo. nat 
broken, 25 

He wol nat with his arwes been y-wroken 
On thoe, no me, ne noon of our figure ; 
Weshulof him have ueyther hurt ne cure. 

Now certes, frend, I drede of thj'u un- 

happe. 
Lest for thy gilt the wreche of Love pro- 

ecde 30 

On alle hem that ben bore and rounde of 

shape, 



That ben so lykly folic in love to spede. 
Than shul we for our labour ban no mede ; 
But wel I wot, thou wilt answere and seye : 
' Lo ! olde Grisel list to ryme and pleye I ' 

Nay, Scogan, sey not so, for I m'excuse, 36 
God help me so ! in no rym, doiitelees, 
Ne thinke I never of slciie wak my muse, 
That riisteth in my shethe stille in pees. 
Whyl I was yong, I putte hir forth in 
prees, 41 > 

But al shal passe that men prose or ryme ; 
Take every man his turn, as for his tyme. 

Envoy. 

Scogan, that knelest at the stremes heed ' 
Of grace, of alio honour and worthinesse, 
In th'ende of which streme - I am dul as 

deed, 45 

Forgete in solitarie wildernesse ; 
Yet, Scogan, thenke on Tullius kinde- 

nesse, 
Minne thy frend, ther it may fructifyc ! 
Far-wol, and lok thou never eft Love 

del'ye ! A') 



1 I. e. Windesore. 



- I.e. Grenewicli. 



XVII. LENVOY I)E CHAUCER A BUKTON. 



The counseil of Chaucer touching 
Manage, which was sent to Bukton. 

My maister Bukton, whan of Cristo C)ur 

kingo 
Was axed, what is trouthc or sotbfast- 

nesse. 
He nat a word answerde to that aiinge, 
As who saith : ' no man is al trowe, ' 

I gesse. 
And therfor, thogh I highte to cxpresse 
The sorwo and wo that is in mariage, 6 
I dar not wryte of hit no wikkcdnesso, 
Lest I my-self falle eft in swich dotage. 

I wol nat sejTi, how that bit is the cheyne 
Of Sathanas, onwhichhe giiawethever, 10 



But I dar seyn, were he out of liis peyne, 
As by his wille, he wolde be bountle 

never. 
But thilke doted fool that eft hath lever 
Y-cheyned be than out of prisoun crepe, 
God Icto him never fro bis wo dissever, 15 
Ne no man him bowayle, though ho wepe. 

Bvit yit, lest thou do worse, tak a wyf ; 
Bet is to weddo, than brenne in worse 

wyso. 
But thou slialt have sorvve on thy tlosh, 

thy lyf. 
And been thy wyves thral, as seyn these 

wyso ; -" 

And if that holy writ may nat suflf\-se. 
Experience shal thee teche, so mayliappe, 



XVIII. ZU €om\>k^nt of (^enue. 



125 



That thee were lever to be take in Fryse 
Than eft to falle of wedding in the trappe. 

Envoy. 
Tliis litel writ, proverbes, or figiire 25 
I sende j'ou, tak kepe of liit, I rede : 



Unwys is he that can no wele endure. 
If thou be siker, put thee nat in drede. 
Tlie Wyf of Bathe I pray you that yo rede 
Of this matere that we have on honde. 30 
God graunte yon yovir lyf frely to lede 
In fredom : for ful liai'd is to be bonde. 



Explicit. 



XVIII. THE COMPLEYNT OF VENUS. 



I. {The Lover's worthiness.) 

TnER nis so hy comfort to my plesaunce, 
Whan that I am in any hevinesse, 
As for to have leyser of remembraunce 
Upon the manhod and the worthinesse, 
Upon the trouthe, and on the stedfastnesse 
Of him whos I am al, whyl I may dure ; 6 
Tlier oghte blame me no creature, 
For every wight jjreiseth his gentilesse. 

In him is bountee, wisdoin, governaunce 
Wei more then any mannes wit can gesse ; 
For grace hath wold so ferforth him 
avaunce 11 

That of knighthode he is parfit richesse. 
Honour honoureth him for his noblesse ; 
Tlierto so wel hath formed him Nature, 
Tliat I am his for ever, I him assure, 15 
For every wight preiseth his gentilesse. 

And not-withstanding al his suffisaunce, 
His gentil lierte is of so greet humblesse 
To me in worde, in werke, in contenaunce, 
And me to serve is al his besinesse, 20 
That I am set in verrey sikernesse. 
Thus oghte I blesse wel myn aventnre, 
Sith that him ] ist me serven and honoure ; 
For every wight preiseth his gentilesse. 

II. {Disquietude caused by Jealousy.) 

Now certes. Love, hit is right covenable 
That men fvxl dere bye thy noble thing, 26 
As wake a-bedde, and fasten at the table, 
Weping to laughe, and singe in com- 

pleyning, 
And doun to caste visage and loking. 



Often to chaungen hewe and contenaunce, 
-f-Pleyne in sloping, and dremen at the 
daunce, 31 

Al the revers of any glad feling. 

Jalousye be hanged by a cable ! 
She wolde al knowe through hir espying ; 
Ther dotli no wight no-tliing so resonable, 
That al nis harm in hir imagening. 36 
Thus dere abought is love, in yeving. 
Which ofte he yiveth witli-oute ordin- 

aunce. 
As sorow ynogh, and litel of plesaunce, 
Al the revers of any glad feling. 40 

A litel tyme his yift is agreable, 
But fill encomberoiis is the using ; 
For sotel Jalousye, the deceyvable, 
Ful often-tyme causeth destourbing. 
Thus be we ever in drede and suffering, 
In nouncerteyn we languisshe in pen- 

aunce, 46 

And ban ful often many an hard mes- 

chaunce, 
Al the revers of any glad feling. 

III. {Satisfaction in Constancy.) 

But certes. Love, I sey nat in sucli wyse 
That for t'escape out of your lace I mente; 
For I so longe have been in yourservyse 51 
That for to lete of wol I never assente ; 
No force thogh Jalousye me tormente ; 
SufFyceth me to see him whan I niay, 54 
And therfore certes, to myn ending-day 
To love him best ne shal I never repente. 

And certes, Love, whan I me wel avyse 
On any estat that man may represente, 



126 



ZU QUtnor (pome. 



Than have ye maked me, through your 

franchyse, 
Chese the best that ever on erthe wente. 
Now love wel, herte, and look thou never 

stente ; 61 

And let the jelous putte hit in assay 
That, for no peyne wol I nat sey nay ; 
To love him best ne slial I never repente. 

Herte, to thee hit oghte y-nogh sufFyse 65 
That Love so liy a grace to thee sente, 
To chese the worthiest in alle wyse 
And most agreahle unto myn entente. 
Seche no ferther, neyther wey ne wente, 
Sith I have suffisaunce unto my pay. 70 
Thus wol I ende this compleynt or lay ; 
To love him hest ne shal I never repente. 



Lenvoy. 

Princess, receyveth this compleynt in 

gree, 
Unto your excellent henignitee 

Direct after my litel suffisaunce. 75 

For eld, that in my spirit dulleth me. 
Hath of endyting al the soteltee 

Wel ny bereft out of my remem- 

braunce ; 
And eek to me hit is a greet pen- 
aunce, 
Sith rym in English hath swich scarsitee, 
To folowe word by word the curiositee 81 
Of Graunson, flour of hem that make 
in Fraunce. 



XIX. THE COMPLEINT OF CHAUCEE TO HIS 
EMPTY PUKSE. 



To you, my purse, and to non other wight 
Compleyne I, for ye be my lady dere ! 
I aiQ so sory, now that ye be light ; 
For certes, but ye make me heyy chere. 
Me were as leef be leyd up-on my here ; 5 
For whiche iTn-to your mercy thus I crye : 
Beth hevy ageyn, or elles mot I dye ! 

Now voucheth sauf this day, or hit be 

night. 
That I of you the blisful soun may here. 
Or see your colour lyk the sonne bright. 
That of yelownesse hadde never pere, 1 1 
Ye be my lyf, ye be rnyn hertes stere. 
Queue of comfort and of good companye : 
Beth hevy agej'n, or elles mot I dye ! 



Now purs, that be to me my lyves light, 15 
And saveour, as doun in this worlde here, 
Out of this toune help me through your 

might, 
Sin that ye wole nat been my tresorere ; 
For I am shave as nye as any frere. 
But yit I pray un-to your curtesye : 20 
Beth hevy ageyn, or elles mot I dye ! 

Lenvoy de Chaucer. 

O conquerour of Brutes Albioun ! 
Wliich that by lyne and free eleccioun 
Ben verray king, this song to you I sende ; 
And ye, that moweu al our harm amende, 
Haveminde up-on my supplicacioun ! 26 



XX. PEOVERBS. 



Proverbe of Chaucer. 



What shul thise clothes fmany-fold, 
Lo ! this liote somers day ? — ■ 

After greet heet cometh cold ; 
No man caste his pilche away. 



IL 



Of al this world the wyde compas 
Hit wol not in myn armes tweyne.- 

Wlio-so mochel wol embrace 
Litel therof he shal distreyne. 



Mpp<tni>ix. 



in 



APPENDIX. 



[The following Poems are also probably genuine; but are placed here 
for lack of external evidence.] 



XXI. AGAINST WOMEN UNCONSTANT. 



Balade. 

Madame, for your newe-fangelnesse, 
Many a servaunt have ye put out of grace, 
I take my leva of your unstedfastnesse, 
For wel I wot, whyl ye liave lyves space. 
Ye can not love ful half yeer in a place ; 5 
To newe thing your lust is ever kene ; 
lu stede of blew, thus may ye were al 
grene. 

Eight as a mirour nothing may enpresse. 
But, lightly as it cometh, so mot it pace, 
So fareth your love, your werkes bereth 
witnesse. 10 

Ther is no feith that may your lierte en- 
brace ; 



But, as a wedercok, that turneth his face 
With every wind, ye fare, and that is 

sene ; 
In stede of blew, thus may ye were al 

grene. 

Ye might be shryned, for your brotelnesse, 
Bet than Dalyda, Creseide or Can dace ; 16 
For ever in chaiinging fstant your siker- 

nesse, 
That tache may no wight fro your herte 

arace ; 
If ye lese oon, ye can wel tweyn ]3urchace ; 
Al light for somer, ye woot wel what I 

mene, 20 

In stede of blew, thus may ye were al 

grene. 



Explicit. 



XXII. AN AMOROUS COMPLEINT. (COMPLEINT 
DAMOUES.) 



An amorous Compleint, made at 
Windsor. 

I, WHICH that am the sorwefuUeste 

man 
That in this world was ever yit livinge, 
And leest recoverer of him-selven can, 
Beginne fthus my deedly compleininge 
On hir, that may to lyf and deeth me 

bringe, 5 



Which hath on me no mercy ne no rewthe 
That love hir best, but sleeth me for my 
trewthe. 

Can I noglit doon ne seye that may yow 

lyke, 
"f-For certes, now, alias ! alias ! the whyle ! 
Your plesaunce is to laughen whan I 

syke, 10 

And thus ye me from al my blisse exjde 



128 



ZU QUmor (poeme. 



Ye han me cast in thilke spitous yle 
Thar never man on lyve miglite asterte ; 
This have I for I love you, swete herte ! 

Sooth is, that wel I woot, by lyklinesse, 
If that it were thing possible to do i6 
T'acompte youre bexitee and goodnesse, 
I have no wonder thogh ye do me wo ; 
Sith I,th'unwortliiestthatmayryde or go, 
Dnrste ever thinken in so hy a place, 20 
What wonder is, thogh ye do me no grace? 

Alias ! thvTS is my lyf brought to an ende, 
My deeth, I see, is my conclusioun ; 
I may wel singe, ' in sory tyme I spende 
My Ij'f ; ' that song may have confnsiotin ! 
For mercy, pitee, and deep afFeccioun, 26 
I sey for me, for al my deedly chere, 
AUe thise diden, in that, me love y(5w dere. 

And in this wyse and in dispayre I live 
In love ; nay, bnt in dispayre I dye ! 30 
But shal I thus [to] yow my deeth for-give. 
That causeles doth me this sorow drye ? 
Ye, certes, I ! For she of my folye 
Hath nought to done, although she do me 

sterve ; 
Hit is nat with hir wil that I hir serve ! 35 

Than sith I am of my sorowe the cause 
And sith that I have this, withoute hir 

reed. 
Than may I se.^-n, right shortly in a clause. 
It is no blame unto hir womanheed 
Though swich a wrecche as I be for hir 

deed ; 40 

[And] j'et alwey two thinges doon me dye, 
That is to seyn, hir betitee and myn ye. 
So that, algates, she is the verray rote 
Of my disese, and of my dethe also ; 
For with oon word she mighte be my bote. 
If that she vouched sauf for to do so. 46 
But [why] than is hir gladnesse at my wo ? 
It is hir wone plesaunce for to take. 
To seen hir servaunts dyen for hir sake ! 
But certes, than is al my wonderinge, 50 
Sithen she is the faj-rest creature 
As to my dome, that ever was livinge. 
The benignest and beste eek that nature 
Hath wrought or shal, whyl that the 

world may dure. 



Why that she lefte pite so behinde ? 55 
It was, y-wis, a greet defaute in kinde. 

Yit is al this no lak to hir, pardee. 
But god or nature sore wolde I blame ; 
For, though she shewe no pite unto me, 
Sithen that she doth othere men the same, 
I ne ouglite to despyse my ladies game ; 61 
Itishirpley to laughen whan raen syketh, 
And I assente, al that hir list and lyketh ! 

Yit wolde I, as I dar, with sorweful herte 
Biseche un-to your meke womanhede 65 
That I now dorste my sharpe sorwes 

smerte 
Shewe by worde, that ye wolde ones rede 
The pleynte of me, the which ful sore 

drede 
That I have seid here, through m.yn un- 

conninge. 
In any worde to your displesinge. yo 

Lothest of anything that ever was loth 
Were me, as wisly god my soule save ! 
To seyn a thing through which ye might 

be wroth ; 
And, to that day that I be leyd in grave, 
A trewer servaiint shulle ye never have ; 
And, though that I on yow have pleyned 

here, 76 

Forgiveth it me, myn owne lady dere ! 

Ever have I been, and shal, how-so I 

wende. 
Outlier to live or dye, your humble trewe ; 
Ye been to me my ginning and myn ende, 
Sonne of the sterre bright and clere of 

hewe, 81 

Alwey in oon to love yow freshly nowe, 
By god and by my trouthe, is myn entente; 
To live or dye, I wol it never repente ! 

This compleynt on seint Valentynes day. 
Whan every foul [ther] chesen shal his 

make, f^o 

To hir, whos I am hool, and shal alwey. 
This woful song and this comjileynt I 

make, 
That never yit wolde me to mercy take ; 
And yit wol I [for] e^■ermore her serve 90 
And love hir best, although she do mo 

sterve. 



Explicit. 



XXIV. 



(5^omatt% (UoBfeaee. 



129 



XXIII. A BALADE OF COMPLEYNT. 

[This is added as being a good example of a Compleynt in Chaucer's sti/le.] 



CoMPLEYNE ne coude, ne iiaight myn lierte 

never 
My peynes halve, ne what torment I have, 
Though that I shokle in your presence 

ben ever, 
My hertes lady, as wisly he me save 
That bountee made, and beutee list to 

grave 5 

In your persone, and bad hem bothe infere 
Ever t'awayte, and ay be wher ye were. 

As wisly he gye alle my joyes here 
As I am youres, and to yow sad and trewe, 
And ye, my lyf and cause of my good 
chere, 10 



And deeth also, whan ye my peynes newe, 
My worldes joye, whom I wol serve and 

sewe, 
My heven hool, and al my suinsaunce, 
Whom for to serve is set al my plesaunce. 

Besechin^ yow in my most humble wyse 
T'accepte in worth this litel povre dyte, 16 
And for my trouthe my service nat de- 

spyse, 
Myn observaunce eek have nat in despyte, 
Ne yit to long to suffren in this plyte ; 
I yow beseehe, myn hertes lady, here, 20 
Sith I yow serve, and so wil yeer by 

yere. 



XXIV. WOMANLY NOBLESSE. 

[This genuine poem ivas first printed in June, 1894.] 



Balade that Chaucier made. 

So hath my herte caught in remembraunce 

Your beaute hool, and stedfast govern- 

aunce, 

Your vertues alle, and yotir hy noblesse. 

That yoii to serve is set al my plesaunce ; 

So wel me lykth your womanly conten- 

aunce, 5 

Yovir fresshe fetures and your com- 

linesse. 
That, whyl I live, my herte to his 
maistresse. 
You hath ful chose, in trewperstjveraunce. 
Never to chaunge, for no maner dis- 
tresse. 

And sith I [you] shal do this ob- 
servaunce 10 
Al my lyf, withonten displesaunce, 

Yow for to serve with al my besinesse, 
[Taketh me, lady, in your obeisaunce] 
And have me somwhat in your souven- 
aunce. 
My woful herte suffreth greet duresse ; 15 
And [loke] how humbl[el]y, with al 
simxslesse, 



My wil I c6nforme to your ordenaunce. 
As you best list, my peynes f to redresse. 

Considring eek how I hange in balaunce 
In your servyce ; swich, lo ! is my 
chaunce, 20 

Abj'ding grace, whan that your gentil- 
nesse 
Of my gret wo list doon allegeaunce. 
And with yovir pite me som wyse avaunce, 
In ful rebating of my hevinesse ; 
And think fresdun, that wommanly 
noblesse 25 

Shuld nat desyre -f-for to doon outrance 
Ther-asshe findeth noon unbuxumnesse. 

Lenvoye. 

Auctour of norture, lady of plesaunce, 
Soveraine of beaute, flour of womman- 
hede, 
Take ye non hede unto myn ignoraiince, 30 
But this receyveth of your goodlihede, 
Thinking that I have caught in re- 
membraunce 
Your beaut6 hool, your stedfast govern- 
aunce. 



BOETHIUS DE CONSOLATIONE 
PHILOSOPHIE. 

BOOK I. 



Metre I. Carmina qui quondam studio 
florente peretji. 

AmjAS ! I, weping, am constreined to 
biginnen vers of sorowful inatere, that 
whyloni in florisching stndie made delit- 
able ditees. For lo ! reudinge Muses of 
5 poetes endyten to me thinges to be 
writen ; and drery vers of vs^reccliednesse 
weten my face with verray teres. At 
the leeste, no drede ne mights over- 
comen tho Muses, that they ne vs^eren 

lo felawes, and folweden my wey, that is 
to seyn, whan I ivas exyled ; they that 
■weren glorie of my youthe, whylona welo- 
ful and grone, comforten now the sorow- 
ful werdes of tne^ ohie man. For eldo 

15 is comen unwarly upon mo, hasted by 
the harmcs that I have, and sorow hath 
comaunded his age to be in me. Heres 
here ben shad overtymeliche upon myn 
heved, and the slake skin trembleth vapon 

20 myn empted body. Thilke deeth of men 
is weleful that ne cometh not in yeros 
that ben swete, but cometh to wrecches, 
often y-cleped. Alias ! alias ! with how 
deef an ere deeth, cruel, torneth awey 

25 fro wrecches, and naiteth to closen 
wepinge eyen ! Wbyl Fortune, unfeith- 
ful, favorede nje with lighte goodes, the 
sorowful houre, that is to seyn, the deeth, 
hadde almost dreynt myn heved. But 

30 now, for Fortune cloudy hath chaungcd 



hir decey\'able chere to me-'ward, myn 
impitous lyf di-aweth a-long unagreable 
dwellinges in me. O ye, my frendes, what 
orwbertoavauntede ye me to ben weleful? 
for he tliat hath fallen stood nat in ,^5 
stedefast degree. 



Prose T. 



Ilec dum menim tacitus ipse 
reputarcm. 



Whyle that I stille recordedo thise 
thinges with my-self, and markede my 
weeply compleynte with office of pointel, 
I saw, stondinge aboven the heighte of 
myn heved, a woman of ful greet re- 5 
verence by semblaunt, hir eyen bren- 
ninge and cleer-seinge over the coraune 
might of men ; with a lyfly colour, and 
with swich vigour and strengthe that it 
ne mighte nat ben empted ; al were it 10 
so that she was ful of so greet age, that 
men ne wolde nat trowen, in no manere, 
that she were of oure elde. The stature 
of hir was of a doutous jugement ; for 
som-tyme she constreinede and shronk 15 
hir-selven lyk to the comune mesure of 
men, and sum-tyme it semede that she 
touchede the hevene with the heighte of 
hir heved ; and whan she beef hir heved 
liyer, she percede the selve hevene, so 20 
that the sights of men looking was in 
ydel. Hir clothes weren maked of right 
delye thredes and subtil crafts, of per- 
durable matere ; the whiche clothes she 



(goet0tue. @ooS i : QtUfre ll. 



131 



5 hadde woven with liir owene hondes, as 
I knew wol after by hir-self, declaringe 
and sliewinge to me the beautee ; the 
whicho clothes a derknesse of a forleten 
and dispysed elde hadde dusked and 

o derked, as it is wont to deiken bi- 
smokede images. In the nethereste 
hem or bordure of thise clothes men 
redden, y-woven in, a Grekissh P, that 
signifyeth the lyf Actif; and aboven that 

5 lettre, in the heyeste bordtire, a Grekissh 
T, that signifijeth the lijf Contemplatif. 
And bi-twixen these two lettres ther 
weren seyn degrees, nobly y-wroght in 
manere of laddres ; by whiche degrees 

o men mighten climben fro the nethereste 
lettre to the ujipereste. Natheles, handes 
of some men hadde corven that cloth 
by violence and by strengthe ; and 
everiche man of hem hadde born awey 

5 swiche peces as he mighte geten. And 
forsothe, this forseide woman bar smale 
bokes in hir right hand, and in hir left 
hand she bar a ceptre. And whan she 
say thise poetical Muses aprochen aboute 

o my bed, and endytinge wordes to my 
wepinges, she was a litel amoved, and 
glowede with cruel eyen. ' Who,' quod 
she, ' hath suffred aprochen to this syke 
man thise comune strompetes of swich 

5 a place that men clepen the theatre? 
The whiche nat only ne asswagen nat 
hise sorwes with none remedies, biit they 
wolden feden and norisshen hem with 
swete venim. Forsothe, thise ben tho 

o that with thornes and prikkinges of 
talents or afFecciouns, whiche that ne 
ben no-thing fructefyinge nor profitable, 
destroyen the corn plentevous of fruites 
of resoun ; for they holden the hertes 

15 of men in usage, but they ne delivere 
nat folk fro maladye. But if ye Muses 
hadden withdrawen fro me, with your 
fiateryes, any iincunninge and unprofit- 
able man, as men ben wont to finde 

'o comunly amonges the poeple, I wolde 
wene sufFre the lasse grevously ; for-why, 
in swiche an unproiitable man, myn 
ententes ne weren no-thing endamaged. 
But ye withdrawen -f-from me this man, 

'5 that hath be norisshed in the studies or 



scoles of Eleaticis and of Achademicis in 
Grece. But goth now rather awey, ye 
mermaidenes, whiche that ben swete til 
it be at the laste, and suffreth this man 
to be cured and heled by myne Muses,' cSo 
that is to seyn, by noteful sciences. And 
thus this companye of Muses y-blamed 
casten wrothly the chere dounward to 
the erthe ; and, shewinge by reednesse 
hir shame, they passeden sorowfully the 85 
threshfold. And I, of whom the sighte, 
plounged in teres, was derked so that 
I ne mighte not knowen what that 
^vomman was, of so imperial auctoritee, 
I wex al abaisshed and astoned, and caste 9*^ 
vay sighte doun to the erthe, and bigan 
stille for to abyde what she wolde don 
afterward. Tho com she ner, and sette 
hir doun up-on the uttereste corner of 
my bed ; and she, biholdinge my chere. 95 
that was cast to the erthe, hevy and 
grevous of wepinge, compleinede, with 
thise wordes that I shal seyen, the per- 
turbacioun of my thought. 

Metre II. lieu quam precipiti mersa 
pro/undo. 

' Alias ! how the thoiight of man, dreint 
in over-throwinge deepnesse, dulleth, and 
forleteth his propre cleernesse, mintinge 
to goon in-to foreine derknesses, as ofte 
as his anoyous bisinesse wexeth with- 5 
oute mesure, that is driven to and fro 
with worldly windes ! This man, that 
whylom was free, to whom the heveue 
was open and knowen, and was wont 
to goon in heveneliche pathes, and saiigh jo 
the lightnesse of the rede sonne, and 
saugh the sterres of the colde mone, and 
whiche sterre in hevene useth wandering 
recourses, y-flit by dyverse speres — this 
man, overcomer, hadde comjorehended 15 
al this by noumbre of acountinge in astro- 
nomye. And over this, he was wont to 
seken the causes whennes the souning 
windes moeven and bisien the smothe 
water of the see ; and what spirit torneth 20 
the stable hevene ; and why the sterre 
aryseth out of the rede eest, to fallen in 
the westrene wawes ; and what atempreth 



Q^od0tu0. (^ooK I: (proee ii. 



the lusty houres of the firste somer 

25 sesoiin, that highteth and apparaileth 

tlie ertho with rosene flowres ; and who 

maketh that plentevouse autompne, in 

fulle yeres, fleteth with hevy grapes. 

And eek this man was wont to telle the 

;^o dyverse caiises of nature that weren 

.^•-hidde. Alias ! now lyeth he enipted of 

light of his thought ; and his nekke is 

pressed with hevy cheynes ; and bereth 

his chere enclyned adoun for the grete 

35 weighte, and is constreined to looken on 

the fool erthe ! 



Prose II. Set medicine, inquit, tempus 

est. 

But tyme is now,' quod she, ' of medi- 
cine more than of compleinte.' Forsothe 
than she, entendinge to me-ward with 
alle the Iqokinge of hir eyen, seide : — ' Art 
nat thou he,' quod she, 'that whylom 
y-norisshed with my milk, and fostered 
with nayne metes, were escaped and 
eomen to corage of a parfit man ? Certes, 
I yaf thee swiche armures that, yif thou 
thy-self ne haddest first cast liem a-wey, 
they shulden han defended thee in siker- 
nesse that may nat ben over-comen. 
Knowest tlion me nat ? Wliy art thou 
stille ? Is it for shame or for astoninge ? 
It were me lever that it were for shame ; 
but it semeth me that astoninge hath 
oppressed theo.' And whan she say me 
nat only stille, but with-oiiten office of 
tunge and al doumb, she leide hir hand 
softely upon my brest, and seide : ' Here 
nis no peril,' quod she ; ' he is fallen into 
a litargie, wliiche that is a comnne 
sykenes to hertes that ben deceived. He 
hath a litel foryeten him-self, but certes 
he shal lightly remembren him-self, yif 
so be that he hath knowen me or now ; 
and that he may so don, I wil wypen 
a litel his eyen, that ben derked by the 
cloude of mortal thinges.' Thise wordes 
seide she, and with the lappe of hir gar- 
ment, y-plyted in a frounce, she dryede 
myn eyen, that weren fulle of the wawes 
of my wepinges. 



Metre III, Tunc me discussa liquerunt 
node tenebre. 

Thus, whan that night was discussed 
and chased a-wey, derknesses forleften 
me, and to mjm eyen repeirede ayein hir 
firste strengthe. And, right by ensaumple 
as the Sonne is hid whan the sterres ben 5 
clustred {that is to seijn, whan sterres ben 
covered with cloudes) by a swifte winde 
that highte Chorns, and that the firma- 
ment stant derked by wete ploungy 
cloudes, and that the sterres nat apperen 10 
up-on hevene, so that the night semeth 
sprad up-on ertlie : yif thanne the wind 
that highte Borias, y-sent out of the caves 
of the contree of Trace, beteth this night 
{that is to seijn, chaseth it a-wey), and 15 
descovereth the closed day : than shyneth 
Phebus y-shaken with sodein light, and 
smytcth with his bemts in mervelinge 
eyen. 

Prose III. Ilaud aliter tristicie nebulis 
dissolutis. 

Kight so, and non other wj'se, the 
cloudes of sorwe dissolved and don a-wey, 
I took hevene, and receivede minde to 
knowen the face of my fysicien ; so that 
I sette myn eyen on hir, and fastnede my 5 
lookinge. I beholde my norice Philo- 
sophic, in whos hoiises I hadde conversed 
and haunted fro my youthe ; and I seide 
thus. ' O thou maistresse of alle vertues, 
descended from the soverein sete, why ic 
artow comen in-to this solitarie place of 
myn exil ? Artow comen for thou art 
naaked coupable with me of false blanies ? ' 

Phil. ' O,' quod she, ' my norry, sholde 
I forsaken thee now, and sholde I nat 15 
parten with thee, by comune travaile, the 
charge that thou hast suffred for envie of 
my name ? Certes, it nere not leveful ne 
sittinge thing to Philosophie, to leten 
^vith-outen companye the wey of him that 20 
is innocent. Sholde I thanne redoute my 
blame, and agrysen as though ther were 
bifallen a newe thing ? quasi diceret, non. 
For trowestow that Philosophie be now 
alderfirst assailed in perils by folk of 25 
wikkede maneres? Have I nat striven 



Q0od6tu0. (^ooft I: (pvOBi. IV. 



133 



witli fill greet stryf, in olde tyme, bifore 
the age of my Plato, ayeines the foolhardi- 
nesse of folye ? And eek, the same Plato 

3 livinge, his maister Socrates deservede 
Victoria of unrightful deeth in my pre- 
sence. The heritage of which Socrates — 
the heritage is to seyn the doctrine of the 
whiche Socrates in his opitiioiin of Felicitee, 

5 that I clejje tcelefulnesse — whan that the 
poeple of Epicuriens and Stoiciens and 
many othre enforceden hem to go ravisshe 
everich man for his part — that is to seyn, 
that everich of hem loolde drawen to the 

o defence of his opinioun the irordes of 
Socrates — they, as in partie of hir preye, 
to-drowen me, cryinge and debatinge 
ther-ayeins, and corven and to-renten my 
clothes that I hadde woven with myn 

5 handes ; and with tho clotites that they 
hadden araced out of my clothes they 
wenten awey, weniuge that I hadde gon 
with hem everydel. In whiche Epi- 
curiens and Stoiciens, for as moche as ther 

o seniede some traces or steppes of myn 
habite, the folye of men, weninge tho Epi- 
curiens and Stoiciens my famuleres, per- 
verted (sc. persequcndo) some through the 
errour of the wikkede or uncunninge 

5 multitude of hem. Tliis is to seyn that, 
for they semede philosophres, they tceren 
pursued to the deeth and slayn. So yif thou 
hast nat knowen the exilinge of Anaxo- 
gore, ne the enpoj^soninge of Socrates, ne 

o the tourments of Zeno, for they weren 
straungeres : yit mightestow lian knowen 
the Senecciens and the Canios and the 
>f-Soranos, of whiche folk the renonn is 
neither over-olde ne unsolempne. The 

>5 whiche men, no-thing elles ne broughte 
hem to the deeth biit only for they weren 
enfourmed of myne nianeres, and seme- 
den most imlyke to the studies of wik- 
kede folk. And forthy thou oughtest nat 

o to wondren though that I, in the bittre 
see of this lyf, be fordriven with tem- 
pestes blowinge aboute, in the whiche 
tempestes this is my most purpos, that is 
to seyn, to displesen to wikkede men. Of 

5 whiche shrewes, al be the ost never so 
greet, it is to dispj'se ; for it nis governed 
with no leder of resoun, but it is ravisshed 



only by fletinge errour folyly and lightly. 
And if they som-tyme, makinge an ost 
ayeins us, assaile vis as strenger, our leder 80 
draweth to-gidere hise richesses in-to his 
tour, and thej' ben ententif aboute sar- 
pulers or sachels unprofitable for to taken. 
But we that ben heye aboven, siker fro 
alle tiimulte and wode noise, warnestored 85 
and enclosed in swich a palis, whider as 
that chateringe or anoyinge folye ne may 
nat ataj'ne, we scorne swiche ravineres 
and henteres of fouleste thinges. .«' 

Metre IV. Quisquis composito seremiseuo, 
Who-so it be that is cleer of vertu, sad, 
and wel ordinat of livinge, that hath put 
under foot the jiroude werdes and looketh 
upright iip-on either fortivne, he may 
holde his chere undiscomfited. The rage 5 
ne the manaces of the see, commoevinge 
or chasinge upward hete fro the botme, 
ne shal not moeve that man ; ne the 
unstable mountaigne that highte Vesevus, 
that wrytheth out throu.gh his brokene 10 
chiminees smokinge fyres. Ne the wey 
of fthonder-leyt, that is wont to smyten 
heye toures, ne shal nat moeve that man. 
Wher-to thanne, o wreeches, drede ye 
tirauntes that ben wode and felonous 15 
with-oute any strengthe ? Hop© after 
no-thing, ne drede nat ; and so shaltow 
desarmen the ire of thilke unmighty 
tiraunt. But who-so that, quakinge, 
dredeth or desireth thing that nis nat ^<> 
stable of his right, that man that so doth 
hath cast awey his slield and is remoeved 
fro his place, and enlaceth him in the 
clieyne with the which he may ben 
drawen. ^5 

Prose IV. Sentisne, inquit, hec. 
Felestow,' quod she, 'thise thinges, 
and entren they aught in thy corage ? 
Artow lyke an asse to the liarpe ? Why 
wepestow, why spillestow teres ? Yif 
thou abydest after help of thy leche, thee 5 
bihoveth discovere thy wounde.' Tho 

I, that hadde gadered strengthe in my 
corage, answerede and seide : ' And 
nedeth it yit, ' quod I, ' of rehersinge or 
of amonicioun ; and sheweth it nat jo 



134 



(god0iu0. (^ooft I: (proee iv. 



y-nougli ty him-self the sharpnesse of 
Fortune, that wexeth wood ayeins me ? 
Ne mooveth it nat thee to seen the face 
or the manere of this Tphxce {i. priso2in) ? 
Is this the librarie whiche that thou 
haJdest chosen for a right certein sete to 
thee in mynhous, ther-as tliou desputedest 
ofte witli nie of the sciences of thiuges 
touchinge divinitee and touchinge niaii- 

' kinde ? Was thanue mjTi habite swich 
as it is now ? Was than my face or my 
chere swiche as now {quasi diceret, non), 
whan I souglite with thee secrets of 
nature, whan tliou enformedest my ma- 

; neres and the resoun of alle my l.yf to tlie 
ensaumple of tlie ordre of heveno ? Is nat 
this the guerdoun that I referre to tliee, 
to whom I have be obeisaunt ? Certes, 
thou confermedest, by tlie mouth of Plato, 

) this sentence, that is to seyn, that comune 
thinges or conaunalitees weren blisful, yif 
they that haddon studied al fully to wis- 
dom, governeden thilke thinges, or elles 
yif it so bifiUe that the governoures of 

; comunalitees studieden to geten wistlom. 
Thou seidcst eek, by the mouth of the 
same Plato, that it was a necessarie 
cause, wyse men to taken and desire the 
governaunce of comune thinges, for that 

> the governements of citees, y-left in the 
handes of felonous tormentours citizenes, 
ne sholde nat bringe in jiestilence and 
destruccioun to gode folk. And therfor 
I, folwinge thilke auctoritee (sc. Platonis), 

5 desired to piitten forth in execucioun and 
in acte of comune administracioun thilke 
thinges that I hadde lerned of thee among 
my secree resting-whylos. Thou, and god 
that putte thee in the thoughtes of -wyse 

> folk, ben knowinge with me, that no- 
thing ne broughte me to maistrie or 
dignitee, but the comune studie of alle 
goodnosse. And ther-of comth it that 
bi-twixen wikked folk and me han ben 

5 grevous discordes, that ne mighten ben 
relesed by preyeres ; for this libertee hath 
the frecdona of conscience, that the wratthe 
of more mighty folk hath alwey ben de- 
spysed of me for savacioun of right. How 

1 ofte have I resisted and withstonde thilke 
man that highto Conigaste, that made 



alwey assautes ayeins the prospre fortunes 
of pore I'eble folk? How ofte eek have 
I put of or cast out him, Trigwille, pro- 
vost of the kinges hous, bothe of the 65 
wronges that he hadde bigunne to don, 
and eek fully performed ? How ofte have 
I covered and defended by the aiictoritee 
of me, put ayeins perils — that is to seyn, 
put myn auctoritee in peril for — the 70 
wrecched pore folk, that the covetyse of 
straungeres unpimished tourmenteden 
alwey with miseyses and grevaunces out 
of nounibre ? Never man ne drow me yit 
fro right to wronge. Whan I say the 75 
fortunes and the richesses of the poeple 
of the provinces ben harmed or anienused, 
outher by privee ravynes or by comune 
tributes or cariages, as sory was 1 as they 

that suffreden the harm. Glossa. So 

Whan that Theodoric, tlie king of Gothes, 
in a dere yere, hadde hise gerneres fid of 
corn, and comaundede that no man ne sholde 
byen no corn til his corn were sold, and that 
at a grevoiiS dereprys, Boece u-ithstoodthat 85 
ordinaimce, and over-coin it, knowinge al 

this the king him-self. Textus. Whan 

it was in the soiire himgry tyme, ther 
was establisshed or cryed grevous and 
inplitable coempcioun, that men sayen 90 
wel it sholde greetly tvirmenten and en- 
damagen al the province of Campaigne, 
I took stryf ayeins the provost of the 
pretorie for comune profit. And, the king 
knowinge of it, I overcom it, so that the 95 
coempcioun ne was not axed ne took 

effect. [Glossa.] •\Coempcioun, that is to 

seyn, comune achat or hying to-gidcre, that 
were establisshed up-on tlie poepile by siviche 
a manere imposicioun, as who-so houghte 100 
a busshel corn, he moste yeve the king the 

flfts part. [Textus.] Paulin, a coian- 

seiller of Rome, the richesses of the 
whiche Paulin the houndes of the palays, 
that is to seyn, the officeres, wolden han 105 
devoured by hope and covetise, yit drow 
I him out of the jowes {sc. faucibus) of hem 
that gapedcn. And for as moche as the 
poyne of the accusacioun ajuged biforn ne 
sholde nat sodeinly henten ne punisshen 1 1<-> 
wrongfull;.' Albin, a counseiller of Rome, 
I putte r.ic ayeins the hates and iudig- 



(^OCt6tU0. (gooft I : (J?tO0e IV. 



125 



30 



35 



naciouns of the accusor Ciprian. Is it nat 
thanne y-nough y-sejTi, tliat I have pur- 
chased grete discordes ayeins mj'-self? 
But I oughte be the more assured ayeins 
alle othre folk (s. Itomayns), that for the 
love of rightwisnesse I ne reserved never 
no-thing to my-self to hemward of the 
kinges halle, sc. officers, by the whiche 
I were the more siker. But thorugh tho 
same accusers accusinge, I am con- 
dempned. Of the noumbir of the whiche 
accusers oon Basilius, that whylom was 
chased oiit of the kinges service, is now 
compelled in accusinge of my name, for 
nede of foreine moneye. Also Opilion and 
Gaudencius han accused me, al be it so 
that the justice regal hadde whylom 
demed hem bothe to go in-to exil for hir 
trecheryes and fraudes witlioute noumbir. 
To whiohe jiigenient they nolden nat 
obeye, but defendeden hem by the siker- 
nesse of holy houses, tliat is to seyn,Jiedden 
into seintuaries ; and whan this was aper- 
ceived to the king, he comaundede, that 
but they voidede the citee of Eavenne by 
certein day assigned, that men sholde 
merken hem on the forheved with an hoot 
yren and chasen hem out of the toune. 
Now what thing, semeth thee, mighte ben 
lykued to this crueltee ? Tor certes, thilke 
same day was received the accusinge of 
my name by thillie same accusers. What 
may ben seid her-to ? {quasi diceret, nichil). 
Hath my studie and my cunninge de- 
served thus ; or clles the Ibrseide damp- 
nacioun of me, made that hem rightful 
accusers or no? {quasi diceret, non). Was 
net Fortune ashamed of this ? Certes, al 
hadde nat Fortune ben ashamed that 
innocence was accused, yit oughte she 
han had shame of the filthe of myne 
aecusours. 

But, axestow in somme, of what gilt 
I am accused, men seyn that I wolde save 
the companye of the senatours. And 
desirest thou to heren in what manere ? 
I am accused that I sholde han des- 
teurbed the accusor to beren lettres, by 
whiche he sholde han maked the sena- 
teures gilty ayeins the kinges real ma- 
jestee. O maistresse, what demestow of 



this ? Shal I forsake this blame, that I ne 
be no shame to thee ? {quasi diceret, non). 
Certes, I have weld it, that is to seyn, the 
savacioun of the senat, ne I shal never 
leten to wilne it, and that I confesse and 
am aknowe ; but the entente of the 
accusor to be destourbed shal cese. For 
shal I clepe it thanne a felonie or a sinne 
that I have desired the savacioun of the 
ordre of the senat ? {quasi diceret, duhito 
quid). And certes yit hadde thilke same 
senat don by me, thorugh hir decrets and 
hir jugements, as though it were a sinne 
or a felonie ; that is to seyn, to mine the 
savacioun of hem {sc. senatiis). But folye, 
that lyeth alwey to him-self, maj' not 
chaunge the merite of thinges. Ne I trowe 
nat, by the jugement of Socrates, that it 
were leveful to me to hyde the sothe, 
ne assente to lesinges. But certes, how 
so ever it h& of this, I putte it to gessen or 
preisen to the jiigement of thee and of 
wyse folk. Of whiche thing al the ordi- 
naunce and the sethe, for as moche as 
folk that ben to comen after our dayes 
shullen know^en it, I have put it in scrip- 
ture and in remembraunce. For touching 
the lettres falsly maked, by whiche lettres 
I am accused to han hoped the fredom of 
Ronie, what aperteneth me to speke tlier- 
of? Of whiche lettres the fraude hadde 
ben shewed apertly, yif I hadde had 
libertee for to han used and been at the 
cenfessioun of myne aecusours, the 
whiche thing in alle nedes hath greet 
strengthe. For what other fredom may 
men hopen ? Certes, I wolde that sem 
other fredom mighte ben hoped. I wolde 
thanne han answered by the wordes 
of a man that highte Canius ; for whan 
he was accused by Gains Cesar, Ger- 
nieynes sonc, that he (Canius) was know- 
inge and consentinge of a coniuracieun 
y-maked ayeins him {sc. Gaius), this 
Canivis answerede thus : " Yif I hadde 
wist it, thou haddest nat wist it." In 
which thing sorwe hath nat so dulled my 
wit, that I pleyne only that shrewcde folk 
aparailen felonies ayeins vertu ; but I 
wondre groetly how that they may per- 
forme thinges that they hadde hoped for to 



165 



170 



190 



195 



205 



i->6 



(god^iue. Q0ooR i: (jJroee iv. 



215 don. For-why, to wilne shrewednesse, 
that comth pera venture of oure defante ; 
but it is lyk a monstre and a mervaille, 
how that, in the present sighte of god, 
may ben acheved and performed swioho 

22" thinges as every felonons man hath con- 
ceived in his thought ayeins innocents. 
For which tiling con of thy famileres nat 
nnsliilfully axed thus : " Yif god is, 
wliennes comen wiljkede thinges ? And 

225 .yif god ne is, whennes comen gode 
thinges ? " But al hadde it ben leveful 
that fclonovis folk, tliat now desiren the 
blood and the deeth of alle gode men and 
eek of alle the senat, hau wibied to gon 

230 destroyen me, whom they ban seyen 
alwey batailen and defenden gode men 
and eek al the senat, yit had I nat 
desserved of the faderes, that is to seyn, of 
the senatoures, that they sholden wilne my 

235 destruccioun. 

Thou remembrest wel, as I gesse, that 
whan I wolde doon or seyen any thing, 
thou thyself, alwey isresent, rewledest me. 
At the city of Verone, whan that the 

240 king, gredy of comune slaughter, caste 
him to transporten up al the ordre of the 
senat the gilt of bis real majestee, of the 
whiche gilt that Albin was accvised, with 
how gret sikernesse of peril to me de- 

245 fendede I al the senat ! Thoii wost wel 
that I seye sooth, ne I ne avauntede me 
never in preysinge of my-self. For alwey, 
whan any wight receiveth precious renoun 
in avavintingo bim-self of bis werkes, he 

250 amenuseth the secree of bis conscience. 
But now thou mayst wel seen to what 
endo I am comen for m.\Tie innocence ; 
I receive peyne of fals felonye for guerdon 
of verray vertu. And what open con- 

255 fessioun of felonye hadde ever jtiges so 
acordaunt in crueltee, that is to seyn, as 
myn accusinge hath, that either crrovir of 
mannes wit or elles condicioun of For- 
tune, that is tuicertein to alle mortal 

260 folk, ne submittede some of hem, that is 
to seyn, that it ne enclynede som juge to han 
pitee or compassioun ? For al-thogh I 
hadde ben accused that I wolde brenne 
holy hoiises, and strangle preestes with 

2(,^ wikkedo swerde, or that I hadde greythed 



deeth to al gode men, algates the sentence 
sholde han punisshed me, present, con- 
fessed, or convict. But now I am remewed 
fro the citee of lionie almost fyve hundred 
tboiisand pas, I am with-oute defence 270 
dampned to proscripcioun and to the 
deeth, for the studie and bountecs that 
I have doon to the senat. But O, wel ben 
they worthy of merite {as who seith, nay), 
ther migbte never yit non of hem be 275 
convict of swiche a blame as myne is ! Of 
whiche trespas, myne accusours sayen ful 
wel the dignitee ; the whiche dignitee, 
for they wolden derken it with medeling 
of som felonye, they baren me on hand, 2<So 
and lyeden, that I hadde point and de- 
fouled my conscience with sacrilege, for 
coveitise of dignitee. And certes, thou thy- 
self, that art plauuted in me, chacedest 
out of the sege of my corage al coveitise of 285 
mortal thinges ; ne sacrilege hadde no 
leve to han a place in me biforn thyne 
eyen. For thou droppedest every day in 
myne eres and in my thought thilke 
Gomaundement of Pictagoras, that is to 290 
seyn, men shal serve to godde, and 7iot to 
goddes. Ne it was nat convenient, ne no 
nede, to taken help of the foulest spirites ; 
I, that thou hast ordeined and set in 
swiche excellence that thou makedest me 295 
lyk to god. And over this, the right clene 
secree chaumbre of myne hous, that is to 
seyn, my icy f, and the companye of myn 
honest freendes, and my wyves fader, as 
wel holy as worthy to ben reverenced 3'^> 
thorugh his owne dedes, defenden me 
from alle suspecioiin of swicb blame. But 
O malice ! For they that accusen me 
taken of thee, Philosophie, feith of so gret 
blame ! For they trowen that I have had 3^5 
affinitee to malefice or eiKhauntement, 
by-caiise that I am replenisshcd and 
fulfilled with thy tecbinges, and enformed 
of thy maneres. And thus it suffiseth not 
only, that thy reverence ne availe me not, 310 
but-yif that thou, of thy free wille, rather 
be blemished with myn offencioun. But 
certes, to the harmes that I have, ther 
bitydeth yit this encrees of harm, that 
the gessinge and the jugement of moche 315 
folk ne looken no-thing to the desertes of 



(goet^tue. (gooR i: (nutvi v. 



137 



tliinges, but only to the aventure of 
fortune ; and jugeu that only swiche 
thinges ben purveyed ofgod, whicho that 

.U'o temporel welefiUnesse commendeth. 

Glose. As thus: that, yif a wight have 
■prosperitee, he is a good man and ivorthy to 
han that prosperitee; and who-so hath 
adcersitee, lie is a tvikked man, and god 

^-'5 hath forsake him, and he is ivorthy to han 
that adversitee. This is the opinioun of 

some folk. And thor-of oomth that 

good gessinge, first of alle thing, forsaketh 
wrecches : certes, it greveth me to thinke 

i30 right now the djrverse sentences that the 
poeple seith of me. And thus mocho 
I seye, that the laste charge of contrarious 
fortune is this : that, whan that any 
blame is leyd upon a caitif, men wenen 

?35 that he hath deserved that he sutfreth. 
And I, that am put awey fro gode men, 
and despoiled of dignitees, and defouled 
of my name by gessinge, have suffred 
torment for my gode dedes. Certes, me 

4«J semeth that I see the felonous covines of 
wikked men habounden in joye and in 
gladnesse. And I see that every lorel 
sliapeth him to finde out newe fraudes for 
to accuse gode folk. And I see that gode 

45 men beth overthrowen for drede of my 
peril ; and every luxurious tourmentour 
dar doou alle felonye impunisshed and 
ben excited therto by yiftes ; and inno- 
cents ne ben not only despoiled of siker- 

50 nesse but of defence ; and therfore me list 
to cryen to god in this wyse : — 

MEa RE V. O stellifen conditor orbis. 

O thou maker of the whele that bereth 
the sterres, which that art y-fastned to 
thy perdurable chayer, and tornest the 
hevene with a ravisshing sweigh, and 

5 constroinest the sterres to sutfren thy 
lawe ; so that the mone som-tjTiie shyning 
with hir ful homes, meting with alle the 
bemes of the sonne hir brother, hydeth 
the sterres that ben lesse ; and somtyme 

10 whan the mone, pale with hir derke 
homes, approcheth the sonne, leseth hir 
lightes ; and that the eve-sterre Hesperus, 
whiche that in the firste tyme of the night 



bringeth forth hir colde arysinges, cometh 
eft ayein hir used cours, and is pale by 15 
the morwe at the rysing of the sonne, and 
is thanne cleped Lucifer. Thou restreinest 
the day by shorter dwelling, in the tyme 
of colde winter that maketh the leves to 
falle. Thou dividest the swifte tydes of 20 
the night, whan the bote somer is comen. 
Thy might atempreth the variaunts 
sesons of the yere ; so that Zephirus the 
deboneir wind bringeth ayein, in the first 
somer sesoun, the leves that the wind that 25 
highte Boreas hath reft awey in autumpne, 
that is to seyn, in the laste ende of somer ; 
and the sedes that the sterre that highte 
Arcturus saw, ben waxen heye comes 
whan the sterre Sirius eschaufeth hem. 30 
Ther nis no-thing xtnbounde from his olde 
lawe, ne forleteth thewerke of hisisropre 
estat. O thou governour, governinge 
alle thinges by certein ende, why re- 
fusestow only to governe the werkes of 35 
men by dewe manere ? Why suffrest 
thou that slydinge fortune torneth so 
grete entrechaunginges of thinges, so that 
anoyous peyne, that sholde dewely 
punisshe felouns, punissheth innocents ? 4'j 
And folk of wikkedo maneres sitten in 
heye chayres, and anoyinge folk treden, 
and that unrightfully, on the nekkes of 
holy men? And vertu, cler-shyninge 
naturelly, is hid in derke derkenesses, and 45 
the rightful man bereth the blame and 
'the peyne of the feloun. Ne forsweringe 
ne the fraude, covered and kembd with 
a fals colour, ne anoyeth nat to shrewes ■ 
the whiche shrewes, whan hem list to 50 
usen hir strengthe, they rejoysen hem to 
putten under hem the soverejme kinges, 
whiche that poeple with-outen noumbre 
dreden. O thou, what so ever thou 
be that knittest alle bondes of thinges, 55 
loke on thise wrecchede erthes ; we men 
that ben nat a foule party, but a fayr 
party of so grete a werk, we ben tormented 
in this see of fortune. Thou governour, 
withdraw and restreyne the ravisshinge &> 
flodes, and fastne and ferme thise erthes 
stable with thilke bondo, with whiche 
thou governest the hcveue that is so 
large.' 



p 3 



138 



(goe^6iu0. Q0ooR I: (pvOQi. V. 



Prose V. 



Ilic tihi continuato dolore 
clelatraui. 



Whan I hadde, with a continuel sorwe, 
sobbed or borken out thise thinges, she 
•with hir chere pesible, and no-thing 
amoeved with nij' compleintes, seide thus : 
5 'Whan I say tliee,' quod she, ' sorwel'ul 
and wepinge, I wiste anon that thou were 
a wrecche and exiled ; but I wiste never 
how fer thyne exile was, yif thy tale ne 
hadde shewed it to me. But certes, al be 

lo thou fer fro thy contree, thou nart nat 
put out of it ; but thou hast failed of thy 
weye and gon amis. And yif thou hast 
lever for to wene that thou be put out of 
thy contree, than hast thou put out thy- 

J5 self rather than any other wight hath. For 
no wight but thy-self ne mighte never 
han don that to thee. For yif thou re- 
membre of what contree thou art born, it 
nis nat governed by emperours, ne by 

20 goveruement of multitude, as weren the 
contrees of hem of Athenes ; but 00 lord 
and 00 king, and that is god, that is lord of 
thy contree, whiche that rejoyseth him 
of the dwelling of hise citezeues, and nat 

25 for to putte hem in exil ; of the whiche 
lorde it is a soverayne fredom to be 
governed by the brydel of him and obeye 
to his justice. Hastow foryeten thilke 
right olde lawe of thy citee, in the whiche 

30 citee it is ordeined and establisshed, that 
for what wight that hath lever founden' 
ther-in his sete or his hous than elles- 
wher, he may nat be exiled by no right 
from that place ? For who-so that is 

35 contenod in-with the palis and the clos of 
thilke citee, ther nis no drede that he 
may deserve to ben exiled. But who-so 
that leteth the wil for to enhabite there, 
he forleteth also to deserve to ben citezein 

40 of thilke citee. So that I sey, that the 
face of this place ne moveth me nat so 
mochel as thyne owne face. Ne I axe nat 
rather the wallcs of thy librarie, apar- 
ayled and wrought with yvory and with 

45 glas, than after the scte of thy thought. 
In whiche I putte nat whylom bokes, but 
I putte that that makoth bokes worthy of 
prys or precioiis, that is to sej-n, the 



sentence of my bokes. And certeinly of 
thy desertes, bistowed in comune good, 5^ 
thou hast seid sooth, but after the multi- 
tude of thy gode dedes, thou hast seid 
fewe ; and of the honestee or of the fals- 
nesse of thinges that ben a^josed ayeins 
thee, thou hast remembred thinges that 55 
ben knowen to alle folk. And of the 
felonyes and fraudes of thjTie accusours, 
it semeth thee have y-touched it forsothe 
rightfully and shortly, al mighten tho 
same thinges betere and more plenti- 6c 
vousely ben couth in the mouthe of the 
poeple that knoweth al this. Thou hast 
eek blamed gretly and compleined of tho 
wrongful dede of the senat. And thou 
hast sorwed for my blame, and thou hast 65 
wopen for the damage of thy renoun that 
is apayred ; and thy laste sorwe eschaufede 
ayeins fortune, and compleinest that 
guerdouns ne ben nat evenliche yolden to 
the desertes of folk. And in the latere 7" 
ende of thy wode Muse, thou preyedest 
that thilke pees that governeth the hevene 
sholde governe the erthe. But for that 
manye tribulaciouns of affecciouns han 
assailed thee, and sorwe and ire and 75 
wepinge to-drawen thee dj^'ersely ; as 
thou art now feble of thought, mightier 
remedies ne shuUen nat yit touchen thee, 
for whiche we wol usen somdel lighter 
medicines : so that thilke passiouns that So 
ben woxen harde in swellinge, by pertur- 
baciouns flowing in-to thy thought, 
moweu wexcn esy.and softe, to receiven 
the strengthe of a more naighty and more 
egre medicine, by an esier touchinge. 85 

Metre VI. 

Cum Phebi radiis graue 
Cancri sidus inestuat. 
Wlian that the he^'y sterre of the 
Cancre eschaufeth by the hemes of Phe- 
bus, that is to seyn, whan that Phehus the 
Sonne is in the signe of the Cancre, who-so 
yeveth thanne largely hise sedes to the ,■; 
feldes that refusen to receiven hem, lat 
him gon, bigyled of trust that he hadde 
to his corn, to acorns of okes. Yif ihow 
wolt gadre violettes, ne go thou not to 



(god^iM. (^ooK I: (proee vi. 



139 



:o the purpur wode whan the feld, chirk- 
inge, agryseth of cokle by the felnesse of 
the winde that highte Aquilon. Yif thou 
desirest or wolt risen grapes, ne sake thou 
nat, with a glotonous hond, to streyne 

15 and presse the stalkes of the vine in the 
ferst somer sesoun ; for Bachus, the god 
of wyne, hath rather yeven hise yiftes to 
autumpne, the late?- ende of somer. God 
tokneth and assigneth the tynies, ablinge 

20 hem to hir propres offices ; ne he ne 
suffreth nat the stoitndes whiche that 
him-self hath devyded and coustreyned 
to ben y-medled to-gidere. And forthy 
he that forleteth certein ordinaunce of 

25 doinge by over-throwinge wey, he ne hath 
no ghide issue or ende of his werkes. 

Prose VI. Prinium igitur paterisne me 

pauculis rogacionibus. 
First woltow suffre me to touche and 
assaye the estat of thy thought by a fewe 
deniaundes, so that I may understonde 
what be the manere of thy curacioun ? ' 
5 Boece. 'Axe me,' quod I, 'at thy wille, 
what thou wolt, and I shal answere.' 

Tho seide she thus : ' Whether we- 
nestow,' quod she, ' that this world be 
governed by foolish ha^jpes and for- 

10 tunous, or elles that there be in it any 
governement of resoun ? ' ' Certes,' 

quod I, ' I ne trowe nat in no manere, 
that so certein thinges sholde be moeved 
by fortunous fortune ; but I wot wel that 

15 god, maker and mayster, is governour of 
his werk. Ne never nas yit day that 
mighte putte me out of the sothnesse of 
that sentence.' 

' So is it,' quod she ; ' for the same 

2o thing songe thou a litel her-biforn, and 
biweyledest and biweptest, that only men 
weren put out of the cure of god. Tor of 
alle other thinges thou ne doutedest nat 
that they nere governed by resoim. But 

25 owh ! {i. pajye !) I wondre gretly, certes, 
why that thoii art syk, sin that thou art 
put in so holsom a sentence. But lat us 
seken depper ; I conjecte that ther lak- 
keth I not nere what. But sey me this • 

30 sin that thou ne doutest nat that this 



world be governed by god, with whiche 
governailes takestow hede that it is 
governed ? ' ' Unnethe, ' quf>d I, ' knowe 
I the sentence of thy questioun ; so that 
I ne may nat yit answereu to thy de- 35 
maundes. ' 

'I nas nat deceived,' quod she, 'that 
ther ne faileth somwhat, by whiche the 
maladye of thy perturbacioun is crept 
in-to thy thought, so as the strengths of 40 
the palis chyning is open. But sey me 
this : remembrest thou what is the ende 
of thinges, and whider that the enten- 
cioun of alle kinde tendeth ? ' 'I have 
herd it told som-tyme,' quod I; ' but 45 
drerinesse hath dulled my memorie.' 

' Certes,' quod she, ' thou wost wel 
whennes that alle thinges ben comen and 
procedeth? ' ' I wot wel,' quod I, and 
answerede, that ' god is beginning of al. ' ,so 

' And how may this be, ' quod she, ' that, 
sin thou knowest the beginning of 
thinges, that thou ne knowest nat what 
is the ende of thinges ? But swiche ben 
the customes of perturbacioun s, and this 55 
jiower they ban, that they may inoeve 
a man out of his place, that is to seyn, fro 
the stablenes and perfeccioun of his knoic- 
inge; but, certes, they may nat al arace 
him, ne aliene him in al. But I wolde Co 
that thou woldest answere to this : 
remembrestow that thou art a man?' 
' Why sholde I nat remembre that ? ' 
quod I. 

' Maystow nat telle me thanne,' quod 65 
she, ' what thing is a man ? ' ' Axestow 
me nat,' quod I, ' whether that I be 
a resonable mortal beest ? I woot wel, and 
I confesse wel that I am it.' 

' Wistestow never yit that thou were 70 
any other thing?' quod she. 'No,' 

qviod I. 

' Now woot I,' quod she, ' other cause of 
thy maladye, and that right grete. Thou 
hast left for to knowen thy-self, what 75 
thou art ; thorugh whiche I have pleynly 
founden the cause of thy maladye, or elles 
the entree of recoveringe of thyn liele. 
For-why, for thou art confounded with 
foryeting of thy-self, for-thy sorwestow 80 
that thou art exiled of thy propre goodes. 



146 



QKoe^0tu0. Q^oo6 I : (nUtvt vil. 



And for thou ne wost what is the cnde of 
thinges, for-thy demestow that felonotis 
and wikkod men ben mighty and weleful. 

85 And foi- thou hast foryeten by whiche 
governements the world is governed, for- 
thy wenestow that tliise mntaciouns of 
fortune fletcn with-oute governour. Thise 
ben grete causes not only to maladye, 

</) but, ccrtes, grete causes to deeth. But 
I thanke the aiictor and the maker of 
liele, that nature hath not al forleten 
thee. I have grete norisshinges of thyn 
hele, and that is, the sothe sentence of 
'J") governaunce of the worlde ; that thou 
bilevest that the governingo of it nis nat 
subject ne underput to the folie of thise 
happes aventtirous, but to the resouu of 
god. And ther-for doute thee no-thing ; 

Hxj for of this litel spark thyn hete of lyf 
shal shyno. But for as moche as it is 
nat tyme yit of faster remedies, and the 
nature of thoughtes deceived is this, 
that as ofte as they casten awey sothe 

105 opiniouns, they clothen hem in false 
opiniouns, of which false opiniouns the 
derkenesse of perturbacioun wexeth up, 
that confoundeth the verray insighte : 
and that derkenesse shal I assaye som- 

1 H) what to maken thinne and wayk by 
lightc and meneliche remedies ; so that. 



after that the derkenesse of deceivinge 
desiringes is don awey, thou mowe knowe 
the shyninge of verray light. 

Metke VII. Kubibus atris. 

The sterres, covered with blake cloudes, 
ne niowen yeten a-doun no light. Yif the 
trouble wind that hight Auster, turning 
and walwinge the see, mcdleth the hete, 
that is to seyn, the boyling itp from the 5 
botme; the wawes, that whylom weren 
clere as glas and lyke to the faire clere 
dayes, withstande anon the sightes of men 
by the filthe and ordure that is resolved. 
And the fletinge streem, that royleth i" 
doun dyversly fro heye mountaignes, is 
arested and resisted ofte tyme by the 
encountringe of a stoon that is departed 
and fallen from som roche. And for- 
thy, yif thou wolt loken and demen 15 
sooth with cleer light, and holden the 
wey with a right path, weyve thou joye, 
dryf fro thee drede, fleme thou hope, ne 
lat no sorwe aproche ; that is to seyn, lat 
non of thise four passiouns over-comen thee 20 
or blende thee. For cloudy and derke is 
thilke thought, and bounde with brydlos, 
where-as thise thinges regnen. ' 



Explicit Liber Primus. 



BOOK 11. 



Prose I. Postea paulisper conticuit. 

After this she stinte a litel ; and, after 
that she hadde gadered by atompre stille- 
nesse myn attencioun, she seide thus : 
{As who mighte seyn thus: After thise 

5 thinges she stinte a litel; and whan she 
aperceived by atempre stillenesse that I was 
ententifto herkene Mr, she bigan to speke in 
this wyse) : ' Yif I,' quod she, ' have under- 
stonden and knowcn outrely the causes 

10 and the habit of thy maladye, thou 
languissest and art defeted for desyr and 
talent of thy rather fortune. She, that 



ilko Fortune only, that is chaunged, as 
thoii fejaiest, to thee- ward, hath perverted 
the cleernesse and the estat of thy coragc. 15 
I understonde the felc-folde colours and 
deceites of thilke niervoilous monstre 
Fortune, and how she useth ful flateringe 
familaritee with hem that she enforceth 
to bigyle ; so longe, til that she confoundo 20 
with unsufFerable sorwe hem that she 
hath left in despeyr unpurvoyed. And yif 
thou remembrest wel tlie kinde, the 
maneres, and the desert of thillce Fortune, 
thou shalt wel knowe that, as in hir, 25 
thou never ne haddest ne hast y-lost any 
fair thing. But, as I trowe, I shal nat 



Q0oef6tu0. (^ooft II: (proae i. 



141 



60 



gretly travailen to do thee remembren on 
thise thinges. For thoii were wont to 
hurtelen and despysen liir, with manly 
wordes, whan she was bhiundissinge and 
present, and pnrsewedest hir with sen- 
tences that were drawen out of myii 
entree, tliat is to seyn, out of myn informa- 
cioun. But no sodein mntacioun ne 
bitydeth nat with-onte a manere channg- 
inge of corages ; and so is it befallen that 
tliou art a litel departed fro the pees of 
thy thonght. 

But now is tyme that thou drinke and 
ataste some softe and delitable thinges ; 
so that, whan they ben entred within 
thee, it mowe maken wey to strengere 
drinkes of medicynes. Com now forth 
therfore the suasioun of swetenesse rc- 
thorien, whiche that goth only the right 
wey, whyl she forsaketh nat myne 
estatuts. And with Ehetorice com forth 
Musice, a damisel of oiir lious, that 
singetli now lighter moedes or xtrolacioitnx, 
now hevyer. ^^niat eyleth thee, man ? 
What is it that hath cast thee in-to 
morninge and in-to wepinge ? T trowe 
tliat thou hast sej-n som newe thing and 
uncovith. Thou wenest that Fortune be 
ohaunged ayein thee ; but thou wenest 
wrong, yif thou that wene. Alwey tho 
ben hir maneres ; she hath rather kept, 
as to thee-ward, hir propre stablenesse in 
the chaunginge of hir-self. Eight swich 
was she whan she flatered thee, and 
deceived thee with unleveful lykinges of 
fals welefulnesse. Tliou hast now knowen 
and ataynt the doutous or double visage 
of thilke blinde goddesse Fortiine. She, 
that yit covereth hir and wimpleth hir 
to other folk, hath shewed hir every- 
del to thee. Yif thou aprovest hir and 
thenkest that she is good, use hir maneres 
and pleyne thee nat. And yif thou 
agrysest hir false trecherye, despyse and 
cast awey hir that pleyeth so harmfully ; 
for she, that is now caiise of so muche 
sorwe to thee, sholde ben cause to thee of 
pees and of joye. She hath forsaken thee, 
forsothe ; the whiche that never man 
may ben siker that she ne shal forsake 
liim. Glose. But natheles, some bokes 



han the text thns : For sothe, she hath 
forsaken thee, ne ther nis no man siker 

that she ne hath nat forsaken. 

Holdestow than thilke welefulnesse 
precious to thee that shal passen ? And 
is present Fortune dereworthe to thee, 
which that nis nat feithful for to dwelle ; 
and, whan she goth awey, that she 
bringeth a wight in sorwe? For sin she 
may nat ben with-holden at a mannes 
wille, she maketh him a wrecche whan 
she departeth fro him. What other thing 
is fiittinge Fortune but a manor shewinge 
of wrecchednesse that is to comen ? Ne 
it ne suffyscth nat only to loken on thinge 
that is present biforn the eyen of a man. 
But wisdom loketh and amesuroth the 
ende of thmges ; and the same chaung- 
inge from oon in-to an-other, that is to 
seyn, from adversitee in-to prosperitee, 
maketh that the manaces of Fortune no 
ben nat for to dreden, ne the flateringes 
of hir to ben desired. Thus, at the laste, 
it bihoveth thee to suffren with eveno 
wille in pacience al that is don in-with the 
floor of Fortune, that is to seyn, in this 
world, sin thou hast ones put thy nekke 
under the yok of hir. For yif thou wolt 
wryten a lawe of wendinge and of dwell- 
inge to Fortune, whiche that thou hast 
chosen frely to ben thy lady, artow nat 
wi-ongful in that, and makest Fortiine 
wroth and aspere by thyn inpatience, 
and yit thou mayst nat chaunge hir ? 
Yif thoii committest and bitakest thy 
sailes to the windo, thou shalt be shoven, 
not thider that thou woldest, but whider 
that the wind shoveth thee. Yif thou 
castest thy sedes in-to the feldes, thou 
sholdest han in minde that the yeres ben, 
amonges, other-whyle plentevoias and 
other-whyle bareyne. Thoti hast bitaken 
thy-self to the governaunce of Fortune, 
and for-thy it bihoveth thee to Ison 
obeisaunt to the maneres of thy lady. 
Enforcest thou thee to aresten or with- 
holden tho swiftnesse and the swoigh of 
hir tiirninge whole ? O thou fool of alle 
mortal foolos, if Fortune bigan to dwelle 
stable, she cesede thanne to ben For- 
tune ! 



85 



143 



(goei0iu0. (goo6 ii: QUe^re i. 



Metre I. nee cum superha uerterit uices 
dexfra. 

Whan Fortune with a proud right 
hand hath torned liir ohaunginge 
stoiindes, she fareth l,^k the nianeres of 

the boilinge Eurype. Glosa. Eurype 

5 is an arm of the see that ebheth and 
floweth; and som-tyme the streem is on 

o syde, and som-tyme on the other. 

Text. She, cruel Fortune, casteth adoun 
kinges tliat whylom weren y-drad ; and 

lo she, deceivable, enliaunseth up the hum- 
ble chere of him tliat is discomfited. 
Ne she neither hereth ne rekketh of 
wrecchede wepinges ; and she is so hard 
that she laugheth and scorneth the wep- 

15 inges of hem, the wliiche she hath maked 
wepe with hir free wille. Thus she 
pleyeth, and thus she proeveth hir 
strengthes ; and sheweth a greet wonder 
to alle hir servauntes, yif that a wight 

3o is seyn weleful, and overthrowe in an 
houre. 



Prose II. Vellem atitem j>auca tecum. 

Certes, I wolde pleten with thee a fewe 
thinges, usinge the wordes of Fortune ; 
tak hede now thy-self, yif that she axeth 
right. " O thou man, wher-fore makest 

5 thou me gilty by thj-ne every-dayes pleyn- 
inges? Wliat wi-ong have I don thee? 
What goodes have I bireft thee that 
■weren thjTie ? Strj'f or plete with me, 
bifore wliat juge tliat thou wolt, of the 

lu possessioun of richesses or of diguitees. 
And yif thou mayst shewen me that ever 
any mortal man hath received anyof tho 
thinges to ben hise in propro, than wol 
I graunte frely that alle thilke thinges 

J5 weren thyne whiche that thou axest. 
Whan tliat nature broiTghte thee forth 
out of thy moder wombe, I receyved thee 
naked and nedy of alle thinges, and 
I norisshede thee with my richesses, 

20 and was redy and ententif through my 
favour to susteyne thee ; and that maketh 
thee now inpacient ayeins me ; and 
I envirounde thee with alio the aboun- 



dance and shyninge of alle goodes that 
ben in my right. Now it lyketh me to 
with-drawen my hand ; thoii hast had 
grace as he that hath used of foreine 
goodes ; thou liast no right to pleyne 
thee, as though thou haddest outrely for- 
lorn alle thy thinges. Why pleynest thoii 
thanne ? I have done thee no wrong. 
Richesses, honours, and swiche other 
thinges ben of my right. My servauntes 
knowen me for hir lady ; they comen 
with me, and departen whan I wende. 
I dar wel aflfermen hardily, that yif tho 
thinges, of which thou pleynest that thou 
hast forlorn, hadde ben thyne, thou ne 
haddest not lorn hem. Shal I thanne 
only ben defended to usen my right ? 
Certes, it is leveful to the hevene to make 
clere dayes, and, after that, to coveren 
tho same dayes with derke nightes. The 
yeer hath eek leve to apparailen the 
visage of the erthe, now with floures and 
now with fruit, and to confounden hem 
som-tyme with reynes and with coldes. 
The see hath eek his right to ben som- 
tyme calme and blaundishing with 
smothe water, and som-tyme to ben hor- 
rible with waM'es and with temijestes. 
But the covetise of men, that may nat 
ben stanched, shal it binde me to ben 
stedefast, sin that stedefastnesse is vin- 
couth to my maneres ? Swich is my 
strengthe, and this pley I pleye con- 
tinuely. I torne the whirlinge wheel 
with the torning cercle ; I am glad to 
chaungen the lowest to the heyest, and 
the heyest to the lowest. Worth up, if 
thou wolt, so it be by this lawe, that thou 
ne holde nat that I do thee wronge thogh 
thoii descende adoun, whan the resoun of 
my pley axeth it. Wistest thou nat 
how Cresus, the king of Lydiens, of 
whiche king Cj-rus was ful sore .agast 
a litol biforn, that this rewlicho Cresus 
was caiight of Cyrus and lad to the fyr to 
ben brent, but that a raj-n descendede 
doun fro hevene that rescowede him ? 
And is it out of thy minde how that 
Paulus, consul of Kome, whan he hadde 
taken the king of Perciens, weep pitously 
for the captivitee of the self kingc ? 



30 



61J. 



6=; 



(§ott^iu0. (^ooft II: (prose iii. 



143 



"5 Wliat other thing biwailen the cryingcs 
of tragedies but only the dedes of Fortune, 
that with an unwar stroke overtorneth 

realmes of greto nobley ? Glose. Tra- 

gedie is to seyn, a ditee of a prosperitee for 

80 a tyme, that endeth in tvrecchedncsse. 

Lernedest nat thou in Greke, whan thou 
were yonge, that in the entree, or in the 
celere, of Jupiter, ther ben couched two 
tonnes ; that on is ful of good, that other 

S5 is ful of harm ? Wliat right hast thou to 
pleyne, yif thou hast talien inore plente- 
vously of the gode syde, that is to seyn, of 
my richesses and prosperites ; and what 
eek if I ne be nat al departed fro thee ? 

<K> What eek yif my niutabilitee yiveth thee 
rightful cause of hope to han yit beter 
thingos? Natheles dismaye thee nat in 
tliy thought ; and thou that art put in 
the conii^ne realme of alle, ne desyre nat 

95 to liven by thyn only propre right. 



Metre II. 8i quantas rapid is flatihus 
incitus. 

Though Plentee, that is goddesse of 
richesses, hielde adoun with ful horn, and 
witlidraweth nat hir hand, as many 
richesses as the see tornoth upward 
.•i sandes whan it is moeved with ravissh- 
inge blastes, or elles as many richesses 
as ther shynen brighte sterres on hevene 
on the sterry nightes ; yit, for al that, 
mankinde nolde not cese to wepe wrecch- 

10 ede pleyntes. And al be it so that god 
receyveth gladly hir preyers, and yiveth 
them (as fool-large) moche gold, and 
aparaileth coveitous men with noble or 
clere honours : yit semeth hem haven 

15 y-geten no-thing, but alwey hir cruel 
ravyne, devoviringe al that they han 
geten, sheweth other gapinges ; that is to 
seyn, gapen and desyren yit after mo rich- 
esses. What brydles mighten withholden, 

20 to any certein ende, the desordenee cove- 
tise of men, whan, ever the rather that it 
fleteth in large yiftes, the more ay bren- 
neth in hem the thurst of havinge ? 
Cortes he that, quakinge and dredful, 

25 weneth him-selven nedy, he ne liveth 
never-more riche." 



Prose III. Iliis igitiir si pro se tecum 
Fortuna loqueretur. 

Therfor, yif that Fortune spake with 
thee for hir-self in this manere, for-sothe 
thou ne haddest nat what thou inightest 
answere. And, if thoii hast any-thing 
wherwith thou mayest rightfully de- 5 
fenden thy compleint, it behoveth thee 
to shewen it ; and I wol yeven thee space 
to tellen it.' Boece. ' Certeynly,' quod 
I thanne, ' tliise betli faire thinges, 
and enointed with hony swetenesse of 10 
rethorike and nausike ; and only whyl 
they ben herd they ben delicious. But to 
wrecches is a depper felinge of harm ; 
this is to seyn, that wrecches felen the 
harmes that they suffren more grevously 15 
than the remedies or the delites of thise 
tvo7-des mowen gladen or comforten hem ; so 
that, whan thise thinges stinten for to 
soune in eres, the sorwe that is inset 
greveth the thought.' 20 

Phil. 'Right so is it,' quod she. 'For 
thise ne ben yit none remedies of thy 
maladye ; but they ben a maner norissh- 
inges of thy sorwe, yit rebel ayein thy 
curacioun. For whan that tyme is, I ^5 
shal moeve swiche thinges that percen 
hem-self depe. Biit natheles, tliat thou 
shalt not wilne toleten thy-self a wrecche, 
hast thoii foryeten the noumber and the 
manere of thy welefulnesse ? I holde me ,^o 
stille, how that the soverayne men of the 
citee token thee in cvire and kepinge, 
whan thou were orphelin of fader and 
moder, and were chosen in affinitee of 
princes of the citee ; and thou bigunne 35 
rather to be leef and dere than forto ben 
a neighbour ; the whiche thing is the 
most precious kinde of any propinquiteo 
or alyaunce that may ben. 'Wlio is it 
that ne seide tho that thoii were right 4^ 
weleful, with so grete a nobleye of thy 
fadres-in-lawe, and with the chastitee of 
thy wyf, and with the oportunitee and 
noblesse of thy masculin children, that is 
to seyn, thy sonesf And over al this — me 45 
list to passen the comune thinges — how 
thou haddest in thy j'outhe dignitees that 



144 



Q0oef0tue. Q^ooE ii : Qllefve in. 



■weren werned to olde men. Bvit it de- 
lyteth mo to comen now to the sin^ilor 
50 uphepingo of tliy wolcl'ulnosse. Yif any 
fruit of mortal thinges may han any 
weighte or prys of welefulnesse, mightcst 
thoix over foryeten, for any charge of 
harm that mighte bifallo, the remcm- 
55 braunce of thilke day that thou saye thy 
two sones maked conseileres, and y-lad 
to-gedcrc fro thyn hoiise nnder so greet 
assembleo of sonatinircs and under the 
blythenesse of poeple ; and whan thou 
60 saye hem set in the covirt in hero chayeres 
of dignitcos? Tliou, rethorien or pro- 
nounoere of kinges preysinges, deservcdest 
glorie of wit and of eloquence, whan 
thou, sittinge bitwene thy two sones, con- 
65 scileres, in the place that highte Circo, 
■(■fulfuldest the abydinge of the mul- 
titude of poeple that was sprad abouten 
thee, with so large preysinge and laude, 
as men singen in victories. Tho yave 
70 thou wordes to Fortune, as I trowe, 
that is to seijn, tho feffedest thou Fortune 
u-ith glosinge icordes and deceivedest hir, 
whan she acoyede thee and norisshedc 
thee as hir owne dclyces. Thou bero 
75 away of Fortvine a yifte, that is to seyn, 
swiche gtierdoun, that she never yaf to 
privee man. Wilt thou therfor leye 
a rekeninge with Fortune? She hath 
now twinkled first iipon thee with a wik- 
So kede eye. Yif thou considere tho noiTm- 
bro and the manoro of thy blisses and of 
thy sorwes, thou mayst nat forsaken that 
thou art yit blisful. For if thou therfor 
wenest thy-self nat welef ul, for thinges 
85 that tho semeden joyful ben passed, ther 
nis nat why thou sholdest wene thy-self 
a wrecche ; for thinges that semen now 
sorye passen also. Art thou now comen 
first, a sodein gest, in-to the shadwo <u- 
(JO tabernacle of this lyf ; or trowest thou 
that any stedefastnesse be in mannes 
thinges, whan ofto a swift houre dis- 
solveth the same man ; that is to seyn, 
whan the soule departcth fro the hodyf 
<J5 For, al-though that selde is ther any feith 
that fortunous thinges wolon dwellen, yit 
natheles the laste day of a mannes lyf is 
A manere docth to Fortune, and also to 



thilke that hath dwelt. And therfor, 
what, wenestow, thar [thee] recche, yif ux) 
thou forlete hir in deyingo, or elles that 
she, Fortune, forlete thee in fleeinge 
awey ? 

Mktrk III. Cnm polo Phebus 
roseis qitadrigis. 

AVlian Phebus, the sonne, biginncth to 
sprcden his cleernesse with rosene chari- 
ettes,thanne the sterre, y-dimmed, paloth 
hir whyto chores, by the flambes of the 
Sonne that overcometh the sterrc-light. 5 
This is to seyn, uhan the Sonne is risen, 
the dey-stcrre wexeth pale, and lesc.th hir 
light fur the gretc brightnesse of the sonne. 
Whan the wodc wexeth rody of rosene 
floures, in the first somer sesoun, thorugh 10 
the brethe of the winde Zephirus that 
wexeth warm, yif the cloudy wind Auster 
blowe felliche, than goth awey the faire- 
nesso of thornes. Ofte the see is clecr 

and calm withouto moevinge flodes ; and 15 
ofte the horrible wind Aqnilon moovctli 
boilinge tempestes and ovcr-whclvcth tlio 
see. Yif the forme of this worldo is so 
seldo stable, and yif it turneth by so 
many entrechaungingcs, wolt thou thanne 21) 
trusten in tho tomblinge fortunes of 
men ? W^olt thou trowcn on flittingo 
goodes? It is certein and establisshod 
by lawe perdurahle, that no-thing that is 
engendrcd nis stedefast ne stable.' 25 

Prost; IV. Tunc ego, vera, 
inquam, commemoras. 

Thanne seide I thus : ' O norice of alio 
vertuos, thou scist ful sooth ; no I no may 
nat forsake the right swiito cours of my 
lirosperitce ; that is to seyn, that prosperitee 
ne be comen to me wonder siciftly and sone. 5 
But this is a thing that greetly smerteth 
mo whan it remcmbreth me. For in alio 
adversitee of fortune, the most unsely 
kinde of contrarious fortune is to han 
ben weleful.' 10 

Phil. ' But that thou,' quod she, ' abyest 
thus the torment of thy false opinioun, 
that mayst thou nat rightl'ully blanien 
no arotten to thinges : as icho scilh, for 



i^oH^iue. (goo6 ii: (prose iv. 



145 



(>5 



(hou hast y it many liahundatinces of tliinges. 

Text. For al be it so tliat the ydel 

name of aventurons welefulnesso moeveth 
thee now, it is levelul that thoti rokne 
with me of how manye greto thingcs 
thoii hast yit plentee. And therfor, yif 
tliat thilke thing that thon haddest fox- 
most precions in al thy richesse of for- 
tune be kept to thee yit, by the grace of 
god, nnwemmed and nndefoviled, mayst 
thou thanne pleyne rightfully upon the 
meschef of Fortune, sin thou hast yit thy 
beste tliinges ? Certes, yit liveth in good 
point thilke precious honour of man- 
kinde, Symacus, tliy wyves iador, which 
that is a man makcd alle of sapience and 
of vertu ; tlie whicho man thou ^voidest 
byen redely with the prys of thj'n owno 
lyf. Ho biwayletli the wronges that men 
don to thee, and nat for him-self ; for he 
liveth in sikernesse of any sentences put 
ayeins liim. And yit liveth thy wyf, 
that is atempre of wit, and passinge other 
wimmen in clennesse of chastetee ; and 
for I wol closen shortely hir bountees, she 
is lyk to hir fader. I telle thee wel, that 
she liveth looth of this lyf, and kepeth to 
thee only hir goost ; and is al maat and 
overcomen by wepingo and sorwe for 
desyr of thee, in the whiche thing only 
I moot graunten that thy welefulnesse is 
amenused. What shal I sejTi eek of thy 
two sones, eonseilours, of whiche, as of 
children of hir age, ther shyneth the 
lyknesse of the wit of hir fader or of hir 
elder fader ? And sin the sovereyn cure 
of alle mortel folk is to saven hir owen 
lyves, O how weleful art thou, yif thou 
knowe thy goodes ! For yit ben ther 
thinges dwelled to thee-ward, that no 
man doutoth that they ne ben more 
dereworthe to thee than thyn owen lyf. 
And for-tby drye thy teres, for yit nis 
nat everich lortuno al hateful to thee- 
ward, ne over greet tempest hath nat yit 
fallen upon thee, whan that thyn ancres 
eleven faste, that neither wolen suffrcn 
the counfort of this tyme present ne the 
hope of tyme cominge to passen ne to 
faylen.' Boece. ' And I preye.' quod I, 
' that faste moten they halden ; for 



whyles that they halden, how-so-ever that 
thinges ben, I shal wel fleten forth and 
eseapen ; but thou mayst wel seen how 
grete aparayles and aray that me lak- 
keth, that ben passed away fro me." 

J'hil. ' I have som-what avaunsed and 
forthered thee,' quod she, ' yif that thovi 
anoye nat or forthinke nat of al thy 
fortune : as ivho seilh, I have som-what 
comforted thee, so that thou tempest thee 
nat thus icith al thy fortune, sin thou hast 
yit thy beste thinges. But I may nat suffren 
thy delices, that jileynest so wepinge and 
anguissous, for that ther lakkcth som- 
what to thy welefulnesso. For what man 
is so sad or of so joarfit welefulnesso, that 
he ne strjrveth and pleyneth on som halve 
ayen the qualitee of his estat? For-why 
ful anguissous thing is the condicioun of 
mannes goodes ; for either it cometh nat 
al-togider to a wight, or elles it last nat 
perpetiiel. For sum man hath grete 
richesses, but ho is ashamed of his un- 
gentel linage ; and som is renowned of 
noblesse of kinrede, but he is enclosed in 
so greto anguisshe of nede of thinges, that 
him wore lever that he were unknowe. 
And som man haboimdeth both in rich- 
esse and noblesse, but yit lie bewailoth 
his chaste lyf, for he ne hath no wyf. 
And som man is wel and sclily y-maried, 
but he hath no children, and norissheth 
his richesses to the eyres of strange 
folkes. And som man is gladed with 
children, but he wepeth ful sory for the 
trespas of his soue or of his doughter. 
And for this ther ne acordeth no wight 
lightly to the condicioun of his fortune ; 
for alwey to every man ther is in som- 
what that, unassayed, he ne wot nat ; or 
elles he dredeth that ho hath assayed. 
And adde this also, that every weleful 
man hath a ful delicat felinge ; so that, 
but-yif alle thinges bifalle at his owne 
wil, for he is impacient, or is nat iised to 
han non adversitee, anon he is throwen 
adoun for every litel thing. And ful litel 
thinges ben tho that withdrawen the 
sommo or the perfeccioun of blisfulnesse 
fro hem that ben most fortnnat. How 
many men, trowest thou, wolden demen 



S.i 



yo 



95 



146 



(god^ixiB. (gooR II : QUe^tre iv. 



liem-self to ben almost in hevene, yif 
they mighten atayne to the least party of 
the remnaunt of thy fortiine ? This same 
120 place that thou clepest exil, is contree to 
hem that enhahiten heer, and forthy 
nothing [is] wreoched but whan thou 
wonest it : as who seith, thou thyself, ne. 
no wight elles, nis a wrecdie, hut whan he 
125 weneth him-self a wrecche by reputacioun of 
his corar/e. And ayeinward, alle fortune 
is blisful to a man . by the agreabletee or 
by the egalitee of him that suifreth it. 
What man is that, that is so weleful, 
130 that noldo changen his estat whan ho 
hath lost pacience? The swetnesse of 
mannes welefulnesse is sprayned with 
many biternesses ; the whicho weleful- 
nesse, al-though it seme sweto and joyful 
135 to hem that i^seth it, yit may it nat ben 
with-holden that it ne gotli away whan it 
wole. Thanno is it wel scne, how wrecched 
is the blisfulnesse of mortal thinges, that 
neither it dureth perpetuel with hem 
140 that every fortune receiven agreablely or 
egaly, ne it delyteth nat in al to hem 
that ben anguissous. O ye mortal folk, 
what seke ye thanne blisfulnesse out of 
your-self, wliiche that is put in your-self ? 
145 Errour and folye confoundeth yow. 

I shal shewe thee shortely the poynt 
of sovereyne blisfulnesse. Is ther any- 
tliing more precious to thee than thy- 
self? Thouwolt answere, "nay." Thanne, 
150 yif it so be that thou art mighty over 
thy-self, that is to seyn, by tranqiiillitec of 
thy soicle, than hast thou thing in thy 
power that thou noldest never lesen, ne 
Fortune ne may nat beneme it thee. 
155 And that thou mayst knowe that blisful- 
nesse ne may nat standen in thinges that 
ben fortunous and temporel, now under- 
stondc and gader it to-gidere thus : Yif 
l)lisfulnesse be the sovereyn good of nature 
160 that liveth by resoun, ne thilke thing nis 
nat sovereyn good that may be taken 
awey in any wyse, (for more worthy 
tiling and more digne is thilke thing that 
naay nat ben taken awey) ; than sheweth 
165 it wel, that the unstablenesse of fortune 
may nat atayne to receiven verray blis- 
fulnesse. And yit more-over : what man 



that this toumbling welefulnesse ledeth, 
either he woot that it is chaungeable, or 
elles he woot it nat. And yif he woot 170 
it nat, what blisful fortune may ther be 
in the blindnesse of ignorance ? And yif 
he woot that it is chaungeable, he moot 
alwey ben adrad that he ne lese that 
thing that he ne doubteth nat but that 175 
he may lesen it ; as ivho seith, he mot ben 
alwey agast, lest he lese that he wot wel he 
may lese it. For which, the continuel 
dreed that he hath ne suifreth him nat 
to ben weleful. Or yif he lese it, he iSo 
weneth to be dispysed and forleten. 
Certes eek, that is a ful litel good that 
is born with evene herte whan it is lost ; 
that is to seyn, that men do no more fors of 
the lost than of the havinge. And for as 185 
moche as thou thj^-self art he, to whom it 
hath ben shewed and proved by ful 
manye demonstraciouns, as I wot wel, 
that the sowles of men ne niowe nat 
deyen in no wyse ; and eek sin it is cleer 190 
and certein, that fortunous welefulnesse 
endeth by the deeth of the body ; it may 
nat ben dou.ted that, yif that deeth may 
take awey blisfulnesse, that alle the kinde 
of mortal thinges ne descendeth into 195 
wrecchednesse by the ende of the deeth. 
And sin we knowcn wel, that many a 
man hath soiight the fruit of blisfulnesse 
nat only with sufFringe of deeth, but eek 
with sviffringe of peynes and tormentes ; 200 
how mighte than this present lyf maken 
men blisful, sin that, whan thilke selve 
lyf is ended, it ne maketli folk no 
wrecches ? 

Metre IV. Quisquis uolet perennem. 

Wliat maner man, stable and war, that 
wole founden him a perdurable sete, and 
ne wole nat ben cast down with the loude 
blastes of the wind Eurus ; and wole 
despyse the see, manasinge with flodes ; 5 
lat him eschewen to bilde on the cop 
of the mountaignc or in the moiste sandes. 
For the felle wind Auster tormenteth the 
cop of the mountaigne with all his 
strengthes ; and the lause sandes refusen 10 
to beren the bevy wighte. And forthy, 



(god^iu,0, (^ooft II: (})ro0e v. 



147 



if thou wolt fleen the perilous aventure, 
that is to seyn, of the worldc ; have minde 
certeinly to ficchen thyn hous of a merye 

15 site in a lowe stoon. For al-tliough the 
wind, troubling the see, thondre with 
over-throwinges, thou that art put in 
quiete, and weleful by strengthe of thy 
palis, shalt leden a cleer age, scorninge 

20 the woodnesses and the ires of the eyr. 

PuosE V. Set cum rationum iain in te. 

But for as moche as the norisshinges 
of my resouns descenden now in-to thee, 
I trowe it were tyme to usen a litel 
strenger medicynes. Now iinderstond 
5 heer, al were it so that the yiftes of 
Fortune ne were nat brutel ne transitorie, 
what is ther in hem that may be thyn 
in any tyme, or elles that it nis foul, yif 
that it be considered and loked perfitly? 

K) Richesses, ben they precious by the nature 
of hem-self, or elles by the nature of 
thee ? What is most worth of richesses ? 
Is it nat gold or might of moneye 
assembled ? Certes, thilke gold and 

15 thilke moneye shyneth and yeveth betere 
renoun to hem that despenden it thanne 
to thilke folk tliat mokeren it ; for avar- 
ice maketh alwey mokereres to ben hated, 
and largesse maketh folk cleer of renoun. 

20 For sin that swich thing as is transferred 
fram o man to another ne may nat 
dwellen with no man ; certes, thanne is 
thilke moneye precious whan it is trans- 
lated into other folk and stenteth to ben 

25 had, by usage of large yevinge of him 
that hath yeven it. And also : yif that al 
the moneye that is over-al in the worlde 
were gadered toward o man, it sholde 
makcn alle other men to ben nedy as of 

30 that. And certes a voys al hool, that 
is to seyn, with-oiite amenusinge, fulfilleth 
to-gidere the hering of moche folk ; but 
certes, youre richesses ne mowen nat 
passen in-to moche folke with-outo amen- 

.^5 usinge. And whan they ben apassed, 
nedes they maken hem pore that for-gon 
the richesses. O ! streite and nedy clepe 
I this richesse, sin that many folk ne 
may nat han it al, ne al naay it nat 



comen to o man with-outen povertee of 4^ 
alle other folk ! And the shyninge of 
gemmes, that I clepe precious stones, 
draweth it nat the eyen of folk to hem- 
ward, that is to seyn, for the beaidee ? But 
certes, yif ther were beautee or bountee 45 
in the shyninge of stones, thilke clcer- 
nesse is of the stones heni-self, and nat 
of men ; for whiche I wondre gretly that 
men mervailen on swicho thinges. For- 
why, what thing is it, that yif it wanteth 50 
moeving <and joyntiire of sowle and body, 
that by right mighte semen a fair crea- 
ture to him that hath a sowle of resoun ? 
For al be it so that gemmes drawen to 
hem-self a litel of the lasto beaiitee of the 55 
world, through the entente of hir creatour 
and through the distinccioun of hemself ; 
j-it, fur as mochel as they ben put under 
youre excellence, theyne han nat deserved 
by no wey that ye sholden mervailen on 60 
hem. And the beautee of feldes, delyteth 
it nat mochel un-to yow ? ' 

Boece. ' Wliy sholde it nat delyien \as, 
sin that it is a right fair porcioun of the 
right fairs werke, that is to seyn, of this 65 
world ? And right so ben we gladed som- 
tyme of the face of the see whan it is 
cleer ; and also mervailen we on the 
hevene and on tlie sterres, and on the 
Sonne and on the mone.' 7^ 

Fhilosophye. ' Aperteneth,' quod she, 
'any of thilke thinges to thee? Why 
darst thou glorifyen thee in the shyninge 
of any swiche thinges? Art thou dis- 
tingwed and embelised by the springmge 75 
floures of the first somer sesoun, or 
swelletli thy plentee in the fruites of 
somer? Why art thou ravisshed with 
ydel joj-es? Why embracest thou straunge 
goodes as they weren thyne ? Fortime ne 80 
shal never maken that swiclie thinges 
ben thyne, that nature of thinges hath 
maked foreine fro tliee. Sooth is that, 
with-outen donte, the frutes of the erthe 
owen to ben to the norissinge of bestes. 85 
And yif thou wolt ftilfiUe thy nede after 
that it suftyseth to nature, than is it no 
nede that thoii seke after the superfluitee 
of fortune. For with ful fewe things 
and with ful litel thinges nature halt hir 90 



{gott^iue. (gooft II: (j)ro0e v. 



apayed ; and yif thou wolt achoken the 
fulfillinge of natxire with sujierfluitees, 
certes, thilke thinges that thou wolt 
thresten or pouren in-to nature shullen 
05 ben tinjoyful to thee, or elles anoyous. 
Wenest thou eek that it be a fair thing 
to shyne with dyverse clothinge ? Of 
whiche clothinge yif the beautee be 
agreeable to loken up-on, I wol mervailen 

ICO on the nature of the niatere of thilke 
clothes, or elles on the werkman that 
"wroughte hem. But also a long route of 
ineynee, maketh that a hlisful man ? The 
wliiclie sei^vants, yif they ben vicious of 

105 condiciouns, it is a great charge and a 
distruccioun to the hous, and a greet 
enemy to the lord himself. And yif they 
ben goode men, how shal straunge or 
foreinc goodnesse ben put in the noumbre 

no of thy richesse ? So that, by all these 
forsoide thiuges, it is clearly y-shewed, 
that never oon of thilke thinges that 
thou acountedest for thyne goodes nas 
nat thy good. In the whiche thinges, 

115 yif ther be no beautee to ben desyred, 
why sholdest thou ben sory yif thou lese 
hem, or why sholdest thou rejoysen thee 
to holden hem ? For yif they ben faire 
of hir owne Icinde, ■what aperteneth that 

I JO to thee? For al so wel sholden they ban 
ben faire bj' hem-selve, thoi^gh they weren 
departed fram alle thyne richesses. For- 
"why faire ne precious ne weren they nat, 
for that they comen among thy richesses ; 

125 but, for they semeden faire and precious, 
ther-for thou haddest lever rekne hem 
araonges thy richesses. But what de- 
sirest thou of Fortune with so grete a 
noise, and with so grete a fare ? I trowe 

1 30 thou seke to dryve awey nede with ha- 
bundaiince of thinges ; but certes, it 
torneth to you al in the contrarie. 
Forwhy certes, it nedeth of ful manye 
helpinges to kepen the diversitee of 

135 precious ostelments. And sooth it is, 
that of manye thinges ban they nede 
that manye thinges ban ; and ayeinward, 
of litel nedeth hem that mesuren hir iille 
after the nede of liinde, and nat after 

140 the outrage of coveityse. Is it thanne so, 
that ye men ne ban no proper good 



y-set in you, for which ye moten seken 
outward youre goodes in foreine and 
subgit thinges ? So is thanne the con- 
dicioun of thinges torned up-so-down, 1 
that a man, that is a devyne beest by 
merite of his resoun, thinketh that him- 
self nis neither faire ne noble, but-yif 
it be thorugh possessioun of ostelments 
that ne ban no sowles. And certes, al ' 
other thinges ben apayed of hir owne 
beautee ; but ye men, that ben semblablc 
to god by your resonable thought, desiren 
to aparailen your excellent kinde of the 
lowest thinges ; ne ye understonden nat 
bow greet a wrong ye don to your 
creatour. For be wolde that mankind o 
were most worthy and noble of any othre 
erthely thinges ; and ye threste adoun 
your dignitees benethe the lowest thinges. ■ 
For yif that al the good of every thiiige 
be more precious tlian is thilke thing 
whos that the good is : sin ye demen 
that the fouleste thinges ben yourc 
goodes, thanne submitten ye and putten 
your-selven under tho fouleste thinges 
by your estimacioun ; and certes, this 
tydeth nat witb-oute youre desertes. rf)r 
certes, swiche is the condicioun of alio 
mankinde, that only whan it hath know- 
inge of it-selve, than passeth it in 
noblesse alle other thinges ; and whan 
it forleteth the knowinge of it-self, than 
is it brought binethen alle beestes. For- 
why al other livinge beestes ban of kinde 
to knowe nat hem-self; but whan that 
men leten the knowinge of hemself, it 
cometh hem of vice. But how^ brode 
sheweth the errour and the folye of yow 
men, tliat wenen that any thing may 
ben aparailed with straunge aparaile- 
ments ! But for sothe that may nat ben 
doon. For yif a wight shyneth witli 
thinges that ben put to him, as thus, if 
thilke thinges shynen with which a man is 
aparailed, certes, thilke thinges ben 
comended and preysed with which he is 
iiparailed ; but natheles, the thing tliat 
is covered and w^rapped under that 
dwcUeth in his filthe And I denj'o : 

that thilke thing be good that anoyeth 
him that liath it. Gabbe I of thisV 



(go<jf0tu0. QBooft II: $>ro0e vi. 



149 



Thou wolt seye " nay." Certes, richesses 
hail anoyed ful ofte hem that han tho 

ii>5 richesses ; sin that every wikked shrewe, 
(and for his wikkednesse the more gredy 
alter other folkes richesses, wher-so ever 
it be in any place, be it gold or precious 
stones), weneth him only most worthy 

!<Ki that hath hem. Thou thanne, that so 
bisy dredest now the swerd and now the 
spere, yif thou haddest entred in the 
path of this lyf a voide wayferinge man, 
than woldest thou singe beforn the theef ; 

jiu as who seitli, a pore man, that herth no 
richesse on him by the weye, may holdely 
singe biforn theves, for he hath nat wherof 
to ben robbed. O precious and right cleer 
is the blisfulnesse of mortal richesses, 

-'■5 that, whan thou hast geten it, than hast 
tliou lorn thy sikernesse ! 

Metre V. Felix nimium, prior etas. 

Blisful was the first age of men ! They 
helden hem apayed with the metes that 
tlie trewe feldes broughten forth. The.y 
lie distroyede nor deceivede nat hem-self 
.S with outi-age. They weren wont Lightly 
to slaken hir hunger at even with acornes 
of okes. They ne coude nat medly the 
yifte of Bachus to the cleer hony ; that 
is to seyn, they coude make no piment nor 

w clarree ; ne they coude nat media the 
brighte fleeses of the contree of Seriens 
with the venini of Tyrie ; this is to seyn, 
they coude nat deyen whyte fleeses of Serien 
contree with the blodc of a vianer shelfisshe 

'5 that menfinden in Tyrie, with whiche blood 
men deyen purxnir. They slepen hoolsom 
slepes up-on the gras, and dronken of the 
renninge wateres ; and layen under the 
shadwes of the heye pyn-trees. Ne no 

2u gest ne straungere ne carf yit the heye 
see with ores or with shipipes ; ne they 
ne hadde seyn yit none newe strondes, 
to leden marchaundyse in-to dyverse 
contrees. Tho weren the cruel clariouns 

-'5 ful bust and ful stille, ne blood y-shad 
by egre hate ne hadde nat deyed yit 
armures. For wher-to or which wood- 
nesse of enemys wolde first moeven amies, 
whan they seyen cruel woundes, ne none 



medes be of blood y-sliad ? I wolde 30 
that oure tymes sliolde tome ayein to 
the olde maneres ! But the anguissous 
love of havinge brenneth in folk more 
cruely than the fyr of the mountaigne 
Ethna, that ay brenneth. Alias ! what 35 
was he that first dalf up the gobetes or 
tho weightes of gold covered under erthe, 
and the precious stones that wolden han 
ben hid ? He dalf uj) precious perils. 
Tliat is to seyn, that he that hem first tip 40 
dalf, lie dalf up a pirecious jjeril; for-why 
for the X)reciousnesse of swiche tliinge, hath 
many man ben in peril. 

Prose VI. Quid autem de dignitatihus. 

But what shal I seye of dignitees and 
of powers, the whiche ye men, that 
neither knowen verray dignitee ne verray 
power, areysen hem as heye as the 
lievene? The wliiclie dignitees and 5 
powers, yif they comen to any wikked 
man, they don as grete damages and 
dcstrucciouns as doth the flaumbo of the 
mountaigne Ethna, whan the flaumbe 
walweth up ; ne no deluge ne doth so 10 
cruel harmes. Certes, thee remembreth 
wel, as I trowe, that tliilke dignitee that 
men clepen the imperie of consulers, the 
whiche that whyloni was biginninge of 
fredom, youre eldres coveiteden to han 15 
don away that dignitee, for the pryde of 
the consulers. And right for the same 
pryde your eldres, biforn that tyme, 
haddeii don awey, out of the citee of 
Rome, the kinges name ; that is to seyn, 20 
they nolde han no lenger no Icing. But now, 
yif so be that dignitees and powers be 
yeven to goode men, the whiche thing 
is ful selde, what agreable thing is ther 
in tho dignitees or powers but only the ^5 
goodnesse of folkes that usen hem ? And 
therfor it is thus, that honour ne comth 
nat to vertu for cause of dignitee, but 
ayeinward honour comth to dignitee for 
cause of vertu. But whiche is thilke 30 
youre dere'worthe power, that is so cleer 
and so requerable ? O ye erthelicho 
bestes, considere ye nat over which 
thinge that it semeth that ye han power ? 



I50 



(^oef6tu0. (^ooE II: 5^ro0e vi. 



35 Now yif thou saye a mous amonges other 
mys, that chalaunged to him-self-ward 
right and power over alle other mys, 
liow greet scorn woldest thou han of it ! 
Glosa. So fareth it by men ; the body hath 

40 power over the body. Por yif thou loke 
wel up-on the body of a wight, what 
thing shalt thou finde more freele than is 
mankinde ; the whiche men wel ofte ben 
slayn with bytinge of smale flyes, or elles 

45 with the entringe of crepinge wormes 
in-to the privetees of mannes body ? But 
wher shal man iinden any man that may 
exercen or haunten any right up-on 
another man, but only up-on his body, 

50 or elles up-on thinges that ben lowere 
than the body, the whiche I clepe for- 
tunous possessioiuis ? Mayst thou ever 
have any comaundement over a free 
corage ? Mayst than remuen fro the estat 

55 of his propre reste a thoiight that is 
clyvinge to-gidere in him-self by stede- 
fast resovin ? As whylom a tyraunt 
wende to confounde a free man of corage, 
and wende to constreyne hini bj' torment, 

60 to maken him discoveren and acusen folk 
that wisten of a couiuracioun, which I 
clepe a confederacie, that was cast ayeins 
this tyraunt ; but this free man boot of 
his owne tonge and caste it in the visage 

65 of thilke wode tyravmt ; so that the tor- 
ments that this tyraiint wende to han 
maked matere of criieltee, this wyse man 
maked it matere of vertii. 

But what thing is it that a man may 

70 don to another man, that he ne n:iay 
recej^en the same thing of othre folk 
in him-self : or thus, what may a man don 
to folk, that folk ne may don him the same? 
I have herd told of Busirides, that was 

75 wont to sleeii his gestes that herberweden 
in his hous ; and he was slej'n him-self 
of Erciales that was his gest. Regulus 
hadde taken in bataile many men of 
AfFrike and cast hem in-to feteres ; but 

80 sone after he moste yeve his liandes to 
ben bounde with the cheynes of hem that 
he hadde whylom overcomen. Wenest 
thou thanne that he be niighty, that 
hath no 2)owor to don a thing, that othre 

85 ne may don in him that ho doth in othre ? 



And yit more-over, yif it so were that 
thise dignitees or poweres hadden any 
propre or natural goodnesse in hena-self, 
never nolden they comen to shrewes. 
For contrarious thinges ne ben nat wont yo 
to ben y-felawshipod to-gidere. Nature 
refuseth that contrarious thinges ben 
y-joigned. And so, as I am in certein 
that right wikked folk han dignitees ofte 
tyme, than sheweth it wel that dignitees 95 
and powers ne ben nat goode of hir owne 
kinde ; sin that they sufFren hem-self to 
eleven or joinen hem to shrewes. And 
certes, the same thing may I most 
digneliche jugen and seyn of alle the lot) 
yiftes of fortune that most plentevously 
conien to shrewes ; of the whiche yiftes, 
I trowe that it oughto ben considered, 
that no man douteth that he nis strong 
in whom ho seeth strengthe ; and in 105 
whom that swiftnesse is, sooth it is that 
he is swift. Also musike maketh mu- 
siciens, and phisike maketh phisiciens, 
and rethorike rethoriens. Por-why the 
nature of every thing maketh his pro- 110 
pretee, ne it is nat entrcmedled with the 
effects of the contrarious thinges ; and, 
as of wil, it chaseth out thinges that ben 
to it contrarie. But certes, richesse may 
not restreyne avarice unstaunched ; ne 115 
power ne raaketh nat a man mighty 
over him-self, whiche that vicious lustes 
holden destreyned with cheynes that ne 
mo wen nat be unbounden. And digni- 
tees that ben yeven to shrewede folk nat i-Jo 
only ne maketh hem nat digne, but it 
sheweth rather al openly that they ben 
unworthy and undigne. And why is it 
thus ? Certes, for ye han .joye to clepen 
thinges with false names that beren hem 125 
alio in the contrarie ; the whiche names 
ben ful ofte reproeved by the effecte of 
the same thinges ; so that thise ilke 
richesses ne oughten nat by right to ben 
cleped richesses ; ne swich power ne 130 
oughte nat ben cleped power ; ne swich 
digniteo ne oughte nat ben cleped dig- 
nitee. And at the laste, I may con- 
clude the same thing of alle the yiftes 
of Fortune, in which ther nis nothing 135 
to ben desired, ne that hath in him-self 



Q0oe<6tu0. QSfooft II : (pro0e VII. 



151 



naturel bountee, as it is fill wel y-sene. 
For neither tliey ne joignen hem. nat 
alwey to goode men, ne maken hem 
140 alwey goode to whom that they ben 
y-joigned. 

Metre VI, Xotdmus quantas dederit 
ruinas. 

We han wel knowen how many grete 
harmes and destrucciouns weren don hy 
the emperor Nero. He leet brenne the 
citee of Eome, and made sleen the 
5 senatoures. And he, cruel, whylom slew 
his brother ; and he was maked moist 
with the blood of his moder ; that is to 
seyn, he leet sleen and slitten the body of 
his moder, to seen wher he teas conceived ; 

10 and he loked on every halve up-on her 
colde dede body, ne no tere ne -wette his 
face, but he tvas so hard-herted that he 
mighte ben domes-man or juge of hir 
dede beautee. A_nd natheles, yit govern- 

15 ede this Nero by ceptre alle the poeples 
that Phebus the Sonne may seen, com- 
inge from his outereste arysinge til he 
hyde his hemes under the wawes ; that 
is to seyn, he governed alle the poeples by 

so ceptre imperial that the sonne goth aboiite, 
from est to tvest. And eek this Nero 
governed by ceptre alle the poeples that 
ben under the colde sterres that highten 
" septem triones " ; this is to seyn, he gover- 

3$ nede alle the poeples that ben under the 
party of the north. And eek Nero governed 
alle the poeples that the violent wind 
Nothus scorkleth, and baketh the bren- 
ning sandes by his drye hete ; that is to 

30 seyn, alle the poeples in the south. But yit 
ne mighte nat al his hye power tome the 
woodnesse of this wikked Nero. Alias ! 
it is a grevoiis fortune, as ofte as wikked 
swerd is joigned to cruel venim ; that is 

35 to seyn, venimous crueltee to lordshippe. ' 

Prose VII. Turn ego, scis, inquam. 

Thanne seyde I thus : ' Thou wost wel 

thy-self that the coveitise of mortal 

thinges ne hadde never lordshipe of me ; 

but I have wel desired matere of thinges 

5 to done, as who scith, I desire to han 



matere of govcrnaunce over comunalitees, 
for vertu, stille, ne sholde nat elden ;' 
that is to seyn, that [him] teste that, or he 
wex olde, his vertu, that lay now fid stille, 
ne shotild nat perisshe unexercised in govern- 10 
aunce of comttne ; for ichich men mighten 
sjjeken or wryten of his goode governe- 
ment. 

Philosophye. ' For sothe,' quod she, 
' and that is a thing that may drawen 15 
to governaunce swiche hertes as ben 
worthy and noble of hir nature ; but 
natheles, it may nat drawen or toUen 
swiche hertes as ben y-brought to the 
fulle perfeccioun of vertu, that is to seyn, 20 
coveitise of glorie and renoun to han wel 
administred the comune thinges or don 
gode desertes to profit of the comune. 
For see now and considere, how litel and 
how voide of alle prys is thilke glorie. 2$ 
Certein thing is, as thou hast lerned by 
the demonstracioun of astronomye, that 
al the environinge of the erthe aboute 
ne halt nat but tlie resoun of a prikke 
at regard of the greetnesse of lievene ; 30 
that is to seyn, that j-if ther were maked 
comparisoun of the erthe to the greet- 
nesse of hevene, men wolden jugen in al, 
that the ertlie ne helde no space. Of the 
whiche litel regioun of tliis worlde, the 35 
fertile partye is enhabited with livinge 
bestes tliat we knowen, as thou thyself 
hast y-lerned by Tholomee that proveth 
it. And yif thou haddest with-drawen 
and abated in thy thought fro thilke 40 
fertile partye as nioche space as the see 
and the inareys contenen and over-goon, 
and as moche space as the regioun of 
droughte over-streccheth, that is to seyn, 
sandes and desertes, wel unnethe sholde 45 
ther dwellen a right streit place to the 
habitacioun of men. And yo thanne, 
that hen environed and closed with-in 
the leste prikke of thilke prikke, thinken 
ye to manifesten your renoun and don 50 
youre name to ben horn forth ? But 
your glorie, that is so narwe and so 
streite y-throngen in-to so litel boundes, 
how mochel coveiteth it in largesse and 
in greet doinge ? And also sette this 55 
tliere-to : that many a nacioun, dyverse 



irv. 



^od^im. (gooft II : (jJroee vii. 



of tonge and of maneres and eek of 
resovm of liir livinge, ben enliabited in 
the clos of thilke litel habitaclo ; to the 

60 whiche naciouns, what for difficultee of 
weyes and what for dyversitee of Ian- 
gages, and what for defaute of unusage 
and entrecomuninge of niarchaundise, 
nat only the names of singuler men ne 

t>5 may nat strecchen, but eek the fame of 
citees ne may nat strecchen. At the 
laste, certes, in the tyme of Marcus 
Tullius, as him-self writ in his book, that 
the renonn of the comune of Eome ne 

70 hadde nat yit passed ue cloumben over 
the mountaigne that highte Caucasus ; 
and yit was, thilke tyme, Eome wel 
waxen and greetly redouted of the Parthes 
and eek of other folk enhabitinge abonte. 

75 Seestow nat thanne how streit and how 
compressed is thilke glorie that ye trav- 
ailen aboute to shewe and to multiplye ? 
May thanne the glorie of a singuler 
Eomaine strecchen thider as the fame 

80 of the name of Eome may nat climben 
ne passen ? And eek, seestow nat that 
the maneres of dyverse folk and eek hir 
lawes ben discordaunt among hem-self; 
so that thilke thing that som men jugen 

85 worthy of preysinge, other folk jugen 
that it is worthy of torment ? And ther- 
of comth it that, though a man delyte 
liLui in preysinge of his renoi\n, he may 
nat in no wyse bringeu forth ue spreden 

90 his name to many maner poeples. There- 
for every man oughte to ben apayed of 
his glorie that is publisshed among his 
owne neighbours ; and thilke noble re- 
noun shal ben restreyned within the 

95 boundes of o manere folke. But how 
many a man, that was ful noble in his 
tyme, hath the wrecched and nedy 
foryetinge of wryteres put out of minde 
and don awey ! Al be it so that, certes, 

i(X) thilJcewrytingesprofiten litel; the whiche 
wrytinges long and derk elde doth awey, 
botho hem and eek hir autours. But ye 
men semen to geten yow a perdurabletee, 
whau ye theuken that, in tyme to- 

105 cominge, your fame shal lasten. But 
natheles, yif thou wolt maken compari- 
souu to the endeles spaces of ctcrnitee. 



what thing hast thou by whiche thou 
mayst rejoysen thee of long lastinge of 
thy name ? Por yif ther were maked 
comjiarisoun of the abydinge of a moment 
to ten thousand winter, for as mochel as 
bothe the spaces ben ended, yit hath the 
moment som porcioun of it, al-though it 
litel be. But natheles, thilke selve noum- 
bre of yeres, and eek as many yeres as 
ther-to may be multiplyed, ne may nat, 
certes, ben comparisoned to the perdiira- 
bletee that is endeles ; for of thinges that 
han ende maj' be maked comparisouu, 
but of thinges that ben with-outen ende, 
to thinges that han ende, may be maked 
no comparisoun. And forthy is it that, 
al-though renoun, of as long tyme as ever 
thee list to thinken, were thought to the 
regard of eternitee, that is unstaunchablo 
and infinit, it ne sholde nat only semen 
litel, but ijleynliche right naught. But 
ye men, certes, no conne don nothing 
a-right, but-yif it be for the audience 
of poeple and for ydel rumoiirs ; and 
ye forsaken the grete worthiuesse of 
conscience and of vertu, and ye soken 
your giTerdouns of the smale wordes of 
straunge folk. Have now heer and 
understoude, in the lightuesse of swich 
pryde and veine glorie, how a man 
scornede festivaly and merily swich vani- 
tee. Whylom ther was a man that 
hadde assayed with stryvinge wordes 
another man, the whiche, nat for usage 
of verray vertu but for proud veine 
glorie, had taken up-on him falsly the 
name of a philosophre. This rather man 
that I spak o/thoughte he wolde assaye, 
wher he, thilke, were a philosophre or 
no ; that is to seyn, yif that he wolde 
han sutfred lightly in pacience the 
■vvronges that weren don un-to him. This 
feynede philosophre took pacience a litel 
whyle, and, whan he hadde received 
wordes of outrage, he, as in stryvinge 
ayein and rejoysinge of him-self, seyde 
at the laste right thus: " understondest 
thou nat that I am a phUosophre ? " That 
other man answerde ayein ful bytingly, 
and seyde : " I hadde wel understonden 
it, yif thou haddest holden thy tonge 



145 



(^oef^tue. (^ooft ii: (pvo&t viii. 



153 



stille." But what is it to thise noble 

60 worthy men (for, certes, of swiche folke 
speke I) that seken glorie with vertu ? 
What is it ? ' quod she ; ' what atteyneth 
fame to swiche folk, whan the body is 
resolved bj"^ the deeth at the laste ? For 

65 yif it so be that men dyen in al, that 
is to seyn, body and sowle, the which e 
thing our resoun defendeth us to bileven, 
tlianne is ther no glorie in no wj'se. Foi' 
u-hat sholde thilke glorie ben, whan he, 

70 of whom thilke glorie is seyd to be, nis 
right naiight in no wyse ? And yif the 
sowle, whiche that hath in it-self science 
of goode werkes, iznbonnden fro the 
prison of the erthe, wendeth frely to the 

175 hevene, despyseth it nat thanne alle 
erthely occupacioun ; and, being in 
hevene, rejoj'seth that it is exempt fro 
alle erthely thinges ? As who seith, thanne 
rekketh the soivle of wo glorie of renoun 

180 of this world. 

Metre VII. Quicunque solum mente 
praecipiti petit. 

Who-so that, with overthrowinge 
thought, only seketh glorie of fame, 
and weneth that it be sovereyn good : 
lat him loken up-on the brode shewinge 
5 contrees of hevene, and up-on the stroite 
site of this erthe ; and he shal ben 
ashamed of the encrees of his name, that 
may nat fulfiUe the litel compas of the 
erthe. O ! what coveiten proude folk to 

10 liften up hir nekkes in ydel in the dedly 
yok of this ivorlde ? For al-though that 
renoun y-sprad, passiuge to feme poeples, 
goth by dyverse touges ; and al-though 
that grete houses or kiuredes shjaien 

15 with clere titles of honours; yit, natheles, 
deeth despyseth alle heye glorie of fame : 
and deeth wrappeth to-gidere the heye 
hevedes and the lowe, and maketh egal 
and evene the heyeste to the loweste. 

20 Wher wonen now the bones of trewe 
Fabricius ? What is now Brutus, or 
stierne Catoun ? The thinne fame, yit 
lastinge, of hir ydel names, is marked 
with a lewe lettres ; but al-though that 

25 we lian knowen the faire wordes of the 



fames of hem, it is nat j'even to knowe 
hem that ben dede and consumpte. Lig- 
geth thanne stille, al oiitrely unknow- 
able ; ne fame ne maketh yow nat knowe. 
And yif ye wene to liven the longer for 30 
winde of your mortal name, whan o 
criiel day shal ravisshe yow, thanne is 
the seconde deeth dwellinge im-to j'ow.' 
Glose. The first deeth he clepeth heer the 
departinge of the body and the soivle; and 35 
the seconde deeth he clepeth, as heer, the 
stintinge of the renoun of fame. 

Prose VIII. Set ne me inexorahile contra 
fortitnam. 

' But for as niochel as thou shalt nat 
wenen,' qitod she, ' that I here untretable 
bataile ayeins fortune, yit som-tyme it 
bifalleth that she, deceyvablo, deservetli 
to han right good thank of men ; and 5 
that is, whan she hir-self opneth, and 
whan she descovereth hir froimt, and 
sheweth hir maneres. Peraventure yit 
understondest thou nat that I shal seye. 
It is a wonder that I desire to telle, and 10 
forthy unnethe may I unpleyten my 
sentence with wordes ; for I deme that 
contrarious Fortune profiteth naore to 
men than Fortune debonaire. For al- 
wey, whan Fortune semetli debonaire, 15 
than she lyeth falsly in bihetinge the 
hope of ■vvelefulnesse ; but forsothe con- 
trarious Fortune is alwey soothfast, whan 
she sheweth hir-self unstable thorugh 
hir chaunginge. The amiable Fortune 20 
deceyveth folk ; the contrarie Fortune 
techeth. The amiable Fortune bindeth 
with the beautee of false goodes the 
hertes of folk that usen hem ; the con- 
trarie Fortune unbindeth hem by the 25 
knowinge of freele welefulnesse. The 
amiable Fortune mayst thou seen alwey 
f windy and flowinge, and over mis- 
knowinge of hir-self; the contrarie For- 
tune is atempre and restrejmed, and wys 30 
thorugh exercise of hir adversitee. At 
the laste, amiable Fortune with hir 
flateringes draweth miswandringe men 
fro the sovereyne good ; the contrarious 
Fortune ledeth olle folk ayein to sooth- 35 



154 



(goef6tu0. (^006 II: (mefre VIII. 



fast goodes, and haleth liem ayein as 
■with an hooke. Wenest thou thanne 
that thovi oughtest to leten this a litel 
thing, that this aspre and horrihle 

4'-' Fortune hath discovered to thee the 
thoughtes of thy trewe freendes? For- 
why this ilke Fortune hath departed 
and iincovered to thee bothe the certem 
visages and eek the doutous visages of 

45 thy felawes. "Whan she dejiarted awey 
fro thee, she took awey hir freendes, and 
laftc thee thyne freendes. Now whan 
thou -were riche and weleful, as thee 
semede, with how niocliel ■woklest thou 

50 han bought the ftille knowinge of tliis, 
that is to seyn, the Icnoinnge of thi/ verray 
freendes? Now pleyne thee nat thanne 
of riehesse y-lorn, sin thou hast founden 
the moste precioixs kiiide of richesses, 

55 that is to sejTi, thy verray freendes. 

Metre VIII. Qitod mundus stahili 
fde. 

Tliat the world with stable feith varieth 
acordable chaunginges ; that the con- 
trarious qualitoe of elements holden 



among hem-self aliaunce perdurable ; that 
Phebus the sonne with his goldene chariet 5 
bringeth forth the rosene day ; that the 
moue hath commaundement over the 
nightes, which nightes Hesperus the eve- 
sterre hath brought ; that the see, greedy 
to flowen, constreyneth with a oertein 10 
ende hise flodes, so that it is nat leveful 
to strecche hise brode termes or boundes 
np-on the orthes, that is to seyn, to covere 
al the erthe : — al this acordaunce of 
thinges is bouuden with Love, that 15 
governeth erthe and see, and hath also 
commaiindements to the hevenes. And 
yif this Love slakede the brydeles, alle 
thinges that now loven hem to-gederes 
wolden maken a bataile continuely, and 20 
strj'^'en to fordoon the fasoun of this 
worlde, the whiche they now laden in 
acordable feith by faire moevinges. This 
Love halt to-gideres poeples joigned with 
an holj' bond, and knitteth sacrement 25 
of mariages of chaste loves ; and Love 
endyteth lawes to trewe felawes. O ! 
weleful were mankinde, yif thilke Love 
that governeth heveue governed youre 
corages ! ' 30 



Explicit Liber secundus. 



BOOK III. 



Prose I. lam catituni ilia flnkrat. 

By this she hadde ended hir song, 
whan the sweetnesse of hir ditoe hadde 
thorugh-perced me that was desirotis of 
herkninge, and I astonod hadde yit 
5 streiglito myn eres, that is to seyn, to 
herlcne the bet what she icolde seye ; so 
tliat a litel here-after I seyde thus : ' O 
thou that art sovereyn comfort of an- 
guissous corages, so thou hast remounted 

10 and norisshed me with the weighte of 
thy sentences and with delyt of thy 
singinge ; so that I trowe nat now^ that 
I be unparigal to the strolces of Fortune : 
as tvho seyth, I dar ivel now siiffren al the 

15 assautes of Furtime, and ivel defende me 



fro hir. And tho remedies whiche that 
thou seydest her-biforn weren right 
sharpe, nat only that I am nat a-grisen 
of hem now, but I, desirous of heringe, 
axegretely to heren the remedies.' Than 20 
seyde she thus : ' That felede I ful wel,' 
quod slie, ' whan that thou, ententif and 
stille, ravisshedest my wordes ; and I 
abood til that thou haddest swich habite 
of thy thought as thou hast now ; or elles 25 
til that I my-self hadde maked to thee 
the same habit, which that is a more 
verray thing. And certes, tho remenaunt 
of thinges that ben yit to seye ben swiche, 
that first wlian men fasten hem they ben 30 
bytinge, but whan they ben recej^ved 
withinne a wight, than ben they swete. 



(goef^tu0. Q^ooft III: (prose n. 



But for thou seyst that thoix art so 
desirous to herkne hem, with how gret 

.^5 brenninge woldest thou glowen, yif thou 
wistest whider I wol leden thee ! ' 
' Whider is that ? ' quod I. 

' To tliilke verray welefulnesse,' qnod 
she, ' of whiche thyn herte drenaetli ; 

40 Ijut for as moche as thy sighte is ocupied 
and distorbed by imaginacioun oferihelij 
t hinges, thou niayst nat yit seen thilke 
selve welefulnesse.' ' Do,' qtiod I, ' and 
shewe me what is thilke verray weleful- 

45 nesse, I preye thee, with-oute taryinge.' 

' That wole I gladly don,' quod she, 

' for the cause of thee ; but I wol first 

marken thee by wordes and I wol en- 

I'orcen mo to enformen thee thilke false 

50 cavise of blisfulnesse that thou more know- 
est ; so that, whan thou hast fully bi- 
liolden thilke false goodes, and torned 
thyn eyen to that other syde, thou mowe 
knowe the cleernesse of verray blisful- 

55 nesse. 

Metre I. Qui severe iivjenmnn uolet 
agriun. 

Who-so wole sowe a feeld plentivous, 
lat him first delivere it fro thornes, and 
kerve asunder with his hook the busshes 
and the fern, so that the corn may comen 

5 hevy of eres and of greynes. Hony is 
the more swete, yif mouthes han first 
tasted savotires that ben wikkid. The 
sterres shynen more agreably whan the 
wind Nothus leteth his ploungy blastes ; 

lo and after that Lucifer the da,^'-sterro 
hath chased awey the derke night, the 
day the fairere ledeth the rosene hors 
of the Sonne. And right so thou, bi- 
holdinge first the I'alse goodes, bigin to 

15 with-drawen thy nekke fro the yok of 
erthely affecciouns ; and aftei'-ward the 
verray goodes shoUen eutren in-to thy 
corage.' 

Pkose II. Tunc defixo jMullulum uisii. 

Tho fastnede she a litel the sighte of 
hir eyen, and with-drow hir right as it 
were in-to the streite sete of hir thought ; 



and bigan to speke right thus : ' Alle the 
cures,' quod she, ' of mortal folk, whiche 5 
that travaylen hem in many mauer 
studies, goon certes by diverse weyes, 
but natheles they enforcen hem alle to 
comen onlj' to oou ende of blisfulnesse. 
And blisfulnesse is swiche a good, that 10 
who-so that hath geten it, he ne may, 
over that, no-thing more desyre. And 
this thing is forsothe the sovereyn good 
that conteyneth in him-self alle maner 
goodes ; to the whiche good yif ther 15 
failede any thing, it mighte nat ben 
cleped sovereyn good : for tlianne were 
ther som good, out of this ilke sovereyn 
good, that mighte ben desired. Now is 
it cleer and certein thanne, that blisful- 20 
nesse is a j)arfit estat by the congre- 
gacioun of alle goodes ; the whicho 
blisfulnesse, as I have seyd, alle mortal 
folk enforcen hem to geten by diverse 
weyes. For-why the coveitise of verray 25 
good is naturelly y-plaunted in the hertes 
of men ; but the miswandringe errour 
mis-ledeth hem in-to false goodes. Of 
the whiche men, som of hem wenen that 
sovereyn good be to liven with-oute nede y> 
of any thing, and travaylen hem to be 
haboi^ndaunt of richesses. And soni 
other men demon that sovereyn good 
be, for to ben right digne of reverence ; 
and enforcen hem to ben reverenced 35 
among hir neighbours by the honours 
that they han y-geten. And som folk 
ther ben that holden, that right heigh 
power be sovereyn good, and enforcen 
hem for to regnen, or elles to joignen 40 
hem to hem that regnen. And it semeth 
to some other folk, that noblesse of re- 
noun be the sovereyn good ; and hasten 
hem to geten glorious name by the arts 
of werre and of pees. And many folk 45 
mesuren and gessen that sovereyn good 
be joye and gladnesse, and wenen that 
it be right blisful thing to j)loungen hem 
in voluptuous dclyt. And ther ben folk 
that entrechaungen the causes and the 50 
endes of thise forseyde goodes, as they 
that desiren richesses to han xsower and • 
delytes ; or elles they desiren power for 
to han moneye, or for cause of renoun. 



156 



(goH^me. QBooft III: (mefre ii. 



55 In thise tliinges, and in swiche othre 
thinges, is torned alle the entencioun of 
desiringes and of werkes of men ; as 
thus : noblesse and favour of people, 
whiche that yeveth to men, as it semeth 

60 hem, a maner cleernesse of renoun ; and 
wyf and children, that men desiren for 
cause of delyt and of merinesse. But 
forsothe, frendes ne sholden nat be 
rekned a-mong the godes of fortune, but 

65 of vertu ; for it is a ful holy maner thing. 
Alle thise othre thinges, forsothe, ben 
taken for cause of iDower or elles for 
cause of delji;. Certes, now am I redy 
to referren the goodes of the body to thise 

70 forseide thinges aboven ; for it semeth 
that strengthe and gretnesse of body 
yeven power and worthinesse, and that 
beautee and swiftnesse yeven noblesses 
and glorie of renoun ; and hele of body 

75 semeth yeven delyt. In alle thise thinges 
it semeth only that blisfulnesse is desired. 
For-why thilke thing that every man 
desireth most over alle thinges, he 
demeth that it be the soverej'n good ; 

80 but I have defjTied that blisfulnesse is 
the sovercyn good ; for which every wight 
demeth, that thilke estat that he desireth 
over alle thinges, that it be blisfulnesse. 
Now hast thou thanne biforn thyn eyen 

85 almest al the purposed forme of the wele- 
ftilnesse of man-kinde, that is to seyn, 
richesses, honours, power, and glorie, and 
delyts. The whiche delyt only consider ede 
Epicurus, and juged and establisshed that 

90 delyt is the sovercyn good ; for as nioche 
as alle othre thinges, as him thoughte, 
bi-refte awey joye and mirthe fram the 
lierte. But I retorne ayein to the studies 
of men, of whiche men the corage alwey 

95 reherseth and scketh the sovereyn good, 
al be it so that it be with a derked 
memorie ; but he not by whiche path, 
right as a dronken man not nat by 
whiche path he may retorne him to liis 
ico lious. Semeth it thanne that folk folyen 
and erren that enforcen hem to have 
node of nothing ? Certes, ther nis non 
other thing that may so wel performe 
blisfulnesse, as an estat plentivoiis of alle 
io5 goodes, that ne hath nede of non other 



thing, but that is suffisaunt of himself 
unto him-self. And folj'en swiche folk 
thanne, that wenen that thilke thing 
that is right good, that it be eek right 
worthy of honour and of reverence? lu 
Certes, nay. For that thing nis neither 
foul ne worthy to ben despised, that wel 
neigh al the entencioun of mortal folic 
travaylen for to geten it. And power, 
oughto nat that eek to ben rekened ii; 
amonges goodes ? What elles ? For it 
is nat to wene that thilke thing, that is 
most worthy of alle thinges, be feblo and 
with-oute strengthe. And cleernesse of 
renoun, oughte that to ben despised '? i j< 
Certes, ther ma,v no man forsake, that al 
thing that is right excellent and noble, 
that it ne semeth to ben right cleer ami 
renomed. For certes, it nedeth nat to 
se.ve, that blisfulnesse be [nat] anguissous i -'.' 
ne drery, no subgit to grevaunces ne to 
sorwes, sin that in right litel thinges 
folk seken to have and to usen that may 
delyten hem. Certes, thise ben the 
thinges that men wolen and desiren t-o i.V 
geten. And for this cause desiren they 
richesses, dignitees, regnes, glorie, and 
delices. For therby wenen they to han 
sufiisatince, Ijonour, power, renoun, and 
gladnesse. Than is it good, that men 1,1= 
seken thus by so many diverse studies. 
In whiche desyr it may lightly ben 
shewed how gret is the strengthe of 
nature ; for how so that men han di\'erse 
sentences and discordinge, algates men 14: 
acorden alle in lovinge the ende of good. 

Metre II. Quantas rerum, flectat habenas. 

It lyketh me to shewe, by subtil song, 
with slakke anddelitable soun of strenges, 
how that Xature, mighty, enclineth and 
flitteth the governements of thinges, and 
by whiche lawes she, purveyable, kepeth 5 
the grete world ; and how she, bindinge, 
restreyneth alle thinges by a bonde that 
may nat ben unbounde. Al be it so that 
the lyouns of the contra of Pene beren 
the faire chaynes, and taken metes of 10 
the handes of folk that yeven it hem, 
and dreden hir sturdy maj'stres of whiche 



(god$iu0, (^ooft III: (pvoet iii. 



k)i 



4.) 



45 



they ben wont to suflfren betinges : yif 
that hir horrible mouthes ben be-bled, 
that is to seyn, of bestes devoured, hir 
corage of time passed, that hath ben ydel 
and rested, repeyretli ayein ; and they 
roren grevotisly and remeinbren on liir 
nature, and slaken hir nelikes Irani hir 
chaynes unbonnde ; and hir niayster, first 
to-torn with blody tooth, assayetli the 
wode wrathes of hem ; this is to seyn, 
they freten hir mayster. And the jange- 
linge brid that singeth on the lieye 
braunches, that is to seyn, in the tvode, 
and after is enclosed in a strej-t cage : 
al-though that the pleyinge bisinesse of 
men yevetli hem honiede drinkcs and 
large metes with swete stndie, yit natiie- 
les, yif thilke brid, skijjpinge out of hir 
streyte cage, seeth the agreables shadewcs 
of the wodes, she defouleth with liir feet 
hir metes y-shad, and seketh mourninge 
only the wode ; and twitereth, desiringe 
the wode, with hir swete vois. The yerde 
of a tree, that is haled a-doun by mighty 
strengthe, boweth redily the crop a-doun : 
liut yif that the hand of liim that it bente 
lat it gon ayein, anon tlie crop loketh 
up-right to hevene. The Sonne Phebus, 
that falleth at even in tlie westrene 
wawes, retornetli ayein eftsones his carte, 
by privee path, ther-as it is wont aryse. 
Alle thinges seken ayein to hir propre 
cours, and alle thinges rejoysen hem of 
hir retorninge ayein to hir nature. Ne 
non ordinaunce nis bitaken to thinges, 
but that tliat hath joyued tlie endinge 
to the beginninge, and hath niaked the 
cours of it-self stable, that it chaungeth 
nat from his propre kinde. 

Prose III. Vos quoqtie, terrena animalia. 

Certes also ye men, that ben ertheliche 
beestes, dremen alwey youre beginninge, 
al-though it be with a thinne imagina- 
ciotin ; and by a maiier tlioughte, al be 
it iiat cleerly ne parfitly, j^e lokeii fram 
a-fer to thilke verray fyn of blisfuliiesse ; 
and ther-fore naturel entencioun ledeth 
><)U to tliilke verray good, but many 
maner errours mis-torneth you tlier-fi-o. 



Consider now yif that by thilke thinges, 10 
by wliiche a man weneth to geten him 
blisfulnesse, yif that he may comen to 
thilke ende tliat he weneth to come by 
nature. For j-if that moneye or honours, 
or thise other forseyde thinges bringen 15 
to men swicli a thing that no good ne 
fayle hem ne senieth fayle, cortes than 
wole I graunte that they ben maked 
blisful by thilke thinges that they han 
geten. But yif so be that thilke thinges 20 
ne mowen nat performen that they bi- 
heten, and that tlier be defaute of nian5'e 
goodes, sheweth it nat thanne cleerly 
that fals beautee of blisfulnesse is knoweii 
and ateint in thilke thinges ? First and 25 
forward thou thy-self, that haddest ha- 
bundaunces of richesses nat long agon, 
I axe yif that, in the habundaunce of alle 
thilke richesses, thou were never an- 
guissous or sory in thy corage of any 30 
wrong or grevaunce that bi-tidde thee on 
any syde ? ' ' Certes,' quod I, ' it ne re- 
membreth me nat that evere I was so 
free of my thought that I ne was alwey 
in anguissh of som-wliat.' 35 

'And was nat that,' quod she, ' for that 
thee lakked som-what that thou noldest 
nat han lakked, or elles thou haddest 
that thou noldest nat han had ? ' ' Eight 
so is it,' quod I. 40 

' Thanne desiredest thou the presence 
of that oon and the absence of that 
other ?' 'I graunte wel,' quod I. 

' Forsothe,' quod she, ' than nedetli 
tlier som-what that every man desireth '? ' 45 
' Ye, ther nedeth,' quod I. 

' Certes,' quod she, ' and he that hath 
lakke or nede of aught nis nat in every 
wey suffisaunt to himself?' 'No,' 

quod I. 50 

' And thou,' quod she, ' in al the plentee 
of thy richesses haddest thilke lakke of 
suffisaunse ? ' ' What elles ?' quod I 

' Thanne may nat richesses makcn that 
a man nis nedy, ne that he be suffisaunt 55 
to him-self ; and that was it that they 
bi-highten, as it semetli. And eek certes 
I trowe, that this be gretly to considere, 
that moneye ne hath nat in his owne 
kinde that it ne may ben bi-nomen of 60 



mS 



(goit^iuQ. (gooR III: (JDUtvt III. 



liem that han it, maiigi'e hem ?' 'I bi- 
knowo it wcl,' quod I. 

' Why sholdest thou nat bi-knowen it,' 
quod she, ' whan every day the strenger 

•^5 folk bi-nemen it fro the febler, maugre 
hem ? For whennes comen elles alle thise 
foreyne compleyntes or qviereles of plet- 
inges, but for that men axen ayein here 
moneye that hath ben bi-nomen hem by 

70 force or by gyle, and alwey maugre 
hem ? ' ' Right so is it,' quod I. 

' Than,' quod she, ' hath a man nede 
to seken him foreyne helpe by whiche he 
may defende his moneye ? ' ' Who may 

75 sey na3' ? ' quod I. 

' Certes,' quod she ; ' and him nedede 
non help, yif he nehadde no moneye that 
he mighte lese ?' ' That is douteles,' 
quod I. 

So ' Than is this thinge torned in-to the 
contrarye,' quod she. ' For richesses, 
that men wenen sholde make suffisaunce, 
they maken a man rather han nede of 
foreyne help ! Which is the manere or 

^5 the gyse,' quod she, ' that richesse may 
dryve awey nede ? Eiclie folk, may they 
neither han hunger ne thurst ? Thise 
riche men, may they fele no cold on hir 
limes on winter ? But thou wolt answeren, 

90 that riche men han y-now wher-with they 
may staunchen hir hunger, slaken hir 
thurst, and don a-wey cold. In this wyse 
may nede be counforted by richesses ; 
but certes, nede ne may nat al outrely 

95 ben don a-wey. For though this nede, 
that is alwey gapinge and gredy, be ful- 
fild with richesses, and axe any thing, 
yit dwolleth thanne a nede that mighte 
be fulfild. I holde mo stille, and telle 
100 nat how that litel thing sufRseth to 
nature ; but certes to avarice y-nough 
ne suffiseth no-thing. For sin that rich- 
esses ne may nat al don awey nede, but 
richesses maken nede, what may it thanne 
105 be, that ye wenen that richesses moweu 
yeven you siiffisaunco ? 

Metke IIT. Qjiamvis flucnte diues aiiri 

f/tiryite. 
Al were it so that a riche coveytous 
man haddo a river fletinge al of gold, jat 



sholde it never staunchen his coveitise ; 
and though he hadde his nekke y- 
charged with precious stones of the rede 5 
see, and though he do ere his feldes plen- 
tivous with an hundred oxen, never ne 
shal his b^-tinge bisinesse for-leten him 
whyl he liveth, ne the lighte richesses ne 
shoUe nat beren him comj)anye whan he ■<■ 
is deed. 

Pkose IV. Set dignitates. 

But dignitees, to whom they ben comen, 
maken they him honorable and reverent ? 
Han they nat so gret strengthe, that they 
may jiutte vertues in the hertes of folk 
that usen the lordshipes of hem ? Or 5 
elles may they don a-wey the vyces? 
Certes, they ne be nat wont to don awey 
wikkednesse, but they ben wont rather 
to shewen wikkednesse. And ther-of 
comth it that I have right grete desdeyn, i< 
that dignitees ben yeven ofte to wikked 
men ; for which thing Catullus cleped 
a consul of Borne, that liighte Nonius, 
" postum " or "boch"; as who seyth, he 
cleped him a congregacioun of vyces in hu 1 = 
hrest, as a postinn is fal of corupcioun, 
al were this Nonius set in a chayre of 
dignitee. Seest thou nat thanne how 
gret vilenye dignitees don to wikked 
men ? Certes, unworthinesse of wikked -'1 
men sholde be the lasse y-sene, yif they 
nere renomed of none honours. Certes, 
thou thyself ne mightest nat ben brought 
with as nianj'e perils as thoii mightest 
suifren that thou woldest beren the 2; 
magistrat with Decorat ; tliat is to seyn, 
that for no peril that mighte befallen then 
by offence of the king Theodorike, thou 
noldest nat be felawe in governaunce with 
Decorat ; whan thou saye that he hadde ,?( 
wikked corage of a likerous shrewe and 
of an accusor. Ne I ne may nat, for 
swiche honours, j^igen hem worthy of 
reverence, that I deme and holde un- 
worthy to han thilke same honours. Now 3! 
yif thou saye a man that were fulfild of 
wisdom, certes, thou ne mightest nat 
deme that he -were unworthy to the 
honour, or elles to the wisdom of which 



(god^iue. (gooft III: j>ro0e v. 



159 



JO he is fuliikl?'— 'No,' qiiod I.— ' Certes, 
dignitees,' quod she, ' apertienen proprely 
to vertii ; and veitu transisorteth dignitee 
anon to thilke man to which she hir-self 
is conjoigned. And for as moche as 

4.5 honours of poeple ne may nat maken folk 
digne of honour, it is wel seyn cleerly 
that they ne han no propre beautee of 
dignitee. And yit men oughten taken 
more heed in this. For yif it so be tliat 

50 a wikked wight be so mochel the foulere 
and the more out-cast, that he is despysed 
of most folk, so as dignitee ne may nat 
maken shrewes digne of reverence, the 
which shrewes dignitee sheweth to moche 

55 folk, thanne maketh dignitee shrewes 
rather so moche more despysed than 
preysed ; and forsothe nat impunisshed : 
that is for to seyn, that shrewes revengen 
hem ayeiniuard iip-on diynitees ; for they 

60 yilden ayein to dignitees as gret guer- 
doun, whan they bi-spotten and defoulen 
dignitees with hir vilenye. And for as 
mochel as thou mowe knowe that thilke 
verray reverence ne may nat comen by 

65 thise shadewy transitorie dignitees, u.n- 
dirstond now thiis : yif that a man hadde 
used and had many maner dignitees of 
consules, and were comen peraventure 
amongc straunge naciouns, sholde thilke 

70 honour maken him worshipful and re- 
douted of straunge folk ? Certes, yif 
that honour of poeple were a naturel 
yift to dignitees, it ne mights never 
cesen nowher amonges no maner folk to 

75 don his office, right as fjT in every con- 
tree ne stinteth nat to eschaufen and 
to ben hoot. But for as moche as for 
to ben holden honourable or reverent 
ne Cometh nat to folk of hir propre 

80 strengthe of nature, but only of the false 
opinioun of folk, that is to seyn, that wenen 
that dignitees maken folk digne of honour ; 
anon therfore whan that they comen 
ther-as folk ne knowen nat thilke digui- 

85 tees, hir honours vanisshen awey, and 
that anon. But that is amonges straimge 
folk, mayst thou seyn ; but amonges hem 
ther they weren born, ne duren nat 
thilke dignitees alwey ? Certes, the dig- 

90 nitee of the provostrie of Rome was 



whylom a gret power ; now is it nothing 
but an ydel name, and the rente of the 
seuatorie a gret charge. And yif a wight 
whylom hadde the office to taken hede to 
the vitailes of the poeple, as of corn and 95 
other thinges, he was holden amonges 
grete ; but what thing is now more out- 
cast thanne thilke provostrie ? And, as 
I have seyd a litel her-biforn, that thilke 
thing that hath no propre beautee of iO(i 
him-self receiveth som-tj'me prys and 
shj-ninge, and som-tyme leseth it by the 
opinioun of usaunces. Now yif that dig- 
nitees thanne ne mowen nat maken folk 
digne of reverence, and yif that dignitees 105 
wexen foule of hir wille by the filthe of 
shrewes, and yif that dignitees lesen hir 
shyninge by chaunginge of tj^mes, and 
yif they wexen foule by estimacioun of 
poejile : what is it that they han in hem- no 
self of beautee that oughte ben desired ? 
as who seyth, non ; thanne ne naowen 
they yeven no beautee of dignitee to non 
other. 

Metre IV. Quamvis se, Tyrio superhus 
ostro. 

Al be it so that the proude Nero, with 
alle his wode luxurie, kembde him and 
aparailede him with faire purpres of 
Tirie, and with whyte perles, algates yit 
throf he hateful to alle folk : this is to 5 
seyn, that al was he behated of alle folk. 
Yit this wikked Nero hadde gret lordship, 
and yaf whylom to the reverents sena^ 
tours the luiworshipftil setes of dignitees. 
Umvorshipful setes he cleixth here, for that 10 
Kei-o, that was so wikked, yaf tho dignitees. 
Wlio-so wolde thanne resonably wenen, 
that blisfulnesse were in swiche honours 
as ben yeven by vicious shrewes ? 

Prose V. An ucro regna rcgumque 
familiaritas. 

But regnes and familiaritees of kinges, 
may thcj' maken a man to ben mighty ? 
How elles, whan hir blisfulnesse dureth 
perpetuely ? But certes, the olde age of 
tyme passed, and eek of present tyme 5 
now, is ful of ensaumples how that 



i6o 



(goef6iu0. (^ooft III : QUefre V. 



50 



kinges ben cliaunged in-to ■wxecchednesse 
out of liir welefiilnesse. ! a noblo thing 
and a cleer thing is power, that is nat 
founden mighty to kepen it-self! And 
yif that power of reaiimes be auctourand 
maker of blisfulnesse, yif thilke power 
lakketh on any syde, amenusetli it nat 
thilke blisfulnesse and bringeth in 
wrecchednesse ? Bixt yit, al be it so 
that the reaumes of mankinde strecchen 
brode, yit mot ther nede ben moche folk, 
over whiche that every king ne hath no 
lordshipe ne coniaundenient. And certes, 
up-on thilke syde that power faileth, 
which that maketh folk blisful, right 
on that same syde noun-power entreth 
under-nethe, that maketh hem wreoches ; 
in this manere thanne nioten kinges han 
more porcioun of wrecchednesse than of 
wclefulnesse. A tyraunt, that iras king 
of Sisile, that hadde assayed the peril 
of his estat, shewede by similitude the 
di-edes of reaumes bygastnesse of a swerd 
that heng over the heved of his familier. 
What thing is thanne this power, that 
may nat don awey the bytinges of bisi- 
nesse, ne eschewe the prikkes of drede ? 
And certes, yit wolden they liven in 
sikernesse, but they may nat ; and yit 
they glorifye hem in hir power. Holdest 
thou thanne that thilke man bo niighty, 
that thou seest that ho wolde don that 
he may nat don ? And holdest thou 
thanne him a mighty man, that hath 
envirownede his sydos with men of armes 
or serjaunts, and dredeth more hem that 
he maketh agast than they dreden him, 
and that is put in the handes of his 
scrvaunts for ho sholde seme mighty ? 
But of familieres or servaunts of kinges 
what sholde I telle thee anything, sin 
that I myself have shewed thee that 
reaumes hem-self ben ful of gret feblesse? 
The whiche familieres, certes, the ryal 
power of kinges, in hool estat and in 
estat abated, ful ofte throweth adown. 
Nero constreynede Senek, his familier 
and his mayster, to chesen on what deeth 
ho wolde deyen. Antonius coinaundede 
tliat knightos slowen with hir swerdes 
Papinian his familier, which Papinian 



hadde ben longe tyme ful mighty 
anionges hem of the court. And yit, 
certes, they wolden bothe han renounced 60 
hir power ; of whiche two Senek en- 
forcede him to yeven to Nero his rich- 
esses, and also to han gon in-to solitarie 
exil. But whan the grete weighte, that 
is to seyn, of lordes poicer or of fortune, 65 
draweth hem that shullen falle, neither 
of hem ne mighte do that he wolde. 
What thing is thanne thilke power, that 
though men han it, yit they ben agast ; 
and whanne thoii woldest han it, thou T^ 
nart nat siker ; and yif thou woldest 
forleten it, thou mayst nat eschuen it ? 
But whether swiohe men ben frendes 
at nede, as ben conseyled by fortune and 
nat by vertu ? Certes, swiche folk as 75 
weleful fortune maketh freendes, con- 
trarious fortune maketh hem enemys. 
And what pestilence is more mighty for 
to anoye a wight than a familier enemy ? 

Metre V. Qui se uolet esse potentem. 

Who-so wol be mighty, he mot daunten 
his cruel corage, ne putte nat his nekke, 
overcomen, under the foule rej'nes of 
lecherye. For al-be-it so that thy lord- 
shipe streccho so fer, that the contree 5 
of Inde quaketh at thy comaundements 
or at thy lawes, and that the last He in 
the see, that hight Tyle, be thral to thee, 
yit, yif thou mayst nat putten awey thy 
foule derke desyrs, and dryven out fro 10 
thee wrecched complaintes, certes, it nis 
no power that thou hast. 

Prose VI. Gloria uero quam fallax saepe. 

But glorie, how deceivable and how 
foul is it ofte ! For which thing nat 
iinskilfully a tragedien, that is to seyn, 
a maker of ditees that hiyhten trar/edies, 
cryde and seide : " O glorie, glorie," quod 5 
he, " thou art nothing elles to thousandes 
of folkes but a greet sweller of eres ! " 
For manye han had ful greet renoun by 
the false opinioun of the poeple, and what 
thing may ben thought fouler than swiche 10 
preysingo ? For thilke folk that ben 
lireysed falsly, they moten nedes han 



Q0oet6tu0. (^ooft III : (TJlefre vii. 



i6i 



shame of liir preysinges. And yif that 
folk han geten hem thonk or preysinge 

15 by hir desertes, what thing hath thilke 
prys ached or encresed to the conscience 
of ^vyse folk, that mesuren hir good, 
nat by the rumour of the poeple, but 
by the soothfastnesse of conscience ? And 

20 yif it seme a fair thing, a man to han 
encresed and spred his name, than fol- 
wetli it that it is denied to ben a foul 
thing, yif it ne be y-sprad and encresed. 
But, as I seyde a litel her-biforn that, sin 

25 ther mot nedes ben many folk, to whiche 
folk the renoun of a man ne may nat 
comen, it befalleth that he, that thou 
wenest be glorious and renomed, semetli 
in the nexte partie of the erthes to ben 

y> with-oute glorie and with-ovite renoun. 

And certes, amonges thise thinges I ne 

trowe nat that the prys and grace of the 

poei^le nis neither worthy to ben re- 

membred, ne conieth of wyse jugement, 

35 ne is ferme perdurably. But now, of this 
nanie of gentilesse, what man is it that 
ne may wel seen how veyn and how 
flittinge a thing it is ? For yif the name 
of gentilesse be referred to renoiin and 

40 cleernesse of linage, tlianne is gentil name 
but a foreine thing, tliat is to setjn, to hem 
that (/lorifyen hem of hir linage. For it 
semeth that gentilesse be a naaner prey- 
singe that comth of the deserte of an- 

45 cestres. And yif preysinge niaketli 
gentilesse, thanne moten they nedes be 
gentil that ben preysed. For which thing 
it folweth, that yif thou ne have no 
gentilesse of thy-self, that is to seyn, preyse 

50 that comth of thy deserte, foreine gentilesse 
ne maketh thee nat gentil. But certes, 
yif ther be any good in gentilesse, I trowe 
it be al-only this, that it semeth as that 
a maner necessitee be imposed to gentil 

55 men, for that they ne sholden nat out- 
rayen or forliveu fro the virtues of hir 
noble kinrede. 

Metue VI. Omne hominicm genus in 
terris. 

Al the linage of men that ben in erthe 
ben of semblable birthe. On allone is 
fader of thinges. On allone ministreth 



alle thinges. He yaf to the sonne hise 
hemes ; he yaf to the mone hir homes. 5 
He yaf the men to the erthe ; he yaf the 
sterres to the hevene. He encloseth with 
membres the soules that comen fro his 
hye sete. Thanne comen alle mortal folk 
of noble sede ; why noisen ye or bosten of 10 
youre eldres ? For yif thou loke your 
biginninge, and god yotir auctor and your 
maker, thanne nis ther no forlived wight, 
but-yif he norisshe his corage un-to vyces, 
and forlete his propre btirthe. '5 

Prose VII. Qxiid autem de corporis 
xioluptatihiis. 

But what shal I seye of delices of body, 
of whiche delices the desiringes ben ful 
of anguissh, and the fulfillinges of hem 
ben ful of penaunce ? How greet syk- 
nesse and how grete sorwes unsuflferable, 5 
right as a maner friiit of wikkednesse, 
ben thilke delices wont to bringen to the 
bodies of folk that usen hem ! Of whiche 
delices I not what joye may ben had of 
hir moevinge. But this wot I wel, that 10 
who-so-ever wole remembren him of hise 
luxures, he shal wel understonde that 
the issues of delices ben sorwful and 
sorye. And yif thilke delices mowen 
maken folk blisful, than by the same 15 
cause moten thise bestes ben cleped blis- 
ful ; of whiche bestes al the entencioun 
hasteth to fulfille hir bodily jolitee. And 
the gladnesse of wyf and children were 
an honest thing, but it hath ben seyd 20 
that it is over muchel ayeins kinde, that 
children han ben founden tormentoiirs to 
hir fadres, I not how manye : of whiche 
children how bytinge is every condicioun, 
it nedetli nat to tellen it thee, that hast 25 
or this tynie assayed it, and art yit now 
auguissous. In this approve I the sen- 
tence of my disciple Euripidis, that seyde, 
that " he that hath no children is weleful 
by infortune." 30 

Metre VII. Habet omnis hoc uolitptas. 

Every delj-t hath this, that it anguissheth 
hem with prikkes that usen it. It re- 
sembleth to thise flyinge flyesthat we 



l62 



(goet^tue. (fooft III: (pfO0e viii. 



clepen been, that, after that he hath shad 

5 hise agrcable honies, he fleeth awey, and 

stingeth the hertos, of hem that ben 

y-smite, with bytinge overlonge holdingc. 

Pkose viii. Nihil igiUtr cliihiitm est. 

Now is it no doute thanne that thise 
weyes ne ben a maner mishidinges to 
blisfiilnesse, ne that they ne niowe nat 
leden folk thider as they bihetcn to leden 
5 hem. But with how grete harmes thise 
forseyde weycs ben enlaced, I shal shewe 
thee shortly. Por-why jdf thon enforcest 
thee to asemble moneye, thou most bi- 
reven him his m<meyothat hath it. And 

lo yif thou wolt shynon with dignitees, thou 
most bisechen and supplien hem that 
yeven tho dignitees. And yif thou covei- 
test by honour to gon biforu other folk, 
ihnw shalt defoule thy-self thorugh hum- 

15 blesse of axinge. Yif thou desirest power, 
thou shalt by awaytes of thy subgits 
anoj'ously ben cast under manye periles. 
Axest thou glorie ? Thou shalt ben so 
dcstrat by aspre thinges that thou shalt 

20 forgoon sikernesse. And yif thou wolt 
leden thj' lyf in delices, every wight shal 
despisen thee and forleten thee, as thou 
that art thral to thing that is right foul 
and brotel ; that is to seyn, servaunt to 

25 thy body. Now is it thanne wel seen, 
how litel and how brotel possessioun they 
coveiten, that putten the goodes of tho 
body aboven hir owne resoun. For mayst 
thou sormounten thise olifaunts in gret- 

30 nesse or weight of body ? Or mayst thou 
ben stronger than the bole ? Mayst thoii 
ben swifter than the tygre ? Bihold the 
spaces and the stablenesse and tlie swifte 
cours of tho hevene, and stint soni-tyme 

35 to wondren on foule thinges ; the which 
hevene, certes, nis nat rather for thise 
thinges to ben wondred np-on, than for 
the resoun by whicli it is governed. But 
the sliyning of thy forme, that is to seyn, 

40 the becmtee of thy body, hi>w swiftly pass- 
inge is it, and how transitorie ; certes, it 
is more flittinge than the mutabilitee of 
flowers of the somer-sesoun. For so Aris- 
totle tcHeth, that yif that men hadden 



eyen of a beest that highte lynx, so that 45 
the lokinge of folk mightepercen thorugh 
the thinges that with-stondeu it, who-so 
loked thanne in the entrailes of the body 
of Alcibiades, that was ful fajT in the 
sui3erfi.ce with-oute, it shold seme right 50 
foul. And forthy, yif thou semest fayr, 
thy natiire maketh nat that, but the 
desceivaunce of the feblesse of the eyen 
that loken. But preyse tlie goodes of the 
body as mochel as ever thee list ; so that 55 
thou knowe algates that, what-so it be, 
that is to seyn, of the goodes of thy body, 
which that thou wondrest iip-on, may 
ben destroyed or dissolved by the hete of 
a fevere of three dayes. Of alle whicho 60 
forseyde thinges I may rediicen this 
shortly in a somme, that thise worldly 
goodes, whiche that ne mowen nat yeven 
that they biheten, ne ben nat parfit by 
the congregacioun of alle goodes ; that 65 
they ne ben nat weyes ue pathes that 
bringen men to blisfulnesse, ue maken 
men to ben blisful. 

Metke viii. Eheu ! quae miseros 
tramite deuios. 

Alias ! which folye and which igno- 
raunce misledeth wandi'iuge wrecches 
fro the jjath of verray goode ! Certes, 

j'e ne seken no gold in grene trees, ne ye 
ne gadereu nat precious stones in the 5 
vynes, ne ye ne hyden nat your ginnes 
in the hyo mountaignes to cacchen fish 
of whiche ye may maken riche testes. 
And yif yow lyketh to hunte to roes, ye 
ne gon nat to the fordes of the water that 10 
highte Tyrene. And over this, men 
knowen wel the crykes and the cavernes 
of the see y-hid in the flodes, and knowen 
eek which water is most i)leutivou.s of 
whyte perles, and knowen wliich water 15 
haboundeth most of rede pi^rpre, that is to 
seyn, of a maner shelle-flsh icith ichich men 
dyenjjurpre ; and knowen which strondes 
haboiinden most with tendre fisshes, or of 
sharpe fisshes that highten echines. But 20 
folk suffren hem-self to ben so blinde, 
that hem ne reccheth nat to knowe where 
thilke goodes ben y-hid whiche that they 



Q0oef6tu0. (^ooft III: (proee ix. 



163 



coveiten, but ploungen hem in erthe and 
25 seken there thilke good that sormounteth 
the hevene that bereth the sterres. What 
preyere may I maken that be digne to 
the nyce thoughtes of men ? But I preye 
that they coveiten richesse and honours, 
30 so that, whan they hau geten tho false 
goodes with greet travaile, that ther-by 
they mowe knowen the verray goodes. 



PuosE IX. Ifacteniis mendacis funnain. 

Itsuffyseth that I have shewed hider-to 
tlio forme of false welefulnesse, so that, 
yif thou loke now cleerly, the order of 
myn entencioun recjuireth from hennes- 
5 forth to shewen thco the verray weleful- 
nesse.' ' For sothe,' quod I, ' I see wel 
now that sutfisaunce maj' nat conien by 
]-ichesses, ne power by reames, ne rever- 
ence by dignitees, ne gentilesse by glorie, 
10 ne joye by delices.' 

'And hast thoiiwel knowen the causes,' 
quod she, ' why it is ? ' ' Certes, me 
semeth, ' quod I, ' that I see hem right as 
though it were thorugh a litel cliite ; but 
15 me were lever knowen hem more openly 
of thee.' 

' Certes,' quod she, ' the resoun is al 
redy. For thilke thing that simply is 
o thing, with-outen any devisioun, the 
-'o errour and folyc of mankinde departeth 
and devydeth it, and misledeth it and 
transporteth from, verray and parfit good 
to goodes that ben false and uuparfit. 
But sey me this. Wenest thou that he, 
25 that hath nede of jjower, that him ne 
lakketh no-thing ? ' ' Nay,' quod I. 

' Certes,' quod she, ' thou seyst a-right. 

For yif so be that ther is a thing, that in 

any partye be febler of power, certes, as 

30 in that, it mot nedes ben nedy of foreine 

help.' ' llight so is it,' qiiod I. 

' Suffisaunce and power ben thanne of 
o kinde ? ' 'So semeth it,' quod I. 
' And demest thou,' quod she, ' that 
35 a thing that is of this mauere, that is to 
seyn, suffisaunt and miglity, oiighte ben 
despysed, or elles that it be right digne of 
reverence aboven alle thingesV ' ' Certes,' 



quod I, ' it nis no doute, that it is right 
worthy to ben reverenced.' ^o 

' Lat lis,' quod she, ' adden thanne 
reverence to suffisaunce and to power, so 
that we demen that thise three thinges 
ben al o thing.' ' Certes,' quod I, ' lat us 
adden it, yif we wolen graunten the sothe.' 45 

' What demest thou thanne ? ' quod 
she ; ' is that a derk thing and nat noble, 
that is suffisaunt, reverent, and luigfiti/, or 
elles that it is right noble and right 
cleer by celebritee of renoim ? Consider 50 
thanne,' quod she, ' as we han graunted 
her-biforn, that he that ne hath nede of 
no-thing, and is most mightj' and most 
digne of honour, yif him nedeth any 
cleernesse of renoun, which cleernesse lie 55 
mighte nat graunten of him-self, so that, 
for lakke of thilke cleernesse, he mighte 
seme the febeler on any syde or the more 
out-cast ? ' Glose. This is to seyn, nay ; 
for who-so that is sujjisaunt, miijhtij, and 60 
reverent, cleernesse of renoun foliceth of the 
forseyde thinyes ; he hath it al redy of his 
suffisaunce. Bocce. 'I may nat,' quod 
I, ' denj'e it ; but I mot graunte as it is, 
that this thing be right celebrable by 65 
cleernesse of renoun and noblesse. ' 

' Thanne folweth it,' quod she, ' that we 
adden cleernesse of renoun to the three 
forseyde thinges, so that ther ne be 
amonges hem no difl'erence ? ' ' This is 70 
a consequence,' quod I. 

' This thing thanne,' qitod she, ' that ne 
hath nede of no foreine thing, and that 
may don alle thinges by hise strengthes, 
and that is noble and honouraljle, nis nat 75 
that a mery thing and a joyful ? ' ' But 
whennes,' quod I, ' that any sorwe mighte 
comen to this thing that is swiche, certes, 
I may nat thinke.' 

' Thanne moten we graunte,' (^uod she, 80 
' that this thing be ful of gladnesse, >-if 
the forseyde thinges ben sothe ; and 
certes, also mote we graunten that suffi- 
satmce, power, noblesse, reverence, and 
gladnesse ben only dyverse by names, bu.t 85 
hir substaunce hath no diversitee. ' ' It 
mot needly been so,' quod I. 

' Thilke thing thanne,' quod she, ' that 
is oon and simple in his nature, the 



G 2 



164 



(god^iuQ. Q0ooft III : (pro0e IX. 



90 wikkediiesse of men doparteth it and 
dovydoth it ; and whan they enforcen 
hem to goton partye of a thing that ne 
hath no part, they ne gcten hem neither 
tliilko partye tliat nig non, no tlio things 
95 al hool that tliey no desire nat.' ' In 
which manore ■? ' (inod T. 

' Tliilko man,' qnod she, ' that sochoth 
richosses to fleen povortec, he no tra- 
vailoth him nat for to goto i)ower ; for he 

i(X) hath lever hen derk and vyl ; and eek 
withdraweth from him-self many naturel 
delyts, for ho noldo lose the moneye that 
ho hath assembled. Bi^t cartes, in this 
manore ho no geteth him nat snflftsannoo 

105 that power forleteth, and that molostio 
prikkoth, and th.at Hltho makoth ont-cast, 
and that dorkenesso hydoth. And cortos, 
ho that dosireth only power, ho wastoth 
and soatereth riehosse, and dospyseth 

110 dolyts, and eek honour that is with-outo 
power, no ho no preyseth glorio no-thing. 
Cortes, thus soest thou wel, that manyo 
thinges faylen to him ; for ho hath som- 
tymo defaute of many necossiteos, and 

1 15 many anguisshos hyten him ; and whan 
he no may nat don tho defautos a-woy, he 
forlototh to ben mighty, and that is the 
thing that ho most dosireth. Ami right 
thus may I makou somldablo rosouns of 

120 hoiiours, and of glorio, and of delyts. 
For so as every of thise forseyde thinges 
is tho same that thiso other thinges bon, 
that is to S('!/n, al 0011 tliin;/, who-so that 
ever seketh to goton that oon of thise, 

125 and nat that other, ho ne getoth nat that; 
hodesiroth.' Jioeci'. ' What soyst thou 
thanno, yif that a man coveiteth to geten 
alle thise thingos to-gidor ? ' 

Philosophie. 'Certos,' quod she, 'I 

i,?o wolde soye, that ho woldo goten hhn 
sovereyn blisfulnesso ; but that shal ho 
nat iindo in tho thinges that I havo 
shewetl, that ne mowen nat yeven that 
they beheten.' ' Cortos, no,' quod I. 

135 ' Thanno,' quod she, ' no sh<ddou men 
nat by no wey sekou blisfulnesso inswicdio 
thingos as mon weno that thoy no mowen 
yeven but u thing senglely of alle that 
mon seken.' ' T graunto wel,' quotl I ; 

140 • no no sother thing no may bon sayd.' 



' Now hast tlioii thanne,' quod she, 'the 
formo and the causes of false weleful- 
nes.so. Now torno and flitto tho eyen 
of thy thought ; for thor shalt thou 
soon anon tliilko vorray blisfulnesso that 14.5 
I have bihight thee.' ' Certos,' cpiod T, 
' it is cloer and open, thogh it wore to 
a blinde man ; and that showedest thou 
me ful wel a litel her-biforn, whan thou 
onforcedost theo to showo me the causes 150 
of the false blisfulnesso. For but-yif I 
bo bigyled, thanno is thilko tho verray 
blisfulnesso parfit, that parlitly makoth 
a man sufifisaunt, mighty, honourable, 
noble, and ful of gladncsso. And, for 155 
thou shalt wol knowo that I havo wel 
understouden thiso thinges with-in my 
herto, I knowe wol that thilko blisful- 
nesso, that may verrayly yeven oon of 
the forseydo thinges, sin thoy ben al oon, 160 
I knowo, doutolos, that tliilko thing is 
tho fuUo blisfulnesso.' 

' O my norio,' quod she, ' by this 
opinioun T sej'O that thou art blisful, yif 
thou putte this ther-to that I shal seyn.' 165 
' What is that ? ' (juod I. 

' Trowest thou that ther bo any thing 
in thiso ortholy mortal toumbling thinges 
that may bringen this ostat ? ' ' Cortos,' 
(juod I, 'I trowo it naught; and thou 170 
hast shewed mo wol that over thilko good 
thor nis no-thing more to ben desired.' 

' Thiso thinges thanne,' ijuod she, ' that 
is t<i si'ii, crthclij siijfinaiince and power and 
siviche thimjes, either thoy semen lyke- 175 
iiesses of verray good, or elles it semetli 
that they yevo to mortal folk a manor of 
goodes that no l>en nat parlit ; but thilko 
good that is verray and parfit, that may 
they nat yeven.' 'I acordo mo wel,' 180 
qi\od I. 

' Thanne,' (juod she, ' for as mochel as 
thou hast knowen which is thilko verray 
blisfulnesso, and eek whicho thilko 
thinges ben that lyon falsly blisfulnesso, 185 
that is to Si'!/n, that hi/ doceite. semen verray 
goodes, now bobovoth theo to knowo 
whennes and where thou mowe sekn 
thilko vorray blisfulnesso.' ' Certes," 
quod r, 'that desire I greotly, and havo 190 
abiden longe tymo to herkneu it.' 



(god^im. Q2>ooft III: (prose x. 



165 



' But for as moche,' quod she, ' as it 
lyketh to my disciple Plato, in his book of 
" ill Timeo," that in right litel thingcs 

195 moll sholden bisechen the lielp of god, 
what jugost thou that be now to done, so 
that we may deserve to fiude the sete of 
thilko verray good ? ' ' Certes,' quod I, 
' I denie that wo shollen cleiien the fader 

200 of alio goodes ; for with-outeu him nis 
ther no-thing foundeii a-right.' 

' Thou seyst a-right,' quod she ; and 
bigan auon to singen right thus : — 



Metke IX. qui perpetua mnndum 
ratione guhernas. 

' O thou fader, creator of hevene and of 
ertlies, that governest this workl by per- 
durable resoun, that coniauiidest the 
tymes to gon from sin that age haddo 
5 beginninge ; thou that- dwellest thy-self 
ay stedefast and stable> and yevest alio 
othre tliinges to ben moeved ; ne foreine 
causes necesseden thee never to compoune 
werk of floteriiige matere, but only the 

10 forme of soverein good y-set with-iu thee 
with-oute envye, that viuevede thee freely. 
Thou that art akler-fayrest, beringe tlie 
faire world in thy thovight, formedest 
this world to the lyknesse semblable ot 

15 that faire world in thy thought. Thou 
drawest al thing of thy soverein eii- 
saumpler, ami comaundest that this 
world, parjitliche y-maked, have freely 
and abs<dut liis parfit parties. Thuu 

20 biiidest the elements by noumbres pro- 
porcionables, that the cokle tliinges 
iiiowen acorden with the bote tliinges, 
and the ilrye tliinges with the moiste 
tliinges ; that the fyr, that is purest, ne 

25 flee nat over bye, ne that the hevinesse 
ne drawe nat adouii over-lowe the ertlies 
that ben plounged in the wateres. Thou 
knittest to-gider the meue sowle of treble 
kiiide, moevinge alio tliinges, and de- 

30 vytlest it by membres acordinge ; and 
whan it is thus ilevyded, it hath asembleil 
a moevinge in-to two i-ouudes ; it gotli to 
torne ayein to him-self, and envirouneth 
a ful deep thought, and torneth the 



hevene by semblable image. Thou by 35 
evone-lyke caiises enhansest the sowles 
and the lasse lyves, and, ablinge hem 
lieyc by liglite cartes, thou sowest hem 
in-to lievene and in-to erthe ; and whan 
they ben converted to thee by thy be- 40 
nigne lawe, thou makest hem retorne 
ayein to thee by ayein-ledinge fyr. 
fader, yive thou to the thought to stycn up 
in-to thy streite sete, and graunte him to 
eiiviroune the welle of good ; and, the 45 
liglite y-founde, graunte him to ficlien the 
clere sightes of his corage in thee. And 
scater thou and to-breke thou the weightes 
and the cloudes of erthely hevinesse, and 
sliyne thou by thy brightnesse. For thou 50 
art cleernesse ; thoii art peysible reste to 
debonaire folk ; thou thy-self art bigin- 
iiinge, berer, leder, path, and terme ; to 
loke on thee, that is ovir ende. 



Pkose X. 



Qiwniam igitur qxiae sit 
iiiqierfecti. 



For as moche thanne as thou hast seyn, 
which is the forme of good that nis nat 
parfit, and which is the forme of good that 
is parfit, now trowe I that it were good to 
sliewe in what this perfeccioun of blisful- 5 
nesse is set. And in this thing, 1 trowe 
that we sholden first enquere for to witen, 
yif that any swiclie manor good as tliilke 
good that thou hast diffinisshed a litel 
heer-biforn, that is to setjti, soverein yood, 10 
may ben founde in the nature of tliinges ; 
for that veyn imaginaciouii of thought ne 
deceyve lis nat, and piitte us out of the 
sothfastnesse of thilke thing that is sum- 
mitted unto us. But it may nat ben 15 
deneyed that thilke good ne is, and that 
it nis right as welle of alle goodes. For 
al thing that is cleped inparfit is proeved 
inparfit by the amenxisinge of perfeccioun 
or of thing that is parfit. And ther-of 20 
comth it, that in every thing general, yif 
that men seen any-thing that is inparfit, 
certes, in thilke general ther mot ben 
S(jm-thing that is parfit ; for yif so be that 
lierfeccioun is don awey, men may nat 25 
thinke ne seye fro whennes thilke thing 
is that is cleped inparfit. For the nature 



i66 



(^OCi0tU0. Q0OO6 III : (pV06(. X. 



ofthingesne triok nat liir beginniiige of 

thinges amennsed and inparfit, but it 

30 proceiloth of thinges that ben al lioole 

and absf)hit, and descendetli so doiin in-to 

ovittercst thinges, and in-to tliingos empty 

and with-onten fnit. But, as I liave 

y-shewcd a litel her-biforn, that yif thor 

35 be a lilisfulnesse that be iroole and veyn 

and inparfit, ther may no man doute that 

tlier nis som lilisfulnesse that is sad, 

stedefast, and jiarfit.' Boece. ' This is 

concliided,' qiiod I, ' fermely and soth- 

40 fastly.' 

l'hilosox>hie. ' Bnt consider© also,' quod 

she, ' in wham this blisfulnesse on- 

liabiteth. The comnne acordaunce and 

conceite of the corages of men proeveth 

45 and graunteth, that god, prince of alle 

thinges, is good. For, so as nothing ne 

may ben tliovight bettre than god, it may 

nat ben donted thanne that he, tliat 

nothing nis bettre, that he nis good. 

50 Certes, resonn sheweth that god is so 

good, that it proveth by verray force that 

parlit good is in liim. For yif god no is 

swich, lie ne may nat ben prince of alle 

thinges ; for certes som-thing possessing 

P-; in it-.splf jiarfit good, sholdo ben more 

•worthy than god, and itsholde semen that 

thilke thing were first, and elder than 

god. For we han shewed apertly that 

alle thinges that hen parfit ben first or 

6 J thinges that hen nnparfit ; and for-thy, 

for as moehe as that my resoun or my 

proces ne go nat a-wey with-oute an cnde, 

we owen to graunten that the soveroin 

god is right fill of soverein parfit good. 

65 And we han cstablisshed that the soverein 

good is verray blisfulnesse : thanne mot it 

nedes be, that verray blisfulnesse is set in 

soverein god.' ' This take I wel,' quod 

I, ' lie this ne may nat ben withsoid in no 

70 inaiU're.' 

' But I prc.ve,' quod she, ' see now how 
thou mayst prooven, holilj^ and with-outo 
corupcioun, this that I liavo seyd, that 
the soverein god is right ful of soverein 
75 good.' ' In which manere ? ' quod I. 
' Wenest thou aught,' quod she, ' that 
this prince of alle thinges have y-tako 
thilke soverein good auy-wher out of him- 



self, of which soverein good men proveth 
that he is ful, right as thou mightest 80 
thinken that god, that hath blisfulnesse 
in him-self, and thilke blisfulnesse that 
is in him, weren cTy%'ers in substauncc ? 
For yif thou wene that god have received 
thilke good out of him-self, thou mayst 85 
Avene that ho that j-af thilke good to god 
be more wortlij- than is god. But I am 
bi-knowen and confesse, and that right 
dignely, that god is right worthy aboven 
alle thinges ; and, yif so be that this good 90 
be in him by nature, but that it is dyvers 
fro him by weninge resoun, sin we speke 
of god prince of alle thinges : feigne who- 
so feigne may, who was he that hath 
conjoigned thise dj-^ersc thinges to-gider ? 95 
And cek, at the laste, see wel that a thing 
that is dyvers from any thing, that thilke 
thing nis nat that same thing fro which 
it is iinderstonden to ben d.\"v'ers. Thanne 
folweth it, that thilke thing that by his 100 
nature is dyvers fro soverein good, that 
that thing nis nat soverein good ; but 
certes, that were a, felonous corsednesse 
to thinken that of liim that nothing nis 
more worth. For alwej', of alle thinges, 105 
the nature of hem ne may nat ben bettre 
than his biginniiig ; for which I may 
concliiden, by right verray resoun, that 
thilke that is biginning of alle thinges, 
thilke same thing is soverein good in his no 
substaunce.' ' Thou hast soyd. a-ight- 
fuUy,' quod I. 

' But we han gratinted,' quod she, ' that 
the soverein good is blisfulnesse.' ' And 
that is sooth,' quod I. 115 

' Thanne,' quod she, ' moteu we nedes j 

graunten and confessen that thilke same 
soverein good be god,' ' Certes,' quod 
I, ' I ne naay nat denye ne withstonde 
the resouus purposed ; and I see wel that 120 
it folweth by strengthe of the premisses.' 

' Loke now,' quod she, ' yif this be 
proved yit more fermely thus : that ther 
ne mowen nat ben two soverein goodes 
that ben dy verse amonge hem-self. For 125 
certes, the goodes that ben dyverso 
amonges hem-self, that oon nis nat that 
that other is ; thanne ne niay neither of 
hem ben parfit, so as either of hem lak- 



(god^iuQ, (gooft III: (})ro0e x. 



167 



145 



160 



16=; 



175 



iSo 



keth to other. But that that nis nat 
parfit, men may seen apertly that it nis 
nat soverein. The thinges, thanne, that 
ben sovereinly goocle, ne mowen by no 
wey ben dj'\'erse. Bnt I have wel con- 
cluded that blisfulnesse and god ben the 
soverein good ; for whiche it mot nedes 
ben, that soverein blisfulnesse is soverein 
divinitee.' ' Nothing,' quod I, ' nis 

more soothfast than this, ne more ferme 
by resoun ; ne a more worthy thing than 
god may nat ben concluded.' 

' Up-on thise thinges thanne,' quod she, 
' right as thise geometriens, whan they 
han shewed hir proposiciouns, ben wont 
to bringen in thinges that they cleisen 
porismes, or declaraciouns of forseide 
thinges, right so wole I yeve thee lieer as 
a corollarie, or a mede of coroiine. For- 
wliy, for as moche as by the getinge of 
blisfulnesse men ben maked blisful, and 
blisfulnesse is divinitee : thanne is it 
manifest and ojien, that by the getinge of 
divinitee men ben maked blisful. Eight 
as by the getinge of jxistice [they ben 
maked just], and by the getinge of sa- 
pience they ben maked wj'se : right so, 
nedes, by the semblable resoun, whan 
they han geten divinitee, they ben maked 
goddes. Thanne is every blisful man 
god ; but eertes, by nature, ther nis but 
o god ; but, by the j)articipacioun of 
divinitee, ther ne let ne desturbeth 
nothing that ther ne ben manye goddes.' 
' This is,' quod I, ' a fair thing and 
a precious, clepe it as thou wolt ; be it 
porisme or corollarie,' or mede of coroune 
or declaringes. 

' Certes,' quod she, ' nothing nis fayrer 
than is the thing that by resoun sholde 
ben added to thise forseide thinges.' 
' What thing ? ' quod I. 

' So,' quod she, * as it semeth that blis- 
fulnesse conteneth many thinges, it were 
for to witen whether that alle thise 
thinges maken or conjoignen as a maner 
body of blisfulnesse, by dyversitee of 
parties or of membres ; or elles, yif that 
any ■©f alle thilke thinges be swich that it 
acomplisshe by him-self the substaunce f>f 
blisfulnesse, sothat alle thise othre thinges 



ben referred and brought to blisfulnesse,' 
that is to seyn, as to the cheef of hem. 
' I wolde,' quod I, ' that thou makedest 
me cleerly to understonde what thou 
seyst, and that thou recordedest me the 
forseyde thinges.' 

' Have I nat juged,' quod she, ' that 
blisfulnesse is good ? ' ' Yis, forsothe,' 
quod I ; ' and that soverein good.' 

' Adde thanne,' quod she, ' thilke good, 
that is maked blisfulnesse, to alle the for- 
seide thinges ; for thilke same blisful- 
nesse that is demed to ben soverein 
suffisaunce, thilke selve is soverein power, 
soverein reverence, soverein cleernesse or 
noblesse, and soverein delyt. Conclusio, 
What seyst thou thanne of alle thise 
thinges, that is to seyn, suffisaunce, 
power, and this othre thinges ; ben they 
thanne as membres of blisfulnesse, or ben 
they referred and brought to soverein 
good, right as alle thinges that ben 
brought to the chief of hem ? ' 'I under- 
stonde wel ; ' quod I, ' what thoti piir- 
posest to seke ; but I desire for to herkne 
that thou she we it me.' 

' Tak now thus the discreoioun of this 
question,' quod she. ' Yif alle thise 
thinges,' quod she, ' weren membres to 
felicitee, than weren they dyverse that 
oon from that other ; and swich is the 
natiire of parties or of membres, that 
dyverse membres compounen a body.' 
' Certes,' qxiod I, ' it hath wel ben shewed 
heer-biforn, that alle thise thinges ben 
alle o thing.' 

' Thanne ben they none membres,' quod 
she ; ' for elles it sholde seme that blis- 
fulnesse were conioigned al of on mem- 
bre allone ; but that is a thing that may 
nat be don.' ' This thing,' qiiod I, ' nis 
nat doutous ; but I abyde to herknen the 
remnaunt of thy questioun.' 

'This is open and cleer,' quod she, 
' that alle othre thinges ben referred and 
brought to good. For therefore is suffi- 
saunce requered, for it is demed to ben 
good ; and forthy is power requered, for 
men trowen also that it be good ; and this 
same thing mowen we thinken and con- 
jecten of reverence, and of noblesse, and 



i8t 



190 



195 



i68 



QKoct^tue. (^ooR III: (metre x. 



of delyt. Thanne is soverein good the 
somme and the cause of al that aughte 
ben desired ; for-why thilke thing that 

235 with-hokleth no good in it-self, ne sem- 
blaunce of good, it ne may nat wel in no 
mauere be desired ne reqnered. And the 
contrarie : for thogh that thinges by hir 
nattire ne ben nat goode, algates, yif men 

240 wene that ben goode, yit ben they desired 
as though that they weren verrayliohe 
goode. And therfor is it that men 
oughten to wene by right, that bountee 
be the soverein fyn, and the cause of alle 

245 the thinges that ben to reqiieren. But 
certes, thilke that is cause for which men 
requeren any thing, it semeth that thilke 
same thing be most desired. As thus : yif 
that a wight wolde ryden for cause of 

250 hele, he ne desireth nat so mochel the 
moevinge to ryden, as the efifect of his 
hele. Now thanne, sin that alle thinges 
ben requered for the grace of good, they 
ne ben nat desired of alle folk more 

255 thanne the same good. But we han 
graunted that blisfulnesse is that thing, 
for whiche that alle thise othre thinges 
ben desired ; thanne is it thus : that, 
certes, only blisfulnesse is requered and 

260 desired. By whiche thing it sheweth 
cleerly, that of good and of blisfulnesse is 
al oon and the same substaunce.' ' I see 
nat,' quod I, ' wherfore that men mighten 
discorden in this.' 

^65 ' And we han shewed that god and 
verray blisfulnesse is al 00 thing.' ' That 
is sooth,' quod I. 

'Thanne mowen we conclude sikerly, 
that the substaunce of god is set in thilke 

2 70 same good, and in non other place. 

Metre X. Hue omnes pnriter nenite capti. 

O Cometh alle to-gider now, ye that ben 
y-caught and y-bounde with wikkede 
cheynes, by the deceivable delyt of erthely 
thinges enhabitinge in your thought ! 
5 Heer shal ben the reste of your labours, 
heer is the havene stable in peysible 
quiete ; this allone is the open refut to 
wrecches. Glosa. This is to sei/n, that 
ye that hen combred and deceived ivith 



tcorldely affecciouns, cometh now to this 10 
soverein good, that is god, that is refut to 
hem that u-olen comen to him. Textus. 
Alle the thinges that the river Tagus 
yeveth yow with his goldene gravailes, or 
elles alle the thinges that the river 15 
Hermus yeveth with his rede brinke, or 
that Indus yeveth, that is next the hote 
party of the world, that medleth the 
grene stones with the whyte, ne sliolde 
nat cleeren the lookingeof your thought, jo 
but hyden rather your blinde corages 
with-in hir derknesse. Al that lyketh 
yow heer, and excyteth and moeveth your 
thoughtes, the erthe hath norisshed it in 
hise lowe caves. But the shyninge, by 25 
whiche the hevene is governed and 
whennes he hath his strengthe, that 
eschueth the derke overthrowinge of the 
sowle ; and who-so may knowen thilke 
light of blisfulnesse, he shal wel seyn, io 
that the whyte bemes of the Sonne ne ben 
nat cleer.' 

Prose XI. Assentior, inqiiam. 

Boece. ' I assente me,' qviod I ; ' for 
alle thise thinges ben strongly bounden 
with right ferme resouns.' 

Philosophie. ' How mochel wilt thou 
preysen it,' qixod she, ' yif that thou 5 
knowe what thilke good is ? ' 'I wol 
preyse it,' quod I, ' by prys with-outen 
ende, yif it shal bityde me to knowe also 
to-gider god that is good.' 

' Certes,' quod she, ' that shal I do thee 10 
by verray resoim, yif that tho thinges 
that I have concluded a litel her-biforn 
dwellen only in hir first graunting.' 
' They dwellen graunted to thee,' quod I ; 
this is to seyn, as u'ho seith: I grannie thy 15 
forseide concliisiouns. 

' Have I nat shewed thee,' quod she, 
' that the thinges that ben requered of 
many folkes ne ben nat verray goodes ne 
parfite, for they ben dyverse that oon fro 20 
that othre ; and so as ech of hem is lak- 
kinge to other, they ne han no power to 
bringen a good that is ful and absolut ? 
But thanne at erst ben thp;\- verray srood, 
whanne they ben gadered to-gider alle 25 



(|>oef6tu0. (^ooft III: (pro0e xi. 



169 



in-to o forme and in-to oon wirkinge, so 
that tliilke thing that is suffisaiiuce, 
thilke same be power, and reverence, and 
noblesse, and mirthe ; and forsothe, but- 

30 yif alle thise thinges ben alle oon same 
thing, they ne han nat wherby that they 
mowen ben put in the noumber of thinges 
that oiTghten ben requered or desired.' 
' It is shewed,' quod I ; ' ne her-of may 

35 tlier no man douten.' 

' The thinges thanne," quod she, ' that 
lie ben no goodes whanne they ben dy- 
verse, and whan they beginnen to ben 
alle oon thing thanne ben they goodes, 

40 ne comth it hem nat thanne by the 
getinge of unitee, that they ben maked 
goodes V ' ' So it semeth,' quod I. 

' But al thing that is good,' quod she, 
' grauntest thoii that it be good by the 

45 xiarticipacioun of good, or no ? ' 'I 

graunte it,' quod I. 

'Thanne most thou graiinten,' quod 
she, ' by semblable resoun, that oon and 
good be 00 same thing. For of thinges, 

50 of whicdie that the effect nis nat naturelly 
diverse, nedes the substance mot be 00 
same thing.' ' I ne may nat deuj-e 

that,' qxiod I. 

' Hast thou nat knowen wel,' quod she, 

55 ' that al thing that is hath so louge his 
dwelliuge and his substaunce as longe as 
it is oon ; but whan it forleteth to ben 
c>on, it mot nedes dyeu and corumpe to- 
gider ':" 'In which manere ? ' qiiod I. 

60 ' Eight as in bestes,' quod she, ' whan 
the sowle and the body ben conjoigned 
in oon and dwellen to-gider, it is cleped 
a beest. And whan hir unitee is destroyed 
by the disseveraunce of that oon from 

65 that other, than slieweth it wel that it is 
a ded thing, and that it nis no lenger 
no beest. And the body of a wight, whyl 
it dwelleth in 00 forme by conjunccioun 
of membres, it is wel seyn that it is 

70 a figure of man-kinde. And yif the 
parties of the body ben so devyded and 
dissevered, that oon fro that other, that 
they destroyen unitee, the body forleteth 
to ben that it was biforn. And, who-so 

75 wolde renne in the same manere by alio 
thinges, he sholde seen that, with-oute 



doute, every thing is in his substai^nce as 
longe as it is oon ; and whan it forleteth 
to ben oon, it dyeth and perissheth.' 
' Whan I considere,' quod I, ' manye So 
thinges, I see non other.' 

'Is ther any-thing thanne,' qiiod she, 
' that, in as moche as it liveth naturelly, 
that forleteth the talent or appetj't of his 
beinge, and desireth to come to deeth and 85 
to corupcioun ? ' ' Yif I considere,' 

quod I, ' the beestes that han any maner 
nature of wilninge and of nillinge, I ne 
finde no beest, biit-yif it be constreined 
fro with-oute forth, that forleteth or 90 
despyseth the entencioiin to liven and 
to duren, or that wole, his thankes, 
hasten him to dyen. For every beest 
travaileth him to deffende and kepe the 
savacioun of his lyf, and eschueth deeth 95 
and destruccioun. But certes, I doute 

nie of herbes and of trees, that is to seyn, 
that I am in a dotite of sioiche thinges as 
herbes or trees, that ne han no felinge 
sowles, ne no naturel wirkin(jes sercinge to 100 
appetytes as bestes han, ichether they han 
appetyt to dicellen and to dure7i.' 

' Certes,' qiiod she, ' ne ther-of thar 
thee nat doute. Now loke up-on thise 
herbes anil thise trees ; they wexen first 105 
in swiche places as ben covenable to hem, 
in whiclie places theyne mowen nat sone 
dyen ne dryen, as longe as hir natitre 
may deffenden hem. For som of hem 
waxen in feeldes, and som in moun- 1 10 
taignes, and othre waxen in mareys, and 
othre eleven on roehes, and somme waxen 
plentivous in sondes ; and yif that anj- 
wight enforce him to beren hem in-to 
othre places, they wexen drye. For 115 
nature yeveth to every thing that that 
is convenient to him, and travaileth that 
they ne dye nat, as longe as thej' han 
power to dwellen and to liven. Wliat 
woltow seyn of this, that they drawen uo 
alle hir norissliinges by hir rotes, right 
as they hadden hir moiithes y-ploimged 
with-in the erthes, and sheden by hir 
maryes hir wode and hir bark ? And 
what woltow seyn of this, that thilke 125 
thing that is right softe, as the marye is, 
that is alwey hid in the sete, al with- 



Q0oet0tu6. Q0ooft III: (proee XI. 



inne, and that is defemled fro with-oute 
by the stedefastnesse of wode ; and that 

130 the uttereste bark is put ayeins the des- 
temperaunce of the hevene, as a defendoiir 
mighty to snfFren harm ? And thus, 
certes, maystow wel seen how greet is 
the diligence of nature ; for alle thinges 

135 renovelen and puplisshen hem with seed 
y-niultiplyed ; ne ther nis no man that ne 
wot wel that they ne ben right as 
a foundement and edifice, for to duren 
nat only for a tyme, but right as for 

140 to diiren perdurably by generacioun. And 
the thinges eek that men wenen ne haven 
none sowles, ne desire they nat ech of 
hem by semblable resoun to kepen that 
is hirs, that is to seyn, that is acordinge to 

145 Mr nature in consercacioun of Mr beinge 
and enduringe ? For wher-for elles bereth 
lightnesse the flaumbes up, and the 
weighte presseth the erthe a-doun, but 
for as moche as thilke x^laces and thilke 

150 moevinges ben covenable to everich of 
hem ? And forsothe every thing kejjeth 
thilke that is acordinge and propre to 
him, right as thinges that ben contraries 
and enemys corompen hem. And yit the 

155 harde thinges, as stones, clyven and 
holden hir parties to-gider right faste and 
harde, and deifenden hem in withstond- 
inge that they ne departe nat lightly 
a-twinne. And the thinges that ben 

160 softe and fletinge, as is water and eyr, 
they departen lightly, and yeven place 
to hem that breken or devyden hem ; 
but natheles, they retornen sone ayein 
in-to the same thinges fro whennes they 

165 ben arraced. But iyx fleeth and refuseth 
al devisioun. Ne 1 ne trete nat heer 
now of wilful moevinges of the sowle 
that is knowinge, but of the naturel 
entencioun of thinges, as thus : right as 

i;o we swolwe the mete that we receiven and 
no thinke nat on it, and as we drawen 
our breeth in slepinge that we wite it 
nat whyle we slepen. For certes, in the 
beestes, the love of hir livinges ne of hir 

175 beinges ne comth nat of the wilninges 
of the sowle, but of the biginninges of 
nature. For certes, thorugh constrein- 
inge causes, wil desireth and embraceth 



fnl ofte tjTiie the deeth that nature 
dredeth ; that is to seyn as thus : that 180 
a man may hen constreyned so, by snm 
cause, that his icil desireth and taketh the 
deeth which that nature hatefh and dred- 
eth fnl sore. And somtyme we seeth 
the contrarye, as thus : that the wil of 185 
a wight destorbeth and constreyneth that 
that nature desireth and requereth al- 
wey, that is to seyn, the werk of genera- 
cioun, by the whiche generacioun only 
dwelleth and is sustened the long dura- 190 
bletee of mortal thinges. And thus this 
charitee and this love, that every thing 
hath to him-self, ne comth nat of the 
moevinge of the sowle, but of the en- 
tencioun of nattire. For the purviaunce 195 
of god hath yeven to thinges that ben 
creat of him this, that is a ful gret cause 
to liven and to duren ; for which they 
desiren naturelly hir lyf as longe as ever 
they mowen. For which thou mayst nat 200 
drede, by no manere, that alle the 
thinges that ben anywhere, that they ne 
requeren nattirelly the ferme stablenesse 
of perdurable dwellinge, and eek the 
eschuinge of destruccioun.' ' Now con- 205 
fesse I wel,' quod I, 'that I see now wel 
certeinly, with-oute doutes, the thinges 
that whylom semeden uncertain to me.' 

' Biit,' quod she, ' thilke thing that 
desireth to be and to dwellen perdurably, 210 
he desireth to ben oon ; for yif that that 
oon were destroyed, certes, beinge ne 
shulde ther non dwellen to no wight.' 
' That is sooth,' quod I. 

' Thanne,' quod she, ' desiren alle 215 
thinges oon ?' 'I assente,' quod I. 

' And I have shewed,' quod she, ' that 
thilke same oon is thilke that is good?' 
' Ye, for sothe,' quod I. 

' Alle thinges thanne,' quod she, ' re- 220 
quiren good ; and thilke good thanne 
mayst thou descryven right thus : good 
is thilke thing that every wight desireth.' 
' Ther ne may be thought,' quod I, ' no 
more verray thing. For either alle 225 
thinges ben referred and brought to 
nought, and floteren with-oute governour, 
desiioiled of oon as of hir propre heved ; 
or elles, yif ther be any thing to which 



(gott^iUB. (g00& III: ^t06t XII. 



171 



230 that alle thinges tenden and hyen, that 
thing nioste ben the soverein good of alle 
goodes.' 

Thanne seyde she thus : ' O my nory,' 
quod she, ' I have gret gladnesse of thee ; 

235 for thou hast ficched in thyn herte the 
middel soothfastnesse, tliat is to seyn, the 
prikke ; but this thing hath ben des- 
covered to thee, in that thou seydest 
that thoii wistest nat a litel her-biforn.' 

240 ' What was that ?' quod I. 

' That thou ne wistest nat,' quod she, 
' which was the ende of thinges ; and 
certes, that is the thing that every wight 
desireth ; and for as mochel as we han 

245 gadered and comprehended that good is 
thilke thing that is desired of alle, thanne 
moten we nedes confessen, that good is 
the fyn of alle thinges. 

Metre XI. Quisquis profunda mente 
uestigat uerum. 

Who-so that seketh sooth by a deep 
thoght, and coveiteth nat to ben deceived 
by no mis-weyes, lat him roUen and 
trenden with-inne him-self the light of 
5 his inward sighte ; and lat him gadere 
ayein, encljiiinge in-to a compas, the 
longe moevinges of Ms thoiujMes ; and 
lat him techen his corage that he hath 
enclosed and hid in his tresors, al that 

10 he compasseth or seketh fro with-oiite. 
And thanue thilke thinge, that the blake 
clovide of errour whylom hadde y-covered, 
shal lighten more cleerly thanne Phebtis 
him-self ne shyneth. Glosa. Who-so 

15 ivole seken the deep grotinde of sooth in his 
thought, and ivol nat be deceived by false 
proxMsiciouns that goon amis fro the trouthe, 
lat him tvel examine and rolle with-inne 
himself the nature and the propretees of the 

20 thing ; and lat him yit eftsones examine 
and rollen his thouft/htes by good delibera- 
cioun, or that he deme ; and lat him techen 
his sowle that it hath, by natural principles 
kindeliche y-hid infh-in it-self, alle the 

-5 trouthe the whiche he imagineth to ben in 
thinges with-oute. And thanne alle the 
derknesse of his misknoivinge shal seme more 
evidently to sighte of his understondinge 



thanne the sonne ne semeth to sighte with- 
oute-fortli. For certes the body, bring- 30 
inge the weighte of foryetinge, ne hath 
nat chased oiit of your thoughte al the 
cleernesse of your knoicinge ; for certeinly 
the seed of sooth haldeth and clyveth 
with-in your corage, and it is awaked 35 
and excyted by the winde and by the 
blastes of doctrine. For wherfor elles 
demen ye of your owne wil the rightes, 
whan ye ben axed, but-yif so were that 
the norisshinge of resoun ne livede y- 4c 
plounged in the depthe of your herte ? 
this is to seyn, hoic sholden men demen the 
sooth of any thing that were axed, yif ther 
nere a rote of soothfastnesse that ivere y- 
jylounged and hid in nafurel jmnciples, the 45 
whiche soothfastnesse lived with-in the deep- 
nesse of the thought. And yif so be that 
the Muse and the doctrine of Plato 
singeth sooth, al that every wight lerneth, 
he ne doth no-thing elles thanne but 50 
recordeth, as men recorden thinges that 
ben foryeten.' 

Prose XII. Turn ego, Platoni, inqiiam. 

Thanne seide I thus : ' I acorde me 
gretly to Plato, for thovi remembrest 
and recordest me thise thinges jdt the 
secounde tyme ; that is to seyn, first whan 
I loste my memorie by the contagious 5 
conjuncciomi of the body with the sowle ; 
and eftsones afterward, whan I loste it, 
confounded by the charge and by the 
burdene of my sorwe.' 

And thanne seide she thus : ' yif thou 10 
loke,' qiiod she, ' first the thinges that 
thou hast graunted, it ne shal nat ben 
right fer that thou ne shalt remembren 
thilke thing that thoti seydest that thou 
nistest nat.' ' Wliat thing ? ' quod I. 15 

' By whiche governement,' quod she, 
' that this world is governed.' ' Me 
remembreth it wel,' quod I ; ' and I con- 
fesse wel that I ne wiste it naught. Biit 
al-be-it so that I see now from a-fer what 20 
thovi purposest, algates, I desire yit to 
herkene it of thee more plejaily.' 

'Thou ne wendest nat,' quod she, 
' a litel her-biforn, that men sholden 



'- 5 



Q0oef^iu0. Q^oo6 III : (proee xii. 



25 doute that this world nis governed by 
god.' • Certes,' quod I, ' ne yit ne donte 
I it naught, lie I nel never wene that 
it were to doute ; as vlio xflifJi, hut I tvot 
wel flint god (joverneth this icorld ; and 

30 I shal shortly answeren thee by what 
resonns I ana brought to this. This 
world," quod I, ' of so nianye dyverse and 
contrariotis parties, ne mighte never han 
ben assembled in o forme, but-yif ther 

35 nere oon that conjoignede so manye dy- 
verse tliinges ; and the same dyversitee 
of hir natures, that so diseorden that 
oon fro that other, moste departen and 
unjoignen the thinges that ben con- 

40 joigned, yif ther ne were oon that con- 
tenede that he hath conjoined and y- 
bounde. Ne the certein ordre of nature 
ne sholde nat bringe forth so ordenee 
moevinges, by places, by tymes, by 

45 doinges, by spaces, by qualitees, yif ther 
ne were oon that were ay stedefast 
'dwellinge, that ordeynede and disponede 
thise dj'versitees of moevinges. And 
thilke thing, what-so-ever it he, by which 

50 that alle thinges ben y-mahed and j'-lad, 
I clepe him " god " ; that is a word that 
is used to alle folk.' 

Thanne seyde she : ' sin thou felest 
thus thise tliinges,' quod she, ' I trowe 

$5 that I have litel more to done that thou, 
mighty of welefulnesse, hool and souude, 
ne see eftsones thy contree. But lat us 
loken the thinges that we han purposed 
her-biforn. Have I nat noiimbred and 

fio seyd,' quod she, ' that suflfisaunce is in 
blisfulnesse, and we han acorded that 
god is thiike same blisfulnesse ?' ' Yis, 
forsothe,' quod I. 

' And that, to governe this world,' 

65 quod she, ' ne shal he never han nede 
of non help fro with-oute ? For elles, 
yif he hadde nede of any help, he ne 
sholde n;'vt have no ful suffisaimce ? ' 
' Yis, thus it mot nedes be,' quod I. 

70 ' Thanne ordeineth he by him-self al- 
one alle thinges ? ' quod she. ' That 
may nat bo deneyed,' quod I. 

' And I have shewed that god is the 
same good ? ' 'It remembreth me wel,' 

75 quod I. 



' Thanne ordeineth he alle thinges by 
thilke good,' quod she ; ' sin he, which 
that we han acorded to be good, governeth 
alle thinges liy him-self; and he is as 
a keye and a stere by which that the 80 
edifice of this world is y-kept stable 
and with-oiite coroiimpinge.' ' I acorde 
me greetly,' quod I ; ' and I aperceivede 
a litel her-biforn that thou woldest seye 
thiis ; al-be-it so that it were by a thinne 85 
suspecioun.' 

' I trowe it wel,' quod she ; ' for, as 
I trowe, thou ledest now more ententifly 
thyne eyen to loken the verra.y goodes. 
But natheles the thing that I shal telle 90 
thee yit ne sheweth nat lasse to loken.' 
' What is that ? ' qiiod I. 

' So as men trowen,' quod she, ' and 
that rightfully, that god governeth alle 
tliinges by the keye of his gooduesse, 95 
and alle thise same thinges, as I have 
taught thee, hasten hem by naturel en- 
tencioun to comen to good : ther may no 
man douten that they ne be governed 
voluntariely, and that they ne converteii 100 
hem of hir owne wil to the wil of hir 
ordenoiir, as tliey that ben acordinge and 
enclyninge to hir governour and hir 
king.' ' It mot nedes bo so,' quod I ; 
' for the reaurae ne sholde nat semen 105 
blisful yif ther were a yok of mis- 
drawinges in dj-verse parties ; ne the 
savinge of obedient thinges ne sholde nat 
be.' 

'Thanne is ther nothing,' quod she, no 
' that kepeth his nature, that enforceth 
him to goon ayein god ? ' 'No,' quod I. 

' And yif that any-tliing enforcede him 
to witli-stonde god, mighte it ftvailen at 
the laste ayeins him, that we han 115 
graunted to ben almighty by the right 
of blisfulnesse '?' ' Certes,' qiiod I, ' al- 
outrely it ne mighte nat availen him.' 

' Thanne is ther n*»-thing,' qiiod she, 
' tliat either wole or may with-stondeu 120 
to this soverein good ■?' 'I trowe nat,' 
q\iod I. 

' Thanne is thilke the soverein good,' 
quod she, ' that alle thinges governeth 
strongly, and ordeyneth hem softely.' 125 
Thanne seyde I thiis : ' I delyte me,' 



(god^iuB, Q0ooft III: QUe^n xii. 



173 



qnod I, ' iiat only in the endes or in the 
somine of the resonns that thou hast 
concluded and proeved, biit thilke wordes 

1,^0 that thou usest delyten me moche more ; 
so, at the laste, fooles that sumtyme 
renden grete thiuges oiighten ben a- 
shamed of hem-self;' that {■■i to seyn, that 
tee fooles that reimlienden inKkedlij the 

135 thimjes that touchcn goddes gocernatince, 
ice oicghten ben ashamed of our-self: as 
/, that seyde that god refuseth only the 
Kerkes of men, a7id ne entreineteth nat of 
hem. 

14U ' Thou hast wel herd,' quod she, ' the 
fables of the poetes, how the giaunts 
assaileden the hevene ivith the goddes ; 
l;>ut forsothe, the debonair force of god. 
deposede hem, as it was worthy ; that is 

J45 to seyn, destroyede the giaunts, as it icas 
u-orthy. But wilt thou that we joignen 
to-gider thilke same resouns ? For x^er- 
aventure, of swich conjuncioun may 
sterten up som fair sparkle of sooth.' 

150 ■ Do,' quod I, ' as thee liste.' 

' Wenest thou,' quod she, ' that god ne 
be almightj'? No man is in doute of it.' 
' Certes,' quod I, ' no wight ne doutetli 
it, yif he be in his minde.' 

155 ' But he, ' quod she, ' that is almightj-, 
ther nis nothing that he ne may ? ' 
' That is sooth,' quod I. 

' May god don yvel ? ' quod she. ' Nay, 
forsothe,' quod I. 

160 ' Thanne is yvel nothing,' quod she, 
' sin that he ne may nat don j^el that 
may don alle thinges.' ' Scomest thou 
me ? ' quod I ; 'or elles pleyest thou or 
deceivest thou me, that hast so woven me 

165 with thy resouns the hous of Dedalus, 
so entrelaced that it is unable to be un- 
laced ; thou that other-whyle entrest 
ther thou issest, and other-whyle issest 
ther thou entrest, ne foldest thou nat 

170 to-gider, by repl icacioun of icordes, amaner 
wonderful cercle or environinge of the 
simplicitee devyne? For certes, a litel 
her-biforn, whan thou bigunne at blisfnl- 
nesse, thou seydest that it is soverein 

175 good ; and seydest that it is set in soverein 
god ; and seydest that god him-self is 
soverein good ; and that god is the fulle 



blisfulnesse ; for which thoii yave me as 
a covenable yift, that is to seyn, that no 
wight nis blisful but-yif he be god also 180 
ther-with. And seidest eek, that the 
forme of good is the substaunce of god 
and of blisfulnesse ; and seidest, that 
thilke same oon is thilke same good, 
that is requered and desired of alle the 1S5 
kinde of thinges. And thou proevedest, 
in disputinge, that god governeth all the 
thinges of the world by the governements 
of bountee, and seydest, that alle thinges 
wolen obej-en to him ; and seydest, that '9" 
the nature of yvel nis no-thing. And 
thise thinges ne shewedest thoii nat with 
none resouns y-taken fro with-oute, but 
by proeves in cercles andhoomlich. knowen ; 
the whiche proeves drawen to hem-self 195 
hir feith and hir acord, everich of hem 
of other.' 

Thanne seyde she thus : ' I ne scorne 
thee nat, ne pleye, ne deceive thee ; biit 
I have shewed thee the thing that is 2<» 
grettest over alle thinges by the yift of 
god, that we whylom pireyeden. For this 
is the forme of the devyne substaunce, 
that is SNvich that it ne sl3-deth nat in-to 
outterest foreine thinges, ne ne receiveth 205 
no straunge thinges in him ; bi\t right 
as Parmenides seyde in Greek of thilke 
de^'yiie substaiuice ; he seyde thus : that 
"thilke devyne substavince torneth the 
world and the moevable cercle of thinges, 210 
whyl thilke devyne substaunce kepeth 
it-self with-oixte moevinge ; " that is to 
seyn, that it ne moeveth never-mo, and yit it 
moeveth alle othre thinges. But natheles, 
yif I have stired resouns that ne ben nat 215 
taken fro with-oute the compas of thing 
of which we treten, but resouns that ben 
bistowed with-in that comxjas, ther nis 
nat why that thou sholdest merveilen ; 
sin thou hast lerned by the sentence of 220 
Plato, that " nedes the wordes moten 1>e 
cosines to the thinges of which they 
speken." 

Metke xii. Felix, qui pot u it boni. 

Blisful is that man that may seen the 
clere welle of good ; blisful is he that 



174 



(gott^iuQ. (goc& IV: (j?ro0e I. 



may unbindeii him fro the bondes of the 
hevj- erthe. The poete of Trace, Oi^pheus, 
5 that whylom hadde right greet sorwe 
for the deeth of his wyf, after that he 
hadde maked, by his weejily songes, the 
wodes, moevable, to rennen ; and hadde 
maked the riveres to stonden stille ; and 

lo hadde maked the hertes and the hindes 
to joignen, dredeles, hir sydes to crnel 
lyonns, fur to herknen his songe ; and 
hadde maked that the hare was nat agast 
of the hoiinde, which that was ijlesed by 

•5 his souge : so, whan the moste ardaunt 
love of his wif brende the entrailes of his 
brest, ne the songes that hadden over- 
comen alle thinges ne mighten nat as- 
swagen hir lord Orpheus, he plej-uede 

20 him of the hevene goddes that weren 
crael to him ; he wente him to the hovises 
of helle. And there he temprede hise 
blaundisshinge songes by resowninge 
strenges, and spak and song in wepinge 

25 al that ever he hadde received and laved 
out of the noble welles of his moder 
Calliope the goddesse ; and he song with 
as mochel as he mighte of wepinge, and 
with as moche as love, that doublede his 

30 sorwe, mighte yeve him and techen him ; 
and he commoevede the helle, and re- 
quierede and bisoughte by swete preyere 
the lordes of sowles in helle, of relesinge ; 
that is to seyn, to yilden him his icyf. 

35 Verheriis, the porter of helle, with his 
three hevedes, was caught and al abayst 
for the newe song ; and the three god- 
desses, Furies, and vengeresses of felonyes, 
that tormenteu and agasten the sowles 

40 by anoy, woxen sorwful and sory, and 



wepen teres for pitee. Tho ne was nat 
the heved of Ixion y-tormented by the 
overthrowinge wheel ; and Tantalus, that 
was destroyed by the woodnesse of longe 
thurst, despyseth the flodes to drinke ; 45 
the fowl that highte voltor, that eteth 
the stomak or the giser of Tityus, is so 
fulfild of his song that it nil eteu ne 
tyren no more. At the laste the lord 
and j^^ge of sowles was moeved to miseri- 50 
cordes and cryde, " we ben overcomen," 
quod he ; " yive we to Orpheus his wyf 
to bere him companye ; he hath wel y- 
bought hir by his song and his ditee ; 
but we wol putte a lawe in this, and 55 
covenaunt in the yiite : that is to seyn, 
that, til he be out of helle, yif he loke 
behiude him, that his wyf shal comeu 
ayein unto vis." But what is he that 
may yive a lawe to loveres ? Love is 60 
a gretter lawe and a stronger to him-self 
tha7i any lawe that men may yeven. Alias ! 
whan Orpheus and his wyf weren almest 
at the termes of the night, that is to seyn, 
at the laste bounties of helle, Orpheus 65 
lokede abakward on Eurydice his yvyi', 
and loste hir, and was deed. 

This fable aperteineth to yow alle, who- 
so-ever desireth or seketh to lede his 
thought iu-to the soverein day, that is to 70 
seyn, to cleernesse of soverein good. For 
wh<j-so that ever be so overcomen that 
he ficche his eyen into the pvitte of helle, 
that is to seyn, tvho-so sette his thoughtes in 
erthely thinges, al that ever he hath 75 
drawen of the noble good celestial, he 
leseth it whan he loketh the helles,' that 
is to seyn, in-to lowe thinges of the erthe 



Explicit Liber tercius. 



BOOK IV. 



Pkose I. Ilec cum Philosophia, dignitate 
uultus. 

Whan Philosophye hadde songensoftely 
and delitably the forseide thinges, kepinge 
the dignitee of hir chere and the weighte 
of hir wordes, I thanne, that ne hadde 



nat al-outerly foryeten the wepinge and 5 
the uKJurninge that was set in myn 
herte, forbrak the entencioun of hir that 
entendede yit to seyu some othre thinges. 
' 0,' quod I, ' thou that art gj'deresse of 
verrey light ; the thinges that thou hast 10 
seid me hider-to ben so clere to me and 



Q0oet6tue. (gooft iv: Qnetre i. 



17: 



60 



so shewinge by the devyne lookinge of 
hem, and by thy resouns, that they ne 
moweu ben overcomen. And thilke 
thinges that thou toldest me, al-be-it so 
that I hadde whylom foryeten hem, for 
the sorwe of the wrong that hath beu 
don to me, yit natheles they ne weren 
uat al-oi\trelj' nnknowen to me. But this 
same is, namely, a right greet cause of 
my sorwe, so as the governour of thinges 
is good, yif that j^'eles mowen beu by 
any weyes ; or elles yif that yveles passeu 
with-oute punisshinge. The whiche thing 
only, how worthy it is to ben wondred 
up-on, thou considerest it wel thy-self 
certeinly. But yit to this thing ther is 
yit another thing y-joigned, more to ben 
wondred up-on. For felonye is emperesse, 
and floureth ful of richesses ; and vertu 
nis uat al-only with-oute medes, but it 
is cast under and fortroden itnder the 
feet of felonous folk ; and it abyeth the 
torments in stede of Mikkede felounes. 
Of alle whiche thinges ther nis no wight 
that may merveylen y-nough, ne com- 
pleine, that swiche thinges ben doon in 
the regne of god, that alle thinges woot 
and alle thinges may, and ne wole nat 
but only gode thinges.' 

Thanne seyde she thus : ' Certes,' quod 
she, ' that were a greet merveyle, and an 
enbasshinge with-outen ende, and wel 
more horrible than alle monstres, yif it 
were as thou wenest ; that is to seyn, that 
in the right ordenee hous of so mochel 
a fader and an ordenour of meynee, that 
the vesseles that ben foule and \'yle 
sholden beu honoiired and heried, and 
the precious vesseles sholden ben de- 
fouled and vyle ; but it nis nat so. For 
yif tho thinges that I have concluded 
a litel her-biforn ben kei^t hole and un- 
raced, thou shalt wel knowe by the 
autoritee of god, of the whos regne 
I speke, that certes the gode folk ben 
alwey mighty, and shrewes ben alwey 
out-cast and feble ; ne the vyces ne ben 
never-mo with-oute peyue, ne the vertues 
ne ben nat with-oute mede ; and that 
blisfulnesses comen alwey to goode folk, 
and iufortune comth alwey to wikked 



folk. And thovi shalt wel knowe many 
thinges of this kinde, that shollen cesen • 
thy pleintes, and strengthen thee with 65 
stedefast sadnesse. And for thoii hast 
seyn the forme of the verray blisfulnesse 
by me, that have whylom shewed it thee, 
and thou hast knowen in whom blisful- 
nesse is y-set, alle thinges y-treted that 70 
I trowe ben necessarie to putten forth, 
I shal shewe thee the wey that slial 
bringeu thee ayein un-to thyn hous. 
And I shal ficchen fetheresinthytliought, 
by whiche it may arysen in heighte, so 75 
that, alle tribulacioun y-don awey, thou, 
by my gydinge and by my path and by 
my sledes, shalt mowe retorne hool and 
sound in-to thy contree. 

Metue I. Siint etenim pennae uohicres 
mihi. 

I have, forsothe, swifte fetheres that 
surmouuteu the heighte of hevene. Whan 
the swifte thought hath clothed it-self in 
tho fetheres, it despyseth the hateful 
erthes, and svirmounteth the roundnesse 5 
of the grete ayr ; and it seeth the cloudes 
behinde his bak ; and passeth the heighte 
of the region of the fyr, that eschaufeth 
by the swifte moevinge of the firmament, 
til that he areyseth him in-to the houses 10 
that beren the sterres, and joyneth his 
weyes with the sonne Phebus, and felaw- 
shipeth the wey of the olde colde Satur- 
nus ; and he y-maked a knight of the 
clere sterre ; that is to seyn, that the 15 
thottght is maked goddes knight by the 
sekinge of trouthe to comen to the verray 
knowleche of god. And thillie thoght 
renneth by the cercle of the sterres, in 
alle places ther-as the shyninge night is 20 
peinted ; that is to seyn, the night that is 
cloudeles ; for on nightes that hen cloudeles 
it semeth as the hevene toere peinted tcith 
dyverse images of sterres. And wlianne 
he hath y-doon ther y-nough, he shal 25 
forleten the laste hevene, and he shal 
pressen and wendeu on the bak of the 
swifte firmament, and he shal ben maked 
parfit of the worshipful light of god. 
Ther halt the lord of kinges the cejitre 30 



176 



(^oet^me. Q0ooft iv : (proee 11. 



of his might, and atempreth the goveme- 
ments of the worhl, and the shyninge 
jiTge of thinges, stalile in hini-self, gover- 
ncth the swifte cart or wayn, that is to 

35 sey7i, the circuler moevinge of the sonne. 
And yif thy wey ledeth thee ayein so 
that thoti be brought thider, thanne 
wolt thou seye now that that is the 
contree that thou requerest, of which 

40 thou ne haddest no minde : " but now it 
remembreth me wel, heer was I born, 
heer wol I fastne my degree, heer wole 
I dwelle." But yif thee lyketh thanne 
to loken on the derkuesso of the erthe 

45 that thou hast forleten, thanne shalt 
thoti seen that thise felonous tyraunts, 
that the wrecchede peple dredeth, now 
shollen ben exyled fro thilke fayre con- 
tree.' 

Prose II. Turn ego, Papae, inqitam. 

Than seyde I thus : ' owh ! I wondre me 
that thou bihetest me so grete thinges ; 
ne I ne doute nat that tliou ne mayst 
wel performe that thou bihetest. But 
5 I preye thee only this, tliat thou ne 
tarye nat to telle me thilke thinges that 
thou hast moeved.' 

' First,' q\iod she, ' thou most nedes 
knowen, that goode folk ben alwey 

10 stronge and mightj', and the shrewes 
ben feble and desert and naked of alle 
strengthes. And of thise thinges, certes, 
everich of hem is declared and shewed 
by other. For so as good and yvel ben 

15 two contraries, yif so be that good be 
stedefast, than sheweth the feblesse of 
j'vel al openly; and yif thou knowe 
clecrly the frelenesse of yvel, the stede- 
fastnesse of good is knowen. But for as 

20 moche as the fej' of my sentence shal 
be the more ferme and haboundaunt, 
I will gon by that oo wey and by that 
other ; and I wole conferme the thinges 
that ben purposed, now on this syde and 

25 now on that syde. Two thinges ther ben 
in whiclie the effect of alle the dodes of 
mankinde standeth, that is to seyn, wil 
and power ; and yif tliat oon of thise two 
fayleth, ther nis nothing that may be 



don. For yif that wil lakketh, ther nis 30 
no wight that undertaketh to don that 
he wol nat don : and yif pnwer fayleth, 
the wil nis but in ydel and stant for 
naught. And ther-of cometli it, that yif 
thou see a wight that wolde geten that 35 
he may nat geten, thow mayst nat douten 
that power ne fayleth him to haven that 
he wolde.' 'This is open and cleer,' 
quod I ; ' ne it may nat ben deneyed in 
no manere.' 40 

' And yif thou see a wight,' quod she, 
'that hath doon that he wolde doon, 
thou nilt nat doiiten that he ne hath 
had power to don it ? ' ' No,' quod I. 

' And in that that every wight may, 45 
in that men may holden him mighty ; 
as who seytJi, in so moche as man is mij/htj/ 
to don a thing, in so mochel men halt him 
mighty ; and in that that he ne may, in 
that raen demen him to be feble.' ' I 5'> 
confesse it wel,' quod I. 

' Eemenibreth thee,' quod she, ' that 
I have gadered and shewed by forseyde 
resovms that al the entencioun of the wil 
of mankinde, which that is lad by dy verse 55 
studies, hasteth to comen to blisfulnesse ? ' 
' It remembreth me wel,' quod I, ' that it 
hath ben shewed.' 

' And recordcth thee nat thanne," quod 
she, ' that blisfulnesse is thilke same good 60 
that men requeren ; so that, whan that 
blisfulnesse is requered of alle, that good 
also is requered and desired of alle?' 
' It ne recordeth me nat,' quotl I ; ' for 
I have it gretly alwej' ficched in my 65 
memorie.' 

' Alle folk thanne,' quod she, ' goode 
and eek badde, enforcen hem with-oute 
difference of entencioun to comen to 
good ? ' ' This is a verray conse- 70 

quence,' quod I. 

' And certein is,' quod she, ' that by the 
getinge of good ben men y-maked goode?' 
' This is certein,' quod I. 

' Tlianne geten goode men that they 75 
desiren ? ' 'So semeth it,' quod I. 

' But wikkede folk,' quod she, ' yif they 
geten the good that they desiren, they ne 
mowe nat be wikkede ? ' 'So is it,' 
i^uod I, 80 



(godUue. QBooR IV: (proee ii. 



177 



' Thanne, so as that oou and that 
other,' quod she, ' desiren good ; and the 
goode folk geten good, and nat the wikke 
folk ; thanne nis it no donte that the 
85 goode folk ne ben mighty and the wik- 
Ivede folk ben feble ? ' ' Who-so that 
ever,' quod I, ' douteth of this, he ne 
may nat considere the nature of thinges 
ne the consequence of res(juns.' 
go And over this quod she, ' Yif that ther 
lie two thinges that han 00 same purpose 
liy kinde, and that oon of heni pursuoth 
and parformeth thilke same thing by 
naturel office, and that other ne may nat 
<)5 (loon thilke naturel office, but f'olweth, by 
other manere thaune is couvenable to 
nature, him that aeomplissheth his xjur- 
pos kindelj', and yit he ne aeomplissheth 
nat his owne pvu-pos : whether of thise 
100 two demestow for more mighty ? ' ' Yif 
that I conjecte,' qiiod I, ' that thou wolt 
seye, algates yit I desire to herkne it 
more pleynly of thee.' 

' Thou wilt nat thanne deneye,' quod 

105 she, ' that the moevement of goinge nis in 

men by kinde ? ' ' No, forsothe,' quod I. 

' Ne thou ne doutest nat,' quod she, 

' that thilke naturel office of goinge ne 

be the office of feet ? ' 'I ne doiite it 

110 nat,' quod I. 

' Thanne,' quod she, ' yif that a wight 
be mighty to moeve and goth upon his 
feet, and another, tf> whom thilke naturel 
office of feet lakketh, enforceth him to 
115 gon crepinge up-on his handos : whiche 
of thise two oughte to ben holden the 
more mighty by right ? ' ' Knit forth 
the remenau.nt,' quod I ; ' for no wight ne 
douteth that he that may gon by naturel 
i-'o office of feet ne be more mighty than he 
that ne may nat.' 

' But the soverein good,' qiiod she, 
' that is eveneliche purposed to the gode 
folk and to badde, the gode folk seken it 
125 by naturel office of vertues, and the 
shrewes enforcen hem to geten it by 
dj^erse coveityse oferthely thim/es, which 
that nis no naturel office to geten thilke 
same soverein good. Trowestow that it 
130 be any other wyse ? ' ' Nay,' quod I; 

' for the consequence is open and shew- 



inge of thinges that I have graunted ; 
that nedes gode folk moten ben mighty, 
and shrewes feeble and unmiglity.' 

' Thoii rennest a-right biforn me," i^uod 135 
she, ' and this is the jixgement ; that is to 
seyn, I juf/e of thee right as thise leches 
ben wont to hopen of sijke folk, irlian 
theij aperceyven that nature is redressed 
and withstondeth to th'e maladye. But, 1^0 
for I see thee now al redj' to the under- 
stondinge, I shal shewe thee more thikko 
and continuel resouns. For loke now how 
greetly sheweth the feblesse and in- 
firmitee of wikkede folk, that ne mowen 145 
nat comen to that hir naturel eutencioun 
ledeth hem, and yit almost thilke naturel 
entencioun constreineth hem. And what 
u-erc to dciHcn thanne of shrewes., yif thilke 
naturel help hadde forleton hem, the 150 
which naturel help of intcnnoun goth 
awey biforn hem, and is so greet that 
iinnethe it may ben overcome ? Consider 
thanne how greet def'aute of power and 
how greet feblesse ther is in wikkede 155 
felonousfolk ; as who seyth, the gretter thiny 
that is coveited and the desire nat aconi- 
2}lisshed, of the lasse might is ha that 
coveiteth it and may nat acomplisshe. And 
forthy I'hilosophie seyth thus by soverein 160 
good : Ne shrewes ne requeren nat lighto 
medes ne veyne games, whiche they no * 
may folwen ne holden ; but they fallen (jf 
thilke somme and of the heighte of 
thinges, that is to seyn, soverein good ; ne 165 
thise WTecches ne comen nat to the effect 
of soverein good, the which they enforcen 
hem only to geten, by nightes and by 
dayes ; in the getinge of which good tlie 
strengthe of good folk is ful wel y-sene. 170 
For right so as thou mightest domen him 
mighty of goinge, that gootli on his feet 
til he mighte come to thilke place, fro the 
whiche place ther ne laye no wey forther 
to ben gon ; right so most thou nedes 175 
demen him for right mighty, that getetli 
and ateyneth to the ende of alle thinges 
that ben to desire, biyonde the whiche ende 
ther nis nothing to desire. Of the which 
power of good folk men may conckide, that 180 
the wikked men semen tu be bareine and 
naked of alio strengthe. For-why fur- 



178 



Q0ocf6iuei. Q^ooft IV: (proee n. 



leteii they vertues and folwen vyces ? 
Nis it nat for that they ne kiiowen nat 

1 85 the goodes ? But what thing is more feble 
and more caitif thanne is tlie blindnesse 
of ignoraunce ? Or elles they knowen fnl 
wel wliiche thinges tliat they oughten 
folwe, but lecherye and coveityse over- 

190 throweth hem mistorned ; and certes, so 
doth distemperaunce to feble men, that 
ne mowen nat wrastlen ayeins the vyces. 
Ne knowen they nat tlianne wel that tliey 
forleten the good wilfully, and tornen 

i(,5 hem wilfully to %yces ? And in this wyse 
they ne forleten nat only to ben mighty, 
bvit they forleten al-outrely in any wyse 
for to ben. For they that forleten the 
comune fyn of alle thinges that beu, they 

2( K I forleten also therwith-al for to ben. And 
per-aventure it sholde semen to som folk 
that this were a nierveile to seyen : that 
shrewes, whiche that contieneu the more 
partye of men, ne ben nat ne han no 

JU5 beinge ; but natheles, it is so, and thvis 
stant this thing. For they that ben 
shrewes, I deneye nat that they ben 
shrewes ; but I deneye, and seye simplely 
and pleinly, that they ne ben nat, ne han 

2K) no beinge. For right as thou mightest 
seyen of the carayne of a man, that it 
were a deed man, but thou ne mightest 
nat simplely callen it a man ; so graunte 
I wel forsothe, that vicious folk ben wik- 

215 ked, but I ne may nat graunten absolutly 
and simplely that they ben. For thilke 
thing that with-holdeth ordre and kepeth 
nature, thilke thing is and hath beinge ; 
but what thing that faileth of that, that 

2JO is to sei/n. that he forleti'th natitrel ordre, 
ho forleteth thilke thing that is set in his 
nature. But thou wolt seyn, that shrewes 
mowen. Certes, that ne deneye I nat ; 
but certes, hir power ne descendeth nat 

225 of streugthe, bu.t of feblesse. For they 
mowen don wikkednesses ; the whiche 
they ne mighte nat don, yif they mighten 
dwellen in the forme and in the doinge of 
good folk. And thilke power sheweth ful 

2^<) evidently that they ne mowen right 
naught. For so as I have gadered and 
proeved a litel her-biforn, that yvel is 
naught : and so as shrewes mowen only 



but shrewednesses, this conclusioun is 
al cleer, that shrewes ne mowen right 235 
naught, ne han no power. And for as 
moche as thou understonde which is the 
strengthe of this power of shrewes, I have 
definisshed a litel her-biforn, that nothing 
is so mighty as soverein good.' ' That 240 
is sooth,' qiiod I. 

' And thilke same soverein good may 
don non yvel ? ' ' Certes, no,' quoil I. 

' Is ther any wight thanne,' qu.od she, 
' that weneth that men mowen doon alle 245 
thinges ? ' ' No man,' quod I, ' but-j'if 

he be out of his witte.' 

' Bvit, certes, shrewes mowen don yvel, 
quod she. ' Ye, wolde god,' quod I, 
' that they mighten don non ! ' 250 

' Thanne,' quod she, ' so as he that is 
mighty to doon only but goode thinges 
may don alle thinges ; and they that ben 
mighty to don yvele thinges ne mowen 
nat alle thinges : thanne is it open thing 255 
and manifest, that they that mowen don 
yvel ben of lasse power. And yit, to proevc 
this conchisioun, therhelpeth me this, that 
I have y-shewed her-biforn, that alle 
power is to be noumbred among thinges 200 
that men oughten requere. And I have 
shewed that alle thinges, that oughten 
ben desired, ben referred to good, right as 
to a maner heighte of hir nature. But for 
to mowen don yvel and felonye ne may 265 
nat ben referred to good. Thanne nis nat 
yvel of the noumbir of thinges that 
ouglite ben desired. But alle power 
oughte ben desired and requered. Than 
is it open and cleer that the power ue the 270 
mowinge of shrewes nis no power ; and of 
alle thise thinges it sheweth wel, that the 
goode folke ben certeinly mighty, and the 
shrewes douteles ben unmighty. And it 
is cleer and open that thilke opinioun of 275 
Plato is verray and sooth, that seith, that 
only wyse men Jnay doon that they 
desiren ; and shrewes mowen haunten 
that hem lyketh, but that they desiren, 
that is to set/n, to conien to soverei(in good, 280 
they ne han no jjower to acomplisshen 
that. For shrewes don that hem list, 
whan, by tlio thinges in which they 
delyten, they wenen to ateine to thilke 



(god^iue, (^ooft IV: fpvoBi. ill. 



179 



285 good that they desiren ; but they ue geten 
lie ateinen nat ther-to, for vyces ne comeu 
nat to lilisfuluesse. 

Metre II. Qiios vides seclere celsos, 

Wlio-so that the covertoures of hir 
vejoie aparailes mighte strepen of thise 
proude kinges, that thou seest sitten on 
heigh in hir chaires gliteringe in shyninge 
5 purpre, envirounedwith sorwfularnmres, 
nianasinge with cruel mouth, blowinge 
by woodnesse of herte, he shulde seen 
thanne that thilke lordes bereu with-inne 
hir corages ful streite cheines. For 

10 lecherye tormeuteth hem in that oon 
syde with gredy venims ; and troublable 
ire, that araiseth in him the flodes 0/ 
troublinges, tormentetli up-on that other 
syde hir thought ; or sorwe halt hem wery 

15 and y-caught ; or slydinge and deceivinge 
hope tormenteth hem. And therfore, sen 
thou seest oon heed, that is to seyn, oon 
tijraunt, beren so manye tyranuyes, 
thanne ne doth thilke tyraunt nat that 

20 he desireth, sin he is cast douu with so 
manye wikkede lordes ; that is to seyn, 
icith so manye vyces, that han so ivikkeclly 
lordshipes over him. 



Pkose III. 



Videsne igitiir quanto in 
coeno. 



SeestQW nat thanne in how grete filthe 
thise shrewes l^en ^--wrapped, and with 
which cleernesse thise good folk sliynen ? 
In this shewetli it wel, that to goode folk 
5 ne lakketh never-mo hir medes, ne 
shrewes lakken never-mo torments. For 
of alle tliinges that ben y-doou, thilke 
thing, for which any-thing is don, it 
semeth as by right that thilke thing be 

10 the niede of that ; as thus : yif a man 
renneth in the stadie, or in the forlony, 
for the corone, thanne Ij-th the mede in 
the corone for which he renneth. And 
I have shewed that l)lisfulnesse is thilke 

15 same good for which that alle thinges 
ben doon. Thanne is thilke same good 
pu.rposed to tlie workes of mankinde 
right as a comune mede ; which mede ne 
niay ben dissevered fro good folk. For no 



wight as by right, fro thennes-forth that 
him lakketh goodnesse, ne shal ben 
cleped good. For which thing, folk of 
goode maneres, hir medes ne forsaken hem 
never-mo. For al-be-it so that shrewes 
wexen as wode as hem list ayeins goode 
folk, yit never-the-lesse the corone of 
wyse men shal nat fallen ne faden. For 
foreine shrewednesse ne binimeth nat fro 
the corages of goode folk hir propre 
honour. But yif that any wight rejoyse 
him of goodnesse that he hadde take fro 
with-oute (rts ivho seith, yif that any vHght 
hadde his goodnesse of any other man than 
of himself), certes, he that yaf him thilke 
goodnesse, or elles som other wight, 
mighte binime it him. But for as moche 
as to every wight his owne propre bountee 
yeveth him his mede, thanne at erst shal 
he fallen of mede whan he forleteth to 
ben good. And at the laSte, so as alle 
medes ben requered for men wenen that 
they ben goode, who is he that wolde 
deme, that he that is right mighty of good 
were part-les of mede ? And of what 
mede shal he be guerdoned ? Certes, of 
right faire mede and right grete aboven 
alle medes. Eemembre thee of thilke 
noble corolarie that I yaf thee a litel 
her-biforn ; and gader it to-gider in this 
manere : — so as good him-self is blisful- 
nesse, thanne is it cleer and certein, that 
alle good folk ben niaked blisful for they 
ben goode ; and thilke folk that ben blis- 
ful, it acordeth and is covenable to ben 
goddes. Thanne is the mede of goode 
folk swich that no day shal enpeiren it, 
ne no wikkednesse ne shal derlcen it, ne 
power of no wight ne shal nat amenusen 
it, that is to seyn, to ben maked goddes. 
And sin it is thus, that goode men ne failen 
never-mo of Mr mede, certes, no wys man 
ne may doute of undepartable peyne of 
the shrewes ; that is to seyn, that the 2>eyne 
of shrewes ne departeth nat from hem-self 
never-mo. For so as goode and yvel, and 
peyne and medes ben contrarye, it mot 
nedes ben, that right as we seen bityden 
in guerdoun of goode, that also mot the 
peyne of yvel answery, by the contrarye 
party, to shrewes. Now thanne, so as 



35 



60 



6^ 



[So 



r§oaUu6. Q^ooS IV: (nXetre in. 



bouiitee and prowesse ben the mede to 
goode folk, al-so is shrewednesse it-self 
torment to shrewes. Thanne, who-so that 
ever is eiitecched and defouled -with 
75 peyne, he ne douteth nat, that he is 
entecched and defonled with yvel. Yif 
shrewes thanne woleu prej'sen hem-self, 
may it semen to hem that they ben with- 
outen party of torment, sin they beu 
80 swiche that the uttereste wikkednesse 
(that is to seipi, wikkede thewes, u-Jtich that 
is the uttereste and the worste kinde of 
shreioednesse) no defouleth ne enteccheth 
nat hem only, but infecteth and en- 
85 venimeth hem gretiy ? And also look on 
shrewes, that ben the contrarie party of 
goode men, how greet peyne felawshipeth 
and folweth hem ! For thou hast lerned 
a litel her-biforn, that al thing that is 
90 and hath beinge is oon, and thilke same 
con is good ; thanne is this the conse- 
quence, that it semeth wel, that al that is 
and hath beinge is good ; this is to seyn, 
as icho seyth, that heiii(/e and unitee and 
95 f/oodnesse is al oon. And in this manere 
it folweth thanne, that al thing that 
faileth to ben good, it stinteth for to be 
and for to han any beinge : wherfore it 
is, that shrewes stinten for to ben that 

100 they weron. But thilke other forme of 
maukinde, that is to seyn, the forme of 
the body with-oute, sheweth jdt that thise 
shrewes weren whylom men ; wher-for, 
whan they ben perverted and torned in-to 

105 malice, certes, than hau they forlorn the 
nature of mankinde. Biit so as only 
bountee and ijrowesso may enhaunsen 
every man over other men ; thanne mot 
it nedes be that shrewes, which that 

1 10 shrewednesse hath cast out of the con- 
dicioun of mankinde, ben put under the 
merite and the desert of men. Thanne 
bitydeth it, that yif thou seest a wight 
that be transformed into vyces, thou ne 

1 15 mayst nat wenc that he be a man. For 
yif he be ardaunt in avaryce, and that he 
be a ravinour by violence of foreine 
richesse, thou shalt seyn that he is lyke 
to the wolf. And yif ho be felonous and 

no with-oute reste, and exercyse his tonge 
to chyilinges, thou shalt lykne him to the 



hound. And yif he be a prevey awaitour 
y-hid, and rejoyseth him to ravisshe by 
wj-les, th(ju shalt seyn him lyke to the 
fox-whelpes. And yif he be distempro i-'5 
and cpiaketh for ire, men shal wene that 
he bereth the corage of a lyoun. And yif 
he be dredful and ileinge, and dredeth 
thinges that ne oughten nat to ben dred, 
men shal holden him lyk to the hert. 130 
And yif he be slow and astoned and 
lache, he livetli as an asse. And yif he 
be light and unstodefast of corage, and 
chaungeth ay his studies, he is lykned to 
briddes. And if he be ploungcd in foulc 135 
and unclene luxuries, he is with-holden 
in the foule delyces of the foule sowe. 
Thanne folweth it, that he that forleteth 
bountee and prowesse, he forleteth to ben 
a man ; sin he may nat passen in-to the 140 
condicioun of god, he is torned iu-tij 
a beest. 

Metre III. Vela Neritii diilcis. 

Eu^rus the loind ary\'ede the sailes ot 
mixes, duk of the contree of Narice, and 
■his wandringe shippes by the see, in-to 
the ile ther-as Circes, the faire goddesse, 
doughter of the sonne, dwelleth ; that 5 
medleth to hir newe gestes driukes that 
ben touched and maked with enchavinte- 
ments. And after that hir hand, mighty 
over the herbes, hadde chauuged hir 
gestes in-to dyverse maneres ; that oon of 10 
hem, is covered his face with forme of 
a boor ; that other is chaunged in-to 
a lyoun of the contree of Marmorike, and 
his nayles and his teeth wexen ; that 
other of hem is neweliche chaunged in-to 15 
a wolf, and howleth whan he wolde wepe ; 
that other goth debonairely in the lious 
as a tygre of Inde. But al-be-it so that 
the godhed oi Mer curie, that is cleped the 
brid of Arcadie, hath had mercy of the 20 
duke Ulixes, biseged with dyverse yveles, 
and hath iinbounden him fro the pesti- 
lence of his ostesse, algates the roweres 
and the marineres hadden by this y- 
drawen in-to hir mouthes and drouken -5 
the wikkede drinkes. They that weren 
woxen swyn hadden by this y-chaunged 



(goet^tu0. (f ooft IV : (pVOH IV. 



i8i 



hir mete of breed, for to eten akornes of 
f)kes. Non of liir limes ne dwelleth with 

30 hem hole, but they ban lost the voice and 
the body ; only hir thought dwelleth with 
hem stable, that wepeth and biweileth 
the monstruous chaunginge that they 
Kuifren. O overlight hand (as iclio seyth, 

35 O ! feble and light h the hand of Circes the 
CJiclianntcresse, that chaum/eth the hodyesof 
folkes in-to bestes, to regard and to com- 
pansoun of mutacioun that is maked by 
ryces) : ne the herbes of Circes ne ben nat 

40 mighty. For al-be-it so that they may 
chaungen the limes of the body, algates 
yit they may nat chaunge the hertes ; for 
with-inne is y-hid the strengthe and vigor 
of men, in the secree tour of Mr hertes : 

45 that is to sej/n, the strengthe of resoun. But 
thillie venims of vyces to-drawen a man 
to hem more mightily than the venim of 
Circes : for vyces ben so cruel that they 
percen and thorugh-passen the corage 

50 with-inne ; and, thogh they ne anoye nat 
the body, yit vyces wooden to destroye men 
by wounde of thought.' 

PuosE IV. Turn ego, Fateor, inqnam. 

Than seyde I thus : ' I confesse and am 
a-knowe it,' quod I; 'ne I ne see nat 
that men may sayn, as l)y right, that 
shrewes ne ben chaunged in-to bestes 
5 by the qtialitee of hir soules, al-be-it so 
that they kepen yit the forme of the body 
of mankinde. But I nolde nat of shrewes, 
of which the thought criiel woodeth 
al-wey in-to destruccioun of goods men, 

10 that it were leveful to hem to don that.' 

' Certes,' quod she, ' ne is nis nat leveful 

to hem, as I shal wel shewe thee in coven- 

;ible place ; but natheles, yif so were that 

thiike that men wenen be leveful to 

15 sbrewes were binomen hem, so that they 
ne viighte nat anoye7i or doon harm to goode 
men, certes, a greet partye of the jjeyne to 
shrewes sholde ben allegged and releved. 
For al-be-it so that this ne seme nat 

20 credible thing, per-aventure, to some 
folk, yit moot it nedes be, that shrewes 
ben more wrecches and unsely whan they 
may doon and performe that they co- 



veiten, than yif they mighte nat com- 
plisshen that they coveiten. For yif so 25 
be that it be wrecchednesse to wilne to 
don yvel, than is more wrecchednesse to 
mowen don yvel ; with-oiite whiche mow- 
inge the wrecched wil sholde languisshe 
with-oiite effect. Than, sin that everiche 30 
of thise thinges hath his wrecchednesse, 
that is to seyn, wil to don yvel and mowinge 
to don yvel, it moot nedes be that they ben 
constreyned by three unselinesses, that 
wolen and mowen andperformen felonyes 35 
and shrewednesses.' 'I acorde me,' 
quod I ; ' but I desire gretly that shrewes 
losten sone thiike unselinesse, that is to 
seyn, that shrewes weren despoyled of 
mowinge to don yvel.' 4" 

' So shuUen they,' quod she, 'soner, per- 
aventure, than thou woldest ; or soner 
than thej' hem-self wene to lakken moio- 
inge to don yvel. For ther nis no-thing so 
late in so shorte boundes of this lyf, that 45 
is long to abyde, nameliche, to a corage 
inmortel ; of whiche shrewes the grete 
hoise, and the hj-e compassinges of 
shrewednesses, is ofte destroj-ed by a 
sodeyn ende, or they ben war ; and that 50 
thing estableth to shrewes the ende of hir 
shrewednesse. For jif that shrewednesse 
maketh wrecches, than mot he nedes ben 
most wrecched that lengest is a shrewe ; 
the whiche wikked shrewes wolde I demen 55 
aldermost unsely and caitifs, yif that hir 
shrewednesse ne were finisshed, at the 
leste wey, by the outtereste deeth. For 
yif I have concluded sooth of the unseli- 
nesse of shrewednesse, than sheweth it 60 
cleerly that thiike -wi-ecchednesse is witli- 
oiiteu ende, the whiche is certein 'to ben 
perdurable.' ' Certes,' quod I, ' this 
conclusioun is hard and wonderful to 
graunte ; but I knowe Avel that it acordeth 6$ 
moche to the thinges that I have graunted 
her-biforn.' 

' Thou hast,' quod she, ' the right esti- 
macioun of this ; but who-so-ever wene 
that it be a hard thing to acorde him to ~o 
a coneliTsioun, it is right that he shewe 
that some of the premisses ben false ; or 
elles he moot shewe that the coUacioun 
of iiroposiciouns nis nat speedful to a 



l82 



(goct^xm. Q0oo6 IV ; ^VO&t IV. 



90 



95 



necessarie conclvTsioun. And yif it be nat 
so, but that the premisses ben y-grannted, 
ther is not why he shokle blame the 
argument. For this thing that I shal 
telle thee now ne shal nat seme lasse 
wonderful ; but of the thinges that ben 
taken also it is necessarie ; ' as Kho seyth, 
it foliceth of that which that is purposed 
hi/am. ' Wliat is that ? ' quod I. 

' Certes,' qtiod she, ' that is, that thise 
wikked shrewes ben more blisful, or elles 
lasse m-ecches, that abyen the torments 
that they han deserved, than yif no peyne 
of justice ne chastysede hem. Ne this ne 
seye I nat now, for that any man mighte 
thenke, that the maners of shrewes ben 
coriged and chastysed by veniaunce, and 
that they ben brought to the right wey by 
the drede of the torment, ne for that they 
yeven to other folk ensaumple to fleen 
fro vyces ; but I tinderstande yit in 
another manere, that shrewes ben more 
tinsely whan they ne ben nat punisshed, 
al-be-it so tJiat ther ne be had no resoim 
or lawe of correccioun, ne non ensaumple 
of lokinge.' ' And what manere shal 
that ben,' quod I, ' other than hath be 
told her-biforn ? ' 

'Have we nat thanne graunted,' quod 
she, ' that goode folk ben blisful, and 
shrewes ben wrecches ? ' ' Yis,' qu.od I. 

' Thiinne, ' q\iod she, ' yif that any good 
were adtled to the wrecchednesse of any 
wight, nis he nat more weleful than he 
that ne hath no medlinge of good in his 
solitarie wrecchednesse ? ' 'So semeth it, ' 
quod I. 

' And what seystow thanne,' quod she, 
'of thllke wrecche that lakketh alle 
goodes, so that no good nis medled in his 
icrecchednesse, and yit, over al his wikked- 
nesse for which he is a wrecche, that ther 
be yit another yvel anexed and knit to 
him, shal nat men demen him more 
unsely tlian thilke wrecche of whiche the 
unselinesse is releved by the participa- 
cioun of som good ? ' ' Wliy sholde he 
nat ? ' quod I. 

'Thanne, certes,' quod she, 'han 
shrewes, whan they ben punisshed, som- 
what of good anexed to hir wrecched- 



nesse, that is to seyn, the same peyne 
that they stiffren, which that is good by 
the resovin of jvistice ; and whan thilke 
same shrewes ascapen with-oute torment, 
than han they som-what more of y%'el yit 130 
over the wikkednesse that they han don, 
that is to seyn, defaute of peyne ; which 
defaute of peyne, thou hast graunted, is 
yvel for the deserte of felonye. ' ' I ne may 
nat denye it,' qvtod I. 135 

' Moche more thanne, ' qviod she, ' ben 
shrewes unsely, whan they ben wrong- 
fully delivered fro peyne, than whan 
they ben punisshed by rightful ven- 
jaunce. But this is open thing and cleer, 140 
that it is right that shrewes ben i:)un- 
isshed, and it is wikkednesse and wrong 
that they escapen unpunisshed. ' ' Wlio 
mighte deueye that ? ' qtiod I. 

' But,' qttod she, ' may any man denye 145 
that al that is right nis good ; and also 
the contrarie, that al that is wrong is 
wikke ? ' 'Certes,' quod I, 'these 

thmges ben clere y-nough ; and that we 
han conclnded a litel her-biforn. But 150 
I praye thee that thou telle nie, yif thou 
acordest to leten no torment to sowles, 
after that the body is ended by the 
deeth ; ' tiiis is to seyn, under statidestow 
aught that sowles han any torment after the i55 
deeth of the body ? 

' Certes,' quod she, ' ye ; and that right 
greet ; of which sowles, ' quod slie, ' I 
trowe that some ben tormented by aspre- 
nesse of peyne ; and some sowles, I trowe, 160 
Ijen exercised by a purginge mekenesse. 
But my conseil nis nat to determinye of 
thise peynes. But I have travailed and 
told yit hiderto, for thou sholdest knowe 
that the mowinge of shrewes, which 165 
mowinge thee semeth to ben unworthy, 
nis no mowinge : and eek of shrewes, of 
which thou pleinedest that they ne were 
nat punisshed, that thou woldest seen 
tliat they ne weren never-mo with-outen i-o 
the torments of hir wikkednesse : and of 
the licence of the moicinge to don yvel, that 
thou preydest that it mighte sone ben 
ended, and that thou, woldest fayn lernen 
that it ne sholde nat longe dure : and 175 
that shrewes ben more unsely yif they 



(goef^t'ue. Q^ooft iv: (prose iv. 



183 



were of lenger duringe, and most tinsely 
yif they weren perdurable. And after 
this, I have shewed thee that more nnsely 

iSo ben shrewes, whan they eseapen with- 
oute hir rightful peyne, than whan they 
ben punisshed by rightful venjaunce. 
And of this sentence folweth it, that 
thanne ben shrewes constreined at the 

185 laste with most grevoiis torment, whan 
men wene that they ne be nat piinisshed.' 
' Whan I consider thy resouns,' quod I, 
' I ne trowe nat that men seyn any-thing 
more verayly. And yif I tome ayein to 

190 the studies of men, who is he to whom it 
sholde seme that he ne sholde nat only 
leven thise thinges, but eek gladly herkne 
hem ? ' 

' Certes,' qviod she, ' so it is ; but men 

105 may nat. For they ban hir eyen so wont 
to the derknesse of ertJi^hj thinr/es, that 
they ne may nat liften hem up to the 
light of cleer sothfastnesse ; but they ben 
lyke to briddes, of which the night light- 

2CX) ueth hir lokinge, and the day blindeth 
hem. For whan men loken nat the ordre 
of thinges, but hir lustes and talents, they 
wene that either the leve or the mowinge 
to don wikkednesse, or elles the scapinge 

205 with-oiTte peyne, be weleful. But con- 
sider the jugement of the perdurable lawe. 
For yif thou conferme thy corage to the 
beste thinges, thou ne hast no nede of no 
j\ige to yeven thee prys or mede ; for 

210 thou hast joyned thy-self to the most 
excellent thing. And yif thou have en- 
clyned thy studies to the wikked thinges, 
ne seek no foreyne wreker out of thy- 
self; for thou thy-self hast tlirist thy-self 

215 in-to wikke thinges : right as thou 
mightest loken by dy^^erse tymes the 
foule erthe and the hevene, and that alle 
other thinges stinten fro with-oute, so 
that Uwu nere neither in hevene ne in erthe, 

220 ne saije no-thing more ; than it sholde 
semen to thee, as by only resoun of 
lokinge, that thou were now in the sterres 
and now in the erthe. But the poeple ne 
loketh nat on thiso thinges. What 

2J5 thanne ? Shal we thanne aprochen us to 
hem that I have shewed that they ben lyk 
to bestes ? And what woltow seyn of 



this : yif that a man hadde al forlorn his 
sighte and hadde foryeten that he ever 
saugh, and wende that no-thing ne fayl- 
ede him of perfeccioun of nianlvinde, now 
we that mighten seen the same thinges, 
wolde we nat wene that he were blinde ? 
Ne also ne aeordeth nat the poeple to 
that I shal seyn, the which thing is sus- 
tened ly a stronge foundement of resouns, 
that is to seyn, that more unsely ben they 
that don wrong to othre folk than they 
that the wrong siiffren.' 'I wolde 
heren thilke same resouns,' quod I. 

'Denyestow,' quod she, 'that alle 
shrewes ne ben worthy to han torment ? ' 
' Nay, ' quod I. 

' But,' qiTod she, ' I am certein, by 
many resouns, that shrewes ben unsely.' 
' It aeordeth,' quod I. 

' Thanne ne doutestow nat, ' quod she, 
' that thilke folk that ben worthy of tor- 
ment, that they ne ben wrecches ? ' 'It 
aeordeth wel,' quod I. 

' Yif thou were thanne,' quod she, 
' y-set a juge or a knower of thinges, 
whether, trowestow, that men sholden 
tormenten hini that hath don the wrong, 
or elles him that hath siiffred the wrong? ' 
' I ne doute nat,' quod I, ' that I noldc 
don suffisaiint satisfaccioun to him that 
hadde suffred the wrong by the sorwe of 
him that liadde don the wrong.' 

' Thanne semeth it,' quod she, ' that the 
doere of wrong is more wrecche than he 
that suffred wrong ? ' ' That folweth 
wel, ' quod I. 

' Than,' quod she, ' by these causes and 
by othre causes that ben enforced by the 
same rote, filthe or sinne, bj^ the propre 
nature of it, maketh men ^\1■ecches ; and 
it sheweth wel, that the wrong that men 
don nis nat tlae wrecchednesse of hini 
that receyveth the wrong, but the 
wrecchednesse of him that doth the 
wrong. But certes,' quod she, ' thise 
oratours or advocats don al the con- 
trarye : for they enforcen hem to com- 
moeve the juges to han pitee of hem that 
han suffred and recej'ved the thinges that 
ben grevous and aspre, and yit men 
sholden more rightfully han pitee of hem 



230 



235 



240 



^45 



255 



260 



184 



(god^im. (gooR IV: QUdre iv. 



that clou the grevaunces and the wronges ; 

280 the whiche shrewes, it were a more 
covenahle tiling, that the accnsoiTrs or 
iulvoeats, nat wroth hnt pitous and de- 
bonair, ledden tho shrewes that hau don 
wrong to the jngement, right as men 

285 leden syke folk to the leche, for that they 
.sholde seken ont the maladyes of siniie 
hy torment. And by this covenaunt, 
either the entente of deffendours or advo- 
cats sholde faj'len and cesen in al, or 

29(1 clles, yif the oflScc of advocats wolde 
bettre iirofiten to men, it shokle ben 
torned in-to the habite of accusacionn ; 
that is to SCIJ71, they sholden accuse slireices, 
and nat excuse hem. And eek the shrewes 

295 hem-self, yif hit were leveful to hem to 
seen at any clifte the vertu that they han 
forleten, and sawen that they sholden 
pntteu adoun the lilthes of hir vyces by 
the torments of peynes, they ne onghte 

300 nat, right for the recompensacionn for to 

geten hem bonntee and prowesse which 

. that they han lost, demen ne holden that 

tliilke peynes weren torments to hem ; 

and eek they wolden refuse the attend- 

305 aiince of hir advocats, and taken hem-self 
to hir juges and to hir accusors. For 
which it bitydeth that, as to the wyse 
ft>lk, ther nis no jolace y-leten to hate ; 
that is to seyn, that ne hate hath no place 

310 ainonges n-yse men. For no wight nil 
haten goode men, but-yif he were over- 
niochel a fool ; and for to hateii shrewes, 
it nis no resoun. For right so as lan- 
giiissinge is maladye of body, right so ben 

315 -^yces and sinne maladye of corage. And 
so as we ne deme nat, that they that ben 
syke of hir body ben worthy to ben hated, 
biit rather worthy of pitee : wel more 
worthy, nat to ben hated, b\\t for to ben 

321 ) had in pitee, ben they of whiche the 
thonghtes ben constreined by felonous 
wikkednesse, that is more ornel than any 
languissinge of body. 

Mkiu:: IV. Quid tnnfd.s iinait ercitare 

VUltllS. 

What delyteth you to excj'ten so grete 
nioevinges of hateredes. and to hasten and 



bisien the fatal disposicioun of your deeth 
with your jjropre handes ? that is to seyn, 
hy hatniles or hy contek. For yif ye axen 5 
the deeth, it hasteth him of his o^vne wil ; 
ne deeth ne tarieth nat his swifte hors. 
And the men that the serpent and the 
lyoun and the tygre and the here and the 
boor seken to sleen with hir t«eth, yit 10 
thilke same men seken to sleen everich of 
hem other with swerd. Lo ! for hir 
maneres ben dyverse and descordaunt, 
they moeven tinrightful ostes and cruel 
batailes, and wilnen to perisshe hy entre- 15 
chaunginge of dartes. Biit the resoun of 
crucltpe nis naty-nough rightful. Wiltow 
thanne yelden a covenable guei'doun to 
the desertes of men ? Love rightfully 
goode folk, and have pitee on shrewes.' 20 

Prose V. Hie ego iiideo inqiiam. 

' Thus see I wel,' quod I, ' either what 
blisfulnesse or elles what nnselinesse is 
establisshcd in the desertes of goode men 
and of shrewes. But in this ilke fortune 
of poeple I see somvvhat of good and som- 5 
what of j^vel. For no wyse man hath 
lever ben exyled, poore and nedj-, and 
nameles, than for to dwellen in his citee 
and fiouren of richesses,and beredoutable 
by honour, and strong of power. F<ir in 10 
this wyse more cleerly and more witnes- 
fuUy is the office of wyse men y-treted, 
whan the blisfulnesse and the poustee of 
governours is, as it A\-ere, j--shad amonges 
]>oeiiles that be neighebotu'S and si<bgits: 15 
sin that, namely, prisoiin, la we, and thise 
othre torments of lawefxil peynes ben 
rather owed to felonous citezeins, for the 
whiche felonous citezeins tho peynes ben 
establisshed, than for good folk. Thanne 20 
I mervaile me grectly,' quod I, ' whj' that 
the thinges ben so mis entrechaunged, 
that torments of felonyes pressen and 
coiifounden goode folk, and shrewes 
ravisshen medes of vertu, and ben in 25 
honours and in gret estats. And I desyre 
eek for to witen of thee, whatsemeth thee 
to ben the resoun of this so wrongful 
a conclusioun ? For I wolde wondre wel 
the lasse, vif I trowede that al thise 30 



QE>oet^tu0. Q2>ooft IV: (proee vi. 



185 



thinges weren niedled by fortunous liappe ; 
but now hepeth and enereseth niyn as- 
tonyinge god, governovir of thinges, that, 
so as god yeveth ofte tjnaies to gode men 

35 godes and mirthes, and to shrewes 
yveles and aspre thinges ; and yeveth 
ayeinward to gode folk hardnesses, and 
to shrewes he graiinteth hem hir wil and 
that theydesyren : what difference thanne 

40 may ther be bitwixen that tliat god doth, 
and the happe of fortvuie, yif men ne 
knowe nat the cause why that it is ? ' 

' Ne it nis no mervaile,' quod she, 
' though tliat men weneu that ther be 

45 somewhat folissh and confuse, whan the 
resoun of the ordre is unknowe. But 
al-though that thou ne knowe nat the 
cause of so greet a disposicioun, natheles, 
for as moche as god, the gode governou.r, 

50 atempreth and goverueth the world, ne 
doute thee nat that alle thinges ben doon 
alright. 

Metre V. Si qiiis Arcturi sideva nescit. 

Who-so that ne knowe nat the sterres 
of Arcture, y-torned neigh to the soverein 
contree or point, that is to scyn, y-torned 
neix/h to the soverein pool of the firmament, 
5 and wot nat why the sterre Bootes passeth 
or gadereth his weynes, and drencheth 
his late flambes in the see, and why that 
Bootes the sterre uufoldeth his over-swifte 
arysinges, thanne shal he wondren of the 

10 lawe of the heye eyr. And eek, yif that 
he ne knowe nat tohy that the homes of the 
fvdle mone wexen pale and infect by the 
boundes of the derke night ; and how the 
mone, derk and confuse, discovereth the 

15 sterres that she hadde y-oovered by hir 
clere visage. The comune errour moeveth 
folk, and maketh wery hir basins of bras 
by tliikke strokes ; that is to seyn, that 
ther is a maner of poejile that highte C'ori- 

20 bantes, that loenen that, lohan the inone is in 
the eclipse, that it be enchaunted ; and ther- 
fore, for to rescoioe the mone, they beten hir 
basins with thikke strokes. Ne no man 
ne wondreth whan the blastes of the 

25 wind Chorus beten the strondes of the 
see by quakinge flodes ; ne no man ne 



wondreth whan the weighte of the snowe, 
y-harded by the colde, is resolved by the 
brenninge hete of Phebus the sonne ; for 
heer seen men redely the causes. But 30 
the causes y-hid, that is to seyn, in hevene, 
troublen the brestes of men ; the moev- 
able poeple is astoned of alle thinges that 
oomen selde and sodeinly in our age. 
But yif the troubly erroitr of our igno- 35 
raunce departede fro us, so that we tcisten 
the causes why that swiche thinges bi-tyden, 
certes, they sholden cese to seme wou- 
dres. 

Pkose VI. Ita est, inquam. 

' Thus is it,' quod I. • But so as thou 
hast yeven or bi-hight me to i\nwrappeu 
the hid causes of thinges, and to dis- 
covere me the resouns covered with derk- 
nesses, I prey thee that thou devyse and 5 
juge me of this matere, and that thovi do 
me to understonden it ; for this miracle 
or this wonder troubleth me right gretly.' 

And thanne she, a litel what smylinge, 
seyde : 'thou clepest me,' quod she, 'to 10 
telle thing that is grettest of alle thinges 
that mowen ben axed, and to the whicho 
questioun unnethes is ther aught y-nougli 
to laven it ; as tcho seyth, unnethes is ther 
suffisauntly anything to answere parfitly to 15 
thy qtiestioun. For the matere of it is 
swich, that whan o doute is determined 
and cut awey, ther wexen other doutes 
with-oute number ; right as the hevedes 
wexen of Ydre, the serpent that Ercules 20 
sloich. Ne ther ne were no manere ne 
non ende, bnt-yif that a ^\■igllt con- 
streinede tho doiites by a right lyfiy and 
qviik fyr of thought ; that is to seyn, by 
vigour and strengthe of wit. For in this 25 
manere men weren wont to maken ques- 
tions of the simplicitee of the purviaunce 
of god, and of the order of destinee, and 
of sodein happe, and of the knowinge and 
predestinaciouudivj'ne, and of thelibertee 30 
of free wille ; the whiche thinges thou 
thy-self aperceyvest wel, of what weight 
they ben. But for as mochel as the 
knowinge of thise thinges is a maner 
porcioun <.>f the medicine of thee, al-be-it 35 



1 86 



Q^ocf^iue. q2>ooR iv: (proae vi. 



so that I liavfi litel tynie to don it, yit 
natheles I wol enforcen me to sliewe 
somwliat of it. Bnt al-tliogli the no- 
lisshinges of ditee of mnsike delytetli 
40 thee, tlion most suffren and forberen 
a litel of thilke delyte, whyle that Iweve 
to thee resonns y-knit hy ordre.' ' As 
it lyketh to thee,' qaod I, ' so do.' 

Tho spak she right as by another 
45 liiginninge, and seyde thus. ' The en- 
gendringe of alle thinges,' quod she, ' and 
alle the progressiouns of muable nature, 
and al that moeveth in any manere, 
taketh his causes, his ordre, and his 
50 formes, of the stablenesse of the divyne 
thoght : and thilke divyne thought, that 
is y-set and put in the tour, thnt is to seyn, 
in the heighte, of the .simplicitee of god, 
stablisshetli many maner gyses to thinges 
55 that ben to done ; the whiche maner, 
whan that men loken it in thilke pure 
clennesse of the divyne intelligence, it is 
y-cleped purviannce ; but whan thilke 
maner is referred by men to thinges that 
60 it nioveth and disponeth, thanne of olde 
men it was cleped destinee. The whicho 
thinges, yif that any wight loketh wel in 
his thought the strengthe of that oou and 
of that other, he shal lightly mowen seen, 
Cs that thise two thinges ben dyverse. For 
purviaunce is thilke di\'yne reson that is 
establisshed in the soverein prince of 
thinges ; the whiche purviaunce dis- 
poneth alle thinges. Bu.t destinee is the 
70 disposicioun and ordinaunce clyvinge to 
moevable thinges, by the whiche dispo- 
sicioun the piirviaimce knitteth alle 
thinges in hir ordres ; for purviaunce 
embraeeth alle thinges to-hepe, al-thogh 
75 that they ben dy^^erse, and al-thogh they 
ben iniinite ; but destinee departeth and 
ordeineth alle thinges singulerly, and 
divyded in moevinges, in places, in 
formes, in tymes, as thiis : lat the un- 
80 foldinge of temporel ordinaunce, assem- 
bled and ooned in the lokinge of the 
divyne thought, be cleped piirviaimee ; 
and thilke same assemblinge and oon- 
inge, di\'j-ded and iinfolden by tymes, lat 
85 that ben called destinee. And al-be-it so 
that thise thinges ben dj-%-erse, yit nathe- 



les hangeth that oon on that other ; for- 
why the order destinal procedeth of the 
simplicitee of purviaunce. For right as 
a werkman, that ax^ercey^-eth in his 90 
thoght the forme of the thing that he 
wol niake, and moeveth the effect of the 
werk, and ledeth that he hadde loked 
biforn in his thoght simply and pre- 
sently, by temporel ordinaunce : certes, 95 
right so god disponeth in his purviaunce, 
singi^lerly and stablj-, the thinges that 
ben to done, but he aministreth in many 
maneres and in dyverse tymes, bj' des- 
tinee, thilke same thinges that he hath ux) 
disponed. Thanne, whether that des- 
tinee be exercysed outher by some divyne 
spirits, servaunts to the divyne pur- 
viannce, or elles by som sowle, or olles by 
alle nature servinge to god, or elles by 105 
the celestial moevinges of sterres, or elles 
by the vertu of augeles, or elles by the 
dyverse subtilitee of develes, or elles by 
any of hem, or elles by hem alle, the 
destinal ordinaunce is y-woven and acom- 1 10 
plisshed. Certes, it is open thing, that 
the purviaunce is an unmoevable and 
simple forme of thinges to done ; and the 
moveable bond and the temporel ordi- 
naunce of thinges, whiche that the 115 
divyne simplicitee of purviaunce hath 
ordeyned to done, that is destinee. For 
which it is, that alle thinges that ben 
put iinder destinee ben, certes, siibgits to 
pur\'iatince, to whiche purviaunce des- 120 
tinee itself is subgit and under. But 
some thinges ben put under purviaunce, 
that surmoiinten the ordinaunce of 'des- 
tinee ; and tho ben thilke that stably ben 
y-fieched negh to the flrste godhed : they 125 
surmiounten the ordre of destinal moev- 
abletee. For right as of cercles that 
tornen a-boute a same centre or a-boute 
a poynt, thilke cercle that is innerest or 
most with-inne joyneth to the simplesse 130 
of the middel, and is, as it were, a centre 
or a p)Oj-nt to that other cercles that 
tornen a-bouten him ; and thilke that is 
outterest, comiiassed by larger en%'yron- 
ninge, is unfolden by larger spaces, in so 135 
moche as it is forthest fro the middel 
simplicitee of the poynt : and ydf ther be 



(goH^iw. Q0ooU IV : (proee vi. 



187 



40 



45 



60 



6s 



70 



75 



8^ 



any-thing that knitteth and felawship- 
petli him-self to thilke raiddel poynt, it 
is constreined in-to simplicitee, that is to 
seyn, in-to unmoevabletee, and it ceseth to 
he shad and to fleten d\-versel.v : right so, 
hy semblable resonn, thilke thing that 
departeth forthest fro the first thoght of 
god, it is nnfolden and suinmitted to 
gretter hondes of destinee : and in so 
nioclie is the tiling niore free and lans 
fro destinee, as it axetli and holdetli him 
ner to thilke centre of thinges, that is to 
seyn, god And ,yif the thing cly^-etli to 
the stedefastnesse of the thoght of god, 
and be witli-oiite nioevinge, certes, it sor- 
nioimtetli the necessitee of destinee. 
Thanne right swich coniparisoun as it is 
of skilinge to iinderstondinge, and of 
thing that is engendred to thing that is, 
and of tyme to eternitee, and of the cercle 
to the centre, right so is the ordre of 
moevable destinee to the stable sim- 
lilicitee of pnrviannce. Thilke ordi- 
iiaunce moevetli the heveno and the 
sterres, and atempreth the elements to- 
gider amonges hem-self, and transform.etli 
hem by entrechaungeable mntacioun ; 
and thilke same ordre neweth ayein alle 
thinges growinge and fallinge a-doiin, by 
semblalile progrcssiouns of sedes and of 
sexes, that is to seyn, male and femele. 
And this ilke ordre constreineth the for- 
tunes and the dedes of men by a bond of 
causes, nat able to ben nnbounde ; the 
wliiche destinal causes, whan they passen 
out fro the biginninges of the uumoevable 
purviaunce, it mot uedes be that they ne 
be nat mutable. And thus ben the 
thinges ful wel y-governed, j-if that the 
simplicitee dwellinge in the div^'ne thoght 
sheweth forth the ordre of caiises, unable 
to ben y-bowed ; and this ordre con- 
streineth by his iiropre stabletee the 
moevable thinges, or elles they sholden 
fleten folily. For which it is, that alle 
thinges semen to ben confus and trouble 
to us men, for we ne mowen nat considere 
thilke ordinaunce ; natheles, the propre 
maner of every thinge, dressinge hem to 
goode, disponeth hem alle. 

For ther nis no-thing don for cause of 



y\-el ; ne thilke thing that is don by wik- 
kede folk nis nat don for yvel. The wliiche 
slirewes, as I have shewed ful plenti- 
vously, seken good, but wikked erroiir 
mistornetb lieni, ne the ordre cominge 
fro the poynt of soverein good ne de- 
clyneth nat fro bis biginninge. But thou 
mayst seyn, what iinreste may ben a 
worse confusioiin than that gode men ban 
somtyme adversitee and somtyme pros- 
peritee, and shrewes also now han 
thinges that they desiren, and now 
thinges that they liaten ? Whether men 
liven now in swich hoolnesse of tliogbt, 
(as who seyth, ben men noio so wyse), that 
swiche folk as they demen to ben gode 
folk or shrewes, that it moste nedes ben 
that folk ben swiche as they wenen ? 
But in this manere tlie domes of men 
discorden, that thilke men that some 
folk demen worthy of mede, other folk 
demen hem worthy of torment. But lat 
ITS graunte, I pose that som man may wel 
demen or knowen the gode folk and the 
badde ; may he thanne knowen and seen 
thilke innereste atempraunce of corages, 
as it hath ben wont to be seyd of bodies ; 
as who seyth, may a nnan speJcen and deter- 
minen of atemjrrannces in corages, as men 
were wont to demen or spe\'en of cotn- 
plexiouns and atempraunces of bodies ? Ne 
it ne is nat an unlyk miracle, to hem 
that ne knowen it nat, (as who seith, but 
it is lyke a merveil or a miracle to hem that 
ne knoicen it nat), why that swete thinges 
ben covenable to some bodies that ben 
hole, and to some bodies bittere thinges 
ben covenable ; and also, why that some 
syke folk ben holpen with lighte niedi- 
cynes, and some folk ben holpen with 
sharpe medicynes. But natheles, the 
leche that knoweth the manere and the 
atempraiinco of hele and of maladye, ne 
merveiloth of it no-thing. But what 
other thing semeth hele of corages but 
bouutee and prowesse ? And what other 
thing semeth maladye of corages but 
vyces ? ~Who is elles kepere of good or 
dryv'er awey of yvel, but god, governour 
and lecher of thoiightcs ? The whiche god, 
whan he hath biholden from the heye 



195 



i88 



(gcd^me. QBooft iv : (proee vi. 



240 tour of his ijnrveaiince, he knoweth what 
is covenable to every wight, and leneth 
hem that he wot that is covenable to 
hem. Lo, her-of comth and her-of is don 
this noble miracle of the ordre destinal, 

245 whan god, that al knoweth, doth swiche 
thing, of which thing that unknowinge 
folk ben astoned. Biit for to constreine. 
as who seyth, tut fur to comprehende and 
telle a fewe thinges of the divyne deep- 

250 nesse, the whiche that mannes resoun 
may iinderstonde, tliilke man that thou 
wenest to ben right juste and right kep- 
inge of equitee, the coutrarie of that 
semeth to the divj'ne purveaunce, that al 

255 wot. And Lucan, my familer, telleth 
that " the victorious cause lykede to the 
goddes, and the cause overcomen lykede 
to Catoun." Thanne, what-so-ever thou 
mayst seen that is don in this werld 

260 unhoped or unwened, certes, it is the 
right ordre of thinges ; but, as to thy 
^\dkkede opinioun, it is a confusioun. But 
I suppose that som man be so wel 
y-thewed, that the divyne jv^gement and 

265 the jugement of mankiude acorden hem 
to-gider of him ; but he is so unstedefast 
of corage, that, yif any adversitee come 
to him, he wol forleten, par-aventure, to 
continue innocence, by the whiche he ne 

270 may nat with-holden fortune. Thanne 
the wyse dispensacioun of god spareth 
him, the whiche man adversitee mighte 
enpeyren ; for that god wol nat suffren 
him to travaile, to whom that travaile 

275 nis uat covenable. Another man is parfit 
in alio vertues, and is an holy man, and 
negh to god, so that the purviaunce of 
god wolde demen, that it were a felonye 
that he were touched with any adver- 

280 sitees ; so that he wol nat suffre that 
swieh a man be moeved with any bodily 
maladye. Biit so as seyde a i^hilosophre, 
the more excellent by me : he seyde in 
Grek, that " vertues han edified the body 

285 of the holy man." And ofte tyme it 
bitydeth, that the somme of thinges that 
ben to done is taken to governe to gode 
folk, for that the malice haboundant of 
shrewes shoLle ben abated. And god 

290 yeveth and dejiartetli to othre folk pros- 



peritees and adversitees« y-medled to- 
hepe, after the qualitee of liir corages, and 
remordeth som folk hy adversitee, for they 
ne sholde nat wexen jiroude by longe 
welefulnesse. And other folk he suffreth 295 
to ben travailed with harde thinges, for 
that they sholden confermen the vertues 
of corage by the v\sage and exercitaciouji 
of pacience. And other folk dreden more 
than they oughten fthat whiche they 3t» 
mighten wel beren ; and somme dispyse 
that they mowe nat beren ; and thilke 
folk god ledeth in-to experience of him- 
self by aspre and sorwful thinges. And 
many othre folk han bought honourable 3<J5 
renouu of this world by the prys <jf 
glorious tleeth. And som men, that ne 
mowen nat ben overcomen by torments, 
have yeven ensaumple to othre folk, that 
vertu may nat ben overcomen by adver- 3i'> 
sitees ; and of alle thinges ther nis no 
dovite, that they ne ben don rightfully 
and ordenely, to the profit of hem to 
whom we seen thise thinges bityde. For 
certes, that adversitee comth somtyme 315 
to shrewes, and somtyme that that they 
desiren, it comth of thise forseide causes. 
And of sorwful thinges that bityden to 
shreices, certes, no man ne wondreth ; for 
alle men wenen that they han wel de- i^o 
served it, and that they ben of wikkede 
merite ; of whiche shrewes the torment 
somtyme agasteth othre to don felonyes, 
and somtyme it amendeth hem that 
suffren the torments. And the pros- 325 
peritee that is yeven to shreices sheweth 
a greet argument to gode folk, what thing 
they sholde demen of thilke welefulnesse, 
the whiche prosperitee men seen ofte 
serven to shrewes. In the which thing 330 
I trowe that god dispenseth ; for, per- 
aventure, the nature of som man is so 
overthrowinge to yvel, and so uncoven- 
able, that the nedy povertee of his 
housliold mighte rather egren him to don 335 
felonyes. And to the maladye of him god 
putteth remedie, to yeven him richesses. 
And som other man biholdeth his con- • 
science defouled with sinnes, and maketh 
comparisoun of his fortune and of him- 340 
self; and dredeth, per-aventure. that his 



(gott^iM, (^ooR IV: (nidre vi. 



189 



blisfulnesse, of which the usage is joyefol 
to him, that the lesinge of thilke blisful- 
nesse ne be nat sor\vful to hini ; and 

45 therfor he wol chaunge his maneres, and, 
for he dredetli to lese his fortiine, he for- 
leteth his wikliednesse. To otlire folk is 
welefuhiesse y-yeven ixnworthily, the 
whiche overthroweth hem in-to distrnc- 

150 cioun that they han deser%-ed. And to som 
othre folk is yeven power to pnnisshen, 
for that it shal be cause of contimta- 
cioun and exercysinge to gode folk and 
cause of torment to shrewes. For so as 

555 ther nis non alyaunce by-twixe gode folk 
and shrewes, ne shrewes ne mowen nat 
aeorden amonges hem-self. And why 
nat ? For shrewes discorden of hem-self 
by hir vyces, the whiche vyces al to- 

60 renden hir consciences ; and don ofte 
tyme thinges, the whiche thinges, whan 
they han don hem, they denien that tho 
thinges ne sholden nat han ben don. For 
which thing tliilke soverein piirveaunce 

,65 hath maked ofte tj-me fair miracle ; so 
that slirewes han malted shrewes to ben 
gode men. For whan that som shrewes 
seen that they siiffren wrongfully felonyes 
of othre shrewes, they wexen eschaufed 

70 in-tohateof hem that anoyeden heni, and 
retornen to the frut of vertu, whan they 
studien to ben unlyk to hem that they 
han hated. Certes, only this is the div^oae 
might, to the whiche might yveles ben 

!75 thanne gode, whan it usetli tho yveles 
covenably, and draweth out the effect of 
any gode; as ivho seyth, that yvel is good 
only to the might of god, for the might of god 
ordeyneih thilke yvel to good. For oon 

80 ordre embraseth alle thinges, so that 
what wight that departeth fro the resoun 
of thillve ordre which that is assigned to 
him, algates yit he slydeth in-to another 
ordre, so that no-thing nis leveful to folye 

85 in the reame of the divyne pur\'iaunce ; 
as who seyth, nothing nis ivith-outen ordi- 
naiince in the reame of the divyne pur- 
viaunce : sin that the right stronge god 
governeth alle thinges in this world. For 

90 it nis nat leveful to man to compre- 
henden by wit, ne unfolden bj' word, alle 
the subtil ordinauuces and disposiciouns 



of the divyne entente. For only it ouglite 
suffise to han loked, that god him-self, 
maker of alle natures, ordeineth and 395 
dresseth alle thinges to gode ; whyl that 
he hasteth to with-holden the thinges 
that he hath maked in-to his seniblauncc, 
that is to seyn, for to ivith-holden thinges 
in-to good, for he him-self is good, he 40c 
chaseth out al yvel fro the boundes of his 
comunalitee by the ordre of necessitee 
destinable. For which it folweth, that 
yif thou loke the purviaunce ordeininge 
the thinges that men wenen ben out- 405 
rageous or haboundant in erthes, thou ne 
shalt not seen in no place no-thing of 
yvel. But I see now that thoii art 
charged with the weighte of the ques- 
tioun, and wery with the lengthe of my 410 
resoun ; and that thou abydest som sweet- 
nesse of songe. Tak thanne this drau.ght ; 
and whan thou art wel refresshed and 
refect, thou shal be more stedefast to stye 
in-to heyere questiouns. 415 

Metre VI. Si ids celsi ittra tonantis. 

If thou, vrys, wilt demen in thy piire 
thouglit the rightes or the lawes of the 
lieyo thonderer, that is to seyn, of god, loke 
thou and bihold the heightes of the 
soverein hevene. There kepen the sterres, 5 
by rightful alliaunce of tliinges, hir olde 
pees. The sonne, y-moeved by his rody 
fyr, ne distorbeth nat the colde cercle of 
the mone. Ne the sterre y-cleped 'the 
Bere,' that enclj'neth his ravisshinge 10 
courses aboiiten the soverein heighte of 
the worlde, ne the same sterre Ursa nis 
never-mo wasshen in the depe westrene 
see, ne coveiteth nat to deyen his flaumbes 
in the see of the occian, al-thogh he see 15 
othre sterres y-plounged iu the see. And 
Hesperus the sterre bodeth and telletli 
alwey the late nightes ; and Lucifer the 
steri'c bringeth ayein the clere day. And 
thus maketh Love entrechaungeable the 20 
perdurable courses ; and thus is discord- 
able bataile y-put out of the contree of 
the sterres. This acordauuce atempreth 
by evenelj'k maneres the elements, that 
the moiste thinges, stry-\-inge with the 25 



IQO 



Q0oef0tu0. Q^ooil IV: (proee vii. 



drye thinges, yeven place by stouucTes ; 
and the colde thinges joynen hem hy 
feyth to the hote thinges ; and that the 
lighte fyr aryseth in-to heighte ; and the 

30 hevy erthes avalen by hir weightes. By 
thise same causes the floury yeer jdhleth 
swote smelles in the firste somer-sesoiiu 
warminge ; and the hote somer dryeth 
the comes ; and autumpne comth ayein, 

35 hevy of apples ; and the fletinge rejoi 
bideweth the winter. This atempraunce 
uorissheth and bringeth forth al thing 
that f bretheth lyf in this world ; and 
thilke same atempraunce, ravisshinge, 

40 hydeth and binimeth, and dreneheth 
under the lasto deeth, alle thinges y-born. 
Amonges thise thinges sitteth the heye 
maker, king and lord, welle and begin- 
ninge, lawe and wys jtige, to don equitee ; 

45 and governeth and enclyneth the brydles 
of thinges. And tho thinges that he 
stereth t'J gon by moevinge, he with- 
draweth and aresteth ; and affermeth the 
moevable or wandringe thinges. For yif 

50 that he ne clepede ayein the right goinge 
of thinges, and yif that he ne con- 
streinede heni nat eft-sones in-to round- 
nesses enclynede, the thinges that ben 
now continued by stable ordinaunce, they 

55 sholden departen fron^ hir welle, that is to 
sei/n, from Mr h/ginninf/e, and faylen, that 
is to seyn, tome in-to nought. This is 
the comune Love to alle thinges ; and alle 
thinges axen to ben holden by the fyn of 

60 good. For elles ne mighteu they nat 
lasten ; yif they ne come nat eft-sones 
ayein, by Love retorned, to tho cause that 
hath yeven hem beinge, that is to seyn, to 
god. 

Pkose vii. lamne igitur uides. 

Seestow nat thanne what thing folweth 
alle the thinges that I have seyd? ' 
Boece. 'What thing?' quod I. 

' Certes,' quod she, ' al-outrely, that alle 
5 fortune is good.' ' And how may that 

be ? ' quod I. 

' Now understand,' quod she, ' so as alle 
fortune, whether so it be joyeful fortune 
or aspre i'ortune, is yeven either by caiise 



of guerdoning or elles of exercysinge of 10 
good folk, or elles by cause to ijunisshen 
or elles chastysen shrewes ; thanne is alle 
fortune good, the whiche fortune is cer- 
tein that it be either rightful or elles 
profitable.' ' Forsothe, this is a ful 15 

verray resoun, ' quod I ; ' and yif I con- 
sider the purviaunce and the destinee 
that thou taughtest me a litel her-biforn, 
this sentence is sustened by stedefast 
resouns. But yif it lyke unto thee, lat ns 20 
noumbren hem amonges thilke thinges, 
of whiche thou seydest a litel her-biforn, 
that they ne were nat able to ben wened 
to the poeple.' 

' Wliy so ? ' quod she. ' For that the -'5 
comune word of men,' quod I, ' misuseth 
this maner speche of fortune, and seyn ofte 
tjones that the fortune of som wight is 
■svikkede.' 

' Wiltow thanne,' quod she, ' that I 30 
aproche a litel to the wordes of tlie i^oeple, 
so that it seme nat to hem that I be over- 
moche departed as fro the usage of man- 
kinde ? ' ' As thou wolt,' quod I. 

' Demestow nat,' quod she, ■ that al 1,^ 
thing that profiteth is good ? ' ' Yis,' 
quod I. 

'And certes, thilke thing that exer- 
cyseth orxorigeth, profiteth ? ' 'I con- 
fesse it wel,' quod I. 40 

' Thanne is it good ? ' quod she. ' ^Vhy 
nat ? ' quod I. 

' But this is the fortune,' quod she, ' of 
hem that either ben put in vertu and 
batailen ayeins aspre thinges, or elles of 45 
hem that eschuen and declynen fro vyces 
and taken the wey of vertu.' ' This ne 
may I nat denye,' quod I. 

' But what seystowof the merj' fortune 
that is yeven to good folk in guerdoun ? 50 
Demeth aught the poeple that it is wik- 
ked?' 'Nay, forsothe,' quod I: ' I'ut 

they demen, as it sooth is, that it is right 
good. ' 

' And what seystow of that other for- 55 
tune, ' quod she, ' that, al-thogh that it be 
asj)re, and restreineth the shrewes by 
rightful torment, weneth aught the 
poeple that it be good ? ' ' Nay,' quod 
I. ' but the poeple demeth that it is most 60 



(goct0tu0. (^008 IV : QUeftre vii. 



191 



wreeched of alle thinges that ma3' ben 
thought.' 

'War now, aud loke wcl,' (xuod slie, 
■ lest that we, in folwinge the opinioun of 

65 the poeple, have confessed and concluded 
thing that is unable to be wened to the 
poeple.'' ' 'Wh.at is that,' qtiod I. 

' Certes,' qitod she, ' it folweth or comtli 
of thinges that ben graunted, that alle 

70 fortune, what-so-ever it be, of hem that 
ben either in j)OSsessiouu of vertu, or in 
the encres ©f vertu, or elles in the pur- 
chasinge of vertu, that thilke fortune is 
good ; and that alle fortune is right wik- 

75 kede to hem that dwellen in shrewed- 
nesse ; ' as who seyth, and thus weneth nat 
the poeple. ' That is sooth,' quod I, ' al- 
be-it so that no man dar confesse it ne 
biknowen it.' 

So ' Why so ? ' quod she ; ' for right as the 
strouge man ne semetli nat to abaissen or 
disdaignen as ofte tyme as he heretli the 
noise of the bataile, ne also it ne semeth 
nat, to the wyse man, to beren it gre- 

85 vousl}', as ofte as he is lad in-to the stryf 
of fortitue. For bothe to that oon man 
and eek to that other thilke difficultee is 
the matere ; to that oon man, of encres 
of his glorious renoun, and to that 

90 other man, to conlirme his sapience, that 
is to seyn, to the asprcnesse of his estat. 
For therfore is it called "vertu," for 
that it susteneth. artd enforseth, by hise 
strengthes, that it nis nat overcomen by 

95 adversitees. Ne certes, thou that art put 
in the encres or in the heighte of vertu, 
ne hast nat comen to fleten with delices, 
and for to welken in bodily luste ; thou 
sowest or plauntest a ful cgre bataile in 
nxj thy corage ayeins every fortune : for that 
the sorwful fortune ne confounde thee 
nat, ne that the merye fortune ne co- 
runipe thee nat, occupye the mene by 
stedefast strengthes. For al that ever is 
105 under the mene, or elles al that over- 
passeth the mene, despyseth welefulnesse 
{as who seyth, it is vicious), and ne hath no 
mede of his travaile. For it is set in your 
hand (as icho seyth, it lyth in your poicer) 
no what fortune yow is levest, that is to seyn, 
guud or yvcl. For alle fortune that semeth 



sharp or aspre, yif it ne exercyse nat the 
yode folk ne chastyseth the wiklced folk, it 
ptinissheth. 

Metre VII. Bella bis <xv.inis opcratus 
annis. 

The wreker Attrides, that is to seyn, 
Agamenon, that wroughte and continuede 
the batailes by ten yeer, recovered find 
purgede in wrekinye, by the destruccioun 
of Troyc, the loste chaumbres of mariage 5 
of his brother ; this is to seyn, that he, 
Agamenon, wan ayein Eleyne, that was 
Mcnelaus wyf his brother. In the mene 
whyle that thilke Agamenon desirede to 
yeven sayles to the Grekissh navye, and m 
boughte ayein the windes by blood, ho 
unclothede him of pitee of fader; and the 
sory preest yiveth in sacrifyinge the 
wreeched cuttinge of throte of the dough- 
ter ; that is to seyn, that Agamenon let 15 
cutten the throte of his doughter by th, 
preest, to maken allyaunce with his goddes, 
and for to han tvind icith whichc he mighta 
wenden to Troye. Itacus, that is to seyn, 
Ulixes, liiwepte his felawes y-lorn, the jo 
whiche felawes the ferse Poliphemus, lig- 
gingo in his grete cave, hadde freten and 
dreynt in his empty wombe. Btit nathe- 
les Poliphemus, wood for his blinde visage, 
yald to Ulixes joye by his sorwful teres ; .25 
that is to seyn, that Ulixes smoot out the 
eye of Poliphemus that stood in his forehed, 
for which Ulixes hadde Joye, whan he say 
Poliphemus icepinge and blinde. Her- 
cules is celebrable for his harde travailes ; 30 
he dauntede the proude Centaures, half 
hors, half man ; and he biratte the di- 
spoylinge fro the cruel lyoun, that is to 
seyn, he slowh the lyoun and rafte him his 
skin. He smoot the briddes that highten 35 
Arpyes with certein arvves. He ravisshede 
apples fro the wakinge dragoun, and his 
hand was the more hevy for the goldene 
metal. He drow Cerberus, the hound of 
helle, by his treble cheyne. He, over- 40 
comer, as it is seyd, hath put an unmeke 
lord foddre to his cruel hors ; this is to 
seyn, that Hercules slowh Diomedes, and 
made his hors to frtten him. And he, 



ig: 



(gott^im. (^OOft V: ipvOBt I. 



45 Hercviles, slowh Ydra the serpent, and 
brende the venini. And Achelous the 
flood, defouled in his forhed, dreynte his 
shamefast visage in his strondes ; this is 
to seyn, that Achelous coucle transfiijxn-e 

50 himself in-to dyversc lyknesses ; and, as he 
faught with Hercules, at the laste he tornede 
him in-to a hole : and Hercules brak ofoon 
of his homes, and he, for shame, hidde him 
in his river. And he, Hercules, caste 

55 adoun Anthens the gyannt in the 
strondes of Lihie ; and Cacus apaysede 
the wratthes of Evander : this is to seyn, 
that Jlercules sloich the monstre Cacus, and 
apaysede v:ith that deeth the ivratthe of 

60 Evander. And the Ijristlede boor markede 
with scomes the shuldres of Herciiles, the 



whiche shuldres the heye cercle of hevene 
sholde thriste. And the laste of his la- 
bours was, that he sustened the hevene 
up-on his nekke unbowed ; and he de- 6^ 
servede eft-sones the hevene, to ben the 
prys of his laste travaile. &oth now 
thanne, ye stronge men, ther-as the heye 
wey of the grete ensauniple ledeth yow. 
O nyce men, why nake ye youre bakkes ? 70 
As icho seyfh : O ye slotoe and delicat men, 
why flee ye adversitees, and ne flijhten nat 
ayeins hem by verttc, to winnen the mede of 
the hevene ? For the ertlie, overcomen, 
yeveth the sterres ' ; this is to seyn, that, 75 
tvJuiJi that erthely lust is overcomen, a man 
is maked tooHhy to the hevene. 



BOOK V. 



Prose I. Di.verat, orationisqiie 
cursum. 

She liadde seyd, and torned the cours 
of hir resoun to some othre thinges to ben 
treted and to ben y-sped. Thanne seyde 
I, ' Certes, rightful is thyn amonestinge 
5 and ful digne by auctoritee. But that 
thou seidest whylom, that the questioun 
of the divyne purviaunce is enlaced with 
many other questiouns, I understonde 
wel and proeve it by the same thing. But 

10 I axe yif that thou wenest that hap be 
any thing in any weys ; and, yif thou 
wenest that hap be anj-thing, what is 
it?' 

Thanne quod she, ' I haste me to yilden 

15 and assoilen to thee the dette of my 
))ihest, and to shewen and opnen the wey, 
by which wej' thou mayst come ayein to 
thy contree. But al-be-it so that the 
thinges which that thou axest ben right 

20 profitable to kuowe, jit ben they diverse 
somwhat fro the path of my jiurpos ; and 
it is to douten that thou ne be maked 
wery by mis-weyes, so that thou ne mayst 
nat suffyce to mesuren the right wey.' 

25 'Ne ilouto thee ther-of nothing,' quod I. 



' For, for to knowen thilke thinges to- 
gedere, in the whiche thinges I delji:e me 
greetly, that shal ben to xne in stede of 
reste ; sin it is nat to douten of the 
thinges folwinge, whan every syde of thy 30 
disputacioun shal han be stedefast to me 
by iindoutotis feith.' 

Thanne seyde she, ' That manere wol 
I don thee ' ; and bigan to speken right 
thus. 'Certes,' quod she, 'yif any wight 35 
diffinisshe hap in this manere, that is to 
seyn, that " hap is bitydinge y-brought 
forth by foolish moevinge and by no 
knettinge of causes," I conferme that hap 
nis right naught in no wyse ; and I deme 40 
al-outrely that hap nis, ne dwelleth but 
a voice, as who seith, ht(t an ydel word, 
with-outen any significacioun of thing 
submitted to that vois. For what jilace 
mighte ben left, or dwellinge, to folye 45 
and to disordenaunce, sin that god ledeth 
and constreineth alle thinges by ordre ? 
For this sentence is verray and sooth, 
that " nothing ne hath his beinge of 
naught"; to the whiche sentence none 50 
of thise olde folk ne withseyde never ; 
al-be-it so that they ne u.nderstoden ne 
nieneden it natight bj' god, prince and 



(god^im. (gooft V: (pvou ii. 



193 



beginnere of werkinge, but they casten 

55 [it] as a manere foundement of subject 
material, that is to seyn, of the nature of 
alle resoun. Aud yif that any thing is 
woxen or comen of no causes, than shal it 
seme that thilke thing is comen or woxen 

60 of naught ; but yif this ne may nat ben 
don, thanne is it nat possible, that hap 
be any swich thing as I have diffinisshed 
a litel heer-biforn.' ' How shal it 

thanne be ? ' quod I. ' Nis ther thanne 

65 no-thing that by right may be cleped 
either " hap " or elles " aventiire of for- 
tune " ; or is ther aught, al-be-it so that 
it is hid fro the peple, to which these 
wordes ben covenable ? ' 

JO 'Myn Aristotulis,' quod she, 'in the 
book of his Phisik, diffinissheth this thing 
by short resoun, and neigh to the sothe.' 
' In which manere ? ' quod I. 

' As ofte,' quod she, ' as men doon any 

75 thing for grace of any other thing, and 
an-other thing than thilke thing that 
men entenden to d<m bitj-deth by some 
causes, it is cleped " hap." Right as 
a man dalf the erthe by cause of tilyinge 

80 of the feeld, and founde ther a gobet of 
gold bidolven, thanne wenen folk that it 
is bifalle by fortunous bitydinge. But, 
for sothe, it nis nat of naught, for it hath 
his propre causes ; of whiche causes the 

85 cours unforeseyn and unwar semeth to 
han maked hap. For yif the tilyere of 
the feld ne dolve nat in the erthe, and yif 
the hyder of the gold ne hadde hid the 
gold in thilke place, the gold ne hadde 

go nat been founde. Thise ben thanne the 
causes of the abregginge of fortuit hap, 
the which abregginge of fortuit hap 
comth of causes encountringe and flow- 
inge to-gidere to hem-self, and nat by the 

95 entencioun of the doer. For neither the 
hyder of the gold ne the delver of the 
feeld ne understoden nat that the gold 
sholde han ben founde ; but, as I sayde, 
it bitidde and ran to-gidere that he dalf 
100 ther-as that other hadde hid the gold. 
Now may I thus diffinisshe " hap." Hap 
is an unwar bitydinge of causes asseni- 
blod in thinges that ben don for som 
other thing. But thilke ordre, procedinge 



by an uneschixable bindinge to-gidere, 105 
which that descendeth fro the welle of 
purviaunce that ordeineth alle thinges in 
hir places and in hir tymes, maketh that 
the causes rennen and assemblen to- 
gidere. 110 

Metre I. Rtipis Achemenie scoiniUs, 
uhi uersa sequentum. 

Tigris and Eufrates resolven and 
springen of 00 welle, in the cragges of the 
roche of the contree of Achemenie, ther-as 
the fleinge bataile ficcheth hir dartes, 
retorned in the brestes of hem that fol- 5 
wen hem. And sone after tho same 
riveres, Tigris and Eufrates, unjoinen and 
departen hir wateres. And yif they 
comen to-gideres, and ben assembled and 
cleped to-gidere into o cours, thanne 10 
moten thilke thinges fleten to-gidere 
which that the water of the entre- 
chaunginge flood bringeth. The shippes 
and the stokkes arraced with the flood 
moten assemblen ; and the wateres y- 15 
medled wrappeth or implyeth many for- 
tunel happes or maneres ; the whiche 
wandringe happes, natheles, thilke de- 
clyninge lownesse of the erthe and the 
flowinge ordre of the slydinge water 20 
governeth. Eight so Fortune, that semeth 
as that it fleteth with slaked or un- 
governede brydles, it sufifereth brydles, 
that is to seyn, to be governed, and passeth 
by thilke lawe, that is to seyn, by thilke 25 
divyne ordenaunce.' 

Prose II. Animaducrto, inquam. 

' This understonde I wel, ' quod I, ' and 
I acorde wel that it is right as thou 
seyst. But I axe yif ther be any libertee 
of free wil in this ordre of causes that 
clyven thus to-gidei-e in hem-self; or 5 
elles I wolde witen j'if that the destinal 
cheyne constreineth the movinges of the 
corages of men ? ' 

' Yis,' quod she ; ' ther is libertee of 
free wil. Ne ther ne was nevere no 10 
nature of regoun that it ne hadde libertee 



194 



QBod^twe. Q^ooft V: (mefre ii. 



of fx-ee wil. For every thing that may 
natiirely visen resoun, it hath doom by 
which it decerneth and demeth every 

15 thing ; thanne knoweth it, by it-self, 
thinges that ben to fleen and thinges 
that ben to desiren. And thilke thing 
that any wight demeth to ben desired, 
that axeth or desircth he ; and fleeth 

20 thilke thing that he troweth ben to fleen. 
Wlierfore in alle thinges that resoun is, 
in hem also is libertee of willinge and of 
nillinge. But I ue ordeyne nat, as who 
seyth, I ne graunte nat, that this libertee 

25 be evene-lyk in alle thinges. Forwhy in 
the sovereines devynes substaunces, that 
is to seyn, in spirits, jugement is more 
cleer, and wil nat y-corumped, and might 
redy to speden thinges that ben desired. 

30 But the soules of men moten nedes be 
more free whan they loken hem in the 
speculaoioun or lokinge of the devyne 
thought, and lasse free whan they slyden 
in-to the bodies ; and yit lasse free whan 

35 they ben gadered to-gidere and compre- 
hended in erthely membres. But the 
laste servage is whan tliat they ben yeven 
to vyces, and han y-falle from the pos- 
sessioun of hir propre resoun. For alter 

40 that they han cast awey hir eyen fro the 
light of the sovereyn soothfastnesse to 
lowe thinges and derke, anon they derken 
by the cloude of ignoraunce and ben 
troubled by felonous talep\ts ; to the 

45 whiche talents whan they aprochen and 
asenten, they hepen and cncrescn the 
servage which they han joyned to hem- 
self ; and in this manere they ben caitifs 
fro hir propre libertee. The whiche 

50 thinges, nathelesse, the lokinge of the 
devyne j)urviaunce seeth, that alle thinges 
biholdeth and seeth fro eterne, and or- 
deineth hem everich in hir merites as 
they ben predestinat : and it is scyd in 

^~, Crreek, that "alle thinges he seeth and 
alle thinges he hereth." 

Metj£e II. Puro clartim lumine Phebtim. 

Homer with the hony mouth, that is to 
seyn, Iluriier ivith the sweie ditees, singeth, 
that the sonno is cleer by pure light ; 



natheles yit ne may it nat, by the infirme 
light of his hemes, breken or percen the 5 
inwarde entrailes of the erth(}, or elh of 
the see. So ne seeth nat god, makui. of 
the grete world : to him, that loketh alle 
thinges from an heigh, ne withstondeth 
nat no thinges by hevinesse of erthe ; ne 10 
the night ne withstondeth nat to him by 
the blake cloudes. Thilke god seeth, in 
00 strok of thought, alle thinges that ben, 
or weren, or sholle comen ; and thilke 
god, for he loketh and seeth alle thinges 15 
alone, thou mayst seyn that he is the 
verray Sonne.' 



Pkose III. Turn ego, en, inquam, 

Thanne seyde I, ' now am I confounded 
by a more hard doute than I was.' 

' What doute is that ? ' qtiod she. ' For 
certes, I conjecte now by whiche thinges 
thou art troubled.' 5 

' It semeth,' quod I, ' to repugnen and 
to contrarien greetly, that god knoweth 
biforn alle thinges, and that ther is any 
freedom of libertee For yif so be that 
god loketh alle thinges biforn, ne god ne 10 
may nat ben desseived in no manere, 
than mot it nedes been, that alle thinges 
bityden the whiche that the purviaunce 
of god hath seyn biforn to comen. For 
which, yif that god knoweth biforn nat 15 
only the werkes of men, but also hir 
conseiles and hir willes, thanne ne shal 
ther be no libertee of arbitro ; ne, certes, 
ther ne may be noon other dede, ne no 
wil, but thilke which that the divyne 20 
purviaunce, that may nat ben desseived, 
hath feled biforn. For yif that they 
mighten wrythen awey in othre manere 
than they ben purveyed, than sholde ther 
be no stedefast prescience of thing to 25 
comen, but rather an uncertein opinioun ; 
the whiche tiling to trowen of god, I demo 
it felonye and unleveful. Ne I ne jiroeve 
nat thilke same resoun, as who seyth, I ne 
aloice nat, or I ne jyreyse nat, thilke same 30 
resoun, by which that som naen wenen 
that they mowen assoilen and unknitten 
the knotte of this questioun. For, certes, 



(f oet0tu0. Q0ooft V: (pro0e in. 



195 



they seyn vhat thing nis nat to comen 

,S5 for thart the pnrviaunce of god hath seyn 
it ''fiibrn tbat is to comen, but rather the 
conffaryfe, and that is this : that, for that 
the thing is to comen, therfore ne may it 
nat ben hid fro tlie purviaunce of god ; 

40 and in this toanere this necessitee slydeth 
ayein in-to the contrarj'e partye : ne'it 
ne bihoveth nat, nedes, that thinges bi- 
tydcn that ben purvyed, but it bihoveth, 
nedes, that thinges that ben to comen 

45 ben y-porveyed : but as it were y-travailed, 
as who seyth, that thilke ansivere procedeth 
right as ihogh men travaileden, or weren 
bisy to enqiceivn, the whiche thing is cause 
of the whiche thing : — as, whether the 

50 prescience is caiise of the necessitee of 
thinges to comen, or elles that the 
necessitee of tliinges to comen is cause 
of the purviaunce. But I ne enforce me 
nat now to shewen it, that the bitydinge 

55 of tliinges y-wist biforn is necessarie, how 
so or in what manere that the ordre of 
causes hath it-self; al-thogh that it ne 
seme nat that the prescience bringe in 
necessitee of bitydinge to thinges to 

60 comen. For certes, yif that any wight 
sitteth, it bihoveth by necessitee that the 
opiniouu be sooth of him that conjecteth 
that he sitteth ; and ayein ward also is it 
of the contrarye : yif the opinioun be 

65 sooth of any wight for that he sitteth, 
it bihoveth by necessitee that he sitte. 
Thanne is heer necessitee in that con 
and in that other : for in that oon is 
necessitee of sittinge, and, certes, in that 

70 other is necessitee of sooth. But therfore 
ne sitteth nat a wight, for that the 
opinioun of the sittinge is sooth ; but the 
opinioun is rather sooth, for that a wight 
sitteth biforn. And thus, al-thogh that 

75 the cause of the sooth cometh of that 
other syde {as who seyth, that al-thogh the 
cause oj' sooth comth of the sitting, and nat 
of the trewe opinioun), algates yit is ther 
comune necessitee in that oon and in 

80 that other. Thus sheweth it, that I may 
make semblable skiles of the purviaiince 
of god and of thinges to comen. For 
althogh that, for that thinges ben to 
comen, ther-fore ben they purveyed, nat, 



certes, for that they ben purveyed, ther- 85 
fore ne bityde they nat. Yit natheles, 
bihoveth it by necessitee, that either the 
tliinges to comen ben y-purveyed of god, 
or elles that the thinges that ben pur- 
veyed of god bityden. And this thing yo 
only suffiseth y-nough to destroyen the 
freedom of oure arbitre, that is to seyn, of 
oure free wil. But now, certes, sheweth it 
wel, hoiv fer fro the sothe and how up-so- 
doun is this thing that we seyn, that the 95 
bitj'dinge of temporel thinges is cause of 
the eterne prescience. But for to wenen 
that god pur-^'yeth the thinges to comen 
for they ben to comen, what other thing 
is it but for to wene that thilke thinges 100 
that bitidden whylom ben causes of thilke 
soverein purvyaunce that is in god 9 And 
lier-to I adds yit this thing that, right 
as whan that I wot that a thing is, it 
bilioveth by necessitee that thilke selve 105 
thing be ; and eek, whan I have knowe 
that any thing shal bityden, so byhoveth 
it by necessitee that thilke thing bityde : 
— so folweth it thanne, that the bitydinge 
of the thing y-wist biforn ne may nat no 
ben eschued. And at the laste, yif that 
any wight wene a thing to ben other 
weyes thanne it is, it is nat only un- 
science, but it is deceivable opinioun ftil 
diverse and fer fro the sothe of science. 115 
Wherfore, yif any thing be so to comen, 
that the bitydinge of hit ne be nat cer- 
tein ne necessarie, who may weten biforn 
that thilke thing is to comen ? For right 
as science ne may nat ben medled with 120 
falsnesse (as who seyth, that yif I wot 
a thing, it ne may nat be false that I ne xvot 
it), right so thilke thing that is conceived 
by science ne may nat ben non other 
weys than as it is conceived. For that is 125 
the cause why that science wanteth lesing 
{as icho seyth, why that witinge ne receiveth 
nat lesinge of (hat it ivot) ; for it bihoveth, 
by necessitee, that every thing be right 
as science comprehendeth it to be. What 130 
shal I thanne seyn ? In whiche manere 
knoweth god biforn the thinges to comen, 
yif they ne be nat certein ? For yif that 
he deme that they ben to comen un- 
eschewably, and so may be that it is 135 



H 2 



196 



(gott^iw. (^ooft V: (|>ro0e in. 



possible that they ne shoUen nat comen, 
god is deceived. Btit nat only to trowen 
that god is deceived, but for to speke it 
with moiith, it is a felonous sinne. But 

140 yif that god wot that, right so as thinges 
ben to comen, so shuUen they comen — so 
that he wite egaly, as iclio seyth, indiffer- 
ently, that thinges mowen ben doon or 
elles naty-doon — what is thilke prescience 

145 that ne comprehendeth no certein thing 
ne stable ? Or elles what difference is 
ther bitwixe the prescience and thilke 
jape-worthy divyninge of Tiresie the 
divynour, that seyde : " Al that I seye," 

150 quod he, " either it shal be, or elles it 
ne shal nat be?" Or elles how mochel 
is worth the devyne prescience more 
than the opinioun of mankinde, yif so be 
that it demeth the thinges uncertein, as 

155 men doon ; of the wliiche domes of men 
the bitydinge nis nat certein ? But yif 
so be that non uncertein thing ne may 
ben in him that is right certein welle 
of alle thinges, thanne is the bitydinge 

160 certein of thilke thinges whiche he hath 
wist biforn fermely to comen. For which 
it folweth, that the freedom of the con- 
seiles and of the werkes of mankind nis 
non, sin that the thoght of god, that 

165 seeth alle thinges without errour of fals- 
nesse, bindeth and constreineth hem to 
a bitydinge by necessitee. And yif this 
thing be ones y-graunted and received, 
that is to seyn, that ther nis no free wille, 

170 than sheweth it wel, how greet destruc- 
cioun and how grete damages ther folwen 
of thinges of mankinde. For in ydel ben 
ther thanne purposed and bihight medes 
to gode folk, and peynes to badde folk, 
175 sin that no moevinge of free corage 
voluntarie He hath nat deserved hem, 
that is to seyn, neither mede ne peyne ; and 
it sholde seme thanne, that thilke thing 
is alderworst, which that is now demed 
iSo for aldermost just and most rightful, that 
is to seyn, that shrewes ben punisshed, or 
elles that gode folk ben y-gerdoned : the 
whiche folk, sin that hir propre wil ne 
sent hem nat to that oon ne to that 
185 other, that is to seyn, neither to gode ne 
to harm, but constreineth hem certein 



necessitee of thinges to comen : thanne 
ne shollen ther nevere ben, ne nevere 
weren, vyce ne vertii, but it sholde rather 
ben confusioun of alle desertes medled 190 
with-outen discrecioun. And yit ther fol- 
weth an-other inconvenient, f than whiche 
ther ne may ben thoght no more felonous 
ne more wikke ; and that is this : tliat, so 
as the ordre of thinges is y-led and comth 195 
of the purviaunce of god, ne that no-thing 
nis leveful to the conseiles of mankinde 
{as icho seyth, that men han no poiver to 
doon no-thing, ne wilne no-thing), than fol- 
weth it, that oure vyces ben referred to 200 
the maker of alle good {as who seyth, than 
foliceth it, that god oughte han the blame of 
oure vyces, sin he constreineth us by neces- 
sitee to doon vyces). Thanne is ther no 
resoun to hopen in god, ne for to preyen 205 
to god ; for what sholde any wight hopen 
to god, or why sholde he preyen to god, 
sin that the ordenaunce of destinee, which 
that ne may nat ben incl^oied, knitteth 
and streineth alle thinges that men may 210 
desiren ? Thanne sholde ther be doon 
awey thilke only allyaunce bitwixen god 
and men, that is to seyn, to hojoen and to 
preyen. But bj^ the prys of rightwisnesse 
and of verray mekenesse we deserven the 215 
gerdoiin of the divyne grace, which that 
is inestimable, that is to seyn, that it is so 
greet, that it ne may nat ben ful y-preysed. 
And this is only the manere, that is to 
seyn, hope and preyeres, for which it 220 
semeth that men mowen speke with god, 
and by resoun of supplicacioun be con- 
joined to thilke cleernesse, that nis nat 
aproched no rather or that men beseken 
it and impetren it. And yif men wene 225 
nat that hope no preyeres ne han no 
strengthes, by the necessitee of thinges 
to conien y-received, what thing is ther 
thanne by whiche we mowen ben con- 
joined and clyven to thilke soverein 230 
prince of thinges ? For which it bilioveth, 
by necessitee, that the linage of man- 
kinde, as thou songe a litel lier-biforn, 
be departed and unjoined from his welle, 
and failen of Ids biginninye, that is to 235 
seyn, god. 



(goH^ius, (goofi V: (pyoae iv. 



197 



Metre III. Quenam discors federa rerinn. 

Wliat discordable cause hath to-rent 
and iinjoined the bindinge, or the alliaunce, 
of thing-es, that is to seyn, the conjunccioun 
of god and man 9 Wliiche god hath 
5 establisshed so greet bataile bitwixen 
thise two soothfast or verray thinges, 
that is to seyn^ bitwixen the purviaunce of 
god and free wil, that they ben singiiler 
and devyded, ne that they ne wolen nat 

10 be medeled ne coupled to-gidere ? But 
ther nis no discord to the verray thinges, 
but they clyven, certein, alwey to hem- 
self. But the thought of man, confoiiuded 
and overthrowen by the dirke membres 

15 of the body, ne may nat, by fyr of his 
derked looking, that is to seyn, by the 
vigour of his insighte, whyl the soule is in 
the body, knowe the thinne svibtil knitt- 
inges of thinges. But wherfore enchaufeth 

20 it so, by so greet love, to finden thilke 
notes of sooth y-covered ; that is to seyn, 
wherfore enchaufeth the thoght of man by 
so greet desyr to knotcen thilke notificacions 
that ben y-hid under the covertoures of 

25 sooth ? Wot it aught thilke thing that it, 
angviissous, desireth to knowe ? As who 
seith, nay; fur no man travaileth for to 
witen thinges that he wot. And therfore 
the texte seith thus : but who travaileth to 

30 witen thinges y-knowe ? And yif that he 
ne knoweth heni nat, what seketh thilke 
blinde thoght ? What is he that desireth 
any thing of which he wot right naught? 
As icho seith, who so desireth any thing, 

35 nedes, somwhat lie kncnceth of it ; or elles, 
he ne coude nat desire it. Or who may 
folwen thinges that ne ben nat y-wist? 
And thogh that he seke tho thinges, wher 
shal he finde hem ? What wight, that is 

40 al unconninge and ignoraunt, may 
knowen the forme that is y-founde ? Biit 
whan the soule biholdeth and seeth the 
heye thoght, that is to seyn, god, than 
knoweth it to-gidere the somme and the 

45 singularitees, that is to seyn, the principles 
and everich by himself. But now, whyl 
the soule is hid in the cloude and in the 
derkenesse of the membres of the body, 
it ne hath nat al for-yeten it-self, but 



it with-holdeth the somme of thinges, 5C1 
and leseth the singularitees. Thanne, 
who-so that seeketh soothnesse, he nis in 
neither nother habite ; for he noot nat al, 
ne he ne hath nat al foryeten : but yit 
him remembreth the somme of thinges 55 
that he with-holdeth, and axeth conseil. 
and retretetli deepliche thinges y-seyn 
biforn, tliat is to seyn, the grete somme in 
his minde : so that he mowe adden the 
parties that he hath for-yeten to thilke do 
that he hath with-holden.' 

Prose IV. Tttm ilia : Vetus, inquit, hec est. 

Thanne seide she : ' this is,' quod she, 
' the olde question of the purviaunce of 
god ; and Marcus Tullius, whan he de- 
vyded the divj'naciouns, that is to seyn, in 
his book that he icroot of divynaciouns, he .«; 
moevede gretly this questioun ; and thou, 
thy-self has y-sought it mochel, and 
outrely, and longe ; but yit ne hath it 
nat ben determined ne y-sped fermely 
and diligently of any of yow. And the 10 
caiise of this derkenesse and of this diffi- 
cultee is, for that the moevinge of the 
resoun of mankinde ne may nat moeven 
to {that is to seyn, applyen or joinen to) the 
simplicitee of the devyne prescience ; the 15 
whiche simplicitee of the devyne prescience, 
yif that men mighten thinken it in any 
maner, that is to seyn, that yif men mighten 
thinken and comprehenden the thinges as 
god seeth hem, thanne ne sholde ther 20 
dwellen outrely no doute : the whiche 
resoun and cause of difficultee I shal assaye 
at the laste to shewe and to speden, 
whan I have first y-spended and answered 
to tho resouns by which thou art y- 25 
moeved. For I axe why thou wenest that 
thilke resouns of hem that assoUen this 
questioun ne ben nat speedful y-nough 
ne si\fficient : the whiche solucioun, or 
the whiche resoun, for that it demcth that 30 
the prescience nis nat cause of necessitee 
to thinges to comen, than ne wenetli it 
nat that freedom of wil be destorbed or 
y-let by prescience. For ne drawestow 
nat arguments from elles-where of the 3,S 
necessitee of thinges to-comen {as ivho 



(goti^im. (gooft V: (j?ro0e iv. 



seith, any other wey than thus) but that 
tliilke thinges that the prescience wot 
biforii no movven nat imbityde ? That is 

40 to seyn, that they vioten hityde. But 
thanno, yif that prescience ne piitteth 
no necessitee to thinges to comen, as 
tliou thy-self hast confessed it and bi- 
knowen a litel her-biforn, what cause or 

45 what is it (as who seith, ther may no cause 
he) by which that the endes vohintarie of 
tliinges mighten be constreined to certein 
bitydinge ? For by grace of positioun, so 
that thoii mowe the betere understonde 

50 this that folweth, I pose, jje^' impossibile, 
that ther be no prescience. Thanne axe 
I,' quod she, ' in as mochel as apertieneth 
to that, sholden thanne thinges that 
comen of free wil ben constreined to bi- 

55 tyden by necessitee?' Boece. 'Nay,' 

quod I. 

' Thanne ayeinward,' quod slie, ' I sup- 
XJOse that ther be prescience, but that it 
ne putteth no necessitee to thinges ; 

(10 thanne trowe I, that thilke solve freedom 
of wil shal dwellen al hool and absolut 
and iinbounden. But thou wolt seyn 
that, al-be-it so that prescience nis nat 
cause of the necessitee of bitydinge to 

6ci thinges to comen, algates yit it is a signe 
that the thinges ben to bityden by 
necessitee. By this nianere thanne, al- 
thogh the iirescienco ne hadde never 
y-ben, yit algate or at the leeste loeye it 

■JO is certein thing, tliat the endes and 
bitydinges of thinges to comen sholden 
ben necossarie. For every signe sheweth 
and signifyeth only what the thing is, 
but it ne maketh nat the thing that it 

yS signifyeth. For w^hich it bihovoth first 
to shewen, that no-thing ne bitydeth 
that it ne bitydeth b3' necessitee, so that 
it may appore tliat the prescience is signe 
of this necessitee ; or elles, yif ther nere 

80 no necessitee, certes, thilke j)rescience 
ne mighte nat be signe of thing that nis 
nat. But certes, it is now certein that 
the proeve of this, y-sustened by stidefast 
resoun, ne shal nat ben lad ne proeved 

85 by signes ne by arguments y-taken fro 
^vith-oute, but by causes covenable and 
neoessarie. But tlwn wayd scyn, how 



may it be that the thinges ne bityden 
nat that ben y-pnrveyed to comen ? But, 
certes, riglit as wo trowen that tho 90 
thinges which that the j)urviance wot 
biforn to comen ne ben nat to bityden ; 
but that ne sholden we nat demen ; but 
rather, al-thogh that they shal bityden, 
yit ne have they no necessitee of hir 95 
kind© to bityden. And this maystow 
lightly aperceiven by this that I shal 
seyn. For we seen many thinges whan 
thej' ben don biforn oure eyen, right as 
men seen the carter© worken in the uyo 
torninge or atempringe or adressinge of 
hise cartes or charietes. And by this 
manere {as who seith, maystotv tmderstonde) 
of alle othore workmen. Is ther thanne 
any necessitee, as who seith, in oure 105 
lolcinge, that constroineth or compelleth 
any of thilke thinges to ben don so ? ' 
Boece. ' Nay,' quod I ; ' for in ydel and 
in veyn were al the eifect of craft, j'if 
that alle thinges weren mooved by con- no 
streininge ; ' that is to seyn, by constreininge 
of oure eyen or of oure sight. 

' The thinges thanne,' quod she, ' that, 
whan men doon hem, ne han no neces- 
sitee that mon doon hem, eek tho same 115 
thinges, first or they b©n doon, they ben 
to comen with-oute necessitee. For-why 
ther ben somme thinges to bityden, of 
which the ondes and the bitydinges of 
hem ben absoliit and quit of alle neces- 120 
sitee. For certes, I ne trowe nat that 
any man wold© seyn this : that tho 
thinges that men doon now, that they 
no v/eren to bityden first or thej' weren 
y-doon ; and thilke same thinges, al- 125 
thogh that men had y-wist hem biforn, 
yit they han free bitydinges. For right 
as science of thinges jiresent no bringeth 
in no necessitee to thinges that nion 
doon, right so tho prescience of thinges jy> 
to comen ne bringeth in no necessitee to 
thinges to bityden. But thoii mayst seyn, 
that of thillve same it is y-douted, as 
whether that of thilke thinges that ne 
han non issues and bitydinges necessaries, i ^5 
yif ther-of may ben any prescience ; for 
certes, they semen to discorden. For 
thou wenest that, yif that thinges ben 



(god^im. (^ooft V: (proee iv. 



199 



y-seyn bifom, that necessitee folwetli 

140 hem ; and yif necessitee faileth hem, 
they ne mighten nat ben wist biforn, 
and that no-thing ne may ben compre- 
hended by science bnt certein ; and yif 
tho thinges that ne ban no certein bi- 

145 tydinges ben purveyed as certein, it 
sholde ben dii'knesse of opinioun, nat 
soothfastnesse of science. And thoti 
wenest that it be diverse fro the hool- 
nesse of science that any niiin sholde 

150 demo a thing to ben other-vs^eys thanne 
it is it-self. And the cause of this erroure 
is, that of alle the thinges tliat every 
wight hath y-knowe, they wenen that 
tho thinges been y-knowe al-oonly by the 

155 strengthe and by the natiire of the 
thinges tliat ben y-wist or y-knowe ; and 
it is al the contrarie. Por al that ever 
is y-knowe, it is rather comprehended 
and knowen, nat after his strengthe and 

160 his nature, but after the facultee, that 
is to seyn, the power and the nature, of hem 
that knowen. And, for that this thing 
shal mowen shewen byashortensaumple : 
the same roundnesse of a body, other- 

165 weys the sighte of the eye knoweth it, 
and other-weyes tho touchinge. The 
lokinge, by castinge of his hemes, waiteth 
and seeth from al'er al the body to-gidere, 
with-oute moevinge of it-self ; but the 

i;o touchinge clyveth and conjoineth to the 
rounde body, and moeveth aboute the 
environinge, and comprehendeth by 
parties the roundnesse. And the man 
him-self, other-weys wit biholdeth him, 

175 and other-weys imaginacioun, and other- 
weys resoun, and other-weys intelligence. 
For the wit comprehendeth withoute- 
forth the figure of the body of the man 
that is establissed in the matere si\bject ; 

i8t) Vrtit the imaginacioun comprehendeth 
only the figure withoute the matere. 
Kesoun surmounteth imaginacioun, and 
comprehendeth by universal lokinge the 
comune spece that is in the singrilcr 

185 peces. But the eye of intelligence is 
heyere ; for it surmounteth the environ- 
inge of the universitee, and lookoth, over 
that, by pure svibtilitee of thoght, thilke 
same simple forme of man that is per- 



diirdbly in the diryne thoght. In whiche 
this onghte greetly to ben considered, 
that the heyeste strengthe to compre- 
henden thinges enbraseth and contienetli 
the lowere strengthe ; but the lowere 
strengthe ne aryseth nat in no manere 
to heyere strengthe. For wit ne may 
no-thing comj)rehende out of matere, ne 
the imaginacioun ne lokoth nat the \\r\\- 
versels speces, ne resoun taketh nat the 
simple forme so as intelligence taketh it ; 
but intelligence, that looketh al aboven, 
whan it hath comprehended the forme, 
it knoweth and demeth alle the thinges 
that ben under that forme. But she 
knoiceth hem in thilke manere in the 
whiche it comprehendeth thilke same 
simple forme that ne may never ben 
knowen to none of that other ; that is to 
seyn, to none of tho three forseide thinges 
of the snu-le. For it knoweth the univer- 
sitee of resoun, and the figure of the 
imaginacioiin, and the sensible material 
conceived by wit ; ne it ne nseth nat nor 
of resotin ne of imaginacioun ne of wit 
withoute-forth ; but it biholdeth alle 
thinges, so as I shal seye, by a strok of 
thought formely, icithoide discours or col- 
lacioun. Certes resoun, whan it looketh 
any-thing universel, it no nseth nat of 
imaginacioun, nor of witte, and algates 
yit it comprehendeth the thinges imagin- 
able and sensible ; for resoun is she that 
diffinisseth the universel of hir conseyte 
right thus : — man is a resonable two- 
foted beest. And how so that this 
knowinge is universel, yet nis ther no 
wight that ne woot wel that a man is 
a thing imaginable and sensible ; and 
this same considereth wel resoun ; but 
that nis nat by imaginacioun nor by wdt, 
but it looketh it by a resonable concep- 
cioun. Also imaginacioun, al-be-it so that 
it taketh of wit the beginninges to seen 
and to formen the figures, algates, al- 
thogh that wit ne were nat present, yit 
it environeth and comprehendeth alle 
thinges sensible ; nat by resoun sensible 
of deminge, but by resoun imaginatif. 
Seestow nat thaiuie that alle the thinges, 
in knowinge, usen more of hir facultee 



190 



19s 



215 



(gott^iue. (^ooR V: (mefre iv. 



or of hir power than they doon of the 
facultee or 2)ower of tliinges that ben y- 
knowe ? Ne that nis nat wrong ; for so 
as every jngenient is the dede or doinge 
245 of him that demeth, it bihoveth that 
every wight performe the werk and his 
entencionn, nat of foreine power, but of 
his propre power. 



Metre IV. Quondam poHicus attulit. 

The Porche, that is to seyn, a gate of 
the town of Athenes ther-as philosophres 
hadden hir congregacioun to desjtuten, 
thilke Porche broughte som-tyme olde 

5 men, ful derke in hir sentences, that 
is to seyn, philosophres that highten 
Stoiciens, that wenden tliat images and 
sensibilitees, that is to seyn, sensible imagin- 
acioiins, or elles imagiyiaciouns of sensible 

10 thinges, "weren empreinted in-to sowles 
fro bodies withoute-forth ; as who seith, 
that thilke Stoiciens loenden that the soivle 
hadde ben naked of it-self , as a mirour or 
a dene parchemin, so that alle figures 

15 mosten first comenfro thinges fro loithoute- 
forth in-to soivles, and ben empreinted in-to 
sowles : Text : right as we ben wont som- 
tyme, by a swifte pointel, to ficchen 
lettres empreinted in the smothenesse or 

20 in the pleinnesse of the table of wex or 
in parchemin that ne hath no figure ne 
note in it. Close. But noiv argueth 
Boece ayeins that opinioiin, and seith thus : 
But yif the thryvinge sowle ne xin- 

2S pleyteth no-thing, that is to seyn, ne doth 
no-thin/), by his propre moevinges, but 
suffreth and lyth subgit to tho figures 
and to tho notes of bodies withoute-forth, 
and yildeth images ydel and veyn in the 

30 manere of a mirour, whennes thrj^eth 
thanne or whennes comth thilke know- 
inge in our sowle, that discerneth and 
biholdeth alle thinges ? And whennes is 
thilke strengthe that biholdeth the singu- 

35 ler thinges ; or whennes is the strengthe 
that devydeth thinges y-knowe ; and 
thilke strengthe that gadereth to-gidere 
the thinges devyded ; and the strengthe 
that cheseth his entrechaunged wey ? 



For som-tyme it heveth up the heved, 40 
that is to seyn, that it heveth up the enten- 
cioun to right heye thinges ; and som-tyme 
it descendeth in-to right lowe thinges. 
And whan it retorneth in-to him-self, 
it reproeveth and destroyeth the false 45 
thinges by the trewe thinges. Certes, 
this strengthe is cause more efficient, 
and mochel more mighty to seen and to 
knowe thinges, than thilke cause that 
suffreth and receiveth the notes and the 5^ 
figiires impressed in maner of matere. 
Algates the xitissioun, that is to seyn, the 
suffraunce or the wit, in the quike body, 
goth biforn, excitinge and moevinge the 
strengthes of the thought. Right so as 55 
whan that cleernesse smyteth the eyen 
and moeveth hem to seen, or right so as 
vols or soun hurteleth to the eres and 
commoeveth hem to herkne, than is the 
strengthe of the thought y-nioeved and 60 
excited, and clepeth forth, to semblable 
moevinges, the speces that it halt witli- 
inne it-self ; and addeth tho speces to 
the notes and to the thinges withotite- 
forth, and medleth the images of thinges 65 
withoute-forth to tho formes y-hidde 
with-inne him-self. 



Prose V. Quod si in corporibus sentiendis. 

But what yif that in bodies to ben 
feled, that is to seyn, in the takinge of 
knowelechinge of bodily thinges, and al-be- 
it so that the qualitees of bodies, that 
ben oly'ecte fro withoute-forth, moeven 5 
and entalenten the instruments of the 
wittes ; and al-be-it so that the iiassioun 
of the body, that is to seyn, the wit or the 
suffraunce, goth to-forn the strengthe of 
the workinge corage, the which passioun 10 
or suffraunce clepeth forth the dede of 
the tlioght in him-self, and moeveth and 
exciteth in this mene whyle the formes 
that resten withinne-forth ; and yif that, 
in sensible bodies, as I have seyd, our 15 
corage nis nat y-taught or empreinted 
by passioun to knowe thise thinges, but 
demeth and knoweth, of his owne 
strengthe, the passioun or suffraiince 



(^oef0tu0. (goo6 V: (pvoee v. 



20 subject to the body : moclie more thanne 
tlio tliinges that ben absohit and quite 
iro alle talents or afFecciouns of bodies, 
as god or Ms aumjeles, ne t'olwen nat in 
diseerninge thinges object fro withoute- 

25 forth, but they accomplisshen and speden 
the dede of hir thoght. By this resoun 
thanne ther conien many maner know- 
inges to dyverse and diiferinge sub- 
staunces. For the wit of the body, the 

30 whiche wit is naked and despoiled of 
alle other linowinges, thilke wit comth 
to beestes that ne mowen nat moeven 
hem-self her and ther, as oystres and 
vmsculcs, and other swiche shelle-fish of 

35 the see, that clyven and ben norisshed 
to roclies. But the imaginacioun comtli 
to remuable beestes, that semen to ban 
talent to fleen or to desiren any thing. 
Biit resoun is al-only to the linage of 

40 mankinde, right as intelligence is only 
[to] the de^'yne nature : of which it fol- 
weth, that thilke knowinge is more worth 
than thise othre, sin it knoweth by his 
propre nature nat only his subject, as 

45 who seith, it ne hnoiceth nat al-only that 
apertieneth properly to his knowinge, but 
it knoweth the su.bjects of alle other 
knowinges. But how shal it thanne be, 
yif that wit and imaginacioun stryven 

50 ayein resoninge, and sej'n, that of thilke 
universel thing that resoun weneth to 
seen, that it uis right naught ? For wit 
and imaginacioun scyn that that, that is 
sensible or imaginable, it ne may nat be 

55 universel. Thanne is either the juge- 
ment of resoun sooth, ne that ther nis 
nothing sensible ; or elles, for that resoun 
wot wel that many thinges ben subject 
to wit and to imaginacioun, thanne is 

60 the concepcioun of resoun veyn and false, 
which that loketh and comprehendeth 
that that is sensible and singuler as 
universel. And yif that resoun wolde 
answeren ayein to thise two, that is to 

65 seyn, to witte and to imaginacioun, and 
seyn, that soothly she hir-self, that is to 
seyn, resoun, loketh and comprehendeth, 
by resoiin of universalitee, bothe that 
that is sensible and that that is imagin- 

70 able ; and that tliillie two, that is to seyn. 

H 



xcit and imaginacioun, ne mowen nat 
strecchen ne enhansen hem-self to the 
knowinge of tiniversalitee, for that the 
knowinge of hem ne niay exceden ne 
surmounte the bodily figures : certes, of 75 
the knowinge of thinges, men oughten 
rather yeven credence to the more stede- 
fast and to the more parfit ji^gement. 
In this maner stryvinge thanne, we 
that han strengthe of resoninge and of 80 
imagininge and of wit, that is to seyn, 
by resoun and by imaginacioun and by wit, 
we sholde rather preyse the cause of 
resoun ; as who seith, than the cause of 
■wit and of imaginacioun. 85 

Semblable thing is it, that the resoun 
of mankinde ne weneth nat that the 
devyne intelligence bi-holdeth or know- 
eth thinges to comen, but right as the 
resoun of mankinde knoAveth hem. For 90 
thou argxiest and seyst thus : that yif 
it ne seme nat to men that some thinges 
han certein and necessarie bitydinges, 
they ne mowen nat ben wist biforn cer- 
teinly to bityden. And thanne nis ther 95 
no prescience of thilke thinges ; and yif 
we trowe that prescience be in thise 
thinges, thanne is ther no-thing that it 
ne bitydetli by necessitee. But certes, 
yif we mighten han the jugement of the 100 
de\'yne thoght, as we ben parsoneres of 
resoun, right so as we han denied that 
it behoveth that imaginaciou^n and wit 
bo binethe resoun, right so wolde we 
demen that it were rightful thing, that 105 
mannes resovm oughte to submitten it- 
self and to ben binethe the divyne 
thoght. For which, yif that we mowen, 
as who seith, that, yif that tve mowen, 
I counseyle, that we enhanse us in-to the i it' 
heighte of thilke sovereyn intelligence ; 
for ther shal resovin wel seen that, that 
it ne may nat biholden in it-self. And 
certes that is this, in what maner the 
prescience of god seeth alle thinges car- 115 
teins and diffinisshed, al-thogh they ne 
han no certein issues or bitydinges ; ne 
this is non opinioun, but it is rather the 
simplicitee of the sovereyn science, that 
nis nat enclosed nor y-shet within none 120 
boundes. 

3 



(goet^tue. (gooft V: QUdre v. 



Metre V. Quam uariis terris animalia 
permeant figuris. 

The beestes passen by the erthes by ful 
diverse figures. For som of hem ban hir 
bodies straught and crepen in the dust, 
and drawen after hem a tras or a foruh 
5 y-continued ; that is to seyn, as nadres or 
snakes. And other beestes, by the wan- 
dringe lightnesse of hir winges, beten the 
windes, and over-swimmen the spaces of 
the longe eyr by moist fleeinge. And other 

:o beestes gladeu hem-self to diggen hir tras 
or hir steppes in the erthe with hir goings 
or with hir feet, and to goon either by 
the grene feldes, or elles to walken tinder 
the wodes. And al-be-it so that thou 

15 seest that they alle discorden by diverse 
formes, algates hir faces, enclined, hevieth 
hir dulle wittes. Only the linage of man 
heveth heyeste his heye heved, and 
stondeth light with his up-right body, 

20 and biholdeth the erthes under him. 
And, but-yif thou, erthely man, wexest 
yvel out of thy wit, this figure amonesteth 
thee, that axest the hevene with thy 
righte visage, and hast areysed thy fore- 

25 heved, to beren up a-heigh thy corage ; 
so that thy thoght ne be nat y-hevied ne 
put lowe under fbte, sin that thy body is 
so heye areysed. 

Prose VI. Quoniam igitur, uti patillo 
ante. 

Therfor thanne, as I have shewed a 
litel her-biforn, that al thing that is 
y-wist nis nat knowen by his natvire 
propre, but by the nature of hem that 
5 comprehenden it, lat us loke now, in as 
mochel as it is leveful to us, as who seith, 
lat us loke now as we mowen, which that 
the estat is of the devyne substaunce ; so 
that we mowen eek knowen what his 

10 science is. The commune jugement of 
alle creatures resonables thanne is this : 
that god is eterne. Lat us considere 
thanne what is eteruitee ; for certes that 
shal shewen us to-gidere the devyne 

15 nature and the devyne science. Eter- 
nitee, thanne, is parfit possessiounandal- 



togidere of lyf interminable ; and that 
sheweth more cleerly by the comparisoun 
or the coUacioun of temporel thinges. 
For al thing that liveth in tyme it is 
present, and procedeth fro preterits in-to 20 
futures, that is to seyn, fro tyme passed 
in-to tyme cominye ; ne ther nis no-thing 
establisshed in tyme that may enibracen 
to-gider al the space of his lyf. For 
certes, yit ne hath it taken the tyme of 25 
to-morwe, and it hath lost the tyme of 
yisterday. And certes, in the lyf of this 
day, ye ne liven no more but right as in 
the moevable and transitorie moment. 
Thanne tliilke thing that suffreth tern- 30 
porel condicioun, al-thogh that it never 
bigan to be, ne thogh it never cese for to 
be, as Aristotle denied of the world, and 
al-thogh that the lyf of it be strecched 
with infinitee of tyme, yit algates nis 35 
it no swich thing that men migliten 
trowen by right that it is eterne. For 
al-thogh that it comprehende and em- 
brace the space of lyf infinit, yit algates 
ne embraceth it nat the space of the lyf 4^' 
al-togider ; for it ne hath nat the futures 
that ne ben nat yit, ne it ne Imth no lenger 
the preterits that ben y-doon or y-passed. 
But thilke thing thanne, that hath and 
comprehendeth to-gider al the plentee of 45 
the lyf interminable, to whom ther ne 
faileth naught of the future, and to whom 
ther nis naught of the preterit escaped 
nor y-passed, thilke same is y-witnessed 
and y-proeved by right to be eterne And =,0 
it bihoveth by necessitee that thilke 
thing be al-wey present to him-self, and 
compotent ; as ivho seith, al-wey present to 
him-self, and so mighty that al he right at 
his plesaunce ; and that he have al present 55 
the infinitee of the moevable tyme 
Wher-for som men trowen wrongfully 
that, whan they heren that it semede to 
Plato that this world ne hadde never 
beginninge of tyme, ne that it never 6c 
shal han failinge, they wenen in this 
maner that this world be maked coeterne 
with his maker ; as icho seith, they ivene 
that this world and god ben maked, togider 
eterne, and that is a wrongful weninge. 65 
For other thing is it to ben y-lad by lyf 



(^Qtt^\U0. (^OOft V: 0VOH VI. 



203 



interminable, as Plato graunted to the 
world, and other thing is it to embrace 
to-gider al the present of the lyf inter- 

70 minable, the whiche thing it is cleer and 
manifest that it is propre to the devyne 
thoght. 

Ne it ne sholde nat semen tons, that god 
is elder thanne thinges that ben y-maked 

75 ^y qnantitee of tyme, but rather by the 
propretee of his simple nature. For this 
ilke infinit moevinge of temporel thinges 
folweth this presentarie estat of lyf un- 
moevable ; and so as it ne may nat 

80 conntrefeten it ne feynen it ne be even- 
Ij'ke to it for the inmoevabletee, that is to 
seyn, that is in the eternitee of god, it 
faileth and falleth in-to moevinge fro the 
simplicitee of the presence of god, and 

85 disencreseth in-to the infinit quantitee of 
future and of preterit : and so as it ne 
may nat han to-gider al the plentee of 
the lyf, algates yit, for as moche as it ne 
ceseth never for to ben in som maner, it 

90 semeth som-del to us, that it folweth and 
resenibleth thilke thing that it ne may 
nat atayne to ne fulfiUen, and bindeth 
it-self to som maner presence of this litel 
and swifte moment : the which presence 

95 of this lifi'l and swifte moment, for that it 
bereth a nianer image or lyknesse of the 
ay-dwellinge presence of god, it graunt- 
eth, to swiclie maner thinges as itbitydeth 
to, that it semeth hem as thise thinges 
100 han y-ben, and ben. 

And, for that the presence of sicich litel 
moment ne may nat dwelle, ther-for it 
ravisshed and took the infinit wey of 
tyme, that is to seyn, by successioun ; and 
105 by this maner is it y-doon, for that it 
sholde continue the lyf in goinge, of the 
whiche lyf it ne mighte nat enbrace the 
plentee in dwelHnge. And for-thy, yif 
we woUen j)i^tten worthy names to 
no thinges, and folwen Plato, lat us seye 
thanne soothly, that god is eterne, and 
the world is perpetuel. Thanne, sin that 
everyjugementknowethandcomprehend- 
eth by his owne nature thinges that ben 

115 subject un-to him, ther is soothly to god, 
al-wej's, an eterne and presentarie estat ; 
and the science of him, that over-passeth 

H 



al temporel moevement, dwelleth in the 
simjilicitee of his presence, and embraceth 
and considereth alle the infinit spaces of 120 
tymes, preterits and futures, and loketh, 
in his simple knowinge, alle thinges of 
preterit right as they weren y-doon pre- 
sently right now. Yif thou wolt thanne 
thenken and avyse the prescience, by 1^5 
which it knoweth alle thinges, thou ne 
shal nat demen it as prescience of thinges 
to comen, but thou shalt demen it more 
rightfully that it is science of presence or 
of instaunce, that never ne faileth. For 130 
which it nis nat y-cleped " previdence," 
but it sholde rather ben cleped " pur- 
viaunce," that is establisshed ful fer fro 
right lowe thinges, and biholdeth from 
a-fer alle thinges, right as it were fro the i.^5 
heye heighte of thinges. Wliy axestow 
thanne, or why desputestow thanne, that 
thilke thinges ben doon by necessitee 
whiche that ben y-seyn and knowen by 
the devyne sighte, sin that, forsothe, men 140 
ne maken nat thilke thinges necessarie 
which that they seen ben y-doon in hir 
sighte ? For addeth thy biholdinge any 
necessitee to thilke thinges that thou 
biholdest presente ? ' ' Nay,' quod I. i45 

Philosophie. ' Certes, thanne, if men 
mighte maken any digne comj)arisorin or 
collacioun of the presence devyne and of 
the presence of mankinde, right so as ye 
seen some thinges in this temporel pre- 150 
sent, right so seeth god alle thinges by 
his eterne present. Wher-fore this de- 
vyne prescience ne chaungeth nat the 
nature ne the pro]3retee of thinges, but 
biholdeth swiche thinges present to him- 155 
ward as they shuUen bityde to yow-ward 
in tyme to comen. Ne it confoundeth 
nat the jiigement of thinges ; but by o 
sighte of his thought, he knoweth the 
thinges to comen, as wel necessarie as nat 160 
necessarie. Right so as whan ye seen 
to-gider a man walken on the erthe and 
the Sonne arysen in the hevene, al-be-it so 
that ye seen and biholden that oon and 
that other to-gider, yit natheles ye demen 165 
and diseernen that that oon is voluntarie 
and that other necessarie. Eight so 
thanne the devyne lookinge, biholdinge 

5 



;o4 



(goei6tu0. (gooft V: {pvoet VI. 



alle thinges tinder him, ne tronbletli nat 

i7i> the qiialitee of thinges that ben certeinly 
present to him-ward ; but, as to the con- 
dicioun of tynae, forsothe, they ben 
future. For which it folweth, that this 
nis noon opinioun, but ratlier a stedefast 

175 knowinge, y-strengthed by soothnesse, 
that, whanne that god knoweth anything 
to be, he ne tinwot nat that thilke thing 
wanteth necessitee to be ; this is to seyn, 
that, whan that god Inoiceth any thim; to 

I So bityde, he wot icel that it ne hath no neces- 
sitee to bityde. And yif tliou seyst lieer, 
that thilke thing that god seeth to 
bityde, it ne may nat unbityde {as icho 
seith, it mot bityde), and thillie thing that 

185 ne may nat imbityde it mot bityde by 
necessitee, and tliat thou streyne me by 
tliis name of necessitee : certes, I wol wel 
confessen and biknowe a tiling of ful sad 
trouthe, but unnetho shal ther any wight 

190 mowe see7i it or come ther-to, but-yif that 
he be biholder of the de\-yne thoglit. For 
I wol answeren thee thus : that thilke 
thing that is future, whan it is referred 
to the devyne knowinge, thanne is it 

195 necessarie ; but certes, whan it is under- 
stonden in his owne kinde, men seen 
it is outrely free, and absolut fro alle 
necessitee. 

For certes, ther ben two maneres of 

21K) necessitee. That oon necessitee is simple, 
as thus : that it bihoveth by necessitee, 
that alle men be mortal or deedly. 
Another necessitee is oonditionel, as thus : 
yif thou wost that a man walketh, it 

205 bihoveth by necessitee that he walke. 
Thilke thing thanne that any wight hath 
y-kni)we to be, it ne may ben non other 
vveyes thanne he knoweth it to be. But 
this condicioun ne draweth nat with hir 

210 thilke necessitee simple. For certes, this 
necessitee conditionel, the jjropre nature 
of it ne maketh it nat, but the adjeccioun 
of the condicioun maketh it. For no ne- 
cessitee ne coustreyiieth a man to gon, 

215 that goth bj' his propre wil; al-be-it so 
that, whan he goth, that it is necessarie 
that he goth. Eight on this same maner 
thanne, yif tliat the purviaimce of god 
seeth any thing present, thaai mot thilke 



thing ben by necessitee, al-thogh that it 
ne have no necessitee of his owne nature. 
But certes, the futures that bityden by free- 
dom of arbitre, god seeth hem alle to-gider 
present. Thise thinges thanne, yif they 
ben referred to the devyne sighte, thanne 
ben they maked necessarie by the con- 
dicioun of the devyne knowinge. But 
certes, yif thilke thinges be considered by 
hem-self, they ben absolut of necessitee, 
and ne forleten nat ne cesen nat of the 
libertee of hir owne nature. Thanne, 
certes, with-oute doute, alle the thinges 
shollen ben doon which that god wot 
biforn that they ben to conien. But soni 
of hem comen and bityden of free arbitre 
or of free wille, that, al-be-it so that they 
bityden, yit algates ne lese they nat hir 
propre natiu-e in beinge ; by the which 
first, or that they weren y-doon, they 
hadden power nat to han bitid.' Boece. 
'What is this to seyn thanne,' quod I, 
' that thinges ne ben nat necessarie by hir 
propre nature, so as they comen in alle 
maneres in the lyknesse of necessitee by 
the condicioun of the devyne science ? ' 

' This is the difference,' quod she ; ' that 
tho thinges that I purposede thee a litel 
heer-biforn, that is to seyn, the sonne 
arysinge and the man walkinge, that, 
ther-whyles that thilke thinges been y- 
doon, they ne mighte nat ben undoon ; 
natheles, that oon of hem, or it was 
y-doon, it bihoved by necessitee that it 
was y-doon, but nat that other. Right so 
is it here, that the thinges that god hath 
present, with-oute doute they shollen 
been. But som of hem descendeth of tho 
natiire of thinges, as the sonne arysinge ; 
and som descendeth of the power of the 
doeres, as the man icalkinge. Thanne 
seide I no wrong, that yif these thinges 
ben referred to the devyne knowinge, 
thanne ben they necessarie ; and yif they 
ben considered by hem-self, thanne ben 
they absolut fro the bond of necessitee. 
Eight so as alle thinges that apereth or 
sheweth to the wittes, yif thou referre it 
to resoun, it is universel ; and yif thou 
referre it or loke it to it-self, than is it 
singuler. But now, yif thou seyst thus, 



235 



265 



270 



(gott^im. (^ooft V: (ptoee vi. 



205 



that yif it be in my power to chaunge my 
pnrpos, than shal I voide the purviaunce 
(</' (/od, whan that, peraventiire, I shal 
lian chaunged the thinges that he know- 
eth biforn, thanne shal I answere thee 
thus. Certes, thou niayst wel chaunge 
thy purpos ; but, for as mochel as the 
l)resent soothnesse of the dev3Tie pur- 
viaunce Ijiholdeth that thou mayst 

1 chaunge thy purpos, and whether thoii 
wolt cliaungo it or no, and whiderward 
t}iat thou torne it, thou ne mayst nat 
eschuen the devyne prescience ; right as 
thou ne raaj'st nat fleen the sighte of the 
presente eye, al-though that thou torne 
thy-self by thy free wil in-to dyverse 
acciouns. Bitt thou mayst seyn ayein : 
" How shal it thanne be ? Shal nat the 
devyne science be chaunged by my dis- 

1 posicioun, whan that I wol o thing no^v, 
and now another ? And thilke prescience, 
ne semeth it nat to entrechaunge stoundes 
of knowinge ; " ' as who seith. ne shal it nat 
seine to us, that the devyne prescience entrc- 
chaunr/eth hise dyverse stoundes of know- 
inge, so that it Icnowc sum-tyme thinij and 
sum-tyme the contrarie of that thine/ ? 
' No, forsothe,' quod I. 

rhilosophie. ' For the devyne sighte 
renneth to-forn and seeth alle futures, 
and clepeth hem ayein, and retorneth 
hem to the ijresence of his propre know- 
inge ; ne he ne ontrechaungeth nat, so as 
thou wenest, the stoundes of forknow- 
inge, as now this, now that ; but he ay- 
dwellhige eonith biforn, and embraceth 
at o strook alle thy mutaciouns. And this 
l)resence to comi^rehenden and to seen 
alle thinges, god ne hath nat taken it of 
the biiydinge of thinges to come, but of his 



propre simplicitee. And her-hy is assoiled 
thilke thing that thou puttest a litel 
her-biforn, that is to seyn, that it is un- 
worthy thing to seyn, that our futures 
yeven cause of the science of god. For 315 
certes, this strengthe of the devyne 
science, which that embraceth alle 
thinges by his presentarie knowinge, 
establissheth maner to alle thinges, and 
it ne oweth naught to latter thinges ; and 3^0 
sin that these thinges ben thus, that is to 
seyn, sin that necessitee nis nat in thinges by 
the devyne jjrescience, than is ther freedom 
of arbitre, that dwelleth hool and un- 
wemmed to mortal men. Ne the lawes ne 325 
purposen nat wikkedly inedes and peynes 
to the wUlinges of men that ben un- 
bounden and quite of alle necessitee. And 
god, biholder and for-witer of alle thinges, 
dwelleth above ; and the present eternitee 330 
of his sighte renneth alwey with the 
dyverse qtialitee of oure dedes, dispens- 
inge and ordeyninge mcdes to goode men, 
and torments to wikked men. Ne in ydel 
ne in veyn ne ben ther nat put in god ?,^S 
hope and prej'eres, that ne mowen nat 
ben iinspeedful ne with-oute effect, whan 
they ben rightful. Withstond thanne 
and eschue thou vyces ; worshipe and love 
thou virtiies ; areys thy corage to right- 340 
ful hopes ; yilde thou hunible ]3reyeres 
a-heigh. Gret necessitee of prowesse 
and vertu is encharged and commaunded 
to yow, yif ye nil nat dissimulen ; sin 
that ye worken and doon, that is to seyn, 345 
your dedrs or your tvorkes, biforn the eyen 
of the juge that seeth and demcth alle 
thinges.' To u-hom he glorye and worshipe 
by infinit tymes. Amen. 



TROILUS AND CRISEYDE. 



BOOK I. 



1. The double sorwo of Troilus to tellcn, 
That was tho king Priamus sono ol' 

Troyo, 
In I((viiiy;i', how liis avontliros follou 
Fro wo to wolo, and after out of joyo, 
My purpos is, or that 1 parte fro ye. 5 
Tliesiphono, thou liolp nio for t'ondyto 
Thise vvol'nl vers, that wopon as I wryto ! 

'2. T<) tlioo c-lopo I, tliou goddosso of tor- 

niont, 
Thou cruel Furio, sorwing over in i)eyno ; 
Help mo, that am tho sorwful instrument 
That holpetli lovei-s, as I can, to ployiio ! 
For wel sit it, tho sothe for to soyne, tj 
A woful wight to ban a drery fere, 
And, to a sorvvl'ul tale, a sory chore. 

B. For I, that god of IjOvos servaunts serve, 
No dar to Love, for niyn unlyklinosso, 16 
Preyon for speed, al sholdo I therl'or 

storve. 
So for am I fro his help in di'ilvucsso ; 
But nathelees, if this may doou ghidnesso 
To any lover, and liia cause avayhi, 20 
Have he my thank, and myn l>o this tra- 

vayle ! 

4. Hut ye h)vores. Unit hatlicn in ghid- 
nesso, 
Tf any drope of jiitoe in yow he, 
liemenibrctli yow on ]>assiHi lievinesse 
Tliat yo han felt, and on tlie adversitee 25 
Of othoro folk, anil thenketh how tliat ye 
Han felt that Tjovo dorste .'n-ow disph^se ; 
Or ye han wonno him with to fjioit an e.se. 



5. And preyoth for horn that hen in the cas 
Of Troilus, as yo may after lioro, 30 

That li>vo liem hringo in hovene to solas. 
And eok for me preyeth to god so dere, 
Tliat 1 have might to shewe, in som 

manore, 
Swich peyiui and wo as Loves folk enihire, 
In Troilus unsoly aventure. ,^5 

G. Anil hiddeth cek for hem that been 

despeyriHl 
m love, that never nil recovered be. 
And eok i'or bom that falsly been apeyred 
Thorugh wikked tonges, bo it he or she ; 
Thus hiddeth god, for his benignitoo, 40 
To graunto hem sono out of this world to 

l>ace. 
That boon dospeyred out oi' Loves grace. 

7. And hiddeth eek for bom that been at 

ese. 
That god hem graunto ay good persovo- 

raunce, 
And sonde hem might Iiir ladies so to 

plese, 45 

That it to Love bo worship and idesaunce. 
F(n- so hope I my soule best avaunco, 
To proye for hem that Loves servaunts bo. 
And wrj-to liir wo, and live in charitoo. 

8. And tor to have of hem compassioun 50 
As though I were hir oweno brother dere. 
Now herkoneth with a gode entencioun. 
For now wol T gon streight to my matere, 
In whiche ve mav the douhlo sorwes hero 



( 



Book I] 



^rotfue anl Cvict^U. 



207 



Of Trollns, in loving of Criseydo, 55 

And liow that she forsook him er she 
deydo. 

9. It is wol wist, liow that the Grokos 

strongo 
In armes witli a thousand shippos wento 
To Troyc-wardos, and the citco longo 
Assogoden noighton yoororthoystento, 60 
And, in diverse wyso and oon entente, 
Tho ravisshing to wreken of Eleyne, 
By Paris doon, they wroiighton al hir 

peyne. 

10. Now fil it so, that in tho tonn thei' was 
DwoUingo a lord of greet au(^torit<Mi, 65 
A grcit dovyn that cleped was Calkas, 
That in scicnoo so expert was, that ho 
Know wel that Troye sholde lUistroyed he. 
By answero of his god, that highto thus, 
Daun Phebus or Apollo Delphicus, 70 

11. So whan this Calkas knew hy caleu- 

linge. 
And eok hy answero of this Appollo, 
TliatGrekes slioldcn swich apeple hringe, 
Thorugh which that Troyo niosto been 

for-do, 
Ho caste anoon out of tho toun to go ; 75 
For wel wisto he, by sort, that Troyo 

sholde 
Destroyed been, ye, wolde who-so noldo 

I'i. For which, for to dop.arton softely 
Took purpos fill this forknowingo wyso. 
And to the Orckes ost ful privoly 80 

Ho stal anoon ; and they, in curteys wyso. 
Him doden botho worship and servyse. 
In ti'iist that ho liath conning hem to redo 
In every peril which that is to drodo 

13. Tho noyso up roos, whan it was first 

aspyed, 85 

Thorugh al tho toun, and generally was 

spoken. 
That Calkas traytor fled was, and allycd 
With hern of CI roco ; and casten to hen 

wroken 
On him that falsly haddo his feith so 

broken ; 
And soyden, ho and al his kin at ones oo 
Bon worthy for to brennon, fol and bones. 



14. Now haddo Calkas loft, in this nics- 
chaunco, 

Al \inwist of this false and wikked dodo, 
His doughter, which that was in gret 

ponaunco, 
For of hir lyf .she was ful sore in drodo, 95 
As she that nisto what was best to redo ; 
For botho a widowo was she, and allone 
Of any freend, to whom sho dorsto hir 

mone. 

15. Crisoydo was this lady namo a-right ; 
As to my dome, in al Troycs citee 100 
Nas noon .so fair, for passing ovoiy wight 
So aungollyk was hir natyf beautee. 
That lyk a thing inmortal semcd sho, 
As doth an hcvonish parlit creature, 
That doun wore sent in scorning of 

nature. 105 

16. Tliis lady, which that al-day horde at 

ero 
Hir fadres shamo, his falsnosso and 

tresoun, 
Wel nigh out of hir wit for sorwo and fere, 
In widowcs habit largo of samit broun, 
On knees sho fil liiforn Ector a-doun ; 1 10 
With pitous voys, and tondrely wopinge, 
His niorcy bad, hir-solvon excusingo. 

17. Now was this Ector pitous of nature, 
And saw that sho was sorwl'ully bigoon, 
And that she was so liiir a creature ; 115 
Of his goodnesse ho gladcd hir anoon, 
And seydo, ' lat your fadres treson goon 
Forth with mischaunco, and ye your-self, 

in joyo, 
Dwelloth with us, whyl you good list, in 
Troyo. 

18. And al th'onour that men may doon 
yow have, 120 

As ferforth as your fader dwelled here, 
Ye shul han,and your body shal mon save, 
As fer as I may ought enquero or hero.' 
And .she him thonked with ful humblo 

chore, 
And oftor wohh^, and it haildo b(!U his 

wille, 125 

And took hir love, and boom, and held 

hir stillo. 



208 



Crotfu0 arib ^vxQt^H. 



[Book I. 



19. And in hir hous she abood with swich 

meynee 
As to hir honour nede was to holde ; 
And whyl she was dwellinge in that citee, 
Kepte hir estat, and bothe of yonge and 

olde 1 30 

Ful wel beloved, and wel men of liir tolde. 
But whether that she children hadde or 

noon, 
I rede it nought ; therfore I lete it goon. 

20. The thinges fellen, as they doon of 

werre, 
Bitwixen hem of Troye and Grclces 

ofte ; i.VS 

For som day boughten they of Troye it 

derre, 
And eft the Grekes founden no thing softe 
The folk of Troye ; and thus fortune on- 

lofte, 
And under eft, gan hem to wheelen bothe 
After hir cours, ay whyl they were wrothe. 

21. But how this toun coni to destruc- 

ciotin 141 

Ne falleth noiight to purpos me to telle ; 
For it -were here a long disgressioun 
Fro my matere, and yow to longe dwelle. 
But the Troyane gestes, as they felle, 145 
In Omer, or in Dares, or in Dyte, 
Who-so that can, may rede hem as they 

wrj^;e. 

22. But though that Grekes hem of Troye 

shetten. 
And hir citee bisegede al a-boute, 
Hir olde tisage w(jlde they not letten, 150 
As for to honoure hir goddes ful devoiite ; 
But aldermost in honour, out of doute. 
They hadde a relik liight PaUadion, 
That was hir trist a-boven everichon. 

23. And so bifel, whan comen was the 

tynie 15,5 

Of Aperil, whan clothed is the mode 
With newe grcne, of lusty Ver the pryme. 
And swote smellen flovires whyte and rede. 
In sondry wyses shewed, as I rede. 
The folk of Troye hir observaunces olde, 
Palladiones feste for to holde. 161 

24. And to the temple, in al hir beste wyse, 
In general, ther wente many a wight. 



To herknen of Palladion the servyse ; 
And namely, so many a lusty knight, 165 
So many a lady fresh and niayden bright, 
Ful wel arayed, bothe moste and leste. 
Ye, bothe for the seson and the feste. 

25. Among thise othere folk w-as Criseyda, 
In widewes habite blak ; but nathelees, 
Right as owT flrste lettre is now an A, 171 
In beautee first so stood she, makelees ; 
Hir godly looking gladedo al the prees. 
Nas never seyn thing to ben preysed derre, 
Nor under cloude blak so bright a sterre 

26. As was Criseyde, as folk seyde everich- 
oon 176 

That hir bihelden in hir blake wede ; 
And .vet she stood ful lowe and stille 

alloon, 
Bihinden othere folk, in litel brede. 
And neigh the dore, ay lander shames 

drede, iSo 

Simple of a-tyr, and debonaire of chere. 
With ful assured loking and manere. 

27. This Troilus, as he was wont to gyde 
His yonge knightes, ladde hem up and 

doun 
In thilke large temple on every syde, 185 
Biholding ay the ladyes of the tovm. 
Now here, now there, for no devocioun 
Hadde he to noon, to reven him his reste, 
But gan to preyse and lakken whom him 

leste. 

28. And in his walk ful fast he gan to 
way ten 190 

If knight or squyer of his companye 
Gan for to syke, or lete his eyen bayten 
On any woman that he coude aspye ; 
He wolde smyle, and holden it folye. 
And seye him thus, ' god wot, she slepeth 

softe 195 

For love of thee, whan thou tornest ful 

ofte ! 

29. ' I have herd told, pardieux, of your 
livinge. 

Ye lovers, and j-our lewcde observaunces, 

And which a labour folk ban in winninge 

Of love, and, in the keping, which dou- 

taunces ; 200 



Book I.] 



t^totPu0 an^ itvict^U. 



209 



And -whan your preye is lost, wo and 
pcnaunces ; 

verrey foles ! nyce and blinde be ye ; 
Ther nis not oon can war by t)ther be.' 

30. And with that word he gan cast np 
the browe, 

Ascaunces, ' lo ! is this nought wysly 
spoken ? ' 205 

At which the god of love gan loken rowe 

Riglit for despyt, and shoop for to ben 
wroken ; 

He kidde anoon his bowe nas not broken ; 

For sodeynly ho hit him at the fulle ; 

And yet as provid a pekok can he pulle. 210 

31. O blinde world, O blinde entencioun ! 
How ofte falleth al th'offect contraire 

Of .surquidrye and foul presumpciovin ; 
For caught is proud, and caught is de- 

bonairc. 
This Troilus is clomben on the staire, 215 
And litel weneth that he moot descenden. 
But al-day fayleth thing that foles 

wenden. 

32. As proude Baj'ard ginneth for to 

skippe 
Out of the wey, so priketh him his corn. 
Til he a lash have of the longe whippe, 2 jo 
Than thenketh he, ' though I ijraunce al 

biforn 
First in the trays, ful fat and newe shorn. 
Yet am I but an hors, and horses lawe 

1 moot endure, and with my feres drawe.' 

33. So ferde it by this fcrs and proude 
knight ; 225 

Though he a worthy kingos sone were. 
And wende no-thing hadde had swiclie 

might 
Aj'ens his wil that sholdo his herte stere. 
Yet with a look his herte wex a-fere. 
That he, that now was most in pryde 

above, 2^0 

Wex sodeynly most subget vin-to love. 

34. For-thy ensample taketh of this man. 
Ye wyse, proude, and worthy folkes alle, 
To scornen Love, which that so sone can 
The freedoni of your hertes to him thralle; 
For ever it was, and ever it shal bifalle. 



That Love is he that alle thing may 

binde ; 
For may no man for-do the lawe of kinde. 

35. That tliis bo sooth, hath preved and 
doth yit ; 2.^'> 

For this trowe I ye knowen, alle or some, 
Men reden not that folk ban gretter wit 
Than they that ban be most with love 

y-nome ; 
And strengest folk ben therwith overcome, 
The worthiest and grettest of degree ; 244 
This was, and is, and yet men shal it sec. 

36. And trewelich it sit wel to be so ; 
Foralderw5'sest han ther-with benpleseil ; 
And they that han ben aldcrmost in wo. 
With love han been conforted most and 

esed ; 249 

And ofte it hath the cruel herte apesed. 
And worthy folk maad worthier of name. 
And causeth most to dreden vyce and 

shame. 

37. Now sith it may not goodly be with- 

stonde. 
And is a thing so vertuous in kinde, 
Eefuseth not to Love for to be bonde, 255 
Sin, as him-selven list, he may yow binde. 
The yerde is bet that bowen wole and 

winde 
Than that that brest ; and therfor I yow 

rede 
To folwen him tiiat so wel can yow le<h'. 

38. But for to tellen forth in special 2(x) 
As of this kinges sone of which I toldo. 
And leten other thing collateral. 

Of hini thenke I my tale for to holde, 
Bothc of his joye, and of his cares colde ; 
And al his werk, as toucliing this materc, 
For I it gan, I wil ther-to refere. 200 

39. With-inne the temple he wente liim 
forth pleyinge. 

This Troilus, of every wight aboute. 
On this lady and now on tliat lokinge, 
Wher-so she were of toune, or of with- 

oiite : 270 

And up-on cas bifel, that thorugh a route 
His eye perced, and so depe it wente. 
Til on Criseyde it smoot, and ther it 

stente. 



^roifue anl itviet^U. 



[Book I. 



40. And sodeynly he wex ther-with 
astoned, 

And gan hire bet biholde in thrifty wyse : 
' O mercy, god ! ' thoughte he, ' wher 

hastow woned, 276 

That art so fair and goodly to devyse ? ' 
Ther-with his lierte gan to sprede and 

ryse. 
And softe sighed, lest men mighte him 

here, 
And caughte a-yein his firste pleyinge 

chere. 280 

41. She nas not with the leste of hir 
stature. 

But alle hir limes so wel answeringe 
Weren to womanhode, that creature 
M''as never lasse mannish in seminge. 284 
And eek the pure wyse of here meninge 
Shewede wel, that men might in hir gesse 
Honour, estat, and wommanly noblesse. 

42. To Troilus right wonder wel with-alle 
Gan for to lyke hir mening and hir 

chere. 
Which somdel deynous was, for she leet 

falle 290 

Hir look a lite a-side, in swich manere, 
Ascaunces, ' what ! may I not stonden 

here ?' 
And after that hir loking gan she lighte. 
That never thoiighte him seen so good 

a sighte. 

43. And of hir look in him ther gan to 

quiken 295 

So greet desir, and swich affeccioun. 
That in his hertes botme gan to stiken 
Of hir his fixe and depc impressioun : 
And thovigh he erst hadde poured up 

and doun, 299 

He was tho glad his homes in to shrinke ; 
Unnethes wiste he how to loke or winke. 

44. Lo, he that leet him-selven so kon- 
ninge, 

And scorned hem that loves peynes di"yen, 
Was ful unwar that love hadde his 

dwellinge 
With-inne the subtile stremes of hir yen ; 
That sodeynly him thoughte he felte 

dyen, 306 



Right with hir look, the sj)irit in his 

herte; 
Blessed be love, that thus can folk con- 

verte ! 

45. She, this in blak, lykinge to Troilus, 
Over alle thing he stood for to biholde ; 
Ne his desir, ne wherfor he stood thus. 
He neither chere made, ne worde tolde ; 
But froni a-fer, his maner for to holde. 
On other thinghis look som-tyme he caste, 
And eft on hir, whyl that servyse laste. 315 

46. And after this, not fulliche al a- 
whaped. 

Out of the temple al esiliche he wente, 
Eepentinge him that he hadde ever y- 

japed 
Of loves folk, lest fully the descente 
Of scorn fille on him-self ; but, what he 

mente, 320 

Lest it were wist on any maner syde. 
His wo he gan dissimiilen and hj-de. 

47. Wlian he was fro the temple thus 
departed, 

Hestreyghtanoonun-tohispaleystorneth, 
Right with hir look thurgh-shoten and 

thurgh-darted, 325 

Al feyneth he in lust that he sojorneth ; 
And al his chere and sjieche also he 

borneth ; 
And ay, of loves servants every whyle, 
Him-self to wrye, at hem he gan to smyle. 

48. And seyde, ' lord, so ye live al in lest. 
Ye loveres ! for the conningest of yow, 331 
That serveth most ententifiich and best, 
Him tit as often harm ther-of as prow ; 
Your hyre is quit ayein, ye, god wot how ! 
Nought wel for wel, but scorn for good 

servyse ; 335 

In feith, your ordre is ruled in good wyse ! 

49. In noun-certeyn ben alle your ob- 
servaunces. 

But it a scly fewe poyntes be ; 
Ne no-thing asketh so grete attendaunces 
As doth your lay, and that knowe alio ye ; 
But that is not the worste, as mote I thee ; 
But, tolde I yow the worste poynt, I leve, 
Al seyde I sooth, ye wolden at me greve ! 



Book I.] 



^roifue anb Crteepbe. 



50. But tak this, that ye loveres ofte 
eschuwe, 

Or elles doon of good entenciotia, 345 

Fill ofte thy lady wole it misconstrue, 
And deme it harm in hir opiniovin ; 
And yet if she, for other euchesoun, 
Be wrooth, than shalt thou han a groyn 

anoon : 
Lord ! wel is liim that may be of yow oon ! ' 

51. But for al this, whan that he say his 
tyme, 35 ■ 

He held his pees, non other bote him 

gayned ; 
For love bigan his fetheres so to lyme, 
Tliat wel uiinethe un-to his folk he feyned 
That othere besye nedes him destrayned ; 
For wo was him, that what to doon he 

niste, 356 

But bad his folk to goon wher that hem 

liste. 

52. And whan that he in chaumbre was 
allone. 

He doun up-on his beddes feet him sette. 
And first he gan to syke, and eft to 

grone, 360 

And thoughte ay on hir so, with-onten 

lette, 
That, as he sat and wook, his spirit mette 
That he hir saw a temjjle, and al the wyse 
Kight of hir loke, and gan it newe avj'se. 

53. Thus gan he make a mirour of his 

minde, 365 

In which he saugh al hoolly hir figure ; 
And that he wel coude in his herte finde. 
It was to him a right good aventure 
To love swicli oon, and if he dide his cure 
To serven hir, yet mighte he falle in 

grace, 370 

Or elles, for oon of hir servaunts pace. 

54. Imagininge that travaille nor grame 
Ne mighte, for so goodly oon, be lorn 
As she, ne him for his desir ne shanie, 
Al were it wist, but in prys and up-born 
Of alle lovers wel more than biforn ; 376 
Thus argumented he in his ginninge, 
Ful unavysed of his wo cominge. 

55. Thus took he pvirpos loves craft to 
suwe. 

And thoughte he wolde werken prively, 



First, to hyden his desir in muwe 381 
From every wight y-born, al-outrely, 
But he mighte ought recovered be therby ; 
Eemembring him, that love to wyde y- 

blowe 
Yelt bittre fruyt, though swete seed be 

sowe. 385 

56. And over al this, yet muchel more he 
thoughte 

What for to speke, and what to holden 

inne, 
And what to arten hir to love he soughte, 
And on a song anoon-right to biginne, 389 
And gan loude on his sorwe for to winne ; 
For with good hope he gan fully assente 
Criseyde for to love, and nought repente. 

57. And of his song nought only the 
sentence, 

As writ myn autour called Lollius, 
But j)leynly, save our tonges difference, 
I dar wel sayn, in al that Troilus 396 

Seyde in his song ; lo ! every word right 

thus 
As I shal seyn ; and who-so list it here, 
Lo ! next this vers, he may it finden here. 

Cantns TroilL 

58. ' If no love is, O god, what fele I so ? 
And if love is, what thing and whiclie 

is he ? 401 

If love be good, from whennes comth my 

wo? 
If it be wikke, a wonder thinkcth me, 
When every torment and adversitee 
That cometh of him, may to me savory 

thinke ; 405 

For ay thurst I, the more that I it drinke. 

59. And if that at myn owene lust I 
brenne. 

Fro whennes cometh my wailing and my 

pleynte ? 
If harme agree me, wher-to pleyne I 

thenne ? 
I noot, ne why unwary that I feynte. 410 
O quike deeth, o swete harm so queynte. 
How may of thee in me swich quantitee, 
But-if that I consente that it be ? 

60. And if that I consente, I wrongfully 
Compleyne, y-wis ; thus jwssed to and fro, 



^toifue ani C^neejbe. 



[Book 1. 



Al sterelees with-inne a boot am I 416 
A-mid the see, by-twixen windes two, 
That in contrarie stonden ever-mo. 
Alias ! what is this wonder nialadye ? 4 19 
For hete of cold, for cold of hetc, I dye.' 

61. And to the god of love ihws seyde he 
With pitous voys, ' lord, now youres is 
My spirit, which that oughte youres be. 
Yow thanke I, lord, that han me brought 

to this ; 
But whether goddesse or woniman, y-wis, 
She be, I noot, which that ye do me 

serve ; 426 

But as hir man I wole ay live and sterve. 

62. Ye stonden in hire eyen mightily. 
As in a place nn-to your vertu digne ; 
Wheribre, lord, if my serN-yse or I 430 
May lyke yow, so beth to me benigne ; 
For mjTa estat royal here I resigne 
In-to hir hond, and with ful humble chere 
Bicome hir man, as to my lady dere.' 434 

63. In him ne deyned sparen blood royal 
The fyr of love, wher-fro god me blesse, 
Ne him forbar in no degree, for al 

His vertu or his excellent prowesse ; 
But held him as his thral lowe in distresse, 
And brende him so in sondry wyse ay 
newe, 440 

That sixty tyme a day he loste his hewe. 

6i. So niuche, day l)y day, his owene 

thought. 
For lust to hir, gan quiken and encrese, 
Tliat everj' other charge he sette at nought ; 
For-thy ful ofte, his hote fyr to cese, 445 
To seen hir goodly look he gan to prese ; 
For ther-by to ben esed wel he wende, 
And ay the neer he was, the more he 

brende. 

60. For ay the neer the fyr, the hotter is. 
This, trowe I, knoweth al this companye. 
Btit were he fer or neer, I dar seye this, 
By night or day, for wysdom or folye, 452 
His herte, which that is his brestes ye. 
Was ay on hir, that fairer was to sene 
Than ever was Eleyne or Polixene. 455 

VG. Eek of the day ther passed nought an 

houre 
That to him-self a thousan<l tyme he seyde. 



' Good goodly, to whom serve I and la- 
boure, 45S 

As I best can, now wolde god, Criseyde, 
Ye wolden on me rewe er that I deyde ! 
My dere herte, alias ! myn hole and hewe 
And lyf is lost, but ye w^ole on me rewe." 

67. Alio othere dredes weren from liini 
fledde, 

Bothe of th'assege and his savacioun ; 
Ne in him desjT noon othere fow)ies 

bredde 465 

But arguments to this conclusioun. 
That she on him wolde han compassioun. 
And he to be hir man, whyl he may dure : 
Lo, here his lyf, and from the deetli his 

ciire ! 46Q 

68. Thesharpeshouresfelleof armes preve, 
That Ector or his othere bretheren diden. 
Ne made him only ther-fore ones meve ; 
And yet was he, wher-so men wente nr 

riden, 
Founde oon the best, and lengest tyme 

abiden 474 

Ther peril was, and dide eek such travayle 
In armes, that to thenke it was mervaylc. 

69. But lor non hate he to the Grekes 

hadde, 
Ne also for the rescous of the toun, 
Ne made him thus in armes for to maddc. 
But only, lo, for this conchisioun, 4.S0 
To lyken hir the bet for his renoun ; 
Fro day to day in armes so he spedde, 
That alle the Grekes as the deeth him 

dredde. 

70. And fro this forth tho refte him love 
his sleep. 

And made his mete his foo ; and eek his 
sorvve 4X5 

Gan multiplye, that, who-so toke keep. 
It shewed in his hewe, bothe eve and 

morwe ; 
Therfor a title he gan him for to borwo 
Of other syknesse, lest of him men wende 
That the hote fyr of love him brende. 4()i> 

71. And seyde, he hadde a fever and ferde 
amis ; 

But how it was, certayn, can I not seye, 



Book I.] 



^rotfu0 anb Cnee^ie. 



213 



If that his lady understood not this, 
Or feyned hir she niste, oon of the tweye ; 
But wel I rede that, by no maner weye, 
Xe senied it [as] that she of him roughte, 
Nor of his peyne, or what-so-ever he 
thoughte. 

72. But than fel to this Troyins such wo. 
That he was wel neigh wood ; for ay his 

drede 499 

Was this, that she som wight had loved so. 
That never of him she wolde have taken 

hede ; 
For whiche hini thoughte he felte his 

herte blede. 
Ne of his wo ne dorste he not higinne 
To tellen it, for al this world to winno. 

"'■>. But whanne ho hadde a siaace fro his 

care, 505 

Thus to him-self ful ofte he gan to pleyne ; 
He sayde, ' O fool, now art thou in the 

snare. 
That whilom japedest at loves peyne ; 
Now artow lient, now gnaw thyn owene 

chejTie ; 
Thou were ay wont eche lovere reprehende 
Of thing fro which thou canst thee nat 

defende. 511 

71. What wole now every lover seyn of 

thee, 
If this be wist, biit ever in thyn absence 
Laughen in scorn, and seyn, " li>, ther 

gooth he. 
That is the man of so gret sapience, 515 
That held us loveres leest in reverence ! 
Now, tlionked be god, he may goon in the 

daunco 
Of hem that Love list feljly for to avaunco ! 

75. But, O thou woful Troilus, god wolde, 
Sin thow most loven tliurgh thy destinee, 
That thow beset were on swich oon that 

sholde 52 1 

Knowe al thy wo, al lakkede hir pitee : 
But al so cold in love, towardes thee. 
Thy lady is, as frost in winter moue, 534 
And tlioii fordoon, as snow in fyr is sone." 

76. God wolde I were arj^ed in the jiort 
Of deeth, to which my sorwe wil me lede ! 



A, lord, to me it were a greet comfort ; 
Then were I qvtit of languisshing in drede. 
For by myn hidde sorwe y-blowe on brede 
I shal bi-japed been a thoiisand tyme 531 
More than that fool of whos Iblye men 
ryme. 

77. But now help god, and ye, swete, for 
whom 

I plej-ne, y-caught, ye, never wight so 

faste ! 534 

O mercy, dere herte, and help me from 
The deeth, for I, whyl that mj- Ij'f may 

laste, 
More than m,y-self wol love yow to my 

laste. 
And with som freendly look gladeth me, 

swete. 
Though never more thing ye me bi-hete ! ' 

78. This wordes and ful manye an-other to 
He spak, and called ever in his com- 

pleynte 54 1 

Hir name, for to tellen hir his wo. 
Til neigh that he in salte teres dreynte. 
Al was for nought, she herde nought his 

pleynte ; 
And whan that he bithoughte on that 

folye, 545 

A thousand fold his wo gan multiplye. 

79. Bi-wayling in his chambre thusallone, 
A freend of his, that called was Pandare, 
Com ones in ranwar, and herde him grone. 
And sey his freend in swich distresse and 

care : 550 

' Alias ! ' quod he, ' who causeth al this 

fare ? 
O meicy, god ! what iinhap maj' this 

mene ? 
Han now thus sone Grekes maad yow 

leno ? 

80. Or liastow som remors of conscience, 
And art now falle in soni devocioun, 555 
And waylest for thy sinne and thyn 

offence. 
And hast for ferde caught attricioun ? 
God save hem that bi-seged ban our toun, 
And so can leye our jolytee on presse. 
And bring our lusty folk to holinesse!' 



214 



^rotfue dnb Cnee^be. 



[Book I. 



81. These wordes seyde he for the nones 
alle, 561 

That with swich thing he mighte him 

angry maken, 
And with an angre don his sorwe falle, 
As for the tyme, and his corage awaken ; 
But wel he wiste, as fer as tonges spaken, 
Ther nas a man of gretter hardinesse 566 
Than he, ne more desired worthinesse. 

82. ' What cas,' qnod Troilns, ' or what 
aventure 

Hath gyded tliee to see my languisshinge, 
That am refus of every creature ? 570 

But for the love of god, at my preyinge. 
Go henne a-way, for certes, my deyinge 
Wol thee disese, and I mot nedes deye ; 
Ther-for go wey, ther is no more to seye. 

83. But if thou wane I be thus sylc for 
drede, 575 

It is not so, and ther-for scorne nought ; 
Tlier is a-nother tiling I take of hede 
Wel more than ought the Grekes han 

y-wrought, 
"Wliich caiTse is of my deetli, for sorwe 

and thought. 
But tliough tliat I now telle thee it ne 

leste, 580 

Be thovi nouglit wrooth, I hyde it for the 

heste.' 

84. This Pandare, that neigh malt for wo 
and routhe, 

Ful often seyde, ' alias ! what may this be? 
Now freend,' quod he, ' if ever love or 

trouthe 
Hath been, or is, bi-twixen thee and me, 
Ne do thou never swiche a crueltee 586 
To hyde fro thy freend so greet a care ; 
Wostow nought wel that it am I, Pandare ? 

85. I wole parten with thee al thy peyne. 
If it be so I do thee no comfort, 5.0 
As it is froendes right, sooth for to seyne. 
To entreparten wo, as glad desport. 

I have, and shal, for trewe or fals report, 

In wrong and right y-loved thee al xny 

lyve ; 594 

Hyd not thy wo fro me, but telle it blyve.' 

86. Then gan this sorwful Troilus to syke. 
And seyde him thus, ' god leve it be my 

beste 



To telle it thee ; for, sith it niay thee 

lyke, 
Yet wole I telle it, though myn herte 

breste ; 599 

And wel wot I thoii mayst do me no reste. 
But lest thow deme I truste not to thee. 
Now herkne, freend, for thus it stant with 

me. 

87. Love, a-yeins the wliich wlio-so de- 
fendeth 

Him-selven most, him alder-lest avayleth, 
With desespeir so sorwfully me ofFendeth, 
That streyght un-to the deeth myn herte 
sayleth. 606 

Ther-to desyr so brenningly me assaylleth. 
That to ben slayn it were a gretter joye 
To me than king of Grece been and Troye ! 

88. Suffiseth this, my fulle freend Pandare, 
That I have seyd, for now wostow my wo ; 
And for the love of god, my colde care 612 
So hyd it wel, I telle it never to mo ; 
For harmes mighte folwen, mo than two, 
If it were wist ; but be thou in gladnesse. 
And lat me sterve, unknowe, of my dis- 

tresse.' 616 

89. ' How hastow thus nnkindely and 
longe 

Hid this fro me, thou fool?' quod Pan- 

darus ; 
' Parannter thou might after swich oon 

longe, 
That myn avys anoon may helpen vis.' 620 
' This were a wonder thing,' quod Troilus, 
' Thou coiidest never in love thy-selven 

wisse ; 
How devel maystow bringen me to blisse ? ' 

90. ' Ye, Troilus, now herke,' quod Pan- 
dare, 

' Though I be nyce ; it happeth ofte so, 625 
That oon that exces doth ful yvele fare 
By good counseyl can kepe his freend 

ther-fro. 
I have my-self eek sejai a blind man go 
Ther-as he fel that coude loke wyde ; 
A fool may eek a wys man ofte gyde. 630 

91. A whetston is no kerving instrument, 
And yet it niaketh sliarpe kerving-tolis. 



Book I.] 



^roifu0 anb Crieejbe. 



2IS 



And ther thow woost that I have ought 

miswent, 
Esohewe thoix that, for swieh thing to 

thee scole is ; 
Thiis ofte wyse men ben war by folis. 635 
If thou do so, thy wit is wel biwared ; 
By his contrarie is every thing declared. 

92. For how might ever sweetnesse have 
be knowe 

To him that never tasted bittemesse ? 
Xe no man may be inly glad, I trowe, 640 
That never was in sorwe or som distresse ; 
Eek whyt by blak, by shame eek worthi- 

nesse, 
Ech set by other, more for other semeth ; 
As men may see ; and so the wyse it 

demeth. 

93. Sith thus of two contraries is a lore, 
I, that have in love so ofte assayed 646 
Grevaunces, oughte conne, and wel the 

more 
Counsayllen thee of that thou art amayed. 
Eek thee ne oughte nat ben j'vel apayed. 
Though I desyre with thee for to here 650 
Thyn hevy charge ; it shal the lasse dere. 

94. I woot wel that it fareth thus by me 
As to thy brother Parys an herdesse. 
Which that y-cleped was Oenone, 654 
Wroot in a comxjleynt of hir hevinesse : 
Ye sey the lettre that she wroot, y gesse?' 
' Nay, never yet, y-wis,' quod Troilus. 

' Now,' quod Pandare, ' herkneth ; it was 
thus. — 

95. " Phebus, that first fond art of medi- 
cjaie," 

Quod she, "and coude in every wightes 
care 660 

Remede and reed, by herbes he knew fyne. 
Yet to him-self his conninge was ful bare ; 
For love hadde him so bounden in a snare, 
Al for the doughter of the kinge Admete, 
That al his craft ne coude his sorwe 
bete." — 665 

96. Right so fare I, ixnhappily for me ; 
Hove oon best, and that me smerteth sore ; 
And yet, paraunter, can I rede thee. 
And not my-self ; repreve me no more. 669 
I have no cavise, I woot wel, for to sore 



As doth an hauk that listeth for to 

pleye. 
But to thyn help yet somwhat can I seye. 

97. And of o thing right siker maystow be, 
That certayn, for to deyen in the peyne, 
That I shal never-mo discoveren thee ; 675 
Ne, by my trouthe, I kepe nat restreyne 
Thee fro thy love, thogh that it were 

Eleyne, 
That is thy brotheres wyf, if ich it wiste ; 
Be what she be, and love hir as thee liste. 

98. Therfore, as freend ftiUich in me 
assure, 6S0 

And tel me plat wliat is thyn enchesoixn. 
And final cause of wo that ye endure ; 
For douteth no-thing, myn entencioun 
Nis nought to yow of reprehencioun. 
To speke as now, for no wight may 
bireve 685 

A man to love, til that him list to leve. 

99. And witeth wel, that bothe two ben 
vyces, 

Mistrusten alle, or elles alle leve ; 
But wel I woot, the mene of it no vyce is, 
For for to trusten svim wight is a preve 690 
Of trouthe, and for-thy wolde I fayn re- 
move 
Tliy wrong conceyte, and do thee som 

wight triste, 
Thy wo to telle ; and tel me, if thee liste. 

100. The wyse seyth, "wo him that is 
allone. 

For, and he falle, he hath noon help to 
ryse;" 695 

And sith thoii hast a felawe, tel thy mone ; 
For tliis nis not, certeyn, the nexte wyse 
To winnen love, as techen us the wyse. 
To walwe and wepe as Niobe the queue, 
Wlios teres yet in marbel been y-sene. 700 

101. Lat be thy weping and thy drerinesse, 
And lat us lissen wo with other sjieche ; 
So may thy woful tyme seme lesse. 
Delyte not in wo thy wo to seche, 704 
As doon thise foles that liir sorwes eche 
With sorwe, whan they ban misaventure. 
And listen nought to seclie hem otlier 

cure. 



i6 



'Zvoiho anl Cviet^^t. 



[Book T. 



102. Men seyn, " to wrecclie is conso- 
lacioun 

To have an-other felawe in his peyne ;" 
That oughte "vvel ben our opinioun, 710 
For, bothe thou and I, of love we pleyne ; 
So ful of sorwe am I, soth for to seyne, 
That certeynly no more harde grace 
May sitte on me, for-why ther is no 
space. 

103. If god wole thou art not agast of me, 
Lest I wolde of thy lady thee higyle, 716 
Thow wost thy-self whona that I love, 

pardee. 
As I best can, gon sithen longe whyle. 
And sith thoii wost I do it for no wyle, 719 
And sith I am he that thou tristest most, 
Tel me sumwhat, sin al my wo thou wost.' 

104. Yet Troilus, for al this, no word 
seyde. 

But longc he lay as stille as he ded were ; 
And after this with sykinge he abreydo, 
And to Pandarus voys he lente his ere, j2=; 
And up his eyen caste he, that in fere 
Was Pandarus, lest that in frenesye 
He sholde falle, or elles sone dye : 

105. And cryde ' a-wake ' inl wonderly 
and sharpe ; 

' Wliat ? slombrestow as in a lytargye ? 
Or artow lyk an asse to the harpe, 7^1 
That hei'eth soun, whan men tlie strenges 

pl.ve. 
But in his minde of that no melodye 
May sinken, him to glade, for tliat he 
So dul is of his bestialitee ? ' 735 

106. And with that Pandare of his wordes 
stente ; 

But Troilus yet him no word answerdo, 
For-why to telle nas not his entente 
To never no man, for whom that he so 
ferde. 730 

For it is seyd, ' man maketh ofte a yerde 
With which the maker is him-self y-beten 
In sondry maner,' as thise wyse treten, 

107. And namely, in his counseyl tellinge 
That toucheth love that oughte be secree ; 
For of him-self it wolde y-nough out- 

sjiringe, 745 



But-if that it tlie bet governed be. 
Eek som-tyme it is craft to seme flee 
Fro thing which in effect men huntefaste; 
Al this gan Troilus in his herte caste. 

108. But nathelees, whan ho hail herd 
him crye 750 

' Awake !' he gan to syke wonder sore. 
And seyde, ' freend, though that I stille 

lye, 

I am not deef ; now pees, and cry no more ; 
For I have herd thy wordes and thy lore; 
But suffre me my mischef to biwayle, 755 
For thy proverbes may me noiight avayle. 

109. Nor other cure canstow noon for me. 
Eek I nil not be cured, I wol deye ; 
What knowe I of the queue Niobo ? 

Lat bo thyne olde ensaumples, I thee 
preye.' 760 

' No,' quod tho Pandarus, 'therfore I seye, 
Swicli is delyt of foles to biwepe 
Hir wo, but sekeu bote they ne kepe. 

110. Now knowe I that ther reson in thee 
faj'leth. 

But tel me, if I wiste what she were 765 
For whoni that thee al this misaunter 

ayleth ? 
Dorstestow that I tolde hir in hir ere 
Tliy wo, sitli thou darst not tliy-self for 

fere. 
And hir bisoughte on tliee to han som 

routhe ? ' 
' Why, nay,' qnod he, ' by god and by my 

trouthe !' 770 

111. 'What? not as bisily,' quod Pandarus, 
' As though myu owene lyf lay on this 

node ? ' 
' No, certes, brother,' quod this Troilus. 
' And why ? ' — ' For that thovi sholdest 

never spede.' 
' Wostow that wel ? ' — ' Ye, that is out of 

drede, ' 775 

Quod Troilus, ' for al that ever ye conne, 
She nil to noon swicli wrecche as I be 



112. Quod Pandarus, 'alias! what niay 

this be, 
That thou despeyred art thus causelees ? 



Book I.] 



Ttvoiiud anb CviQi'^lt. 



217 



What? liveth not thy lady? benedicite! 780 
How wostow so that thoTi art graeelees ? 
Swich .^'^•el is not alwey botelees. 
Why, put not impossible thus thy cure, 
Sin thing to come is ofte in aventvire. 

113. I graunte wel that thou endurest wo 
As sharp as doth he, Ticins, in helle, 786 
"WHios stomak foules tyren ever-mo 
That highte volturis, as bokes telle. 

But I may not endure that thou dwelle 
In so unskilful an opinioun 790 

That of thj' wo is no euracioun. 

114. But ones niltow, for thy coward 
herte, 

And for thyn ire and folish wilfulnesse. 
For wantrust, tellen of thy sorwes smerte, 
Ne to thyn owene help do bisinesse 795 
As muche as speke a resoun more or lesse, 
But lyest as he that list of no-thing recche. 
What womman coude love swich a 
wrecche ? 

115. What may she demen other of thy 
deeth, 

If thou thus deye, and she not why it is, 800 
But that for fere is yolden up thy breeth, 
For Grekes han biseged us, y-wis ? 
Lord, which a thank than shaltow han of 

this ! 
Thiis wol she seyn, and al the toun at 

ones, 
" The wrecche is deed, the devel have his 

bones ! " 805 

116. Thou mayst allone here wepe and 
crye and knele ; 

But, love a woman that she woot it 
nought, 

And she wol quyte that thou shalt not 
fele ; 

Unknowe, unkist, and lost that is un- 
sought. 

^Vllat ! many a man hath love ful dere 
y-bought 810 

Twenty winter that his lady wiste, 

That never yet his lady mouth he kiste. 

117. Wliat? shulde he therfor fallen in 
despeyr. 

Or be recreaunt for his owene tene, 



Or sleen him-self, al be his lady fayr ? 815 
Nay, nay, but ever in oon be fresh and 

grene 
To serve and love his dere hertes qiiene. 
And thenke it is a guerdoun hir to serve 
A thousand-fold more than he can deserve.' 

118. And of that word took hede Troilns, 
And thoughte anoon what folye he was 

inne, 821 

And how that sooth him seyde Pandariis, 
That for to sleen him-self riiighte he not 

winno, 
But bothe doon unmanhod and a sinne, 824 
And of his deeth his lady nought to wyte ; 
For of his wo, god woot, she knew ful lyte. 

119. And with that thovight he gan ful 
sore syke. 

And seyde, ' alias ! what is me best to do? ' 
To whom Pandare answerde, 'if thee lyke, 
The best is that thou telle me thy wo ; 830 
And have my trouthe, but thou it flnde so, 
I be thy bote, or that it be ful longe. 
To peces do me drawe, and sithen honge ! ' 

120. ' Ye, so thou seyst,' quod Troilus tho, 
' alias ! 

But, god wot, it is not the rather so ; 835 
Ful hard were it to helpen in this cas, 
For wel finde I that Fortune is my fo, 
Ne alle the men that ryden conne or go 
May of hir cruel wheel the harm with- 

stonde ; 
For, as hir list, she pleyeth with free and 

bonde.' 840 

121. Quod Pandarus, ' than blamestow 
Fortune 

For thou art wrooth, ye, now at erst I see ; 
Wostow nat wel that Fortune is commune 
To every maner wight in som degree? 844 
And yet thoii hast this comfort, lo, pardee ! 
That, as hir joyes moten over-goon, 
So mote hir sorwes passen everichoon. 

122. For if hir wheel stinte any-thing to 
torne. 

Than cessed she Fortune anoon to be : 
Now, sith hir wheel by no wey may 
sojorne, 850 

What wostow if hir mtitabilitee 
Eight as thy-selven list, wol doon by thee, 



:i8 



'^tvoiiuQ anb ^rtec^be. 



[Book I. 



Or that she be not fer fro thyn helpinge ? 
Paraunter, thou hast cause for to singe ! 

123. And therfor wostow what I thee 
beseche ? 855 

Lat be thy wo and turning to tlie grounde ; 
For who-so list have helping of his leche, 
* To hini bihoveth first tinwrye his wounde. 
To Cerberus in lielle ay be I boundo, 
Were it for my suster, al thy sorwo, 860 
By my wil, she sliolde al be thyn to-morwe. 

124. Loke up, I seye, and tel me what she is 
Anoon, that I may goon abouto thy nede ; 
Knowe ich hir ought ? for my love, tel me 

this ; 864 

Than wolde I ho]pen rather for to spede.' 
Tho gan the veyne of Troilus to Ijlede, 
For he was hit, and wex al reed for shame ; 
' A ha ! ' quod Pandare, ' here biginneth 

game ! ' 

125. And with that word he gan him for 
to shake. 

And seyde, ' tlieef, thou shalt Iiir luxme 
telie.' 870 

But tho gan sely Troilus for to (^uake 
As though men sholdo han lad him in-to 

helle, 
And seyde, ' alias ! of al my wo the welle, 
Than is my swete fo called Crisej'de ! ' 
And wel nigh with the word for fere he 
deyde. 875 

126. And whan that Pandare herde hir 
name nevene, 

Lord, he was glad, and seyde, ' freend so 

dere, 
Kow fare a-righ t, for Joves name in lievene, 
Ijovo hath biset thee wel, be of good chere ; 
For of good name and wysdoni and 

manere 880 

She hath y-noiigh, and eek of gentilesse ; 
If she be fayr, thow wost thy-self, T gesse. 

127. Ne I never saw a more l)Ountevous 
Of hir estat, no a gladder, ne of speche 

A freendlier, ne a more gracioiis 8S5 

For to do wel, ne lasse haddo nede to 

seche 
What for to doon ; and al this bet to eche. 
In honour, to as fer as she may strecche, 
A kinges herte semoth ])v hires a wrecche. 



128. And for-thy loke of good comfort 
thovi be ; 890 

For certeinly, the firste poynt is this 
Of noble corage and wel ordeyne, 
A man to have pees with him-self, y-wis ; 
S<i oughtest thou, for nought but good it is 
To loven wel, and in a worthy place ; 895 
Thee oughte not to clepe it hap, but grace. 

129. And also thenk, and ther-with glade 
thee. 

That sith thy lady vertuous is al. 
So folweth it that ther is som pitee 
Amonges alle thise othere in general ; 900 
And for-thy see that thou, in special, 
Requere nought that is ayein hir name ; 
For vertue streccheth not him-self to 
shame. 

130. But wel is me that ever I was born, 
That thou biset art in so good a place ; 905 
For by my trouthe, in love I dorste have 

sworn, 
Thee sholde never han tid tlius fayr a 

grace ; 
And wostow whj- ? for thou were wont to 

chace 
At love in scorn, and for despyt him 

calle 
" Seynt Idiot, lord of thise ibles alle."' 910 

131. How often hastow maad thj- nyee 
japes. 

And seyd, that love.s servants everichone 
Of nycetee ben verray goddes apes ; 
And some wolde monche hir mete alone, 
Ligging a-bedde, and make hem for to 

grone ; 915 

And som, thou seydest, hadde a blaiinche 

fevere. 
And preydest god ho sholde never kevere ! 

132. And some of hem toke on hem, for 
the colde, 

More than y-nough, so seydestow ful ofte : 
And some han feyned ofte tyme,and tolde 
How that they wake, whan they slepeu 
softe ; 9-' I 

And thus they wolde han broiight hem- 
self a-lofte. 
And natheleos wore under at the laste ; 
Thus soydestow, and japedest ful faste. 



Book I.l 



Crotfue arii> Crteepie. 



19 



133. Yet seydestow, that, for the more 
part, 925 

These loveres wolden speke in general. 
And thoughten that it was a siker art. 
For fayling, for to assayen over-al. 
Now may I jape of thee, if that I shal ! 
But nathelees, though that I sholde deye, 
That thou art noon of tho, that dorste I 
seye. 931 

134. Now heet thy hrest, and sey to god 
of love, 

" Thy grace, lord ! for now I me repente 
If 1 mis spak, for now my-self I love :" 
Thus sey with al thyn herte in good en- 
tente.' 935 
Quod Troilus, ' a ! hird ! I me consente. 
And pray to thee my japes thon foryive, 
And I shal never-more whyl I live.' 

135. ' Thow seyst wel,' quod Pandare, ' and 
now I hope 

That thou the goddes wratthe hast al 

apesed ; 940 

And sithen thou hastwepen manyadrope. 

And seyd swich thing wher-with thy god 

is plesed, 
Now wolde never god but thoix were esed ; 
And think wel, she of wliom rist al thy wo 
Here-after may thy comfort beenal-so. 945 

136. For thilke ground, tliat hereth the 
wedes wikke, 

Bereth cek tliise holsom herhes, as ful ofte 
Next the foule netle, rough and thikke, 
The rose waxeth swote and smothe and 

.softe ; 
Ami next the valey is the hil a-lofte ; 950 
And next the derke night the glade 

morwe ; 
And also joye is next the fyn of sorwe. 

137. Now loke that atempre be thybrydel. 
And, for tho beste, ay suffre to the tyde, 
Or elles al our laboiir is on ydel ; 955 
He hasteth wel that wysly can abyde ; 
Be diligent, and trewe, and ay wel hyde. 
Be lusty, free, persevere in thy ser^^se, 
And al is wel, if thou werke in this wyse. 

138. But he that parted is in every 
place 960 

Is no-wher hool, as writen clerkes wyse ; 



What wonder is, though swich oon have 

no grace ? 
Eek wostow how it fareth of som servyse ? 
As plaunte a tre or herbe, in sondry wyse, 
And on the morwe pulle it up as blyve, 965 
No wonder is, thoitgh it may never thryve. 

139. And sith that god of love hath thee 
bistowed 

In place digne un-to thy worthinesse, 
Stondfaste, for to good port hastow rowed ; 
And of thy-self, for any hcvinesse, 970 
Hope alwey wel ; for, but-if drerinesse 
Or over-haste our botlie labour shende, 
I hope of this to maken a good ende. 

140. And wostow why I ani the lasse a- 
fered 

Of this matere witli my nece trete ? 975 
For this have I herd seyd of wyse y-lered, 
" Was never man ne woman yet bigete 
That was unapt to suifren loves hete 
Celestial, or elles love of kinde ; " 970 

For-thy som grace I hope in hir to finde. 

141. And for to speke of hir in special, 
Hir beaiitee to bithinken and hir j'outhe. 
It sit hir nought to be celestial 

As yet, though that hir listc bothe and 
couthe ; 984 

But trowely, it sete hir wel right nouthe 
A wortliy knight to loven and cheryce, 
And but she do, I holde it for a \'yce. 

142. Whei'fore I am, and wol be, ay redy 
To peyne me to do yow this servyse ; 
For botlie yow to plese thus hope I 990 
Her-afterward ; for ye betli bothe wyse, 
And conne it counseyl kepe in swich a 

wyse, 
That no man shal the wyser of it T)e ; 
And so we may be gladed alle three. 

143. And, by my trouthe, I have right 
now of thee 995 

A good conceyt in my wit, as I gesse. 
And what it is, I wol now that thou see. 
I thenke, sith that love, of his goodnesse, 
Hath thee converted out of wikkednesso, 
That thou shalt be the beste post, 1 
leve, K)0(> 

Of al liis lay, and most his foos to-grcve. 



^rotfu6 onb ^rteepbe. 



[Book I. 



Hi. Ensample why, see now these wyse 

derives, 
That erren alderinost a-yein a lawe, 
And ben converted from hir wikked 

werkes 
Thorugh grace of god, that list hem to 

him drawe, 1005 

Than arn they folk that han most god in 

awe, 
And strengest-feythed been, I nnder- 

stonde, 
And conne an erronr alder-best with- 

stonde. ' 

145. Whan Troihis had herd Pandare 
assented 

To been his help inloving of Criseyde, loio 
Wex of hiswo, aswhoseyth, nntormented. 
But hotter wex his love, and thus he seyde, 
With sobre chere, al-thongh his herte 

pleyde, 
' Now blisful Venus helpe, er that I sterve. 
Of thee, Pandare, I may som thank de- 
serve. 1015 

146. But, dere frend, how shal myn wo 
ben lesse 

Til this be doon ? and goode, eek tel me 

this. 
How wiltow se.^m of me and my destresse ? 
Lest she be Avrooth, this drede I most, 

y-wis, 
Or nil not here or trowen how it is. 1020 
Al this drede I, and eek lor the manere 
Of thee, hir eem, she nil no swich thing 

here.' 

147. Quod Pandarus, ' thou hast a ful 
gret care 

Lest that the cherl may falle out of the 
nione ! 1024 

Why, lord ! I hate of thee thy nyce fare ! 
Why, eutremete of that thou hast to done ! 
For goddes love, I bidde thee a bone, 
So lat me aloiie, and it shal be thybeste.' — 
' Why, freend,' quod he, ' now do right as 
thee leste. 

148. But herke, Pandare, o word, for I 
nolde 1030 

That thou in me wendest so greet folye. 
That to my lady I desiren sholde 



That toucheth harm or any vilenye ; 
For dredelees, me were lever dye 1034 
Than she of me ought elles understode 
But that, that mighte soiinen in-togode.' 

149. Tho lough this Pandare, and anoon 
answerde, 

' And I thy borw ? fy ! no wight dooth 

but so ; 
I rouglite nought though that she stode 

and herde 1039 

How that thou seyst ; but fare-wel, I wol go. 
A-dieu ! be glad ! god spede us bothe two! 
Yif me this labour and this besinesse, 
And of my speed be thyn al that swetnesse.' 

150. Tho Troilus gan dotin on knees to 
falle, 1044 

And Pandare in his amies hente faste. 
And seyde, ' now, fy on the Grekes alle ! 
Yet, pardee, god shal hclpe us at the laste; 
And dredelees, if that my Ij'f may laste. 
And god to-forn, lo, som of hem shal 

smerte ; 
And yet me athinketh that this avaunt 

me asterte ! io;o 

151. Now, Pandare, I can no more seye, 
But thou wys, thou wost, thou mayst. 

thou art al ! 
My lyf, my deeth, hool in thyn honde 

I leye ; 
Help now,' quod he. ' Yis, by my trouthe, 

I shal.' 
' God yelde thee, freend, and this in 

special,' 1055 

Quod Troilus, ' that thou me recomaunde 
To hir that to the deeth me may 

comaunde.' 

152. This Pandariis tho, desirous to serve I 
His fuUe freend, than seyde in this manere, 

' Far-wel, and thenk I wol thy thank 

deserve ; loOo 

Have here my trouthe, and that thou 

shalt wel here.' — 
And wente his wey, thenking on this 

matere. 
And how he best mighte hir beseche of 

grace. 
And finde a tyme ther-to, and a place. 



Book II.] 



^rotfue (xrii) Criee^^c. 



221 



153. For every wight that hath an hovis 
to fonnde 1065 

Ne renneth nought the werk for to bi- 

ginne 
^Vith rakel hond, but he wol by do a 

stounde, 
AndsendehishertesljTie out fro with-inne 
Alderfirst his purpos for to winne. 1069 
Al this Pandare in liis lierte thouglite, 
And caste liis werk ful wysly, or lie 

■«TOUghte. 

154. But Troilus lay tho no lenger doun, 
But up anoon up-on his stede bay, 

And in the feld he pleyde tho leoun ; 
Wo was that Greek that witli him mette 
tliat day. 1075 

And in the toiin his nianer tlio forth ay 
So goodly was, and gat him so in grace. 
That ech him lovede thatlokedon his face. 



155. For he bicom the frendlyeste wight. 
The gentileste, and eek the moste free, loSo 
The thriltieste and oon tlie beste knight, 
That in his tymo was, or miglite be. 
Dede were his japes and his crueltee. 
His heiglie port and his manere 

estraunge. 
And ech of tho gan for a vertu chaunge. 

156. Now lat VIS stinte of Troilus a 
stounde, 1086 

That fareth lyk a man that hurt is 

sore. 
And is somdel of akinge of his wounde 
Y-lissed wel, but lieled no del more : 
And, as an esy pacient, the lore 1090 

Abit of him tliat gooth aboute his cure ; 
And thvis he dryveth forth his aventure. 

Explicit Liber Primus. 



BOOK II. 



Incipit prohemium Secundi Libri. 

1. Out of these blake wawes for to sayle, 
O wind, O wind, tlie weder ginneth clere ; 
For in this see the boot hath swicli tra- 

vayle, 
Of my conning tliat unnethe I it stere : 
Tliis see clepe I the tempestous matere 5 
Of desespeyr that Troilus was inne : 
But now of hope the calendes biginne. 

2. O lady myn, that called art Cleo, 
Tliou be my speed fro this forth, and my 

muse, 
To ryme wel this book, til I have do ; 10 
Me nedetli here noon otlier art to use. 
For-why to every lovere I me excuse. 
That of no seutement I this endyte. 
But out of Latin in my tonge it wryte. 

3. Wherfore I nil have neither thank ne 

blame 15 

Of al tliis werk, but pray yow mekely, 
Disblameth me, if any word be lame. 
For as myn auctor seyde, so seye I. 
Eek though I speke of love unfelingly. 



No wonder is, for it no-thing of newe is ; 20 
A blind man can nat juggen wel in hewis. 

4. Ye knowe eek, that in forme of speclie 

is chaunge 
With-inne a thousand yeer, and wordes 

tho 
That hadden prys, now wonder nyce and 

straunge 
Us thinketh hem ; and yet they spake 

hem so, 25 

And spedde as wel in love as men now do ; 
Eek for to winne love in sondry ages. 
In sondry londes, sondry been usages. 

5. And for-thy if it liappe in any wyse, 
Tliat here be any lovere in this place 30 
Tliat herkeneth, as the story wol devyse, 
How Troilus com to his lady grace. 
And thenketh, so nolde I nat love pur- 

cliace. 
Or wondreth on his speclie and his doinge, 
I noot ; but it is me no wonderinge ; 35 

6. For every wight which that to Rome 

went. 
Halt nat o patli, or alwey o manere ; 



^rotfu0 ani Crteepbe. 



[Book II. 



Eek in som lond were al the ganien slient. 
If that theyferde in love as men don here, 
As thus, in open doing or in chere, 40 
In visitinge, in forme, or seyde hir sawes ; 
For-thy men seyn, ecli contree hath his 
lawes. 

7. Eek scarsly been ther in this place three 
That han in love seyd lylc and doon in al ; 
For to thy purpos this may lyken thee, 45 
And thee right nought, yet al is seyd or 

shal ; 
Eek som men grave in tree, som in stoon 

"wal. 
As it bitit ; but sin I have begonne, 
Myn aiictor shal I folwen, if I conne. 

Explicit prohemium Secundi Libri. 

Incipit Liber Secundus. 

8. In May, that moder is of monthes glade. 
That fresshe floures, blevi^c, and whyto, 

and rede, 51 

Ben quike agayu, that winter dede made. 
And ful of bawme is fletinge every rnede ; 
Whan Phebus doth his brighte hemes 

sprede 
Right in the whyte Bole, it so bitidde 55 
As I shal singe, on Mayes day the thridde, 

9. That Pandarus, for al his wyse speche, 
Felte eek his part of loves shottes kene, 
That, coude he never so wel of loving 

preche, 
It made his hewe a-day ful ofte grene ; 60 
So shoop it, that him fil that day a tene 
In love, for which in wo to bedde he wente, 
And made, er it was day, fulnaauy awente. 

10. The swalwe Proigne, with a sorwful lay. 
Whan morwe com, gau make hir wey- 

mentinge, 65 

Why she forshapen was ; and ever lay 
Pandare a-bedde, half in a slomeringo. 
Til she so neigh him made hir chiteringe 
How Tereus gan forth hir suster take. 
That with the noyse of hir he gan a- wake ; 

11. And gan to ealle, and dresse him up 
to ryse, 71 

Kemembringe him his erand was to done 
From Troilus, and eek his greet empryse; 



And caste and knew in good plyt was the 

mone 
To doon viage, and took his wey ful sone 
Un-to his neces paleys ther bi-syde ; 76 
Now Janus, god of entree, thou him gyde ! 

12. Whan he was come un-to his neces 

place, 
' Wher is my lady ? ' to hir folk seyde he ; 
And they him tolde ; and he I'orth in gan 

pace. So 

And fond, two othere ladyes sete and she 
With-inne a paved parlour ; and they three 
Herden a mayden redeu hem the geste 
Of the Sege of Thebes, whyl hem leste. 84 

13. QuodPandarus, ' madame, godyowsee. 
With al your book and al the companye !' 
' Ey, uncle myn, welcome y-wis,' quod she. 
And wp she roos, and by the bond in hye 
She took him faste, and seyde, ' this night 

til rye. 
To goode mote it turne, of yow I mette ! ' 
And with that word she doun on bench 

him sette. 91 

li. ' Ye, nece, ye shal fare wel the bet, 
If god wole, al this yeer,' quod Pandarus ; 
' But I am sory that I have yow let 94 
To herknen of your book ye preysen thus; 
For goddes love, what seith it ? tel it us. 
Is it of love ? O, som good ye me lere !' 
'Uncle,' quod she, 'your maistresse is not 
here !' 

15. With that they gonuen laiighe, and 

tho she seyde, 99 

'This romaunce is of Thebes, thatwe rede; 
And we han herd how that king Laius 

deyde 
Thurgh Edippiis his sone, and al that dede ; 
And here we stenten at these lettres rede. 
How the bisshop, as the book can telle, 
Amphiorax, fil thurgh the ground to helle. ' 

16. Quod Pandarus, ' al this knowe I my- 

selve, 106 

And al th'assege of Thebes and the care; 
For her-ofbeen ther make J bokes twelve: — 
But lat be this, and tel ine how ye fare ; 
Do wey your barbe, and shew your face 

bare: no 



Book IL] 



^rotfue anb Cviat^U. 



Do wey j-our book, rys i\p, ami lat lis 

daunce, 
And lat us don to May som observaunce.' 

17. 'A! god forbede!' quod she, 'be ye 
mad '? 

Is that a widewes lyf, so god you save ? 
By god, ye maken me right sore a-drad, 1 15 
Ye ben so wilde, it semetli as ye rave ! 
It sete me wel bet ay in a cave 
To bidde, and rede on holy seyntes lyves : 
Lat maydens gon to daunce, and yonge 
wyves.' 

18. ' As ever thr\'ve I,' quod this Pandariis, 
' Yet conde I telle a thing to doon you 

pleye.' i-'i 

' Now uncle dere, ' quod she, ' tel it us 
For goddes lin^e ; is than th'assege aweye ? 
I am of Grekes so ferd that I deye.' 
' Nay, nay,' quod he, ' as ever mote I 

thrj-ve ! 125 

It is a thing wel bet than swiche fyve.' 

19. 'Ye, holy god!' quod she, 'what thing 
is that ? 

What? bet than swiche fyve? ey, nay, 

y-wis ! 
For al this world ne can I reden what 
It sholde been ; soni jape, I trowe, is this ; 
And but yoiir-selven telle us what it is, 131 
My wit is for to arede it al to lene ; 
As help rue god, I noot nat what ye mene.' 

20. ' And I your borow, ne never shal, 
for me. 

This thing be told to yow, as mote I 

thryve !' 135 

' And why so, iincle mj-n ? whj' so ?' quod 

she. 
' By god,' qiiod he, ' that wole I telle as 

blj-ve ; 
For proiider womman were ther noon on- 

lyve, 
And ye it wiste, in al the toun of Troye ; 
I jape nought, as ever have I joye ! ' 140 

21. Tho gan she wondren more than bi- 
forn 

A thousand fold, and douu hir eyen caste ; 
For never, sith the tyme that she was born. 
To knowe thing desired she so faste ; 144 



And with a syk she seyde him at the laste, 
' Now, uncle myn, I nil yow nought dis- 

plese, 
Nor axen more, that may do yow disese. ' 

22. So after this, with many wordes glade. 
And freendly tales, and with mery chei-e. 
Of this and that they jjleyde, and gramen 

wade 150 

In manj' an unkouth glad and deep 

matere. 
As freendes doon, whan they ben met 

y-fere ; 
Til she gan axen him how Ector ferde, 
That was the tounes wal and Grekes yerde. 

23. ' Ful wel, I thanke it god,' quod Pan- 
darus, i55 

' Save in his arm he hath a litel wounde ; 
And eek his fresshe brother Troilus, 
The wyse worthy Ector the secounde, 
In whom that every vertu list abounde, 
As alle troiithe and alle gentillesse, 160 
Wysdom, honour, fredom, and worth i- 
nesse.' 

24. ' In good feith, eem,' quod she, ' that 
lyketh me ; 

They faren wel, god save hem bothe two ! 
For trewely I holde it greet dej-ntee 
A kinges sone in amies wel to do, 165 
And been of good condiciouns ther-to ; 
For greet jjower and moral vertu here 
Is selde y-seye in o i^ersone y-fere.' 

25. ' In good feith, that is sooth,' quod 
Pan<larus ; 

' But, by my troiithe, the king hath sones ' 
tweye, 1 70 

That is to mene, Ector and Troilus, 
That certainly, thoiigh that I sholde deye. 
They been as voyde of \'yces, dar I seye, 
As any men that liveth under the sonne, 
Hir might is wj-de y-knowe, and what 
they conne. 175 

26. Of Ector nedeth it nought for to telle ; 
In al this world ther nis a bettre knight 
Than he, that is of worthinesse welle ; 
And he wel more vertu hath than might. 
This knoweth many a ■wys and worthy 

wight. 180 



224 



^totfue anl Crtaepie. 



[Book II. 



The same prys of Troilvis I seye, 

God help me so, I knowe not swiche 

twej-e.' 

27. ' By god,' quod she, ' of Ector that is 
sooth ; 

Of Troihis the same thing trowe I ; 
For dredelees, men tellen that he dooth 
In armes day by day so worthily, i86 

And bereth him here at hoom so gentilly 
To every wight, that al the prys hath he 
Of hem that me were levest preysed be.' 

28. ' Ye sey right sooth, y-wis,' quod Pan- 
darus ; 190 

' For yesterday, who-so hadde with him 

been, 
He might have wondred up-on Troilus ; 
For never yet so thikke a swarm of been 
Ne fleigh, as Grekes fro him gonne fleen ; 
And thorugh the feld, in every wightes 

ere, 195 

Ther nas no cry but "Troilus is there!" 

29. Now here, now there, ho hunted hem 
so faste, 

Ther nas but Grekes blood ; and Troilus, 
Now hem he hurte, and hem alle doun he 

caste ; 
Ay where he wente it was arayed thus : 200 
He was hir death, and sheld and lyf for us ; 
That as that day ther dorste noon with- 

stonde, 
Whyl that he held his blody swerd in 

honde. 

30. Therto he is the freendlieste man 
Of grete estat, that ever I saw my lyve ; 
And wher him list, best felawshipe can 206 
To suche as him thinketh able for to 

thryve.' 
And with that word tho Pandarus, as 

blyve. 
He took his leve, and seyde, ' I wol go 

henne :' 
' Nay, blame have I, niyn uncle,' quod she 

thenne. 210 

31. ' "^^^lat eyleth yow to be thus wery 
sone. 

And namelich of wommen ? wol ye so ? 
Nay, sitteth down ; by god, I have to done 



With yow, to speke of wisdom er ye go.' 
And every wight that was a-boute hem 

tho, 215 

That herde that, gan fer a-wey to stonde, 
Whyl they two hadde al that hem liste 

in honde. 

32. Whan that hir tale al brought was to 

an endo 
Of hire estat and of hir governaunce, 219 
Quod Pandarus, ' now is it tyme I wende ; 
But yet, I seye, aryseth, lat us daunce. 
And cast your widwes habit to mis- 

chaunce : 
What list yow thus yoiar-self to disfigure, 
Sith yow is tid thus fair an aventure ?' 

38. ' A ! wel bithought ! for love of god,' 
quod she, 225 

' Shal I not witen what ye mene of this?' 
■' No, this thing axeth layser, ' tho quod he, 
' And eek me wolde muche greve, y-wis, 
If I it tolde, and ye it toke amis. 
Yet were it bet my tonge for to stille 230 
Than seye a sooth that were ayeins your 
wille. 

34. For, nece, by the goddesse Minerve, 
And Juppiter, that niaketh the thonder 

ringe, 
And by the blisful Venus that I serve. 
Ye been the womman in this world 

livinge, 235 

With-oute paramours, to my witinge. 
That I best love, and lothest am to greve. 
And that ye witen wel your-self, I leve.' 

35. ' Y-wis, myn uncle,' quod she, ' grant 
mercy ; 

Your freendship have I founden ever yit ; 
I am to no man holden trewely 241 

So mtiche as yow, and have so litel 

quit ; 
And, with the grace of god, emforth my 

wit. 
As in my gilt I shal you never offende ; 
And if I have er this, I wol amende. 245 

36. But, for the love of god, I yow be- 
seche, 

As ye ben he that I most love and triste, 
Lat be to me your frenide maner speche. 



Book II.] 



"^votfue anb ^viei'^U. 



225 



And- sey to me, your nece, what yow Uste : ' 
And with tliat word hir uncle anoon hir 
kiste, 250 

And seyde, ' gladly, leve nece dere, 
Tak it for good that I shal seye yow here.' 

37. With that she gan hir eyen donn to 
caste, 

And Pandarus to coghe gan a lyte, 254 
And seyde, ' nece, alwe,^-, lo ! to the laste, 
How-so it be that som men hem delyte 
With subtil art hir tales for to endyte. 
Yet for al that, in hir entencionn, 
Hir tale is al for som conclusiovm. 

38. And sithen th'ende is every tales 
strengthe, 260 

And tliis matere is so bihovely, 

What sholde I peynte or drawen it on 

lengthe 
To yow, that been my freend so feithfuUy ? ' 
And with that word he gan right inwardly 
Biholden hir, and loken on hir face, 265 
And seyde, ' on suche a mirour goode 

grace !' 

39. Than thouglite he thus, ' if I my tale 
endyte 

Ought hard, or make a proces any whyle. 
She shal no savour han ther-in but lyte, 
And trowe I wolde hir in my wil bigyle. 
For tendre wittes wenen al be wyle 271 
Tlier-as they can nat pleynly understonde ; 
For-thy hir wit to serven wol I fonde ' — 

40. And loked on hir in a besy wyse, 274 
And she was war that he byheld hir so. 
And seyde, 'lord! so faste ye me a\'yse ! 
Seyye me never er now? wliat seyye, no?' 
'Yes, yes,' quod he, ' and bet wole er I go; 
But, by my trouthe, I thoughte now 

if ye 
Be fortunat, for now men shal it see. 280 

41. For to every wight som goodlj' aven- 
ture 

Som tyme is shape, if he it can receyven ; 
And if that he wol take of it no cure. 
Whan that it cometh, but wilfully it 

weyven, 
L(v, neither cas nor fortune him deceys'en. 



But right his verrayslonthe and wrecched- 

nesse ; 286 

And swich a wiglit is for to V)lame, I gesse. 

42. Good aventure, O bele nece, have ye 
Fnl lightly founden, and ye conne it take; 
And, for the love of god, and eek of me, 
Cacche it anoon, lest aventure slake. 291 
Wliat sholde I lenger proces of it make ? 
Yif me your hond, for in this world is 

noon. 
If that you list, a wight so wel begoon. 294 

43. And sith I speke of good entencioun, 
As I to yow have told wel here-bifom. 
And love as wel your honoi\r and renoun 
As creature in al this world y-born ; 

By alle tlie othes that I have yow sworn. 
And ye be wrooth therfore, or wene I lye, 
Ne shal I never seen yow eft with ye. 301 

44. Beth nought agast, ne quaketh nat ; 
wher-to ? 

Ne chaungeth nat for fere so your liewe ; 
For hardely, the werste of this is do ; 
And though my tale as now be to yow 

newe, 305 

Yet trist alwey, .ye shal me finde trewe ; 
And were it thing that me thoughte 

tinsittinge. 
To yow nolde I no swiche tales bringe.' 

45. ' Now, n\v good eeni, for goddes love, 
I preye,' 309 

Quod she, 'com of, and tel me what it is; 
For bothe I am agast what ye wol seye, 
And eek me longeth it to wite, y-wis. 
For whether it be wel or be amis, 
Sey on, lat me not in this fere dwelle/:' 
' So wol I doon, now herkneth, I shal 
telle: 315 

46. Now, nece myn, the kinges dere sone, 
The goode, wyse, worthy, fresshe, and free, 
Which alwcy for to do wel is his wone. 
The noble Troilus, so loveth thee. 

That, bot ye helpe, it wol his bane be. 320 
Lo, here is al, what sholde I more seye ? 
Doth what yow list, to make him live or 
deye, 

47. But if ye lete him deye, I wol sterve; 
Have her my trouthe, nece, I nil not lyen; 



226 



^toifu0 anb Cvteepbe. 



[Book II. 



Al sholde I with this knyf my throte 
kerve ' — 325 

With that the teres braste oi\t of liis yen, 

And seyde, 'if that ye doon ns bothe 
dyen, 

Thus giltelees, than have ye iisshed faire ; 

What mende ye, though that we botlie 
apeyre ? 

48. Alias ! he whicli that is my lord so 

dere, 330 

That trewo man, that noble gentil knight, 
That nought desireth but your freendly 

chere, 
I see him deye, ther he goth up-right. 
And hastetli liim, with al his fulle might. 
For to be slayn, if fortune wol assente ; 335 
Alias ! that god yow swich a beautee 

sente ! 

49. If it be so that ye so cruel be, 

That of his deeth yow liste nought to 

recche. 
That is so trewe and worthy, as ye see, 
Xo more than of a japere or a wrecche, 340 
If ye be swich, your beautee may not 

strecche 
To make amendes of so cruel a dede ; 
Avysement is good bifore the nede. 

50. Wo worth the faire gemme vertiilees ! 
Wo worth that herbe also that dooth no 

bote ! 34.5 

Wo worth that beautee that is routhelees ! 
Wo worth that wiglit that tret ecli under 

fote ! 
And ye, that been of beautee crop and 

rote, 
I f therwith-al in you ther be no routhe, 
Than is it harm ye liven, by my troiithe ! 

51. And also thenk wel, that this is no 
gaude ; 351 

For me were lever, thou and T and ho 
Were hanged, than I sholde been his 

baiiile. 
As heye, as men mighte on us alle y-see : 
I am thyn eem, the shame were to me, 355 
As wel as thee, if that I sholde assente, 
Thorugli myn abet, that he thjni honour 

shentc. 



52. Now understond, for I yow nought 

requere. 
To binde yow to him thorugh no heheste, 
But only that ye make him bettre chere 360 
Than ye han doon er this, and more feste. 
So that his lyf be saved, at the leste 
This al and som, and playnly our entente ; 
God helpe me so, I never other mente. 364 

.53. Lo, this request is not but skile, y-wis, 
Ne doute of reson, pardee, is ther noon. 
I sette the worste that ye dredden this. 
Men wolden wondren seen him come or 

goon : 
Ther-ayeins answere I thus a-noon, 369 
That every wight, but he be fool of kinde, 
Wol deme it love of freendship in his 

minde, 

54. Wlaat ? who wol deme, though he see 
a man 

To temple go, that he the images eteth ? 
Tlienk eek how wel and wysly that he can 
Governe him-self, that he no-thing for- 

yeteth, 375 

That, wher he cometh, he prys and thank 

him geteth ; 
Ami eek ther-to, he shal come here so 

selde, 
What fors were it though al the toun 

behelde ? 

55. Swich love of freendes regneth al this 
toun ; 

And wrye yow in that mantel ever-mo ; 
And, gf)d so wis be my savacioun, 381 

As I have seyd, your beste is to do so. 
But alwey, goode nece, to stinte his wo, 
So lat yoiir daunger sucred ben a lyte, 
That of his deeth ye be nought for to 
wyte.' 3S5 

56. Criseyde, which that lierde him in 
this wyse, 

Thouglite, ' I shal fele wliat he meneth, 

y-wis.' 
'Now, eem,' quod she, 'what wolde ye 

devyse, 
What is your reed I sholde doon of this?' 
' That is ^v(;l seyd,' quod he, ' certayn, 

best is 390 



Book II.] 



^roifu0 Ant Cviet^H. 



227 



That j-e him love ayein for his lovinge, 
As love lor love is skilful guerdoninge. 

57. Thenk eek, how elde wasteth every 
houre 

In eche of yow a party of beautee ; 

And therfore, er that age thee devoure, 395 

Go love, for, olde, ther wol no wight of 

thee. 
Lat this proverbe a lore vin-to yow he ; 
To late y-war, quod Beautee, whan it 

paste ;" 
And elde daunteth daunger at the laste. 

58. The kinges fool is woned to cryen 
loude, 400 

Whan that him thinketh a womman 

hereth hir hye, 
" So longe mote ye live, and alle proude. 
Til Crowes feet he growe under yoiir ye. 
And sende yow thanne a mirour in to 

prye 4"+ 

In whiche ye may see your face a-morwe ! " 
Nece, I bid wisshe yow no more sorwe.' 

59. With this he stente, and caste adoun 
the heed. 

And she bigan to breste a-wepe anoon. 
And seyde, 'alias, for wo! why nere I 

deed ? 
For of this world the feith is al agoon ! 410 
Alias ! what sliolden straunge to me doon, 
^^^len he, that for my beste freend I 

wende, 
Eet me to love, and sholde it me defende ? 

60. Alias ! I wolde han trusted, doutelees, 
That if that I, thurgh my disaventure, 415 
Had loved other him or Achilles, 
Ector, or any mannes creattire. 

Ye niilde han had no mercy ne mesure 
On me, but alwey had me in repreve ; 
This false world, alias ! who may it leve ? 

61. Wliat ? is this al the joye and al the 
festeV 421 

Is this your reed, is this my blisful cas ? 
Is this the verray mede of your beheste ? 
Is al this peynted proces seyd, alias ! 424 
Right tor this fyn ? lady myn, Pallas ! 
Thou in this dredful cas for me purveye ; 
For so astonied am I that I deye ! ' 



62. With that she gan fill sorwfuUy to 
syke ; 

' A ! may it be no bet ? ' quod Pandarus ; 
' By god, I shal no-more come here this 

wyke, 430 

And god to-forn, that am mistrusted thus ; 
I see ful wel that ye sette lyte of us. 
Or of our deeth ! Alias ! I woful wrecche ! 
Mighte he yet live, of me is nought to 

recche. 

63. O cruel god, O dispitouse Marte, 435 
O Furies three of helle, on yow I crye ! 
So lat me never out of this lious departe. 
If that I mente harm or vilanye ! 

But sitli I see my lord mot nedes dye. 
And I with him, here I me shryve, and 
seye 440 

That wilikedly ye doon us bothe deye. 

64. But sith it lyketh yow that I be 
deed, 

By Neptunus, that god is of the see, 
Fro this forth shal I never eten breed 
Til I myn owene herte blood may see ; 445 
For certayn, I wole deye as sone as he '■ — ■ 
And up he sterte, and on his wey he 

raughte. 
Til she agayn him by the laj^pe caughte. 

65. Criseyde, which that wel neigh starf 
for fere. 

So as she was the ferfulleste wight 450 
That mighte be, and herde eek with hir 

ere, 
And saw the sorwful ernest of the knight. 
And in his preyere eek saw noon unright. 
And for the harm that mighte eek fallen 

more, 
She gan to rewe, and dradde hir wonder 

sore ; 455 

66. And thoughte thus, ' unhappes fallen 
thikke 

Alday for love, and in swich mauer cas. 
As men ben crviel in hem-self and wikke ; 
And if this man slee here him-self, alias ! 
In my presence, it wol be no solas. 460 
What men wolde of hit deme I can nat 

seye ; 
It nedeth me ful sleyly for to pleye.' 



228 



^roiCue Ml tviBf^U. 



[Book II. 



67. And with a sorwful syk she seyde 
thrye, 

' A ! lord ! what me is tid a sory chavmce ! 
For myn estat now l.nh in jupartye, 465 
And eek m\ni ernes lyf b'th in balaunce ; 
But nathelees, with goddes governaunce, 
I shal so doon, myn honour shal I kepe, 
And eek his lyf ;' and stinte for to wepe. 

68. 'Of harmes two, the lesse is for to 
chese ; 4''° 

Yet have I lever maken him good chere 
In honour, than myn ernes lyf to lese ; 
Ye seyn, ye no-thing elles me requere ?' 
' No, wis,' quod he, ' mjii owene nece dere.' 
' Now wel,' quod she, ' and I wol doon my 

peyne ; '^'^^ 

I shal' myn herte ayeins my lust con- 

streyne, 

69. But that I nil not holden him in 

honde, 
Ne love a man, ne can I not, ne may 
Ayeins my wil ; hut elles wol I fonde, 
Myn honour saiif, plese him fro day to 

day; 480 

Ther-to nolde I nought ones have seyd nay, 
But that I dredde, as in my fantasye ; 
But cesse cause, ay cesseth maladye. 

70. And here I make a protestacioim. 
That in this proces if ye depper go, 48.=: 
That certaynly, for no savacioun 
Of yow, though that ye sterve hothe two. 
Though al the world on o day be my fo, 
Ne shal I never on him han other 

routhe.' — 
'I graimte wel,' quod Pandare, 'by my 
trouthe. 49^ 

71, Bvit may I truste wel ther-to,' quod he, 
'That, of this thing that ye han hight me 

here, 
Ye wol it holden trewly un-to me ?' 
'Ye, doutelees,' quod she, 'myn uncle 

dere.' 
' Ne that I shal han cause in this matere,' 
Quod he, 'to pleyne, or after yow to 

preche?' 49^ 

•Wliy, no, pardee; what nedeth more 

speche ? ' 



72. Tho fiUen they in othere tales glade. 
Til at the laste, ' good eem,' quod she 

tho, 
'For love of god, which that us bothe 

made, . ^"^ 

Tel me how first ye wisten of his wo : 
AYot noon of hit but ye?' He seyde, 

' no.' 
'Can he wel speke of love?' quod she, 

' I preye, 
Tel me, for I the bet me shal purveye.' 

73. Tho Pandarus a litel gan to smyle, 
And sevde, ' by my trouthe, I shal yow 

telle. 5°6 

This other day, nought gon ful longe 

whyle, 
In-with the paleys-gardyn, by a welle. 
G-an he and I wel half a day to dwelle. 
Right for to speken of an ordenaunce, 510 
How we the Grekes mighte disavaunce. 

74. Sone after that bigonne we to lepe, 
And casten with our dartes to and fro. 
Til at the laste he seyde, he wolde slepe. 
And on the gres a-doun he leyde him tho ; 
And I after gan rome to and fro ?i(> 
Til that I herde, as that I welk allone, 
How he bigan ful wofuUy to grone. 

75. Tho gan I Stalke him softely bihinde, 
And sikerly, the sothe for to seyne, 520 
As I can clepe ayein now to my minde, 
Eight thus to Love he gan him for to 

plevne ; 
He seyde, "lord! have routhe up-on my 

peyne, 
Al have I been rebel in myn enteiite ; 
Now, mea cvlpn, lord ! I me repente. 5^5 

76. O god, that at thy disposicioun 
Ledest the fyn, by juste purveyaunee, 
Of every wight, my lowe confessioiin 
Accepte in gree, and send me swich 

penaunce 5-9 

As lyketh thee, but from desesperaunce, 
That may my goost departe awey fro thee, 
Thou be my sheld, for thy benignitee. 

77. For certes, lord, so sore hath she me 

wounded 
That stod in blak, with loking of hir yen, 



Book IT. 



CtoiTue arib Cnoeplie. 



229 



That to myn liertes botme it is y-sovinded, 
Tlioriigh which I woot that I mot uedes 

dyen ; 536 

This is the worste, I dar me not bi-wi-yen ; 
And wel the hotter been the gledes rede, 
That men hem wryen with asshen pale 

and dede." 

78. Witli_ that he smoot liis lieed adoiin 
anoon, 540 

And gan to motre, I noot wliat, trewely. 
And I with that gan stille awey to goon, 
And leetther-of as no-thing wist hadde I. 
And come ayein anoon and stood him by, 
Aiid seyde, " a-wake, ye slepeu al to 
lo^ige ; 545 

It semeth nat that love dooth yow longe, 

79. That slepen so that no man may yow 
wake. 

Wlio sey ever or this so diil a man ? " 

" Ye, freend," quod he, " do ye yonr hedes 

ake 
For love, and lat me liven as I can." 550 
Bi^t though that he lor wo was pale and 

wan, 
Yet made he tho as fresh a contenaunce 
As though he shulde have led the newe 

daunce. 

80. This passed forth, til now, this other 
day. 

It fel that I com roming al allone 555 
Into his chaumbre, and fond how that he 

lay 
Up-(jn his bed ; but man so sore grone 
Xe herde I never, and what that was his 

mone, 
Ne wiste I nought ; for, as I was cominge, 
Al sodeynly he lefte his compileyninge. 560 

81. Of which I took somwhat suspecioun, 
And neer I com, and fond be wejate sore ; 
And god so wis be my savacioun. 

As never of thing hadde I no routhe more. 
For neither with engyn, ne with no lore, 
Unethes mighte I fro the deeth him 
kepe ; 566 

That yet fele I myn herte for him wepe. 

82. And god wot, never, sitli that I was 
b..rn, 

Was I so bisy no man for to preche. 



Ne never was to wight so depe y-sworn, 
Or he me tolde who mighte been his 
leche. 571 

But now to yow rehersen al his speche, 
Or alle his woful wordes for to soune, 
Ne bid me not, but ye wol see me swowne. 

83. But for to save his lyf, and elles 
nought, 575 

And to non harm of yow, thus am I 

driven ; 
And for the love of god that us hath 

wrought, 
Swich chere him dooth, that he and I 

may liven. 
Now have I plat to yow myn herte 

schriven ; 579 

And sin ye woot that myii entente is cleiie, 
Tak hede ther-of, for I non yvel mene. 

84. And right good thritt, I pray to god, 
have ye. 

That han swich oon y-caught with-oute 

net ; 
And be ye wys, as ye ben fair to see, 
Wel in the ring than is the ruby set. 585 
Ther were never two so wel y-met, 
Whan ye ben his al hool, as he is youre : 
Ther mighty god yet graiinte us see that 

hoiu'e ! ' 

85. ' Nay, therof spak I not, a, ha ! ' quod 
she, 

' As helpe me god, ye shenden every deel!' 
' O mercy, dere neee,' anoon quod he, 591 
' What-so I spak, I mente nought but 

weel. 
By Mars the god, that helmed is of steel; 
Now beth nought wrooth, my blood, my 

nece dere.' 
'Now wel,' quod she, 'foryeven be it here! ' 

86. With this he took his leve, and hoom 
he wente ; 596 

And lord, how he was glad and wel bi- 

goon ! 
Criseyde aroos, no lenger she ue stente, 
But straught in-to hir closet wente anoon, 
And sette here doun as stille as any stoon, 
And every w<ad gan up and doun to 

winde, 601 

That he hadde seyd, as it com hir to 

minde ; 



230 



^votfu0 an^ Cvm^^n. 



[Book II. 



87. And wex somdel astonied in liir 
thoiight, 

Eight for the iiewe cas ; but whan that 

she 
AVas fulavysed, tho fond she right noxight 
Of peril, why she oiighte afered be. 606 
For man may love, of possibilitee, 
A womman so, his herte may to-breste. 
And she nought love ayeiu, bvit-if hir leste. 

88. But as she sat alloue and thoughte 
thns, 610 

Th'ascry aroos at skarmish al with-oute. 
And men cryde in the strete, ' see, Troilus 
Hath j-ight now put to flight the Grekes 

route ! ' 
With that gan al hir meynee for to shoute, 
' A ! go we see, caste np the latis wyde ; 
For thurgh this strete he moot to jialays 

ryde ; 616 

89. For other wey is fro the yate noon 
Of Dardanus, thcr open is the cheyne.' 
With tliat com he and al his folk anoon 
An esy pas rydinge, in rontes tweyne, 620 
Right as his happy day was, sooth to seyne. 
For which, men say, may noiTght dis- 

turl)ed l>e 
That shal bityden of necessitee. 

90. This Troilns sat on his baye stede, 
Al armed, save his heed, ful ricliely, 625 
And wounded was his hors, and gan to 

blede, 
On wliiche he rood a pas, ful softely ; 
But swich a knightly sighte, trewely. 
As was on him, was nought, with-outen 

faile, 629 

To loke on Mars, that god is of l)atayle. 

91. Solyk a man of armes .and a knight 
He was to seen, fulfild of heigh prowesso ; 
For bothe lie hadde a bndy and a might 
To doon that thing, as wel as hardiuesse ; 
And eek to seen him in his gere him 

dresse, 6}S 

So fresh, so yong, so weldy semed he. 
It was an heven up-on him for to see. 

92. His helm to-hewen was in twenty 

places. 
That by a tissew heng, his bak bihinde, 



His sheld to-dasshed was with swerdes 
and maces, 640 

In which men miglite many an arwe 
finde 

That thirled hadde horn and nei'f and 
rinde ; 

And ay the peple cryde, ' here cometh our 

And, next his brother, holdere iip of 
Troye ! ' 

93. For which he wex a litel reed for 
shame, 645 

Wlian he the peple up-on him herde 

cryen, 
Tliat to biholde it was a noble game, 
How sobreliche he caste doun his yen. 
Cryseyda gan al his chere aspyen. 
And leet so softe it in hir herte sinke, 650 
That to hir-self she seyde, ' who yaf me 

drinke ? ' 

94. For of hir owene thought she wex al 
reed, 

Eemembringe hir right thus, ' lo, this is 

he 
Wliich that myn uncle swereth he moot 

be deed. 
But I on him have mercy and pitee ; ' 6^^ 
And with thatthought, for pure a-shanied, 

she 
Gan in hir heed to puUe, and that as 

faste, 
Whyl he and al the peple for-by paste, 

95. And gan to caste and roUen up and 

doun 
Witli-inne hir thought his excellent 

prowesse, 060 

And his estat, and also his renoun. 
His wit, his shap, and eek his gentilesse : 
But most hir favour was, for his distresse 
Was al for hir, and thoughte it was a 

roiithe 
To sleen swich oon, if that he niente 

trouthe. 665 

96. Now mighte som envyous jangle thus, 
'This was a sodeyn love, how mighte it be 
That she so lightly lovede Troilus 
Right for the firste sighte ; ye, pardee ?' 



Book II.] 



^rotfu0 arti) Cnee^be. 



231 



Now ■who-so seytli so, mote he never 
thee ! 670 

For every thing, a ginning hath it nede 
Er al be wrought, with-outen any drede. 

97. For I sey nought that she so sodeynly 
Yaf him liir love, but that she gan encljaie 
To lyke him first, and I have tokl yow 

why; 675 

And after that, his manhod and his pyne 
Made love with-inne hir for to myne. 
For which, liy proces and by good servyse. 
He gat hir love, and in no sodeyn wyse. 

98. Andalso blisfi\l Venus, welarayed, 680 
Sat in hir seventhe hous of hevene tho. 
Disposed wel, and with aspectes payed. 
To helpen sely Troilus of his wo. 

And, sooth to eeyu, she nas nat al a fo 
To Troilus in his nati\'itee ; 685 

Grod woot that wel the soner spedde he. 

99. Now lat us stinte of Troilus a throwe, 
That rydeth forth, and lat vis tourne faste 
Un-to Criseyde, that heng hir heed ful 

lowe, 
Tlier-as she sat allone, and gan to caste 690 
MTier-on she wolde apoynte hir at the 

laste, 
If it so were hir eem ne wolde cesse, 
For Troihis, up-on hir for to presse. 

100. And, lord ! so she gpai in hir thought 
argue 

In this matere of which I have yow 
told, 695 

And what to doon best were, and what 
eschue, 

Tliat plyted she ful ofte in many fold. 

Now was hir herte warm, now was it cijld, 

And what she thoughte somwhat shal I 
wryte. 

As to myn aivctor liateth for to endj^te. 700 

101. She thoughte wel, that Troilus per- 
soue 

She knew by sighte and eek his gentil- 

lesse, 
And thus she seyde, ' al were it nought to 

done, 
To graunte him love, yet, for his worthi- 

nesse. 



It were honour, with pley and with glad- 
nesse, 705 

In honestee, with swich a lord to dele. 
For myn estat, and also for his hele. 

102. Eek, wel wot I my kinges sone is he; 
And sitli ho hath to see me swich delyt, 
If I wolde bitterly his sighte flee, 710 
Paraunter he miglite have me in dispyt, 
Thurgh which I mighte stonde in worse 

pij-t; 

Now were I wys, me hate to purchace, 
With-oviten nede, ther I may stonde in 
grace ? 

103. In every thing, I woot, ther lyth 
mesure. 715 

For tliough a man forbede ilronkenesse, 
He nought for-bet that every creature 
Be drinkelees for alwey, as I gesse ; 
Eek sith I woot for me is his distresse, 
I ne oughte not for that thing him des- 
pyse, 7-'<> 

Sith it is so, he meneth in good wyse. 

104. And eek I knowe, of longe tyme 
agoon. 

His thewes goode, and that he is not nyce. 
Ne avauntour, seyth men, certein, is he 

noon ; 
To wys is he to do so gret a vyce ; 725 

Ne als I nel him never so cheryce, 
That he may make avaunt, by juste cause; 
He shal m.e never binde in swiche a clause. 

105. Now set a cas, the hardest is, y-wis, 
Men mighten deme that he loveth me : 730 
What dishonour were it im-to me, this ? 
May I him lette of that ? why nay, pardee ! 
I knowe also, and alday here and see. 
Men loven wommen al this toun aboute ; 
Be they the wers ? why, nay, with-outen 

doute. 7,35 

106. I thenk eek how he able is for to 
have 

Of al this noble toun the thriftieste. 
To been his love, so she hir honour save; 
For oi\t and out he is the worthieste, 739 
Save only Ector, which that is the beste, 
And yet his lyf al lyth now in my cure, 
But swich is love, and eek myn aventure. 



232 



^roifue ant> Cnee^^e. 



[Book 11. 



107. Ne me tolove, a wonder is it nouglit ; 
For wel wot 1 my-self, so god me spede, 
Al woldelthat noon wiste of this thought, 
I am con the fayreste, out of drede, 746 
And goodlieste, who-so taketh hede ; 
And so men seyn in al the toun of Troye. 
What wonder is it though he of me have 

joye? 

108. I am myn owene woman, wel at ese, 
I thanke it god, as after niyn estat ; 751 
Eight yong, and stonde unteyd in lusty 

lese, 
With-outen jalousye or swich debat ; 
Shal noon housbonde seyn to me "chek- 

mat ! " 
For either they ben ivd of jalousye, 755 
Or maisterful, or loven novelrye. 

109. What shal I doon? to what fyn live 
I thus? 

Shal I nat loven, in cas if that me leste? 
What, par dieiw ! I am nought religious ! 
And though that I myn herte sette at 

resto 700 

Upon this knight, that is the worthieste, 
And kepe alwey myn honour and my 

name. 
By alle right, it may do me no shame.' 

110. But right as whan the sonne shyneth 
brighte. 

In March, that chaungeth otte tyme his 
face, T^5 

And that a cloud is put with wind to 
flighte 

Which over-sprat the sonne as for a space, 

A cloudy thought gan thorugh hir soule 
pace. 

That over-spradde hir brighte thoughtes 

alle, 
So that for fere almost she gan to falle. 770 

111. That thought was this, 'alias! sin 

I am free, 
Sholde I now love, and putte in jupartye 
My sikernesse, and thrallen libertee ? 
Alias! how dorste I thenken that folye? 
May I nought wel in other folk aspye 775 
Hir dredfiil joye, hir constreynt, and hir 

peyne ? 
Ther loveth noon, that she nath why to 

pleyne. 



112. For love is yet the moste stormy lyf, 
Right of him-self, that ever was bigonne ; 
For ever som mistrust, or nyce str>-f, 780 
Ther is in love, som cloud is over the 

sonne : 
Ther-to we wreoched wommen no-thing 

conne. 
Whan us is wo, but wepe and sitte and 

thinke ; 
Our wreche is this, our owene wo to 

drinke. 

113. Also these wikked tonges been so 
prest "^5 

To speke us harm, eek men be so untrewe, 
That, right anoon as cessed is hir lest. 
So cesseth love, and forth to love a newe : 
But harm y-doon, is doon, who-so it re we. 
For though these men for love hem iirst 
to-rende, ''^^ 

Ful sharp biginning breketh ofte at ende. 

114. How ofte tyme hath it y-knowen be. 
The treson, that to womman hath be do? 
To what fyn is swich love, I can nat see, 
Or wher bicomth it, whan it is ago ; 795 
Ther is no wight that woot, I trowe so, 
Wlier it bycomth; lo, no wight on it 

sporneth ; 
That erst was no-thing, in-to nought it 
torneth. 

115. How bisy, if I love, eek moste I be 
To plesen hem that jangle of love, and 

demen, °*^'-' 

And coye hem, that they sey non harm of 

me? 
For though ther be no cause, yet hem 

semen 
Al be for harm that folk hir freendes 

quemen ; 
And who maystoppen every wikked tonge, 
Or soun of belles whyl that they be 

ronge?' ^^5 

Ht3. And after that, hir thought bigan to 

clere, 
: And seyde, ' he which that no-thing 

under-taketh. 
No-thing ne acheveth, be him lootli or 

dere.' 



Book II.] 



^rotfu0 anil Crteeplie. 



233 



And with an other thought hir herte 

quaketh ; 
Than slepeth hope, ami after dreed 

awaketh ; 810 

Xow hoot, now cokl; hut thus, hi-twixeu 

tweye. 
She rist hir up, and went hir for to pleye. 

117. Adoun the steyre anoon-right tho 
she wente 

In-to the gardin, with hir neces three, 
And up and doun ther made many a 
wente, 815 

Flexippe, she, Tharbe, and Antigone, 
To plej-en, that it joye was to see ; 
And othere of hir womnien, a gret roiite, 
Hir folwede in the garilin al aboute. 

118. This j-erd was large, and rayled alle 
the aleyes, 820 

And shadwed wel with hlosmy bowes 

grene, 
And benched newe, and sonded alle tlie 

weyes. 
In which she walketh arm in arm bi- 

twene; 
Til at the laste Antigone tlie sliene 
Gan on a Trojan song to singe clere, 825 
Tliat it an heven was hir voj's to here. — 

119. She seyde, 'O love, to whom I have 
and shal 

Ben humble subgit, trewe in myn entente, 
As I best can, to yow, lord, yeve ich al 
For ever-more, mj'n hertes lust to rente. 830 
For never yet thy grace no wight sente 
So blisful cause as me, my lyf to lede 
In alle joye and seurtee, out of drede. 

120. Ye, blisful god, han me so wel beset 
In love, y-wis, that al that bereth lyf 8.35 
Imaginen ne cowde how to ben bet ; 
Foi-, lord, with-outen jalousj'c or stryf, 

I love oon which that is most ententyf 
To serven wel, unwery or unfeyued, 
That ever was, and leest with harm dis- 
treyned. 840 

1"21. As he that isthewelleof worthinesse, 
Of trouthe ground, mirour of goodliheed. 
Of wit Appollo, stoon of sikernesse. 
Of vertu rote, of lust findereand heed, 



Thurgh which is alle sorwe fro me deed, 845 
Y-wis, I love him best, so doth he me ; 
Now good thrift have he, wher-so that he 
be! 

122. \\^lom sholde I thanke but .^'ow, goil 
of love. 

Of al this blisse, in which to bathe 1 

ginne ? 
And thanked be ye, lord, for that Hove ! 850 
This is the righte lyf that I am inne, 
To flemen alle manere vyoe and sinne : 
This doth me so to vertu for to entende, 
That day by day I in my wil amende. 

123. And who-so sej-th that for to love is 
^Tco, 855 

Or thraldom, though he fele in it dis- 

tresse. 
He oiither is en-vyoiis, or right nyce, 
Or is unmighty, for his shrewednesse. 
To loven; for swich manor folk, I gesse, 
Defamen love, as no-thing of him knowe; 
They speken, but they bente never his 

bowe. 861 

124. What is the Sonne wers, of kinde 
righte, 

Tliough that a man, for feljlesse of his 

yen. 
May nought endiire on it to see for 

brighte? 
Or love the wers, though wrecches on it 

cryen ? 865 

No wele is worth, tliat may no sorwo 

dryen. 
And for-tliy, who that hath an hee<l of 

verre, 
Fro cast of stones war hini in tho werre ! 

125. But I with al mjai herte and al my 
miglit, 869 

As I have seyd, wol love, un-to my laste, 
My dero herte, and al myn owene knight. 
In which myn herte growen is so faste, 
And his in me, that it shal ever laste. 
Al dredde I first to love him to biginne, 
Now woot I wel, ther is no peril inne.' 875 

126. And of hir song right with that woii I 
she stent e, 

And therwitli-al, 'now, nece,' quod C'ri- 
seyde, 



234 



^rotfu0 anl Cviu^U. 



[Book II. 



'Who made this song with so good en- 
tente ? ' 
Antigone answerde anoon, and seydc, 
' Ma dame, y-wis, the goodlieste mayde 880 
Of greet estat in al the toun of Troye ; 
And let hir lyf in most honour and joye.' 

127. 'Forsothe, so it semeth hy hir song,' 
Quod tho Criseyde, and gan ther-with to 

syke, 
And seyde, 'lord, is there swich hlisse 

among 885 

These lovers, as they conne faire endyte? ' 
'Ye, wis,' quod fresh Antigone the whyte, 
' For alle the folk that han or been on lyve 
Ne conne wel the blisse of love discryve. 

128. But wene ye that every wrecche 
woot 890 

The parfit blisse of love? why, nay, y-wis ; 
They wenen al be love, if oon be hoot ; 
Do wey, do wey, they woot no-thing of 

this ! 
Men mosten axe at seyntes if it is 
Aught fair in hevene; why? for they 

conne telle ; •'^95 

And axen fendes, is it foul in helle.' 

129. Criseyde un-to that purpos nought 
answerde. 

But seyde, 'y-wis, it wol be night as 

faste.' 
But every word which that she of hir 

lierde. 
She gan to prenten in hir herte faste ; 900 
And ay gan love hir lasse for to agaste 
Than it dlde erst, and sinken in hir herte. 
That she wex somwhat able to converte. 

130. The dayes honour, and the hevenes ye, 
The nightes fo, al this clepe I the sonne, qos 
Gan westren faste, and douuward for to 

wrye. 
As he tliat hadde his dayes cours y-ronne ; 
And whyte thinges wexen dimme and 

donne 
For lak of light, and sterres for to appere, 
That she and al hir folk in wente y-fere. 

131 . So whan it lyked hir to goon to reste, 
And voyded weren they that voyden 

oughte, 9>2 



She seyde, that to slepe wel hir leste. 
Hir wommen sone til hir bedhir broughte. 
Wlianalwashust, than lay she stiUe, and 
thoughte 9'5 

Of al this thing the manere and the vrysc. 
Keherce it nedeth nought, foryeben wyse. 

132. A nightingale, upon a cedre grene, 
Under the chambre-wal ther as she lay, 
Ful loude sang ayein the mone shene, 920 
Paraunter, in his briddes ■\v7,-se, a lay 

Of love, that made hir herte fresh and gay. 
That herknedshesolonge in good entente. 
Til at the laste the dede sleep hir hente. 

133. And, as she sleep, anoon-right tho 
hir mette, 9-5 

How that an egle, fethered whyt as boon. 
Under hir brest his longe clawes sette. 
And out hir herte he rente, and that 

a-noon. 
And dide his herte in-to hir brest to goon. 
Of which she nought agroos ne no-thing 

smerte, 93" 

And forth he fleigh, with herte left for 

herte. 

134. Now lat hir slepe, and we our tales 
holde 

Of Troilus, that is to paleys riden. 
Fro the scarmuch, of the whiche I tolde. 
And in his chambre sit, and hath abiden 
Til two or three of h is messages yeden 936 
For Pandariis, and soughten him ful faste. 
Til they him founde, and broughte him at 
the laste. 

135. This Pandarus com leping in at ones 
And seide thus, 'who hath ben wel y-bete 
Today with swerdes, and with slinge- 

stones, 94 ' 

Biit Troilus, that hath caught him an 

hete?' 
And gan to jape, and seyde, ' lord, so ye 

swete ! 
But rys, and lat v\s soupe and go to reste ; ' 
And he answerde him, 'do we as thee 

leste.' 945 

136. With al the haste goodly that they 
mighte. 

They spedde hem fro the souper un-to 
bedde ; 



Book II.] 



^votfue anb Cneej^e. 



235 



And every wight oiit at the (lore him 

dighte, 
And wher him list nixni his wey he 

spedde ; 
But Troilus, that thoughte Iiis lierte 

bledde 950 

For wo, til that he herde som tydinge, 
He seyde, ' freend, shal I now wepe or 

singe ? ' 

137. Quod Pandarus, 'Ij' stille, and lat me 
slepe, 

And don thj^n hood, thy nedes spedde be ; 
And chese, if' thou wolt singe or daunce or 

lepe ; 955 

At shorts wordes, thow shalt trowe me. — 
Sire, my nece wol do wel by thee. 
And love thee best, by god and by my 

troutlie, 
But laic of pursuit make it in thy sloi^the. 

138. For thus ferlorth I have thy work 
bigonne, 960 

Fro day to day, til this day, by the morwe, 
Hir love of freentlship have I to thee 

wonne, 
And also hath she leyd hir feyth to borwe. 
Algate a foot is hameled of thy sorwe.' 
What sholde I lenger sermon of itliolde? 
As ye han herd bifore, al he him tolde. 966 

139. But right as floures, thorvigh the 
colde of night 

Y-closed, stoupen on hir stalkes lowe, 
Kedressen hem a-yein the sonne bright, 
And spreden on hir kinde cours by rowe ; 
Kight so gan tho his eyen up to throwe 971 
This Troilus, and seyde, ' Venus dere. 
Thy might, thy grace, y-heried be it here ! ' 

140. And to Pandare he held vip bothe his 
hondes, 

Andsej'de, 'lord, althyn be thatlhave ; 975 
For I am hool, al brosten been my bondes ; 
A thousand Troians who so that me yave, 
Eche after other, god so wis me save, 
Ne mighte me so gladen ; lo, myn herte. 
It spredeth so lor joye, it wol to-sterte ! 980 

141. But lord, how shal I doon, how shal 
I liven ? 

^Vl^an shal I next my dere herte see ? 



How shal this longe tyme a-wey be driven, 
Til that thou be ayein at hir fro me ? 
Thou mayst answere, "a-byd, a-byd," but 
he 98s 

Thathangeth bythenekke, sooth to seyne, 
In grete disese ahydeth for the peyne.' 

142. ' Al esily, now, for the love of Marte,' 
Quod Pantlarus, ' for every thing hath 

tyme ; 989 

So longe abyd til that the night departe ; 
For al so siker as thow lyst here by me, 
And god toforn, I wol be there at pryme. 
And for thy werk somwhat as I shal seye, 
Or on som other wight this charge leye. 

143. For pardee, god wot, I have ever 
yit 995 

Ben redy thee to serve, and to this night 
Have I nought fayned, but emforth my 

wit 
Don al thy lust, and shal witli al my 

might. 
Do now as I shal seye, and fare a-right ; 
And if thou nilt, wyte althy-self thy care, 
On me is novight along thynyvel fare, jooi 

144. I woot wel that thow wj'ser art than I 
A thousand fold, but if I were as thou, 
God helpe me so, as I wolde outrely, 
Eight of myn owene hond, wryte hir 

right now ux)5 

A lettrc, in which I w^lde hir tellen how 
I fer(.te amis, and hir beseehc of routhe ; 
Now help thy-self, and leve it not for 

slouthe. 

145. And I my-self shal ther-with to hir 
goon ; 

And whan thou wost that 1 am with hir 
there, loio 

Worth thou up-on a courser right anoon. 
Ye, hardily, right in thy beste gere. 
And ryd forth by the place, as nought ne 

were. 
And thou shalt finde us, if I may, sittinge 
At som windowe, in-to the strete lokinge. 

146. And if thee list, than maystow x\s 
saluwe, 1016 

And up-on me make thy contenaunce ; 



15 



236 



'Zvoihe a-n^ Cneep^e. 



[Book II. 



But, 1)y thy lyf, be war and faste escliuwe 
To tarieu ought, god shilde us fro niis- 

cliaxince ! 
Ryd forth tliy wey, and liohl thy govern- 

aunce ; '"-o 

And we shal speke of thee som-what, I 

trowe, 
Wlaan thou art goon, to do thyne eres 

glowe ! 

147. Toiiching thy lettre, thou art wys 
y-nough, '"-3 

I woot thow nilt it digneliche endyto ; 
As make it with thise argumentes tough ; 
Ne serivenish or craftily thou it wryte ; 
Beblotte it with thy teres eek a lyte ; 
And if thou wryte a goodly word al softe, 
Thoiigh it be good, reherce it not to ofte. 

14S. For though the bestc harpour upon 
lyve 1030 

Wolde on the beste souned joly harpe 
That ever was, with alle his flngres tyve, 
Touche ay o streng, or ay o werbul harpe, 
Were his nayles poynted never so sharpe, 
It shulde maken every wight to duUe, 1035 
To here his glee, and of his strokes fuUe. 

149. Ne jompre eek no discordaiint thing 
y-fere. 

As thus, to usen termes of phisyk ; 
In loves termes, hold of thy mat ere 
The forme alwey, and do that it be 
lyk ; 1040 

For if a peyntour wolde peynte a pyk 
With asses feet, and hede it as an ape. 
It cordeth nought ; so nere it but a jape.' 

150. This counseyl lyked wel to Troilus ; 
But, as a dreedful lover, he seyde this : — 
' Alias, my dere brother Pandarus, 1046 
I am ashamed for to wryte, y-wis. 

Lest of myn innocence I seyde a-mis. 
Or that she nolde it for despyt receyve; 
Thanne were I deed, ther mighte it no- 
thing weyvo.' 1050 

151. To that Pandare answerde, ' if thee 
lest, 

Do that I seye, and lat me therwith goon ; 
For by that lord that formed est and west, 
I hope of it to briiige answere anoon 



Right of hir bond, and if that thoii nilt 
noon, if>55 

Lat be ; and sory mote he been his ly^'e, 
Ayeins thy lust that helpeth thee to 
thryve.' 

152. Quod Troilus, ' Dfipardierix, I assente ; 
Sin that thee list, I will aryse and wryte ; 
And blisful god preye icli, with good 

entente, 1060 

The vyage, and the lettre I shal endyte, 
So spede it ; and thou, Minerva, the whyte, 
Yif thou me wit my lettre to devyse : ' 
And sette him doun, and wroot right in 

this wyse. — 

153. First he gan hir his righte lady 
calle, 1065 

His hertes lyf, his lust, his sorwes leche. 
His blisse, and eek this othere termes 

alle. 
That in swich cas these loveres alle seclie; 
And in ful humble wyse, as in his speche, 
He gan him recomaunde un-to hir grace; 
To telle al how, it axeth muchcl space. 1071 

154. And after this, ful lowly he hir 
prayde 

To be novight wrooth, though he, of bis 

folye. 
So hardy was to hir to wryte, and seyde, 
That love it made, or elles moste he dye. 
And pitously gan mercy for to crye ; 1076 
And after that he seyde, and ley ful loude, 
Him-self was litel worth, and lesse he 

coude ; 

155. And that she sholde han his conning 
excused, 

That litel was, and eek he dredde hir so, 
And his unworthinesse he ay acused ; 108 1 
And after that, than gan he telle his wo; 
But that was endeles, with-o\iten ho 
And seyde, he wolde in trouthe alwey him 

holde ; — 
And radde it over, and gan the lettre 

folde. 1US5 

156. And with his salte teres gan he bathe 
The ruby in his signet, and it sette 
Upon the wex deliverliclie and rathe ; 
Ther-with a thoiisand tymes, er he lette, 



Book II. j 



^roifue an^ Crieepie. 



237 



He kiste tho the lettre that lie shette, 1090 
And seyde, 'lettre, a blisful destenee 
Thee shapen is, my lady shal thee see.' 

157. This Pandare took the lettre, and 

that hy tyme 
A-morwe, and to his neces paleys sterte, 
And faste he swoor, that it was passed 

pryme, 1095 

And gan to jape, and seyde, ' y-wis, myn 

herte, 
So fresh it is, al-though it sore smerte, 
I may not slepe never a Mayes morwe ; 
I have a joly wo, a lusty sorwe.' 

I08. Criseyde, whan that she hir uncle 
herdo, 1 100 

AVith dreedftil herte, and desirous to here 
The cause of his coniiuge, thus answerde, 
• Xow by your fej^h, myn uncle,' cj^uod 

she, ' dere, 
WHiat maner windes gydeth yow now 
here ? 1 104 

Tel us your joly wo and your penaunce. 
How ferforth he ye put in loves daunce.' 

159. 'By god,' qnod he, 'I hoppe alwey 
hihiude ! ' 

Aiid she to-laugh, it thoughte hir herte 

hreste. 
(^uod Pandariis, ' loke alwey that ye finde 
Game in myn hood, hut herkneth, if yow 

leste ; 11 10 

'I'lier is right now come iu-to toune a geste, 
A G-reek espye, and telleth newe thinges, 
Por which come I to telle yow tydinges. 

160. Into the gardin go we, and we shal 
here, 

Al prevely, of this a long serm.oun. ' 11 15 
With that they wenten arm in arm y-fere 
In-to the gardin from the chaumbre doun. 
And whan that he so fer was that the 

soun 
Of that he speke, no man here mighte. 
He seyde hir thus, and out the lettre 

plighte, 1120 

IGI. ' Lo, he that is al hoolly youres free 
Him recomauntleth lowly to your grace, 
And sent to you this lettre here by me ; 
Avyseth you on it, whan ye han space. 



And of som goodly answere yow purchace ; 
Or, helpe me god, so pleynly for to seyne. 
He may not longe liven for his peyne.' 

162. l\il dredfully tho gan she stonde 
stille, 

And took it nought, but al hir humble 

chere 
Gan for to chaunge, and seyde, ' scrit ne 

bille, 1130 

For love of god, that toucheth swich 

laatere, 
Ne bring me noon; and also, vincle 

dere, 
To myn estat have more reward, I preye. 
Than to his lust ; what sholde I more 

seye ? 

163. And loketh now if this be reson- 
able, J 135 

And letteth nought, tor favour ne for 

slou.the. 
To seyn a sooth ; now were it coveuable 
To myn estat, by god, an<l liyyour trouthe, 
To taken it, or to han of him routhe. 
In harming of my-self or in repreve ? 1 1 40 
Ber it a-yein, for him that ye on leve I ' 

164. This Pandarus gan on hir for to 
stare. 

And seyde, ' now is this the grettest 

wonder 
That ever I sey ! lat be this nyce fare ! 
To deethe mote I smiten be with thonder. 
If, for the citee which that stondeth 

yonder, 1146 

Wolde I a lettre un-to yow bringe or take 
To harm <>f yow; what list yow thus it 

make ? 

165. But thus ye faren, wel neigh alle and 
some, 1 149 

That he that most desireth yow to serve, 
Of him ye recche leest wher he bicome. 
And whether that he live or elles sterve. 
But for al that that ever I may deserve, 
Refuse it nought,' (j[viod he, and hente hir 

faste. 
And in hir bos<jni the lettre doun he 

thraste, ' ' 5.i 



238 



^trotfu0 ari^ Crieeplie. 



[Book II. 



166. Aiid seyde lur, 'now cast it away 
anoon, 

That folk may seen and gauren on us 

tweye. ' 
Quod she, ' I can abyde til they he goon,' 
And gan to smyle, and seyde him, ' eem, 

I preye, 
Swich answere as yow list your-self pur- 
veys, not) 
For trewely I nil no lettre wryte. ' 
' No ? than wol I,' quod he, ' so ye endyte.' 

167. Therwith she lough, and seyde, ' go 
we dyne.' 

Anci he gan at him-self to jape faste, 1164 
And seyde, ' nece, I have so greet a pyne 
For love, that every other day I faste '— 
And gan his beste japes forth to caste ; 
And made hir so to laughe at his folye, 
That she for laiighter wende for to dye. 

168. And whan that she was comen in-tij 
halle, "7" 

' Now, eem,' quod she, ' we wol go dyne 

anoon ; ' 
And gan some of hir women to hir calle, 
And streyght in-to hir chaumbre gan she 

goon ; 
But of hir besinesses, this was oon 
A-moi)ges othere thinges, oiit of drede, 
Ful prively this lettre for to rede ; 1 1 76 

169. Avysed word by word in every lyne. 
And fond no lak, she thoughte he coude 

good ; 
And up it putte, and went hir in to dyne. 
And Pandaras, that in a study stood, i iKo 
Er he was war, she took him by the 

hood. 
And seyde, 'ye were caught er that ye 

wiste ; ' 
'I voiiche sauf,'quod he, 'do what yow 

liste.' 

170. Tho wesshen they, and sette hem 
doun and ete ; 

And after noon ful sleyly Pandarus 1185 
Gan drawe him to the window next the 

strete, 
And seyde, ' nece, who hath arayed thus 
The yonder hous, that stant afor-^'eyn us? ' 



' WHiich hous ? ' quod she, and gan for to 

biholde, 
And knew it wel, and whos it was him 

tolde, "90 

171. And Alien forth in speche of thinges 
smale, 

And seten in the window bothe tweye. 
"Wlian Pandarus saw tyme un-to his tale. 
And saw wel that hir folk were alle 

aweye, 
' Now, nece myn, tel on,' quod he, ' I 

seye, "95 

How lyketh yow the lettre that ye woot ? 
Can he ther-on? for, by my trouthe, I 

noot.' 

172. Therwith al rosy hewed tho wex she. 
And gan to humme, and seyde, ' so I 

trowe.' 
' Aquyte him wel, for goddes love,' quod 

he ; >-i>o 

' My-self to medes vt'ol the lettre sowe,' 
And held his hondes up, and sat on 

knowe, 
' Now, goode nece, be it never so lyte, 
Yif me the labour, it to sowe and plyte.' 

17.3. 'Ye, for I can so wr>-te,' quod she 
tho ; 1^05 

' And eek I noot what I sholde to him 
seye.' 

' Nay, nece,' quod Pandare, ' sey not so ; 

Yet at the leste thanketh him, I preye, 

Of his good wil, and doth him not to deye. 

Now for the love of me, my nece dere, 1210 

Eefuseth not at this tj-me my preyere.' 

174. ' Depar-dieux,' qiiod she, ' god leve al 
be wel ! 

God helpe me so, this is the firste lettre 
That ever I wroot, ye, al or any del.' 
And in-to a closet, for to avyse hir bettre. 
She wente aUone, and gan hir herte im- 
fettre i-!i<J 

Out of disdaynes prison but a lyte ; 
And sette hir doun, and gan a lettre wryte, 

175. Of which to telle in short is myn 
entente '^'9 

Th'effect, as fer as I can understonde : — 
She thonked him of al that he wel mente 



Book II.] 



'Zvoihe drib Cneejie. 



239 



Towardes hir, but holden liim in honde 
She nolde nouglit, ne make liir-selveu 

bonde 
In love, but as his suster, him to plese, 
She wolde fayn, to doou his herte an ese. 

176. She shette it, and to Pandariis gan 
goon, 1226 

There as he sat and loked in-to strete. 
And doun she sette hir hy him on a stoon 
Of jaspre, up-on a qnisshin gold y-bete. 
And seyde, ' as visly helpe me god the 

grete, 1230 

I never dide a thing with more peyne 
Than wTyte this, to which ye me con- 

strej-iie ; ' 

177. And took it hina : he thonked hir 
and seyde, 

'God woot, of thing ful ofte looth bigonne 
Cometh ende good ; and nece niyn, Cri- 

seyde, 1235 

That ye to him. of hard now ben y-wonne 
Oughte he be gl.ad, by god and yonder 

Sonne ! 
For-why men seyth, " impressioun[e]s 

light e 
Fnl lightly been ay redy to the flighte." 

178. But ye han pleyed tyraunt neigh to 
longe, 1240 

And hard was it your herte for to grave ; 
Ni^w stint, that ye no Linger on it honge, 
Al wolde ye the forme of daunger save. 
But haste th yow to doon him joye have ; 
For trusteth wel, to longe y-doou hard- 
nesse 1245 

Causeth despyt ful often, for distresse. ' 

179. And riglit as they declamed this 
mat ere, 

Lo, Troilus, right at the stretes ende, 
Com ryding with his teuthe some y-fere, 
Al softely, and thiderward gan bende 1 250 
Ther-as thej' sete, as was his wey to wende 
To paleys-ward ; andPandarehim aspyde, 
And seyde, ' nece, y-see who cometh here 
ryde ! 

ISO. flee not in, he seetli us, I suppose ; 
Lest he may thinke that ye him eschuwe.' 



' Nay, nay,' quod she, and wex as reed as 
rose. 1256 

With that he g^n hir humbly to saluwe. 
With dreadful chere, and ofte his hewes 

muwe ; 
And lip his look debonairly he caste. 
And bekked on Pandare, and forth he 
paste. 1260 

181. God woot if he sat on hishorsa-right. 
Or goodly was beseyn, that ilke day ! 
God woot wher he was lyk a manly 

knight ! 
Wliat sholde I drecche, or telle of his 

aray ? 
Criseyde, which that alle these thinges 

say, 1265 

To telle in short, hir lyked al y-fere, 
His persone, his aray, his look, his chere, 

182. His goodly manere and his gentil- 
lesse. 

So wel, that never, sith that she was born, 
Ne hadde she swicli routhe of his dis- 

ti'esse ; 1270 

And liow-so she hath hard ben her-biforn, 
To god hope I, slie hath now caught a 

thorn. 
She shal not pulle it out this nexte wyke ; 
God sende mo swich thornes on to pyke ! 

183. Pandare, which that stood hir faste 

by, 1275 

Felte iren hoot, and he bigau to smyte, 
And seyde, ' nece, I pray yow hertel.\-, 
Tel me that I shal axen yow a lyte. 
A womman, that were of his deeth to 

wyte, 
With-outen his gilt, but for hir lakked 

routhe, 1280 

Were it wel doon ? ' Quod she, ' naj', by 

my trouthe ! ' 

184. ' God helpe me so,' quod he, ' ye sey 
me sooth. 

Ye felen wel your-self that I not lye ; 
Lo, yond he rit ! ' Quod she, ' ye, so he 

dooth.' 
' Wel,' quod Pandare, ' as I have told yow 

thrye, 1^85 

Lat be your nyce shame and your folye, 
And sjjek with him in esingof his herte ; 
Lat nycetee not do yow bothe smerte.' 



240 



^t:otfu0 anb Cnec^be. 



[Book II. 



185. But tlier-on was to lieveii and to 
done ; 

Considered al thing, it may not be : 1290 
And why, for shame ; and it were eek to 

sone 
To grannten him so greet a lihertee. 
' For playnlj' hir entente,' as seyde she. 
Was for to love him tin wist, if she mights, 
And guerdon him with no-thing but with 

siglite.' 1295 

186. Bitt Pandarus thoughte, ' it shal not 
be so. 

If tliat I may ; this nyce opinioiin 
Shal not be holden fully yeres two.' 
What sliolde I make of this a long ser- 

moun ? 
He moste assente on that conclnsioun 1300 
As for thetyme ; and whan that it was eve, 
And al was wel, he roos and took his leve. 

187. And on his wey ful faste horn ward he 
spedde. 

And right for joye he felte his herte 

daunce ; 
And Troilus he fond alone a-bedde, 1305 
That lay as dooth these loveres, in a 

traunce, 
Bitwixen hope and derk desesperaiince. 
But Pandarus, right at his in-cominge. 
He song, as who seyth, ' lo ! sumwhat 

I bringe.' 

188. And seyde, ' who is in his bed so 
sone 1310 

Y-bu.ried thus ?' ' It am I, freend,' quod 

he. 
' Who, Troilus ? nay helpe me so the 

mone,' 
Quod Pandarus, ' thoti shalt aryse and see 
A charme that was sent right now to thee, 
The which can helen thee of thyn ac- 

cesse, 1315 

If thou do forth-with al thy besinesse.' 

189. ' Ye, through the naight of god ! ' 
quod Troilus. 

And Pandarus gan him the lettre take. 
And seyde, ' pardee, god hath holpen us ; 
Have here a light, and loke on al this 
blake.' 1320 

But ofte gan the herte glade and quake 



Of Troilus, whyl that he gan it rede. 

So as the wordes .yave him hope or drede. 

190. But fynally, he took al for the beste 
That she him \vroot, for sumwhat he bi- 

held 1325 

On which, hina thoughte, he mighte his 

herte reste, 
Al covered she the wordes under sheld. 
Thus to the more worthy part he held, 
That, what for hope and Pandarus bi- 

heste. 
His grete wo for-yede he at the leste. 1330 

191. But as we may alday ovir-selven see. 
Through n^ore wode or col, the more lyr; 
Right so encrees of hope, of what it be, 
Therwith ful ofte encreseth eek desyr ; 
Or, as an 00k cometh of a litel spyr, 1335 
So through this lettre, which that slie 

him sente, 
Encresen gan desyr, of which he brente. 

192. Wliei'fore I seye al wey, that day and 
night 

This Troilus gan to desiren more 

Than he dide erst, thurgh hope, and dide 

his might 1340 

To pressen on, as by Pandarus lore. 
And wryten to hir of his sorwes sore 
Fro day to day ; he leet it not refreyde, 
That by Pandare he wroot somwhat or 

seyde ; 

193. And dide also his otliere obser- 
vaunces 1345 

That to a lovere longeth in this cas ; 
And, after that these dees turnede on 

chaunces, 
So was he outlier glad or se.yde ' alias ! ' 
And held after his gestes ay his pas ; 
And aftir swiche answeres as lie hadde. 
So were his daj^es sory outher gladde. 1351 

194. But to Paudare alwey was liis recours. 
And pitously gan ay til him to pleyne. 
And him bisoughte of rede and som 

socours ; 
And Pandarus, that sey his wode peyne, 
Wex wel neigh deed for routhe, sooth to 

seyne, 1356 



Book II.] 



Croifue anlt Cmejie. 



241 



And bisily witli al his herte caste 

Som of his wo to sleen, and that as faste ; 

195. And seyde, 'lord, and freend, and 
brother dere, 

God woot that thy disese doth me wo. i.^Cw 
But woltow stinten al this woful chere, 
And, by my trouthe, or it be dayes two, 
And god to-forn, yet shal I shape it so. 
That thou shalt come in-to a certayn 

place, 
Ther-as thou mayst thy-self hir preye of 

grace. 1365 

196. And certainly, I noot if thou it wost. 
But tho that been expert in love it seye. 
It is oon of the thinges that furthereth 

most, 
A man to have a leyser for to preye, 
And siker place his wo for to biwrej'e ; 1,^70 
For in good herte it moot som routhe 

impresse, 
To here and see the giltles in distresse. 

197. Paramiter thenkestow : though it 
l)e so 

That kinde wolde doon hir to biginne 
To han a maner routhe up-on my wo, 1375 
Sej-th Daunger, "Nay, thou shalt me 

never winne ; 
So reiileth hir hir hertes goost with-inne. 
That, though she bende, yet she stant on 

rote ; 
What in effect is this un-to my bote ?" 

198. Thenlc here-ayeins, whan that the 
stvirdy ook, 1380 

On which men hakketh ofte, for the 

nones, 
Recej'\'ed hath the happy falling strook, 
The grete sweigh doth it come al at ones, 
As doon these rokkes or these milne-stones. 
For swifter cours cometh thing that is of 

wighte, 1385 

■\Vhan it descendeth, than don thinges 

lighte. 

199. And reed that boweth doun for every 
blast, 

Ful lightl.^', eosse wind, it wol aryse ; 
But so nil not an ook whan it is cast ; 
It nedeth me nought thee longe to forbyse. 



Men shal rejoysen of a greet empi-yse 1391 
Acheved wel, and stant with-outen doute, 
Al han men been the lenger ther-aboute. 

200. But, Troilus, yet tel me, if thee lest, 
A thing now which that I shal axen 

thee ; i39S 

Which is thy brother that thou lovest 

best 
As in thy verray hertes privetee ? ' 
' Y-wis, my brother Deiphebiis,' quod he. 
' Now,' quod Pandare, ' er houres twyes 

twelve. 
He shal thee ese, unwist of it him-selve. 

201. Now lat me allone, and werken as 
I may,' i4"i 

Quod he ; and to Deiphebus wente he tho 
Wliich hadde his lord and grete freend 

ben ay ; 
Save Troilus, no man he lovede so. 
To telle in short, with-outen wordes mo. 
Quod Pandarus, ' I pray yow that ye be 
Freend to a cause which that toucheth 

me.' 1407 

202. 'Yis, pardee,' quod Deiphebus, 'wel 
. thow wost. 

In al that ever I may, and god to-fore, 
Al nere it but for man I love most, 14 10 
My brother Troilus ; but sey wherfore 
It is ; for sith that day that I was bore, 
I nas, ne never-mo to been I thinke, 
Ayeins a thing that mighte thee for- 
thinke. ' 

203. Pandare gan him thonke, and to 
him seyde, H'S 

'Lo, sire, I have a lady in this toun. 
That is my nece, and called is Criseyde, 
Which som men wolden doon oppressioun, 
And wrongfully have hir possessioun : 
Wherfor I of your lordship yow biseche 
To been our freend, with-oute more 
speche.' >4-i 

204. Deiphebus him answerde, ' O, is not 
this. 

That thow spekest of to me thus 

straungely, 
Criseyda, my freend?' He seyde, 'Yis.' 
'Than nedeth,' qnod Deiphebus hardely, 



242 



(2^roifu0 anl> Cvtee^be. 



[Book II. 



Na-more to speke, for trusteth wel, that I 
Wol be hir champioun with spore and 

yerde ; '4^7 

I roughte nought thovigh alle hir foos it 

herde 

205. But tel me, thoii that woost al this 
matere, 

How I might best avaylen ? now lat see.' 
Quod Pandarus. ' if ye, my lord so dere, 
Wolden as now don this lionoiir to me, 
To prayen hir to-morwe. lo, that she 
Com un-to yow hir pleyntes to devyse, 
Hir adversaries wolde of hit agryse. 14,^5 

206. And if I more dorste preye as now, 
And chargen yow to have so greet tra- 

vayle, 
To han .som of >-our bretheren here with 

yow, 
Tliat mighten to hir cause bet avayle. 
Than, woot I wel, she mighte never fayle 
For to be holpen, what at your instaunce, 
What with hir othere freendes govern- 

aunce.' 144- 

207. Deiphebus, which that comen was, 
of Ivinde, 

To al honour and bountee to consente, 
Answerde, ' it shal be doon ; and I can 

finde '445 

Yet gretter help to this iu myn entente. 
"Wliat wolt thow seyn, if I for Eleyne 

sente 
To speke of this? I trow it be the beste ; 
For she may leden Paris as hir leste. 

208. Of Ector, which that is my lord, my 



brother, 



1450 



It nedeth nought to preye him ireend 

to be ; 
For I have herd him, o tym.e and eek other, 
Speke of Criseyde swich honour, that he 
May seyn no bet, swich hap to him hath 

she. 
It nedeth noxight his helpes for to 

crave ; ' 455 

He shal be swich, right as we wole liim 

have. 

209. Spek thou thy-self also to Troilus 
On my bihalve, and pray him with us 
d\-ne.' 



' Sire, al this shal be doon,' quod Pan- 
darus ; 

And took his leve, and never gan to 
fyne, H^o 

But to his neces hous, as streght as lyne. 

He com ; and fond hir fro the mete aryse ; 

And sette him doun, and spak right iu 
this wyse. 

210. He seyde, '0 vway god, so have 
I ronne ! 

Lo, nece myn, see ye nought how I swete? 
I noot whether ye the more thank me 

conne. '4<J<^' 

Be ye nought war how that fals Poliphete 
Is now aboute eft-sones for to plete. 
And bringe on yow advocacyiis newe ? ' 
' I ? no,' quod she, and chaunged al hir 

hewe. '47<' 

211. 'What is he more aboute, me to 
drecche 

And doon me wrong? what shal I do, 

alias ? 
Yet of him-self no-thing ne woldelrecche, 
Nere it for Antenor and Eneas, 
That been his freendes in swich maner 

cas ; '475 

But, for the love of god, myn uncle dere, 
No tors of that, lat him have al y-fere ; 

212 With-outen that, I haw. ynough for 

us.' 
'Nay,' quod Pandare, 'it shal no-thing 

be so. '47'' 

For I have been right now at Deiphebus, 
And Ector, and myne othere lordes mo. 
And shortly maked eche of hem his fo : 
That, by my thrilt, he shal it never winne 
For ought he can, whan that so he bi- 

ginne.' 

213. And as they casten what was best to 
done, '485 

Deiphebus, of his owene curtasye. 
Com hir to preye, in his propre persone. 
To holde him on the morwe companye 
At diner, which she nolde not denye, 
But goodly gan to his preyere obej-e. i49t> 
He thonked hir, and wente up-on his 
weye. 



Book II. 



tj^rotfue ani ^neepbe. 



243 



214. Whanne this was doon, this Pandare 
vip a-nooii, 

To telle in short, and forth gan for to 

■\vende 
To Troilns, as stille as any stoon, 
And al this thing he tolde him, word and 

ende ; i49.^ 

And howthat he Deiphebus gantoblende ; 
And seyde him, 'now is tyme, if that thou 

conne, 
To here thee wel to-morwe, and al is 

wonne. 

215. Now spek, now prey, nf>w pitoixsly 
compleyne ; 

Lat not for nyce shame, or drede, or 
slouthe : i5(X) 

Som-tyme a man mot telle his owene 
peyne ; 

Bileve it, and she shal han on thee routhe ; 

Thoii shalt be saved by thy feyth, in 
trouthe. 

But wel wot I, thou art now in a drede ; 

And what it is, I leye, I can arede. 1505 

216. Thow thinkest now, " how sholde 
I doon al this ? 

For by my oheres mosten folk aspye, 
That for hir love is that I fare a-mis; 
Yet hadde I lever unwist for sorwe dye." 
Now thenk not so, for thoii dost greet 
folye. 1510 

For right now have I founden o manere 
Of sleighte, for to coveren al thy chere. 

217. Thow shalt gon f)ver night, and that 
as blyve, 

Un-to Deipliebiis hous, as thee to pleye, 
Thy maladye a-wej- the bet to dry ve, 1515 
For-why thoii semest syk, soth for to seye. 
Sone after that, doiin in thy bed thee leye, 
And sey, thow mayst no lenger up endure. 
And lye right there, and byde thyn aven- 
ture. 

21s. Sey that thy fever is wont thee for 
to take 1520 

The same tyme, and last en til a-morwe ; 

And lat see now how wel thoii canst 
it make. 

For, par-dee, syk is he that is in sorwe. 



Go now, farewel ! and, Yenus here to 

borwe, 1524 

I hope, and thou this purpos liolde ferme. 

Thy grace she shal fully ther conferme.' 

219. Quod Troilus, ' y-wis, thou nedelees 
Counseylest me, that sykliche I mefeyne ! 
For I am syk in ernest, doutelees, 

So that wel neigh I sterve for the peyne.' 
Quod Pandariis, ' thou shalt the bettre 

pleyne, 153' 

And hast the lasse nede to oountrefete; 
For him nien demen hoot that men seen 

swete. 

220. Lo, holde thee at thy triste cloos, 
and I 

Shal wel the deer un-to thy bo we dr>-\'e.' 
Therwith he took his leve al softely, 1536 
Aiid Troilus to paleys wente bl.>-%'e. 
So glad ne was he never in al his lj"\e ; 
And to Pandarus reed gan al assente. 
And to Deiphebus hous at night he 
wente. i54<J 

221. What nedeth yow to tellen al tlie 
chere 

That DeiphebiTS un-to his brother made. 
Or his accesse, or his syklich manere, 
How men gan him with clothes for to 

lade, 
Wlian he was leyd, and how men wolde 

him glade ? i545 

But al for nought, he held forth ay the 

wyse 
That ye han herd Pandare er this devyse, 

222. But certeyn is, er Troilus him leyde, 
Deiphebus had him prayed, over night, 
To been a freend and helping to Criseyde. 
God wf)ot, that he it grauntede anon- 
right, 1 55 1 

To been hir fulle freend with al his might. 
But swich a nede was to preye him 

thenne, 
As for to hidde a wood man for to renne. 

223. The morwen com, and neighen gan 
the tyme 1555 

Of meel-tyd, that the faire quene Eleyne 
Shoop hir to heen, an houre after the 
pryme, 



244 



^totfu0 an^ Cnee^be. 



[Book II. 



With Deiphebus, to whom she nolde 

feyne ; 
But as his suster, hoomly, sooth to seyne, 
She com to (linerinhirplayn entente. 1560 
But god and Pandare wiste al what this 

mcnte. 

•J12L Come cek Criscyde, al innocent of 

this, 
Antigone, hir sister Tarbe also ; 
But flee we now prolixitee best is, 
For love of god, and lat us faste go 1565 
Eight to the effect, with-oute tales mo. 
Why al this folk assembled in this place ; 
And lat lis of hir saluinges pace. 

'J'25. Gret honour dido hem Deiphebus, 

certeyn. 
And fedde hem wel with al that mighte 

lyke. 15/O 

But ever-more, ' alias ! ' was his refreyn, 
'My goode brother Troilus, the syke, 
Lyth yet'— and thorwith-al he gan to 

syke ; 
And after that, he peynod him to glade 
Hem as he mighte, and chere good he 

made. '575 

226. Compleyned eelc Eleyno of his syk- 
nesse 

So feithfully, that pitee was to here. 
And every wight gan waxen for accesse 
A leche aiioon, and seyde, ' in this manere 
Men curen folk ; this charme I wol 3-<jw 

lere.' i.'^So 

But there sat oon, al list hir nought to 

teche, 
That thoughto, best coude I yet been his 

leche. 

227. After compleynt, him gonnen tlicj' 
to preyse. 

As folk don yet, whan som wight hath 

higonne 
To preyse a man, and up with prys him 

rej'se '5*^5 

A thousand fold yet hyer than the sonne : — 
'He is, he can, that fewe lordes conne.' 
And Pandarus, of that they woldo afferme. 
He not for-gat hir preysing to conferme. 



228. Herde al this thing Criseyde wel 
y-nough, i59'> 

And every word gan for to notifye ; 

For which with sobre chere hir herte 

lough ; 
For who is that ne wolde hir glorifye. 
To mowen swich a knight d<m live or 

dye? 
But al passe I, lest ye to longe dwelle ; 1595 
For for o fyn is al that ever I telle. 

229. The tyme com, fro diner for to ryse, 
And, as hem oughte, arisen everychoon. 
And gonne a whyl of this and that devyse. 
But Pandarus brak al this speche anoon. 
And seyde to Deiphebus, ' wole ye goon, 
If youre wille be, as I yow preyde, 1602 
To speke here of the nedes of Criseyde ? ' 

230. Elcyne, which that by the hond hir 
hehl. 

Took first the tale, and seyde, 'go we 
blyve;' i6i>5 

And goodly on Criseyde she biheld. 
And seyde, ' Joves lat him never thryve. 
That dooth yow harm, and bringe him 

sone of lyve ! 
And yeve me sorwe, but he shal it rewe, 
If that I may, and alle folk be trewe.' 1610 

231. ' Tel thou thy neces cas,' quod Dei- 
phebus 

To Pandarus, ' for thou canst best it 

telle.'— 
' My lordes and my ladyes, it stant thus ; 
What sholde I lenger,' quod ho, ' do yow 

dwcUe ? ' 
He rong hem out a j)roces lyk a belle, 1615 
Up-on hir fo, that highte Poliphcte, 
So heynous, that men mighte on it spete. 

232. Answerde of this ech worse of hem 
than other. 

And Poliphetc they gonnen thus to 

warien, 
'An-hongod bo swich oon, were he my 

brother; ito) 

And so he shal, for it ne may not varicn.' 
Wliat sholde I longer in this tale tarien V 
Pleynly, alle at ones, they hir highten. 
To been hir helpe in al that ever they 

mighten. 



Book II.] 



^rotfu0 ar\i Cneeplsc. 



!45 



233. Spak than Eleyiie, and seyde, ' Pan- 
danis, 1625 

Woot ought my lord, my brother, this 

matere, 
I mene, Ector ? or woot it Troilus ? ' 
He seyde, ' ye, bvit wole ye now me here ? 
Mo thinketh this, sith Troihis is here. 
It were good, if that ye wohle assente, 1630 
She toldehir-self himal this, ershewente. 

234. For he wole have the more hir grief 
at herte, 

By eanse, lo, that she a lady is ; 

And, by yonr leve, I wol but right in 

sterte, 
And do yow wite, and that anoon, y- 

wis, I (>^5 

If that he slepe, or wole onglit here of 

this.' 
And in he lepte, and seyde him in his 

ere, 
'God have thy sonle, y-brought have I 

tliy liere ! ' 

235. To smylen of this gan tho Troilus, 
Anil Pandarus, witli-oute rekeninge, 1640 
Out wente anoon t'Eleyne andDeiphebus, 
And seyde hem, 'so there be notaryinge, 
Ne more pres, he wol wel that ye bringe 
Criseyda, my lady, tliat is here ; 
Andashemayendnren, he wole here. 1645 

236. But wel ye woot, the chaunibre is 
but lyte. 

And fewe folk may lightly make it warm ; 
Now loketli ye, (for I wol have no wyte. 
To l)ringe in j)rees that mighte doon him 

harm 
Or him disesen, for my bettre arm), if^so 
Wlier it be bet she byde til eft-sones ; 
Now loketh ye, that knowen what to 

doon is. 

237. I sey for me, best is, as I can knowe. 
That no wight in no wente but ye tweye, 
But it were I, for I can, in a thro we, 1655 
Eeherce hir cas, unlyk that she can seye ; 
And after this, she may him ones preyo 
To ben good lord, in short, and take hir 

leve; 
This may not muchel of his ese him reve. 



238. And eek, for she is straiinge, he wol 
forbere 1600 

His ese, which tliat him thar nought tor 

yow ; 
Eek other thing, that toucheth not to 

here, 
He wol me telle, I woot it wel right now, 
That secret is, and for the tounes prow.' 
And they, that no-thing knewe of this 

entente, 1665 

With-oute more, to Troilus in they wente. 

239. Eleyne in al hir goodly softs wyse, 
Gan him sahiwe, and womanly to pleye, 
And seyde, ' j'wis, ye nioste alweyes aryse ! 
Now fayre brother, beth al hool, I preye ! ' 
And gan hir arm right over his sliolder 

leye, 1671 

And him with al hir wit to recomforte ; 
As she best coude, she gan him to dis- 

porte. 

210. So after this quotl she, ' wo yow 

biseke, 
My dere brother, Deiphebus, and I, 1675 
For love of god, and so doth Pandare eke. 
To been good lord and freend, right 

hertely, 
Un-to Crisej-de, which that certeinlj- 
Receyveth wrong, as woot wel here Pan- 
dare, 
That can hir cas wel bet than I declare.' 

241. This Pandarus gan newe his tuuge 
affyle, 1681 

And al hir cas reherce, and that anoon ; 
Whan it was seyd, sone after, in a wliyle, 
(juod Troilus, ' as sone as I may goon, 
I wol right fayn with al my might ben 

oon, 1685 

Have godmy trouthe, hir cause tosustene.' 
'Good thrift have ye,' quod Eleyne the 

queue. 

242. Quod Pandariis, 'and it your wille be. 
That she may take hir leve, er that she 

go?' 
' Or elles god for-bede,' tho quod he, i6yo 
' If that she vouche sauf for to do so.' 
And with that word quod Troilus, 'ye two, 
Deiphebus, and my suster leef and dere, 
To yow have I to speke of o matere, 



246 



^toifue ani> Cneejbe. 



[Book II. 



2-to. To been avysed by yonr reed the 
bettre': — i<')95 

And fond, as hap was, at his beddes lieed, 
The copie of a tretis and a lettre, 
That Ector hadde him sent to axen reed, 
If swich a man was worthy to ben deed, 
Woot I nought who ; but in a grisly wyse 
He preyede hem anoon on it a\'j^se. 1701 

244. Deiphebiis gan this lettre to nnfolde 
In ernest greet ; so dide Eleyne the qnene ; 
And rominge outward, fast it gan biholde. 
Downward a steyre, in-to an herber 

grene. 1 705 

This ilke thing they redden hem bi-twene; 
And largely, tlie mountaunce of an hoiire, 
They gonne on it to reden and to poure. 

245. Xow lat hem rede, and turne we 
anoon 

To Pandarus, that gan ful faste prye 1710 
That al was wel, and out he gan to goon 
In-to the grete chambre, and that in hye, 
And seyde, ' god save al this compaliye ! 
Com, neee myn ; my lady queue Eleyne 
Abydeth yow, and eek my lordes tweyne. 

246. Rys, take with yow your nece An- 
tigone, 1716 

Or whom yow list, or no fors, hardily ; 
The lasse prees, the bet ; com fortli with 

me, 
And loke that ye thonke hiimblely 1719 
Hem alle three, and, whan ye may goodly 
Your tyme y-see, taketh of hem your leve, 
Lest we to longe his restes him bireve.' 

247. Al innocent of Pandarus entente. 
Quod tho Criseyde, ' go we, uncle dere ' ; 
And arm in arm inward with him she 

wente, 1 725 

Avysed wel hir wordes and hir chere ; 
And Pandar\Ts, in ernestful manere, 
Seyde, ' alle folk, for goddes love, I preye, 
Stinteth right here, and softelyyow pleye. 



248. Aviseth yow what folk ben here 
with-inne, 17311 

And in what plyt oon i«, god him a- 

mende ! 
And inward thus ful soflely biginne ; 
Nece, I conjure and heighly yow defende, 
On his half, which that sowle us alle 

sende. 
And in the vertue of corounes tweyne, 
Slee noiight this man, that hath for yow 

this peyne ! 1736 

249. Fy on the devel ! thenk which oon 
he is. 

And in what plj't he lytli ; com of anoon ; 
Thenk al swich taried tyd, but lost it nis ! 
That wol ye bothe seyn, whan ye ben oon. 
Secoundelich,ther yet devj-nethnoon 1741 
Up-on yow two ; com of now, if ye conne ; 
Wliyl folk is blent, lo, al the tyme is 
wonne ! 

250. In titering, and pursuite, and de- 
layes. 

The folk devjTie at wagginge of a stree ; 
And though ye wolde han after merye 

dayes, 1 74^ 

Than dar ye nought, and why? for she, 

and she 
Spak swich a word ; thus loked he, and he ; 
Lest tyme I loste, I dar not with yow dele ; 
Com of therfore, andbringethhimto hele.' 

251. But now to yow, ye lovers that ben 
here, 1751 

Was Troilus nought in a cankedort. 
That lay, and mighte whispringe of hem 

here, 
And thoughte, ' O lord, right now rennetli 

my sort 
Ftilly to dye, or han anoon comfort' ; 1755 
And was the firste tyme he shulde hir 

preye 
Of love; O mighty god, what shal he seye? 

Explicit Secundus Liber. 



Book III.] 



^rotfue ant ij^neep^c. 



247 



BOOK III. 



Incipit Prohemium Tercii Libri. 

1. O BLisFDL light, of whiche the hemes 

clere 
Adorneth al the thridde hevene faire ! 
O soniies leet', O Joves doughter dere, 
Plesaiince of love, O goodly debonaire, 
111 gentil hertes ay redy to repaire ! 5 

O verray cavise of hele and of gladnesse, 
Y-heried he thy might and thy goodnesse ! 

2. In hevene and helle, in erthe and 

saltc see 
Is felt thy might, if that I wel descerne ; 
As man, brid, best, fish, herbe and grene 

tree lo 

Thee fele in tymes with vapour eterne. 
God loveth, and to lovewol nonghtwerne ; 
And in this world no lyves creature, 
With-outen love, is worth, or may endure. 

3. Ye .Joves first tothilke efFectes glade, 15 
Thorugh which that thinges liven alle 

and be, 
Comeveden, and amorous f him made 
On mortal thing, and as yow list, ay ye 
Yeve him in love ese or adversitee ; 
And in a thousand formes doun him sente 
For love in erthe, and whom yow liste, 

he hente. 21 

i. Ye fierse Mars apeysen of his ire. 
And, as yow list, ye maken hertes digne ; 
Algates, hem that ye wol sette a-fyre. 
They dreden shame, and vices they re- 

signe ; 23 

Ye do hemcorteys be, fresshe and benigne, 
And hye or lowe, after a wight entendeth ; 
The joyes that he hath, yovir might him 

sendeth. 

5. Ye holden regne and hous in unitee ; 
Ye soothfast cause of frendship been also ; 
Ye knowe al thilke covered qualitee 31 
Of thinges which that folk on wondren so, 



Whan they can not constriie how it may jo, 
She loveth him, or why he loveth here ; 
As why this fish, and nought that, cometh 
to were. 35 

6. Ye folk a lawe han set in universe. 
And tliis knowe I by hem that loveres be, 
That wlio-so stryveth with yow hath the 

werse : 
Now, lady bright, for thy benignitee, 
At reverence of hem that serven thee, 40 
Whos clerk I am, so techeth me devyse 
Som joye of that is felt in thy servyse. 

7. Ye in my naked herte sentement 
Inhelde, and do me shewe of thy swet- 

nesse. — 
Caliope, thy vois be now present, 45 

For now is nede ; sestow not my destresse. 
How I mot telle anon-right the gladnesse 
Of Troilus, to Venus heryinge ? 
To which gladnes, who nede hath, god 

him bringe ! 

Explicit prohemium Tercii Libri. 

Incipit Liber Tercius. 

S. Lay al this mene whyle Troilus, 50 
Eecordinge his lessoun in this manere, 
' Ma fey ! ' thought he, ' thus wole I seye 

and thus ; 
Thus wole I pleyne vin-to my lady dere ; 
That word is good, and this shal be my 

chere ; 
This nil I not foryeten in no wyse.' 55 
God leve him werken as he gan devyse. 

9. And lord, so that his herte gan to 

quappe, 
Heringe hir come, and shorte for to sjko ! 
And Pandarus, that ladde hir by the 

lappe, 
Com neer, and gan in at the curtin pyke, 
And seyde, ' god do bote on alle syke! 61 
See, who is here yow comen to visyte ; 
Lo, here is she that is your death to wj'tc' 



248 



^rotfu0 ani Crtee^be. 



[Book III. 



10. Tlier-with it semecl as he wepte al- 
most ; 
' A lia,' quod Troilus so rewfully, 65 

' Wlier me be wo, O mighty god, thou 

■vv-ost ! 
Who is al there ? I see nought trewely.' 
'Sire,' quod Criseyde, 'it is Paudare and I.' 
'Ye, swete herte? alias, I may noiight ryse 
To knele, and do yow honour in soni 
wyse.' 70 

11 And dressedo him upward, and she 

right tho 
Gan hothe here liondes softe upon him 

leye, 
' O, for the love of god, do ye not so 
To nie,' quod she, ' ey ! what is this to 

seye ? 
Sire, come am I to yow for causes tweye ; 
First, yow to tlionke, and of your lord- 

shipe eke 76 

Continuaunce I wolde vow hiseke,' 

12. This Troilus, that herde his lady 

preye 
Of lordship him, wex neither quik ne 

deed, 
Ne mighto a word for shame to it sej'e, 80 
Al-though men sholde smyten of his heed. 
But lord, so he wex sodeinliche reed. 
And sire, his lesson, that he wende eonne. 
To preyen hir, is thurgli his wit y-ronne. 

10. Criseyde al this aspyede wel y-nougli, 
For she was wys, and lovede Jiini never- 

the-lasse, M6 

Al nere he malapert, or made it tough, 
Or was to bold, to singe a fool a masse. 
But whan his shame gan somwhat to 

liasse. 
His resons, as I may my rymes holde, 90 
I .^-ow wol telle, as tecdieu bokes olde. 

li. In chaunged vois, right for his vcrrey 

drede. 
Which vois eek qiiook, and ther-to his 

manere 
G-oodly abayst, and now his hewes rede. 
Now pale, un-to Criseyde, his lady dere, 95 
With look doun cast and hiimble j'olden 

chere, 



Lo, th'alderfirste word that him asterte 
Was, twyes, 'mercy, mercy, swete herte!' 

15. And stinte a whyl, and whan he 
mighte out-bringe, 99 

Tlie nexte word was, ' god wot, for I have, 
As feythfuUy as I have had konninge, 
Ben youres, also god my sowle save ; 
And shal, til that I, woful wight, l)e 

grave. 
And thougli I dar ne can un-to yf>w 

pleyne, 
Y-wis, I suffre nought the lasse peyne. 105 

16. Thus muche as now, O wommanliche 

wyf, 
I may oiit-bringe, and if this yow displese, 
That sh.al I wreke upon myn owne lyf 
Right sone, I trowe, and tloon your herte 

an ese, 109 

If with my deeth your herte I may apese. 
But sin tliat ye ban herd me som-what 

seye. 
Now recche I never how sone that I deye.' 

17 Ther-with his manly sorwe to biholde. 
It miglite ban maad an herte t)f stoon to 

rewe ; 11+ 

And Pandare weep as he to watre wolde. 
And poked ever his nece newe and newe, 
And seyde, ' wo bigon ben hertes trewe ! 
For love of god, make of this thing an 

ende, 
Orslee asbothe at ones, er that ye wende.' 

18. 'I 'I what V quod she, ' by god and by 
my trouthe, 120 

1 noot nought what ye wilne that I seye.' 
' I ? what P qiTod he, ' that ye ban on him 

routhe, 
Forgoddes love, .and doth him nought to 

deye.' 
' Now thanne thus,' quod she, ' I wolde 

him preye 
To telle me the fyn of his entente ; 125 
Yet wiste Inever wel what that he mente.' 

19. ' Wliat that I mene, O swete herte 
dere ? ' 

QuoiL Troilus, ' O goodly fresshe free ! 
That, with the stremes of your eyen clere, 
Ye wolde som-tyme l'reendlj'i>n me see, 130 



Book III.] 



^foifu0 anl ^n'eepbe. 



249 



And tlianne agreen that I may ben he, 
With-owte braunche of vyce in any wyse, 
In troiithe alwey to doon yow my servyse 

20. As to my lady right and chief resort, 
With al my wit and al my diligence, 135 
And I to han, right as yow list, comfort. 
Under yoiir yerde, egal to myn offence. 
As deeth, if that I breke yonr defence ; 
And that ye deigne me so muche honoure. 
Me to comaunden ought in any honre. 140 

21. And I to been your verray humble 
trewe, 

Secret, and in my paynes pacient. 
And ever-mo desire freshly newe. 
To serven, and been f y-lyke ay diligent, 
And, with good herte, al holly your 
talent 145 

Receyven wel, how sore that me smerte, 
Lo, this mene I, mj'n owene swete herte.' 

22. Quod Pandarus, ' lo, here an hard 
request, 

And resonable, a lady for to werne ! 
Xow, nece myn, by natal Joves fest, 150 
Were I a god, ye sholde sterve as yerne. 
That heren wel, this man wol no-thing 

j-erne 
But your honour, and seen him almost 

sterve, 
And been so looth to suflfren him yow 

serve.' 

23 With that she gan hir eyen on him 
caste 155 

F\\l esily, and ful debonairly, 
Avysing hir, and hyed not to faste 
With never a word, but seyde him softely, 
' Myn honour sauf, I wol wel trewely, 
And in swich forme as he can now 
devyse, 160 

Eeceyven hini fully to my servyse, 

24. Biseching him, for goddes love, that 

he 
Wdlde, in honour of trouthe and gentil- 

esse, 
As I wel mene, eek mene wel to me, 164 
And myn honour, with wit and besinesse. 
Ay kepe ; and if I may don liim gladnesse. 



From hennes-forth, y-wis, I nil not feyne : 
Now beeth al hool, no lenger ye ne jileyne. 

25. But nathelees, this warne I yow,' 
quod she, 

' A kinges sone al-though ye be, y-wis, 170 
Ye shul na-more have soverainetee 
Of me in love, than right in that cas is ; 
Ne I nil forbere, if that ye doon a-mis. 
To wrathen yow ; and whyl that ye me 

serve, 
Cherycen yow right alter j-e deserve. 1 75 

26. And shortly, dere herte and al my 
knight, 

Beth glad, and draweth yow to histinesse, 
And I shal trewely, with al my might, 
Your bittre tornen al in-to swetnesse ; 1 79 
If I be she that may yow do gladnesse. 
For every wo ye shal recovere a blisse ' ; 
And him in armes took, and gan him 
kisse. 

27 Fil Pandarus on knees, and iip his 

yen 
To hevene threw, and held his hondes 

hye, 
' Immortal god ! ' quod he, ' that mayst 

nought dyen, 1S5 

Cupide I mene, of this mayst glorifye ; 
And "Venus, thou mayst make melodye ; 
With-outen hond, me semeth that in 

towne. 
For this merveyle, I here ech belle sowne. 

28. But ho ! no more as now of this 
matere, 190 

For- why this folk wol eomen up anoon, 
That han the lettre red : lo, I hem here. 
But I conjure thee, Criseyde, and oon, 
And two, thou Troilus, whan tliow mayst 

goon, 
That at myn hous ye been at my warn- 

inge, 195 

For I ful wel shal shape your cominge ; 

29. And eseth ther your hcites right 
y-nough ; 

And lat see which of j'ow shal here the 

belle 
To speke of love a-right ! ' ther-with he 

lough. 



250 



■^roifue an^ Cnee^lie. 



[Book III. 



' For ther have ye a layser for to telle.' acw 
Quod Troilus, ' how longe shal I dwelle 
Er this be doon ? ' Quod he, ' whan thou 

mayst ryse, 
This thing shal be right as I yow devyse.' 

;}0. With that Eleyiie and also Deiphebus 
The comen upward, right at the steyres 

ends ; 205 

And lord, so than gan grone Troilus, 
His brother and his suster for to blende. 
Quod Pandarus, ' it tj'me is that we 

wende ; 
Tak, nece myn, your leve at alle three, 
And lat hem speke, and cometli forth 

with me.' 210 

31. She took hir leve at hem fvil thriftily, 
As she wel coude, and they hir reverence 
Un-to the i'lxlle diden hardely. 

And speken wonder wel, in hir absence, 
Of hir, in prej'sing of hir excellence, 215 
Hir governaunce, hir wit ; and hir man- 
1 ere 

Commendeden, it joye was to here. 

32. Now lat hir wende iin-to hir owne 
place. 

And torne we to Troilus a-yein, 219 

That gan ful lightly of the lettre passe 
That Deiphebvis liadde in the gardiu seyn. 
And of Eleyne and him he wolde fayn 
Delivered been, and sej'de, that him leste 
To slepe, and after tales have reste. 

33. Eleyne him kiste, and took hir leve 
blyve, 225 

Deiphebus eek, and hoom wente every 

wight ; 
And Pandarus, as faste as he may dryve, 
To Troilus tho cf>m, as lyne right ; 
And on a paillet, al that glade night, 
By Troilus he lay, with mery chere, 230 
To tale ; and wel was hem they were 

y-fere, 

34. Whan every wight was voided but 
they two, 

And alle the dores were faste y-shette. 
To telle in short, with-oute wordes mo. 
This Pandarus, with-outeu any lette, 235 
Up roos, and on his beddes syde him sette, 



And gan to speken in a sobre wyse 
To Troilus, as I shal yow devyse. 

3.5. ' Myn alderlevest lord, and brother 

dere, 
God woot, and thou, that it sat me so 

sore, 240 

■When I thee saw so languisshing to-yere. 
For love, of which thy wo wex alwey 

more ; 
That I, with al my might and al my lore. 
Hath ever sithen doon my bisinesse 
To bringe thee to joye out of distresse ; 

36. And have it brought to swich plj't as 
thou wost, 246 

So that, thorugh me, thow stondest now 

in weye 
To fare wel, I seye it for no host, 
And wostow why ? for shame it is to seye, 
For thee have I bigonne a gamen pleye 
Which that I never doon shal eft for 

other, 251 

Al-though he were a thoiisand fold my 

brother. 

37. That is to seye, for thee am I T)icomen, 
Bitwixeu game and ernest, swich a mene 
As maken wommeu un-to men to comen ; 
Al sey I nought, thou wost wel what I 

mene. 256 

For thee have I my nece, of vyces clene. 
So fuUj' maad thy gentilesse triste. 
That al shal been right as thy-selve liste. 

38. But god, that al wot, take I to wit- 
uesse, 260 

That never I this for coveityse wroughte. 
But only for to abregge that distresse. 
For which wel nygh thou deydest, as me 

thought e. 
But gode brother, do now as thee oughte. 
For goddes love, and keep hir out of 

blame, 265 

Sin thou art W3"S, and save alwej- hir 

name. 

39. For wel thou wost, the name as yet 

of here 
Among the peple, as who sejiih, halwed is ; 
For that man is unbore, I dar wel swere, 
That ever wiste that she dide amis, 270 



Book III.] 



^rotfu0 anb Cviet^H, 



251 



But wo is me, that I, tliat cause al this, 
May thenken that she is my nece dere, 
And I hir eem, and traytor eek y-fere ! 

40. And were it wist that I, through mjui 
engyn, 

Hadde in my nece y-put this fantasye, 275 
To do thy lust, and hooUy to be thyn, 
"V\niy, al the world up-on it wolde crye, 
And seye, that I the worste trecherye 
Dide in this cas, that ever was bigonne, 
And she for-lost, and thou right nought 
y-wonne. 280 

41. 'Wlier-fore, er I wol ferther goon a 

pas, 
Yet ei't I thee biseche and fully sej^e, 
That privetee go with us in this cas, 
That is to seye, that thoii lis never wreye ; 
And be nought wrooth, though I thee 
ofte preye 285 

To holden secree swich an heigh matere ; 
For skilful is, thow wost wel, my preyere. 

42. And thenk what wo ther hath bitid 
er this. 

For makinge of avauntes, as men rede ; 
And what mischaunce in this world yet 

ther is, 290 

Fro day to day, right for that wikked 

dede ; 
For which these wyse clerkes that ben 

dede 
Han ever yet proverbed to us yonge, 
That " firste vertu is to kepe tonge." 

43. And, nere it that I wilne as now 
t'abregge 295 

Diffusioun of speche, I coude almost 

A thoiisand ohlo stories thee alegge 

Of wommen lost, thomgh fals and foles 

host ; 
Proverbes canst thy-self y-nowe, and wost, 
Ayeins that vyee, for to been a labbe, 500 
Al seyde men sooth as often as they gabbe. 

44. O tonge, alias ! so often here-biforn 
Hastow made many a lady bright of hewe 
Seyd, "welawey! the day that I was born!" 
And many a maydes sorwes for to newe ; 
And, for the more part, al is nntrewe 306 



That men of yelpe, and it were brought 

to preve ; 
Of kinde non avauntour is to leve. 

45. Avauntour and a lyere, al is on ; 309 
As thus : I pose, a womman graunte me 
Hir love, and seyth that other wol she non. 
And I am sworn to holden it secree. 
And after I go telle it two or three ; 
Y-wis, I am avauntour at the leste. 

And lyere, for I breke my biheste. 315 

46. Now loke thanne, if they be nought 
to blame, 

Swich maner folk ; what shal I clepe 

hem, what. 
That hem avauute of wommen, and by 

name. 
That never yet bihighte hem this ne that, 
Ne knewe hem more than myu olde hat ? 
No wonder is, so god me sende hele, 321 
Though wommen drede with its men to 

dele. 

47. I sej' not this for no mistrvist of .vow, 
Ne for no wys man, but for foles nyce, 
And for the harm that in the world is 

now, 325 

As wel for foly ofte as for malyce ; 
For wel wot I, in wyse folk, that %-3'ce 
No womman drat, if she be wel avysed ; 
For wyse ben by foles harm chastysed. 

48. But now to piirpos ; leve brother dere. 
Have al this thing that I have seyd in 

minde, 33 1 

And keep thee clos, and be now of good 

chere. 
For at thy day thou shalt me trewe linde. 
I shal thy proces sette in swich a kinde, 
And god to-forn, that it shall thee suffyse. 
For it shal been right as thou wolt de- 

vyse. 336 

49. For wel I woot, thou menest wel, 
parde ; 

Therfore I dar this fully undertake, 
Thoii Avost eek what thy lady graunted 

thee, 
And day is set, the chartres up to make. 
Have now good night, I may no lenger 

wake ; 341 



25- 



'Zvoiha ani) tvm^^t. 



[Book III. 



And bid for me, sin tlioix art now in blisse, 
That god me senrle death or sone lisse.' 

50. Who mighte telle half the joye or feste 
Which that the sowle of Troilus tho felte, 
Heringe th'effect of Pandarus biheste? 346 
His olde wo, that made his herte swelte, 
Gan tho for joye wasten and to-melte, 
And al the richesse of his sykes sore 

At ones fiedde, he felte of hem no more. 

51. But right so as these holtes and these 
hayes, 35' 

That han in winter dede been and dreye, 
Revesten hem in grene, whan that May is. 
Whan every lusty lyketh best to pleye : 
Eight in that selve wyse, sooth to seye, 355 
Wex sodeynliche his herte fill of joye, 
That gladder was ther never man in Troye. 

52. And gan his look on Paudarvis up 

caste 
Ful sobrely, and frendly for to see, 359 
And seyde, ' freend, in Aprille the laste. 
As wel thou wost, if it remembre thee, 
How neigh the deeth for wo thou founde 

me ; 
And how thou didest al thy bisinesse 
To knowe of me the cause of my distresse. 

53. Thou wost how longe I it for-bar to 

seye .^^? 

To thee, that art the man that I best 

triste ; 
And peril was it noon to thee by-wreye, 
That wiste I wel ; but tel me, if thee liste, 
Sith I so looth was that thy-self it wiste, 
How dorste I mo tellen of this matere, 370 
That quake now, and no wight may us 

here ? 

54. But natheles, by that god I thee swere, 
That, as him list, may al this world 

governe, 
And, if I lye, Achilles with his spere 
Myn herte cleve, al were my lyf eterne. 
As I am mort<al, if I late or yerne 376 

Wolde it iHwreye, or dorste, or sholde 

conne, 
For al the good that god made under 

Sonne ; 



55. That rather deye I wolde, and de- 
termyne. 

As thinketh me, now stokked in presotui, 
In wrecchednesse, in filthe, and in ver- 

myne, 3^^ 

Caytif to cruel king Agamenoun ; 
And this, in alle the temples of this 

toun. 
Upon the goddes alle, I wol thee swere, 
To-morwe day, if that thee lyketh here. 385 

56. And that thou hast so muche y-doon 
for me. 

That I ne may it never-more deserve, 
This knowe I wel, al mighte I now for 

thee 
A thousand tymes on a morwen starve, 
I can no more, bvit that I wol thee serve 
Right as thy sclave, whider-so thou 

wende, 39' 

For ever-more, un-to my lyves ende ! 

57. But here, with al myn herte, I thee 
biseche. 

That never in me thou deme swich folye 
As I shal seyn ; me thoughte, by thy 

speche, 395 

That this, which thou me dost for com- 

panye, 
I sholde wene it were a bauderye ; 
I am nought wood, al-if 1 lewed be ; 
It is not so, that woot I wel, pardee. 

58. But he that goth, for gold or for 
richesse, 400 

On swich message, calle him what thee 

list; 
And this that thou dost, caUe it gentilesse, 
Compassioun, and felawship, and trist ; 
Dcparte it so, for wyde-wliere is wist 
How that there is dyversitee requered 405 
Bitwixen thinges lyke, as I have lered. 

59. And, that thou knowe I thenke 
nought ne wene 

That this servyse a shame be or jape, 
I have my faire suster Polixeue, 
Cassandre, Eleyne, or any of the frape ; 
Be she never so faire or wel y-shape, 411 
Tel me, which thou wilt of everichone. 
To han for thyn.and latmethanne allone. 



Book III.] 



Crotfua ani Cvm^U. 



253 



60. But sill that thou hast don me this 
servyse, 414 

My lyf to save, and for noon hope of mede, 
So, for the love of god, this grete empryse 
Parforme it ont ; for now is nioste nede. 
For high and low, with-outen any drede, 
I wol alwoy thyne hestes alle kepe ; 
Have now good night, and lat ns bothe 
slepe.' 420 

61. Thns held him ech with other wel 
apa.ved, 

That al the world ne mighte it het 

amende ; 
And, on the morwe, whan they were 

arayed, 
Ech to his owene nedes gan entende. 
But Troilus, though as the fyr he brende 
For sharp desyr of hope and of plesaunce. 
He not for-gat his gode govemaunce. 427 

62. But in him-self with manhod gan 
restreyne 

Ech rakel dede and ech unbrydled chere. 
That alle tho that liven, sooth to seyne, 
Ne sholde han wist, by word or by manere, 
What that he niente, as toiiching this 
matere. 432 

From every wight as fer as is the cloude 
He was, so wel dissimulen he coiide. 

63. And al the whyl which that I .vow 
devyse, 435 

This was his lyf; with al his fuUe might. 
By day he was in Martes high servyse. 
This is to seyn, in armes as a knight ; 
And for the more part, the longe night 
He lay, and thoughte how that he mighte 
serve 440 

His lady best, hir thank for to deserve. 

64. Nil I nought swere, al-though he lay 
softe, 

That in his thought he nas siimwhat 

disesed, 
Ne that he tornede on his pilwes ofte. 
And wolde of that him missed han ben 

sesed ; 445 

Biit in swicli cas man is noixght alwey 

plesed. 
For ought I wot, no more than was he ; 
That can I deme of jiossibilitee. 



65. But certeyn is, to purpos for to go, 
That in this whyle, as writ en is in 

geste, 450 

He say his lady som-tyme ; and also 
She with him spak, whan that she dorste 

or leste, 
And })y hir botlie avys, as was the beste, 
Apoynteden ful warly in this nede. 
So as they dorste, how they wolde pro- 
cede. 455 

66. But it was spoken in so short a wyse, 
In swich awayt alwey, and in swicli fere, 
Lest any wyght di^-j'iien or devj'se 
Wolde of hem two, or to it leye aii ere, 
That al this world so leef to hem ne 

were 460 

As that Cupido wolde hem grace sende 
To maken of hir speclie aright an ende. 

67. But tliilke litel that they speke or 
wroughte. 

His wyse goost took ay of al swich liede. 
It semed hir, he wiste that she thoughte 
With-outen word, so that it was no nede 
To bidde him ought to done, or ought 

forbede ; 467 

For which she thoughte that love, al 

come it late. 
Of alle joye hadde opned hir the yate. 

68. And shortly of this proces for to 
pace, 470 

So wel his werk and wordes he bisette. 
That he so ful stood in his lady grace, 
That twenty thousand tjoiies, or she lette. 
She thonked god she ever with him 

mette ; 
So coude he him governe in swich ser- 
vyse, 475 
That al the world ne mighte it bet 
devyse. 

69. For- why she fond him so discreet in al. 
So secret, and of swich obeisaunce. 
That wel she felte he was to hir a wal 
Of steel, and sheld from every disple- 

saunce ; 480 

That, to ben in his gode governaunce. 
So wys he was, she was no more afered, 
I mene, as fer as oughte ben requered. 



254 



^rotfu0 an^ (triee^ie. 



[Book III. 



70, And Pandarus, to quike alwey the fyi", 
Was ever y-lyke prest and diligent ; 485 
To ese his trend was set al his desyr. 

He shoof ay on, he to and fro was sent ; 
He lettres bar whan Troilus was absent. 
That never man, as in his freendos nede, 
Ne bar him bet than he, witli-oxiten 
drede. 490 

71, But now, paraunter, som man wayten 
woldo 

That every word, or sonde, or look, or 

chere 
Of Troilus that I reherseu sholde. 
In al this whyle, un-to his lady dere ; 
I trowe it were a long thing for to 

here ; 41)5 

Or of what wight that stant in swich dis- 

joynte. 
His wordes alle, or every look, to poynte, 

72, For sothe, I have not herd it doon er 
this. 

In storye noon, ne no man here, I wene ; 
And though I wolde I coude not, y-wis ; 
For ther was som e]pistel hem bitwene, ^01 
That wolde, as seyth myn auctor, wol 

contene 
Neigh half this book, of which him list 

not wryto ; 
How sholde I thanne a \yna of it endyte ? 

73, But to the grete ett'cct : than sey I 
thus, 505 

That stonding in concord and in quiete 
Thise ilke two, Criseyde and Troilus, 
As I have told, and in this tyme swete. 
Save only often miglite they not mete, 
Ne layser have hir speches to fulfelle, 5 10 
That it bofel right as I shal yow telle, 

74, That Pandarus, that ever dide his 
might 

Right for the f\n that I shal .spoke of 

here. 
As for to bringe to his hous som night 
His faire nece, and Troilus y-fere, 515 

Wher-as at leyser al this heigh matere. 
Touching hir love, wore at the fulle up- 

bounde, 
Hadde out of depute a tyme to it iounde. 



75. For he with greet deliberaoioun 
Hadde every thing that her-to mighte 

avayle 520 

Forn-cast, and put in execiicioun, 
And neither laft for cost ne for travayle ; 
Come if hem lest, hem sholde no-thing 

fayle ; 
And for to been in ought espyed there. 
That, wiste he wel, an inpossible were. 

76. Dredelees, it cleer was in the wind 
Of every pye and every lette-game ; 527 
Now al is wel, for al the world is blind 
In this matere, bothe fremed and tame. 
This timber is al redy up to frame; 530 
Us lakketh nought but that we witen 

wolde 
A certein houre, in whiche she comen 
sholde. 

77. And Troilus, that al this purveyaunce 
Knew at the fulle, and waytede on it ay, 
Hadde here-up-on eek made gret ordc- 

naunce, 5.J5 

And founde liis cai\se, and ther-to his 

ara.\-. 
If that he were missed, night or day. 
Ther-whyle he was aboute this servyse. 
That he was goon to doon his sacrifj'se, 

78. And nioste at swich a temple alone 

wake, 54 ) 

Answered of Appollo for to be ; 
And first, to seen the holy laurer quake, 
Er that Apollo spak out of the tree. 
To telle him next whan Grekcs sli olden 

flee ; 
And forthy lotto liim no man, god I'or- 

boile, 545 

But preye Apollo helpen in this nede. 

79. Now is ther litel more for to done, 
But Pandare up, and shortly for to se.^ne, 
Kight sone ujjon the chaunging of the 

mone, 
Whan lightles is the world a night or 

tweyne, 551) 

And that the welken shoop him for to 

reyne, 
He streight a-morwe \in-to his nece 

wente ; 
Ye han wel herd the fyn of his entente. 



Book III.] 



Crotfua ani Cviet^H. 



255 



80. Wlian he was come, he gaii anoon to 

pi eye 
As lie was wont, and of him-self to jape ; 
And fynally, he swor and gan hir seye, 556 
By this and that, she sholde him not 

escape, 
Ne lenger doon him after hir to gape ; 
But certeynly she moste, lay hir leve. 
Come soupen in his hous with him at 

eve. 560 

bl. At whiche she lough, and gan hir 

faste excuse, 
And seyde, * it rayneth ; lo, how sholde 

I goon ? ' 
' Lat be,' quod he, ' ne stond not thus to 

muse ; 
This moot he doon, ye shal be ther anoon.' 
So at the laste her-of they felle at oon, 565 
Or elles, softe he swor hir in hir ere, 
He nolde never come ther she were 

82. Sone after this, to him she gan to 

rowne. 
And asked him if Troilus were there ? 
He swor hir, ' nay, for he was exit of 



towne,' 



57'> 



And seyde, ' nece, I pose that he were, 
Yow fthurtte never have the more fere. 
For rather than men mighte him ther 

aspye. 
Me were lever a thousand-fold to dye.' 

83 Nought list myn auctor fully to 
declare 575 

What that she thoughte whan he seyde 
so. 

That Troilus was out of town y-fare, 

As if he seyde ther-of sooth or no ; 

Biit that, with-outeawayt, with him to go. 

She graiinted him, sith he hir that bi- 
soughte, 580 

And, as his nece, obeyed as hir oughte 

84. But nathelees, yet gun she him bi- 

secho, 
Al-though with hini to goon it was no fere. 
For to be war of goosish peples speclie. 
That dremen thinges whiche that never 

were, 585 

And wel avyse him whom he Vn-oughte 

there ; 



And seyde him, ' eem, sin I mot on yow 

triste, 
Loke al be wel, and do now as yow liste.' 

85. He swor hir, ' yis, by stokkes and by 
stones. 

And by the goddes that in hevene dwelle, 
Or elles were him lever, soule and bones, 
With Pluto king as depe been in helle 592 
As Tantalus ! ' What sholde I more telle V 
Whan al was wel, he roos and took his 

leve. 
And she to souper com, whan it was eve, 

86. With acertaynof hir owene men, 596 
And with hir faire nece Antigone, 

And otherc of hir wommen nyne or ten ; 
But who was glad now, who, as trowe ye, 
But Trciilus, that stood and mighte it 

see 6<K) 

Thurgh-out a litel windowo in a stewe, 
Ther he bishet, sin midnight, was in 

mewe, 

87. Unwist of every wight but of Pandare ? 
But to the poynt ; now whan she was 

y-come 
With alle .iV)ye, and alle frendes fare, C05 
Hir eem anoon in ai'mes hath hir nome. 
And after to the souper, alle and some. 
Whan tyme was, ful softe they hem sette; 
God wot, ther was no deyntee for to fette. 

88. And after souper gonnen they to 
ryse, 6iu 

At ese wel, with liertes fresshe and glade. 
And wel was him that coudc best devyse 
To lyken hir, or that hir laughen made. 
He song ; she pleyde ; he tolde tale of 

Wade. 
But at the laste, as every thing hath 

ende, O15 

She took hir leve, and nedes wolde wende. 

89 But O, Fortune, executrice of wierdes, 

O influences of thise hevenes hye ! 

Soth is, that, under god, ye ben our 

hierdes. 
Though to us bestes been the causes 

wrye. 620 

This mene I now, for she gan hoomward 

hye, 



256 



^roifue (Xni Cti^i^U, 



[Book III. 



But execut was al bisyde liir levo, 
At tlic goildes wil ; for which she moste 
hleve. 

90. The bente mone with hir homes pale, 
Saturne, and Jove, in Cancro joyned 

were, 625 

That swich a rayn irom hovene gan avale. 
That t^vpry nianor wommanthat was there 
Haddo of that smoky royn a verray fere ; 
At which Pandaro tho h>ugh, and seyde 

thenne, 
' Now were it tyme a lady to go henne ! 630 

91. But goode neco, if I niighte ever plese 
Yow any-thing, than prey I yow,'(jnod he, 
'To doon myn herte as now so greet an 

ese 
As fortodwolle here al this night with me, 
Por-why tliis is your oweno hous, partlee. 
For, by my troll the, I sey it nought a- 

ganie, 6^6 

To wcndo as now, it were to me a shame.' 

92. Crise.ydo, whicho that coude as mucho 
good 

As half a world, tok hcdo of his preyere ; 
And sin it ron, and al was on a flood, 640 
She thoiighte, as good chep may I dwellen 

here, 
And graunto it gladly with a freendes 

chere, 
And have a thank, as gruccho and thanne 

abydo ; 
For hooni to goou it niay nought wel 

bityde. 

9;5. 'I wol,' quod she, 'myn uncle leef 
and dorc, 645 

Sin that yow list, it skile is to be so ; 

I am right glad with .vow to dwellen here ; 

T seyde l)ut a-gamo, I wolde go.' 

' Y-wis, graunt mei'cy, nece!' quo<l ho 
tho ; (>4i) 

' Were it a game or no, soth for to telle, 

Now am I glad, sin that yow list to dwelle.' 

94. Thus al is wel ; but tho bigan aright 
Tho nowe .joyo, and al the feste agayn ; 
But Pandarus, if goodly haddo he might, 
He wolde ban hyed hir to bedde fayu, 655 
And seyde, ' lord, this is an Inige ravn ! 



This were a weder for to slepen inne ; 
And that I rode us sone to biginne. 

9o. Antl nocc, woot ye wher I wol yow 
le.^-o, 659 

For that we shiil not liggen for asonder. 
And for ye neither shuUen, dar I seye, 
Heren noise of reynes nor of thonder ? 
By god, right in my lyte closet yonder. 
And I wol in that outer hous allone 
Bo wardeyn of your wommen everichone. 

96. And in this middel chaumbre that ye 
see 666 

Shul youre wommen slepen wel and softe ; 
And tlier I seyde shal your-selve be ; 
And if ye liggen wel to-night, coni ofte. 
And caroth not what weder is on-lofte. 670 
The wyn anon, and whan so that yow 

leste, 
So go we slepe, I trowo it be the beste.' 

97. Ther nis no more, but here-after sone, 
The voyd6 dronke, and travers drawe 

anon, 
Gan every wight, that hadde nought to 

done 675 

More in that place, out of tho chaumber 

gon. 
And ovor-mo so sternelich it ron. 
And blow ther-with so wonderliche loude. 
That wel neigh no manhoren other coude. 

98. Tho Pandarus, hiroem, right as him 
oughto, 6.S( ) 

With women swiche as were hir most 

abouto, 
Ful glad un-to hir lioddos s-\'de hir 

brougbti>, 
And took hi.s love, and gan ful lowe loute, 
And seyde, ' here at this closet-doro with- 

oute, 
Right over-thwart, your wommen liggen 

alio, 6S5 

That, whom .^-ow liste of hem, ye may 

here calle.' 

99. So whan that she was in the closet 
leyd. 

And alle hir wommen forth bj' orde- 

naunee 
A-bedde weren, thor as 1 have sevd, 



Book III.] 



^t*otfu0 anl <tn0ejbe. 



257 



There was no more to skippen nor to 
traunce, 690 

But hoden go to bedde, with mischannco, 
If any wight was steringe any-whoro, 
And lato hem slepe that a-bedde were. 

100. But Pandarus, tliat wel coudc cclic 
a del 

The olde daunce, and every poynt tlior- 

inne, (195 

^^lian tliat he soy that alle thing was wel, 

He thoughte he wolde up-on his werk 

biginne, 
And gan the stewo-dore al softe un-pinnc, 
And stille as stoon, with-outen lengor 

lette, 
By Troilus a-doiin right he him sette. 700 

101. And, shortly to the poynt right for 
to gon. 

Of al tills werlc he toldo him word and 

ende, 
And seyde, ' make thee redy right anon, 
For thou shalt in-to lievcno hlisse wendo.' 
'Now blisful Venus, thou me grace 

sende,' 71)5 

Quod Troilus, ' for never yet no node 
Hadde I or now, no halvendel the drede.' 

102. Quod Pandarus, ' ne drede thee never 
a del, 

For it shal been right as thou wilt desyre ; 
So thryvo I, this night shal I make it 

wol, 710 

Or castcn al the gruwel in the fyro.' 
' Yit blisful Venus, this night thou me 

enspyro,' 
Quod Troilus, ' as wis as I thee serve. 
And ever bet and bet shal, til I storvc. 

103. And if I hadde, O Venus ful of 
niirthe, 71^ 

Aspectes badde of Mars or of Saturne, 
Or thou combust or let were in my birthe, 
Thy fader pray al thilke harm disturne 
Of grace, and that I glad ayein may 

turne. 
For love of him. thou lovodest in the 

shawe, 720 

I mene Adoon, that with the boor was 

slawe. 



104. O Jove eek, ior the love of faire 
Europe, 

The whiche in forme of bole away thou 

fetto ; 
Now help, O Mars, tliou witli iliy ))l()dy 

cope, 
For love of Cipris, thou mc; nought no 

lette ; 725 

O Phebus, thenk whan Dane hir-selven 

shotto 
Under the bark, and laurer wex for drede. 
Yet for hir love, O help now at this nede ! 

105. Morcurie, for the love of Hiers6 eke, 
P''or which Pallas was with Aglauros 

wrooth, 730 

Now help, and eek Diane, I thee biseke. 
That this viage be not to thoe looth. 
O fatal sustrcn, whicli, er any clootli 
Mo shapcn was, my desten^ me sponne. 
So heliieth to this werk that is bi-gonne ! ' 

106. Quod Pandarus, ' thovi wrecched 
mouses horte, 736 

Art thou agast so that she wol thee byte? 
"\^'hy, don this furred cloke iip-on thj' 

sherto. 
And folowe me, for I wol han the wyto ; 
But byd, and lat me go biforo a lyte.' 740 
And with that word he gan un-do a 

trappe. 
And Troilus he broughto in by the lappe. 

107. The Sterne wind so loude gan to 
route 

That no wight otlier noyse mighte here ; 
And they that layen at the dore with- 



outo, 



745 



Ful sikerly they slepten alle y-fere ; 
And Pandarus, with a ful sobre chore, 
Goth to tlio dore anon with-outen lette, 
Ther-as they laye, and softely it shette. 

108. And as he com ayeinward prively. 
His nece awook, and asked 'who goth 

there?' y^i 

' My dore nece,' quod he, ' it am I ; 
Ne wondreth not, no have of it no fere ; ' 
And ner he com, and seyde hir in hir ere, 
' No word, for love of god I yow biseche ; 
Lat no wight ryse and heren of our 

spcclxe.' 756 



!58 



'Zvoiho (xnt> Ctiei^'^i. 



[Book III. 



109. ' What ! which wcy be ye comen, 
benedicite 9 ' 

Quod she, 'and how tlius unwi.st <>t' hem 

alle ? ' 
' Hero at this secree trappe-dore,' quod he. 
Quod tho Criseyde, ' lat me som wight 

calle.' 760 

' Ey ! god forbede that it sholdcs fallo,' 
Quod Pan(hirus, ' that yo swich I'oly 

wroughto ! 
They mighto demo thing they never or 

thoughte ! 

110. It is nought good a sloping liouud to 
wake, 

Ne yevo a wight a cause to devyno ; 765 
Your wommon slepen alle, I under-take, 
So that, for hem, tho hoiis men mighte 

my no ; 
And slepen wolon til the sonno shyno. 
And whan my tale al brought is to an 

ende, 
Unwist, right as I com, so wol I wondo. 

111. Now neoo myn, yo shul wel undor- 
stonde,' 771 

Quod he, ' so as yo wommen domen alle, 
That for to holdo in love a man in honde. 
And him hir "leef" and ^'dere herto" 

calle. 
And maken him an howve above a calle, 
I mono, as love an other in this whyle, 776 
She doth hir-self a shame, and him a g.yle. 

112. Now wherby that I telle yow al this ? 
Ye woot your-solf, as wed as any wight, 
How that your love al fully graunted is 
To Troilu-S, the worthieste knight, 781 
Oon of this world, and ther-to trouthe 

That, but it wore on him along, yo noldo 
Him never falsen, whyl yo liven sholde. 

113. Now stant it thus, that sith I fro 
j'ow wente, 785 

This Troilus, right platly for to seyn. 
Is thurgh a gotor, by a priv6 wente, 
In-to my chaumbro come in al this reyn, 
Unwist of every manor wight, certeyn, 
Save of my-self, as wisly liave I joyo, ygo 
And by that feith I shal Pryani of Troye ! 



114. And he is come in swich peyne and 
distresse 

That, but he bo al fully wood by tliis. 
He sodeynly mot I'alle in-to wodncsso, 
But-if god helpe ; and cause why tliis is. 
He soyth him told is, of a i'roond of his. 
How that ye sholde love oon that hatto 

Horaste, 797 

For sorwe of which this night shalt been 

his laste.' 

115. Criseyde, whi(^h th.at al this wonder 
herdo', 

Gan sodej'nly abouto hir hoi-to coldo, 800 
And with a sj'k she sorwi'ully answorde, 
' Alias ! I wondo, who-so tales tolde. 
My doro herte wolde mo not holde 
So lightly fals ! alias ! conccytes wronge. 
What harm they doon, for now live I to 
longe ! 805 

IIG. Horaste ! alias ! and falsen Troilus ? 
I knowe him not, god helpo mo so,' quod 

she ; 
'Alias ! what wikkcnl sjiirit toldo him 

thus ? 
Now certes, eem, to-morwe, and I him see, 
I shal ther-of as ful excuscn mo Sro 

As ever dide womman, if him lyke' ; 
And with that word she gan ful sore syke. 

117. 'Ogod!' quod she, ' so worldly seli- 
nesse. 

Which clerkes callen fals feliciteo, 
Y-medled is with many a bitternesse ! 815 
Ful anguisshous than is, god woot,' quod 

she, 
' Condicioun of veyn prospcriteo ; 
For either joyes comen nought y-fere. 
Or elles no wight hath hem alwey here. 

118. O brotel welo of mannes joyo un- 
stable ! 820 

With what wight so thou bo, or how thou 

ploye. 
Either ho woot that thou, joy(!, art mu- 

able. 
Or woot it not, it nioot ben oon of tweye ; 
Now if he woot it not, how may he seye 
Thathehathverray joyo and selinesse, 825 
That is of ignoraunco ay in derknessc ? 



Book III.l 



^rotfue an^ (Cneepbe. 



259 



119. Now if he woot that joye is transi- 
torie, 

As every joye of worlilly thinf» mot flee, 
Than every tyme ho that hath in me- 

morie, 
The drede of lesing makoth him that ho 
May in no parfit selinesse bo. i<}i 

And if to lese his joye he set a myte, 
Tlian semeth it tliat joyo is wortli fill 

lyte. 

120. Wherfore I wol dofFyno in this 
matere, 

That trewely, for onglit I can e.spyc, 835 
Ther is no verray wele in this workl here. 
Bnt 0, thon wikked serpent Jalonsyo, 
Thou misbeleved and envious folyo, 
Why hastow Troilus mo mad untristc, 
Tliat never yet agilto Iiim, that I wisto ? ' 

121. Quod Pandarus, 'thus fallen is this 
cas.' 841 

' Wliy, iincle myn,' quod slie, ' who tolde 

him this ? 
Why doth my dere herte thus, alias ?' 
' Ye woot, ye nece myn,' quod he, ' ^\ hat is ; 
I liope al shal lie wel tliat is amis. 845 
For ye may quenche al tliis, if that yow 

leste, 
And doth right so, for I holde it the 

beste.' 

122. ' So shal I do to-morwe, y-ivis,' qiiod 
she, 

'And god to-forn, so that it shal suffyse.' 
' To-morwe ? alias, that were a fayr,' qiiod 

he, 850 

' Nay, nay, it may not stondcn in tliis 

wyse ; 
For, nece myn, thus wryten clerkeswyse, 
That peril is with drocching in y-drawe ; 
Nay, swieh abodes been nouglit worth an 

hawe. 

123. Nece, al thing hath tyme, I dar 
avowe ; 855 

For whan a chaumber a-fyr is, or anhalle, 
Wel more nede is, it sodeynly rescowe 
Than to dispute, and axe amonges alio 
flow is this candel in the straw y-falle ? 
A ! benedicite ! for al among that fare 860 
The harm is doon, and fare- wel feldefare ! 



124. And, nece myn, ne take it not a- 
greef. 

If that ye sufFro liini al niglit in this wo, 
God help me so, ye haddo him never leef, 
That dar I seyn, now there is biit we 
two ; 865 

But wel I woot, that ye wol not do so ; 
Ye been to wys to do so gret folj'e, 
To putte liis lyf al night in jupartye.' 

125. 'Haddelhim never leef? By god, 
I wene 

Ye hadde never thing so leef,' quod slie. 
' Now by my tlirift,' quod he, ' that shal 
be sene ; 871 

For, sin yo make this ensample of me, 
If I al night wokle him in sorwe see 
For al the tresour in the toun of Troye, 
I bidde god, I never mote have joye ! 875 

126. Now loke thanne, if ye, that been 
his love, 

Shul putte al niglit his lyf in jupartye 
For thing of nought ! Now, by that god 

above. 
Nought only this delay comth of folye. 
But of malyce, if that I shal nought lye. 
What, platly, and ye siiffre him in dis- 

tresse, 881 

Ye neither bountee doon no gentilesse ! ' 

127. Quod the Criseyde, ' wole ye doon 
o thing, 

And ye therwith shal stinte al his disese ; 
Have here, and boreth him this blewe 

ring, 885 

For ther is no-thing mighto him bettre 

plese. 
Save I my-self, no more his herte apese ; 
And sey my dere herte, that his sorwe 
Is causeles, that shal be seen to-morwe.' 

128. ' A ring ? ' quod he, ' ye, hasel-wodes 
shaken ! 8yo 

Ye, nece myn, that ring nioste lian a stoon 
That mighto dedo men alyvo maken ; 
And swich a ring, trowo I that ye have 

noon. 
Discrccioun out of your heed is goon : 
That felo I now,' (|uod he, ' and that is 

routhe ; 895 

O tyme y-lost, wel maystow cursen 

slouthe ! 



K 2 



26o 



^rotfu0 anb <£rt0e^l>e. 



[Book III. 



129. Wot ye not wel that noble and heigh 
corage 

Ne sorweth not, ne stinteth eek for lyte ? 
But if a fool were in a jalous rage, 
I nolde setten at his sorwe a myte, 900 
Bi\t feflfe liim with a fewe wordes whyte 
Another day, whan that I mighte him 

finde : 
Biit this thing stont al in anotlier kinde. 

130. This is so gentil and so tendre of 
herte, 

That with his deeth he wol his sorwes 
wreke ; 905 

For trustetli wel, how sore that him 
smerte, 

He wol to yow no jalouse wordes speke. 

And for-thy, nece, er that his herte breke, 

So spek your-self to him of this matere ; 

For with o word ye may his herte stere. 

131. Now have I told what peril he is 
inne, 911 

And his coming nnwist is t' every wight ; 
Ne, pardee, harm may ther be noon ne 

sinne ; 
I wol my-self be with yow al this night. 
Ye knowe eek how it is your owne knight, 
And that, by right, ye moste upon him 

triste, 916 

And I al prest to fecche him whan yow 

liste.' 

132. This accident so pitous was to here. 
And eek so lyk a sooth, at pryme face. 
And Troilns hir knight to hir so dere, 920 
His prive coming, and the siker place, 
That, though that she dide him as 

thanne a grace. 
Considered alle thinges as they stode, 
No wonder is, sin she dide al for gode. 

133. Cryseyde answerde, ' as wisly god at 
reste 925 

My sowle bringe, as me is for him wo ! 
And eem, y-wis, fayn wolde I doon the 

beste. 
If that I hadde grace to do so. 
But whether that ye dwelle or for him go, 
I am, til god me bettre minde sende, 930 
At dulcarnon, right at my wittes ende.' 



134. Quod Pandarus, ' ye, nece, wol ye 
here ? 

Dulcarnon called is "flerninge of 

wrecches " ; 
It semeth hard, for wrecches wol not lere 
For verray slovithe or othere wilful 

tecches ; 935 

This seyd by hem tliat be not worth two 

fecches. 
But ye ben wys, and that we han on 

honde 
Nis neither hard, ne skilful to withstonde.' 

135. 'Thanne, eem,' qtiod she, 'doth her- 
of as yow list ; 

But er he come I wil up first aryse ; 940 
And, for the love of god, sin al my trist 
Is on yow two, and ye ben bothe wyse, 
So wircheth now in so discreet a "vi'yse. 
That I honour may have, and he ples- 

aunce ; 
For I am liere al in your governaunce.' 

136. 'That is wel seyd,' quod he, 'my 
nece dere, 946 

Ther good thrift on that wyse gentil 

herte ! 
But liggeth stille, and taketh hini right 

here, 
It nedeth not no ferther for him sterte ; 
And ech of yow ese otheres sorwes smerte, 
For love of god ; and, Venus, I thee 

herie ; 951 

For sone hope I we shuUe ben alle merie.' 

137. This Troilus ful sone on knees him 
sette 

Ful sobrely, right by hir beddes heed. 
And in his beste wyse his lady grette ; 955 
But lord, so she wex sodeynliche reed ! 
Ne, though men sholden smyten of hir 

heed, 
She coudo nought a word a-right out- 

bringe 
So sodeynly, for his sodeyn cominge. 

138. But Pandarus, that so wel coude fele 
In every thing, to pleye anoon bigan, 961 
And seyde, ' nece, see how this lord can 

knele ! 
Now, for your trouthe, seeth this gentil 



Book III.] 



^rotTu0 anl) Cvwt^H. 



261 



And with that word he for a quisshen 

ran, 
And seyde, ' kneleth now, whyl that yew 

leste, 965 

Ther god your hertes bringe sone at 

reste ! ' 

139. Can I not seyn, for she bad him not 

ryse, 
If sorwe it putte out of hir remembraunce, 
Or elles if she toke it in the wyse 
Of duetee, as for his observaunce ; 970 
But wel iinde I she dide him this 

plesaunce, 
That she him kiste, al-though she syked 

sore ; 
And bad him sitte a-dounwith-outen more. 

no. Quod Panilarus, ' now wol ye wel 

biginne ; 
Now doth him sitte, gode nece dere, 975 
Upon yoiir beddes syde al there with- 

inne, 
That ech of yow the bet may other here.' 
And with that word he drow him to the 

fere, 
And took a light, aad fond his conten- 

aunce 
As for to loke up-on an old romaunce. 980 

141. Criseyde, that was Troilus lady right, 
And cleer stood on a ground of sikernesse, 
Al thoughte she, hir servaunt and hir 

knight 
Ne sholde of riglit non untrouthe in hir 

gesse, 984 

Yet nathelees, considered his distresse, 
And tiiat love is in cause of swich folye, 
Thus to hira spak she of his jelousye : 

142. ' Lo, herte myn, as wtdde the excel- 
lence 

Of love, ayeins the which that no man 

may, 
Ne oughte eek gootUy maken resistence ; 
And eek bycause I felte wel and say 991 
Your gretetrouthe, and servyse everyday ; 
And that your herte al mjoi was, sooth to 

seyne. 
This droof me for to rewe up-on your 

poyne. 



143. And your goodnesse have I founde 
alwey yit, 995 

Of whiche, my dere herte and al my 

knight, 
I thonke it yow, as fer as I have wit, 
Al can I nouglit as muche as it were right ; 
And I, emforth my conninge and my 

might. 
Have and ay shal, how sore that me 

smerte, 1000 

Ben to yow trewe and hool, with al myn 

herte ; 

144. And dredelees, that shal be founde 
at preve. — ■ 

But, herte niyn, what al this is to seyne 
Shal wel be told, so that j-e noght yow 

greve. 
Though I to yow right on your-self com- 

pleyne. 1005 

For ther-with mene I fynally the peyne, 
Tliat halt your lierte and myn in hevi- 

nesse. 
Fully to sleen, and every wrong redresse. 

145. My goode, myn, not I for-why ne 
how 

That Jalousye, alias ! that wikked wivere. 
Thus causelees is cropen in-to yow ; 101 1 
The harm of which I wolde fayn delivere ! 
Alias ! that he, al hool, or of him shvere, 
Sliuld have his refut in so digne a place, 
Ther Jove him sone out of your herte 
arace ! 1015 

146. But 0, thou Jove, O auctor of natvire, 
Is tliis an honour to thy deitee, 

That folk ungiltif suffren here injure. 
And who that giltif is, al qiiit goth he ? 
O were it leftil for to pleyne on thee, iu2tj 
That undeserved suffrest jalousye. 
And that I wolde up-on thee pleyne ami 
erye ! 

147. Eek al my wo is this, that folk now 
usen 

To seyn right thus, "ye, Jalovisye is 
Love ! " 1024 

And wolde a busshel venim al excusen. 
For that o greyn of love is on it shove ! 
But that wot heighe god that sit above, 



262 



^roifu0 drii) Cnee^be. 



[Book 117. 



If it be lyker love, or hate, or grame ; 
And after that, it oughte bore his nanio. 

148. But certoyn is, som miincr jalousyo 
I.s oxcjusablo more than som, y-wis. 1031 
As whan causo is, and som swich fantasyo 
"With piotoo so wel repressed is. 

That it unnotlio dooth or seyth amis, 
But goodly drinketh up al his distrosso ; 
And that excuse I, for the gentilesso. 10,^6 

149. And som so ful of furio is and dospyt. 
That it sourmountotli his rciirossioun ; 
But herte myn, j'o bo not in that plyt. 
That thanko I god, for whicho your 

jiassionn 1(^40 

T wol not calk) it but illusionn. 
Of habundaunco of lovo and Ijisy euro. 
That dooth .your herto this discso cnduro. 

150. Of which I am right sory, but iiot 
wrooth ; 1044 

But, for my devoir and your hcrtos roste, 
Whor-so yow li.st, by ordal or by ooth, 
B,y sort, or in what wyse so yow losto. 
For lovo of god, lat prove it for tiio bestel 
And if that I bo giltif, do mo deye, 1049 
Alius ! what inighto 1 more doon or soyo?' 

151. With that a fowe brlghto teres nowc 
Out of hir oycn fiUo, and thus she soydo, 

' Now god, thou wost, in thought no dedo 

untrewo 
To Troilus was never yet Criseydo.' 
With that hir IioimI <loun in tlu; bod she 

ley do, 1055 

Anil with the shotc it wroigli, and syghed 

sore, 
And held hir pecs ; not o word spak she 

more. 

152. But now help god to (jnenchon al 
this sorwo. 

So hope I that he shal, for ho best may; 
Vov I havo soyn, of a ful misty moi'wo io6<) 
Folwon ful ofto a mery someres day ; 
And after winter folweth greno May. 
Men seen alday, and redon oek in stories, 
That after .sharpo sho^m-s boon victories. 

]■"):!, This Tr(vilns, whan hi^ hir worth's 
h(!rdc, 10(15 

Kiivo yo no care, him listu not to sloi)c ; 



For it thoughte him no strokes of a yerdo 
To hero or seen Criseyde his lady wepc ; 
But wol he felte ahoute his herte crepe. 
For every teer which tliat Crise.vde a- 

sterto, 1071) 

The crampo of dooth, to streyno him by 

tlio herte. 

154. Anil in liis minde he gan the tymo 
acnrse 

That ho cam thori', and that he was boi'n ; 
For now is wiklto y-turnod in-to worse, 
And al that labour ho hath ch)on Inforn, 
Ho wende it bjst, ho thoughto h(> nas but 

lorn. 1076 

'O Pandarus,' thoughto ho, 'alias! thy 

wylo 
Sorvcth of nought, so weylawoy the 

whylc ! ' 

155. And thorwithal ho hong a-doiin the 
hoed. 

And 111 on knees, and sorwfully ho sighto ; 
What mighte he seyn ? he felte he nas 

but deed, loSi 

For wrooth was she that shulde his sorwos 

liglito. « 

But natholoes, whan that ho .spoken 

mighte. 
Than soydo he thus, ' god woot, that of 

this game, 
Whan al is wist, than am 1 not ti> Ijlamo !' 

15(5. Th(>r-with the sorwo so his hei'to 
shotto, n)86 

That from his cyen fil ther not a tero. 
And every spirit his vigour in-knetto, 
So they astoncd and opx)resscd were. 
The feling of h is sorwo, or of his fere, 1090 
Or of ought olios, fled was out of towne ; 
And doun he fel al sodeynly a-swowne. 

157. This was no litol sorwo for to see ; 
But al was bust, and Pandaro vip as fasto, 
' O nece, pees, or wo bo lost,' quod he, 1095 
' Bi^th nought agast ; ' but certoyn, at the 

lasto, 
]'\)r tliis or that, ho in-to bodde him caste, 
And soydo, 'O tliccf, is tliis a mannos 

herte?' 
And of ho I'onto al (o his Ijarc shertc ; 



Hook III. 



^rotfue arii) Crteepie. 



263 



158. Awd seydo, ' noco, but yo liolixs us 
now, IKK) 

Alliis, your owno Troihis is lorn ! ' 
' Y-wis, so wolilo I, ftiul I wisto liow, 
Ful fayn,' quod she ; ' Jillas ! that 1 was 

born !' 
' Yc, ncce, wol yo puUen out the thorn 
Thatstiketh in liis herto?' quodPandaro; 
' Sey "al foryovo," and stint is al this 

faro ! ' 1 106 

159. ' Yc, that to nio,' quod slio, ' i'ul 
lover were 

Than al the good the sonno abouto gooth ' ; 
And thorwitli-ul she swoor liim in his ore, 
' Y-wis, my dcro herto, I am nought 

wrooth, UK) 

Ilavo hero my troutlio and many another 

ooth ; 
Now spook to mc, ior it am T, Criseydo !' 
But al for nought ; yet mighto he not 

a-hreyilo. 

](iO. Tliorwitli liis pous and pawmes of 

his hondos 
They gan to froto, and woto liis temples 

tweyno, 1115 

And, to dolivoren him from hittre 1)oudes, 
Slio ofto him kiste ; and, sliortlj' for to 

scyno, 
llim to rovokon she dido al liii- pcyno. 
And at the lasto, lie gan liis ))rceth to 

drawo, 
And of his swough sone aftcir that adawo, 

161. And gan Ijot minde and roson to him 

take, 1 1 -' I 

I5ut wonder sore Iio was al)ayst, y-wis. 
And with a syk, whan lio gan hot a-wako, 
He soydo, ' O merely, god, what thing is 

tliis?' 
' Why do ye with your-S('Iv(!n tlius amis?' 
Quod tho Crisoych^, ' is this a manncs 

game? 11. -6 

What, Troilus! wol yn do thus, lor 

shamo i" 

l')2. And therwith-iil liii' arm over him 

.she leydo. 
And al forj'af, and ofto tymo him keste. 
Ho thonked hir, and to hir spak, and 

soydo 1 130 



As fil to purpos for his herte reste. 

And sho to that answordo him as hir 

losto ; 
And witli hir goodly wordos him disporto 
Sho gan, and ofto his sorwos to comfortc, 

103. Quod Pandarus, ' for ought I can 
espyon, 1135 

This light nor I no scrvon here of nought; 

Liglit is not good for syko folkos yon. 

Hut lor the love of god, sin yo be brought 

In thus good plyt, lat now non lievy 
thought 

Bon hangingo in the liertes of j'ow 
twoyo:' 1 140 

And liar tlio candel to tho chimonc.ye. 

I'M. Hone after this, though it no node 

wore, 
Wlian sho swich othos as hir list dov.yso 
Haddo of him take, hir thoughto tlio no 

foro, 
No cause eok non, to bi<lilo him tlionnes 

ryso. 1145 

Yet losse thing than othes may suffyso 
In many a cas ; for every wight, I gosso, 
That lovoth wel monetli bvit gentilosso. 

165. But in effect sho woldo wite anoon 
Of what man, and 00k whore, and also 
why 1150 

Ho jelous was, sin thor was cause noon ; 
And oek tho signo, that ho took it by, 
Sho bad him tliat to telle hir bisily, 
Or elles, corteyn, sho bar him on honde, 
Tluit this was doon of mnlis, liir to fondo. 

IGG. With-outon more, shortly for to 
seyne, ii5r) 

Ho mosto obeyo un-to his lady hosto ; 

And for tho la.sso harm, he moste foyno. 

Ho soy<lo hir, wlian sho was at swicho 
a I'esto 

She inighto on him ban loko<l at Iho 
h^stc ; iiCio 

Not I not what, al (hire y-nougb a risshe, 

As lie lliat ncilos mosto a cause fissho. 

]()7. And she answordo, ' swote, al wore 

it so. 
What harm was that, sin I nou yvol 

mono ? 



264 



'ZvoihQ ani Criee^be. 



[Book III. 



For, by that god that boughte us bothe 
two, 1 1 65 

In alle thinge is mjii entente clene. 

Swich arguments ne been not worth a 
bene ; 

Wol ye the childish jalons contrefete? 

Now were it worthy that j^e were y-bete.' 

168. Tho Troilns gan sorwfully to syke, 
Lest she be wrooth, him thoughte his 

herte deyde ; 1171 

And seyde, ' alias ! upon my sorwes syke 
Have mercy, swete herte myn, Criseyde ! 
And if that, in tho wordes that I seyde. 
Be any wrong, I wol no more trespace ; 
Do what yow list, I am al in yonr grace.' 

169. And she answerde, ' of gilt miseri- 
corde ! 

That is to seyn, that I foryeve al this ; 
And ever-more on this uight yow recorde, 
And beth wel war ye do no more amis.'i 180 
' Nay, dere herte myn,' quod he, ' y-wis.' 
'And now,' qu.od she, 'that I have do 

yow smerte, 
Foryeve it me, myn owene swete herte.' 

170. Tliis Troilus, with blisse of that sup- 
prysed, 1184 

Put al in goddes hond, as he that mente 
No-thing but wel ; and, sodeynly avysed. 
He hir in armes faste to him hente. 
And Pandarus, with a ful good entente, 
Leyde him to slepe, and seyde, ' if ye ben 

wyse, 
Swowneth not now, lest more folk aryse.' 

171. Wliat mighte or may the sely larke 
seye, 1191 

Whan that the .sparhaiik hath it in his 

foot ? 
I can no more, but of tliise ilke tweye. 
To whom this tale Sucre be or soot. 
Though that I tarie a yeer, som-tyme 

I moot, 1 195 

After myn auctor, tellen hir gladnesse. 
As wel as I have told hir lievinesse. 

172. Criseyde, which that felte hir thus 
y-take. 

As writen clerkes iu hir bokes olde. 



Right as an aspes leef she gan to quake, 
Whan she him felte- hir in his armes 

folde. 1 20 1 

But Troilus, al hool of cares colde, 
G-an thanken tho the blisful goddes 

sevene ; 
Thus soudry peynes bringen folk to 

hevenc. 

173. This Troilus in armes gan hir 
streyne, 1205 

And seyde, ' O swete, as ever mote I goon, 
Now be ye caught, now is ther but we 

tweyne ; 
Now yeldeth yow, for other boot is noon.' 
To that Criseyde answerde thus anoon, 
' Ne hadde I er now, my swete herte 

dere, 12 10 

Ben yolde, y-wis, I were now not here ! ' 

174. O ! sooth is seyd, that heled for to be 
As of a fevre or othere greet sj^knesse. 
Men moste drinke, as men may often see, 
Ful bittre drink ; and for to han glad- 
nesse, 1215 

Men drinken often peyne and greet dis- 

tresse ; 
I mene it here, as for this aventure, 
That thourgh a peyne hath founden al 

his cure. 

175. And now swetnesse semeth more 
swete. 

That bitternesse assayed was biforn ; 1220 
For out of wo in blisse now they flete. 
Non swich they felten, sith they were 

born ; 
Now is this bet, than bothe two be lorn ! 
For love of god, take every womman 

hede 
To werken thus, if it comth to the nede. 

176. Criseyde, al quit from everj- drede 
and tene, 1226 

As she that juste cause hadde himtotriste, 
!Made him swich feste, it joye was to sene, 
Wlaan she his trouthe and clene entente 
wiste. 1229 

And as aboute a tree, with many a twiste, 
Bitrent and wrji;h the sote wode-binde, 
Gan cche of hem in armes other winde. 



Book III.] 



^rotfu0 an^ Ctiet^it. 



26 f 



177. And as the iiewo abaysshed nightin- 
gale, 

That stinteth first whan slio biginnetli 

singe, 
Wlian that she liereth any herde tale, i.'35 
Or in tlie hegges any M'ight steringe. 
And after siker dooth hir vo.ys ont-ringe ; 
Eiglit so Criseyde, whan hir drede stente, 
Opned hir herte, and tolde him liir entente. 

178. And right as he tliat seetli his deeth 
y-shapen, 1240 

And deye moot, in onglit that he maj' 

gesse, 
And sodeynly rescons doth him escapen. 
And from his deeth is brouglit in silier- 

nesse, 
Eor al this world, in swich present glad- 

nesse 1244. 

"Was Troilus, and hath his lady swete ; 
With worse hap god lat us never mete ! 

179. Hir amies smale, hir streyglite bak 
and softe, 

Hir sydes longe, fleshly, smotlic, and 

whyte 
He gan to stroke, and good thrift bad fill 

ofte 
Hir snowish throte, hir brestes rounde and 

lyte ; 1250 

Thus in this hevene he gan him to delyte. 
And ther-witli-al a thousand tyme hir 

kiste ; 
That, what to done, for joye unnethe he 

wiste. 

180. Than seyde he thus, ' O, Love, O, 
Claaritee, 

Thy moder eek, Citherea tlie swete, 1255 
After thy-self next heried be she, 
Venus mene I, the wel-willy planete ; 
And next tliat, Imeneus, I thee grete ; 
For never man was to yow goddes holde 
As I, "wliich ye han brought fro cares 
colde. i25o 

181. Benigne Love, thou holy bond of 
thinges, 

"V^riio-so wol grace, and list thee nought 

honouren, 
Lo, his desyr wol flee witli-outen winges. 

K 



For, noldestow of bountee hem socouren 
Thatserven best and most alweylabouren. 
Yet were al lost, that dar I wel seyn, 
certes, 1266 

But-if tliy grace passed our desertes. 

182. And for thou me, that ooiide leest 

deserve 
Of hem that nombred been un-to thy 

grace. 
Hast holpen, tlier I lykly was to sterve. 
And me bistowed in so heygla a place 1271 
Tliat thilke boundes may no blisse pace, 
I can no more, but laude and reverence 
Be to thy bounte and tliyii excellence ! ' 

18B. And therwitli-al Crisej-de anoon he 
kiste, 1275 

Of which, certeyn, she felte no diseso. 

And tlius seyde he, ' now wolde god I 
wiste, 

Myn herte swete, liow I yow niiglite plese ! 

Wliat man,' quod lie, ' was ever tlius at ese 

As I, on whiche the faireste and the 
beste 1280 

Tliat ever I say, deyneth hir lierte reste. 

184. Here may men seen tliat mercy 
passeth right ; 

Tlie experience of tliat is felt in me. 
That am unwortliy to so swete a wight. 
But herte myn, of your benignitee, 1285 
So tlienketh, though that I unworthy be, 
Yet mot I nede amenden in som wyse. 
Right thourgh the vertu of your heyglie 
servyse. 

185. And for the love of god, my ladj- 
dere. 

Sin god hath wrouglit me for I shal yow 
serve, 1290 

As thus I mene, that ye wol be my stere. 
To do me live, if that yow liste, or sterve, 
So techetli me how tliat I may deserve 
Your thank, so that I, tliurgh myn 
ignoraunce, 1294 

No do no-thing that yow be disjilesaunce. 

186. For certes, fresshe wommanliche wyf. 
This dar I seye, that trouthe and dili- 
gence, 

Tliat slial ye findeii in me al my lyf, 

3 



'.()() 



^roifue CiX^ii Itxiu^U. 



[Book II f. 



No I wol not, cortoyn, broken your do- 

fonco ; 
And if I do, jirosent or in absone.o, i.^oo 
l<\)rlov(i offjod, lilt. kIoo mil with t-lui dodc, 
1 1' (hat. il. lyk<' un-tu your wmiuMihi'iU^' 

187. ' Y-wis,' ((nod she, ' m.\'ii ownn hcrtos 

list. 
My pronnd of esc, and al iii\n licrldiUiro, 
Grauiit nHsrcy, i'or on Hint, in al \\\y 



trist 



',^05 



But Into lis tiiUo awoy fro this matoro 
For it snfFysoth, this that soyd in lioro. 
And at o word, with-onton ropontannco, 
\V('l-ci>ni(>, my Itnipfht, my pooa, my 
HHllisaunci' !' 

iSH. OC hir delyt, or Joyes oon tlio losto 
V\^>ro impossible to my wit to soyo ; 131 1 
Hut juKK'itii, J'o that lian bon at the teste 
Ol'swich fjhidnosso, il'thut lioni listoployo! 
I can no more, bnt thns tliisoilko twoyo 
That niR'lit, be-twixcn drood and sIUim-- 
nessc, 1,(15 

]i\dt(Mi in hiv<> tlu' ';^vAo worthinosso. 

ISi). ))lislul nifA-1d, of lu'iu si> lonffo 

y-son'j;lit, 
ITow bill ho nii-lo hem botiio two tliou 

WITO ! 

\\\\y no baihlo 1 s\vi(di on with m.y soulo 

y-bou^ht. 
Ye, or- th(i Ici'sto joyo tliat was tlioro ? 1 u'o 
A-woy, thou i'onh) daun^or and tiiou torn, 
And lat liom in this liovoni^ l)lisso dwclhi, 
Tliat is so luiygh, that a! no can I tollo ! 

190. Hut sooth is, tlioutjh IcannottoUonal, 
As can myn anctor, of liisoxcoUcnco, i,^j5 
Yet iiavc 1 sc^•d, and, p;o(l to-l'orn, I slial 
In ('\(i\\- tliiuf; al hooUy his sontonco. 
And if I hat 1, at loves rovoronco, 
Have any word in eched i'or tlio l)osto, 
i)oth tlu;r\vith-al right as your-selvcn 
Icsto. l.!,1o 

tS)l. For myno wonh^s, licri^ and every 

part, 
T spelco hem alio under correccioun 
Of yow, that feling han in loves art. 
And putte it al in your disereeioun 
T' cncreso or mnk(>n <li!niimeionn 1115 



f)f my langago, and that I \o\v l)i-soche; 
Hut now to }iurpos of my rather spocho. 

192. Thiso ilko two, that beii in armos 

la,ft, 
So loot h (() hem a-sondi'r goon it wore, 
Tliat. ecdi fiom other wonde been biratt, 
Or ellos, lo, this was hir mosto Icro, 1341 
That al lliis thing bnt nyco drenies were; 
Vi>v wliicli lul ottd ech of hem seyde, ' O 

Hwcte, 
Clippi^ icb ynw thus, or elles 1 it meteV 

19B. And, lord ! so he gan gooill\' on hir 

SCO, 1345 

That luwer his look ne ble.N'ufe from hir 

face. 
And se,^•lh^, ' O ilere herte, may it bo 
That it bo sooth, that ye bon in this 

place ? ' 
' Yo, herte myn, god thank 1 of his grace!" 
Quod tho Cris(\viU>, and thcrwith-al him 

kiste, 1350 

That wliere hissi)irit was, foi- jo\-ehenisto. 

194. This Troilus I'ul ofto hir oyon two 
(lan I'or to kisso, and seydo, 'O eyen cdoro. 
It were ye (hat wroughte mo swieh wo. 
Ye Inunble nettes of my lady dero ! 1355 
Tiiough ther 1)0 mercy writen in y(nTr 

(die re, 
Ood wot, the text ful hard is, sooth, to 

lind(*, 
llowconde ye with-onten boml me binde':'' 

195. Tlieiwitli h(! gan hir taste in armea 
lake, 1359 

And wi>I an hundred tymos gan ho syke, 
Noughtswiehesorwful sykes as men make 
For wo, or olios wlum that folk ben syke, 
But osy sykes, swieho as been to lyko, 
That showed his atfoeeioun with-inno ; 
Of swieho sykos eoudo ho nought bilinno. 

19(!. Sone af'tcM- this 1he,^' speke of soiidry 
(hinges, i^bh 

As ill to imrpos of this aventure. 
And (ileyingo entrechaungoden hir ringes, 
Ol'w hi{di I <^an nought tellon no scripture; 
l!ut wcl I woot a broidio, gold and asuro, 
In whicliea ruby set waslykan her((>, 13;! 
Oriseyile him yaf, and stak it on his 
sherto. 



Book 111.] 



^t*otfu0 drib (Cviei^it. 



267 



107. Lord ! troweye, acoveitoiis, awreccho, 
That blanieth love and holt of it despyt, 
That, of tlio pens that lie can molcro and 
kecche, 1375 

Was over yet y-yevo him swich dolyt, 
As is in love, in 00 poynt, in som plyt ? 
Nay, doiitolees, for also god mo save. 
So i)arfit joye may no nigard have ! 

IKS. Tlii'v wol sey 'yis,' hut lord! so 
that they lye, 1380 

Tho bisy wrecches, ful of wo and drede ! 

They callen love a woodnesse or folyo, 

15ut it shal fallo hem as I shal yow rode ; 

They shnl forgo the whyto and eke tho 
redo, 

And live in wo, tlier god yeve hem mis- 
chaunce, 1385 

And every lover in his troiithe avaunce ! 

199. As woklo god, tho wrecches, tliat 

dispyso 
."^orvyse of love, hadde eres al-so longo 
As liaddo Myda, ful of coveityse ; 
And ther-to dronken hadde as hoot and 

.stronge 1390 

As Crassus dido for his affectis wronge, 
To tochen hem that they ben in the vyce. 
And loveres noiight, al-thougli tliey holde 

hem nyce ! 

200. Thise ilko two, of wliom tliat I yow 
soye, 1394 

Whan that hir hertes wel assured were, 
Tho gonno they to spoken and to pleye. 
And eek rehercen how, and wlianno, and 

where. 
They knewo licm first, and every wo and 

fere 
That passed was ; biit al swich hevinesse, 
I tlianko it god, was tourned togladncsso. 

201. And evcr-mo, whan that hem fel to 
spoke 1401 

Of any thing of swich a tymo agoon. 
With kissing al that tale sholdo broke. 
And fallen in a newe joye anoon. 
And diden al hir might, sin they were 
oon, ,405 

For to recoveren blisso and been at ese. 
And passed wo with joye countrepeyse. 



'202. Eeson wil not that I spoke of sleep, 
For it accordeth nought to my matore ; 
God woot, tliey toke of that ful litel keep, 
But lest this night, tliat was to hem so 
dero, 1411 

No sholde in voyn escape in no manere, 
It was biset in joye ami bisinesse 
Of al that souneth in-to gentilnesse. 141.J 

203. But whan the cok, comunoastrologor, 
Gan on his brest to bete, and after crowe. 
And Lucifer, the dayes messager, 

Gan for to ryse, and out hir hemes 

thro we ; 
And estward roos, to liim that, coudc it 

knowe, 1419 

Foi'tuna viator, Itlian anoon Criscyde, 
With herte sore, to Troilus thus seyde : — 

204. ' Mjm hertes lyf, my trist and my 
plesaunce, 

That I was born, alias ! what mo is wo, 
That day of us mot make dessoveraunce ! 
For tyme it is to ryse, and henries go, 1425 
Or ellcs I am lost for evermo ! 
O night, alias ! why niltow over us hove, 
As longe as whanne Almcna lay by Jove? 

205. O blake night, as folk in bolces rede. 
That sliapon art by god this world to 

hyde i^y, 

At certeyn tymes with thy derke wodo, 
That under that men mights in reste 

abydo, 
Wel oughtc bestes plcyrio, and folk thic 

chyde. 
That there-as day with labour woldc us 

brcste, 
That thou thus fleest, and dcyncst us 

nought reste ! 1435 

206. Thou dost, alias! to sliortly thyn 
offyce, 

Thou rakel night, thcr god, inalccrc of 

kindo. 
Thee, for tliyn liast and thyn uiikiii<lc 

vyce. 
So faste ay to our hemi-spero binde. 
That never-more under the ground thou 

windo ! 1440 

For now, for tliou so liyost out of Troyo, 
Have I forgon tlius liastily my joye !' 



K 5 



268 



^rotfue anb tvi6<t^U. 



[Book III. 



207. This Troilus, that with tho wordes 

felte, 
As thoughte him tho, for pietous distresse, 
The blody teres from his lierte melte, 1445 
As he that never yet swich licvinesse 
Assayed haddc, out of so greet gladnesse, 
Gan thcrwith-al Criseyde his lady dere 
In armes streyne, and seyde in this 

manere : — 

20s. ' cruel daj', accusonr of tho joye 
That night and love lian stole and I'aste 

y-wrj'cn, 145' 

A-cursed bo thy c<miing in-to Troye, 
For every bore liath oon of thy bright yen ! 
Envyous day, wliat list thee so to spyen '? 
What hastow lost, why sekestow this 

place, 1455 

Ther god thj' lyght so (^uonclie, for his 

grace ? 

209. Alias ! wliat ban Ihise lovercs thee 
agilt, . 

Dispitous day? tliyn bo tho pyno of holle ! 
For manj- a lovcro hastow shont, and 

wilt ; 
Thy pouring in wol no-wb(>r Ictc hcni 

dwelle. H**" 

What proforestow thy light here for to 

selle ? 
Go selle it hem that sinab! solos graven, 
Wo wol thee nought, us nodoth no day 

haven.' 

210. And eek the sonno Tytan gan ho 
cliydo. 

And seyde, 'O fool, wol nia.y men thee 
dispyse, 1465 

That hast tho Dawing al night by thy 
syde. 

And suffrost hir so sono up fro thee ryse. 

For to disesen loveres in this wyse. 

What ! hold yoiir bed ther, thou, and 00k 
thy Morwe ! 

I bidde god, so ycvo yow botlic sorwc ! ' 

211. Therwith ful sore he sighto, and 
thus he seyde, 1471 

' My lady right, and of nij' wolc or wo 
Tlie welle and rote, O goodly niyn, Criseyde, 
And shal I ryse, alias ! and shal I go ? 
Nowfelelthatmj'nhertemoota-two ! 1475 



For how sholde I my lyf an houro save. 
Sin that with yow is al tho lyf I have ? 

212. What shal I doon, for cortes, I not 
how, 

Ne whanne, alias ! I shal the tymo see. 
That in this plyt I may lie eft with yow ; 
And of my lyf, god woot how that shal 

be, 1481 

Sin that desyr right now so byteth me. 
That I am deed anoon, but I retourne. 
How sholde I longe, alias ! fro yow so- 

journe ? 

213. But nathelees, myn owene lad.\- 
bright, 14H5 

Yit were it so that I wiste outrely, 
That I, your humble servaunt and your 

knight. 
Were in yoiir horto set so fermely 
As ye in myn, the which thing, trowelj-, 
Me lever were than thise worldes twej^ne, 
Yet sholde I bet cnduren al my pciync' 

214. To that Ci'iseyde answerdo right 
anoon, 1492 

And with a syk she seyde, ' O herto dere, 
The game, y-wis, so ferforth now is goon. 
That first shal Phebus fallo fro his spere, 
And every eglo been the dowves fere, i4()0 
And every rooho out of his place sterte, 
Er Troilus out of Criseydes hertii ! 

21.5. Ye bo so depo in-with luyn herte 

grave. 
That, though I woldo it turno out of my 

thought, 1501 > 

As wisly verray god my soule save. 
To dyen in the peyne, I coude nought ! 
And, for tho love of god that us hath 

■wrought, 
Lat in your brayn non other fantasyo 
So crepe, that it cause me to dye ! 1505 

216. And that yo mo wolde lian as faste 

in mindo 
As I have yow, that wolde I yow bi-seche ; 
And, if I wiste soothly that to finde, 
God mighto not a poynt my joyes eche ! 
But, horto myn, with-oute more speche, 
Both to me trewe, or elles wore it routho ; 
For I am thyn, by god and by my troutho ! 



Book III. 



^rotfu0 anJ) Cviet^lc. 



.69 



217. Beth glad for-thy, and live in siker- 
nesse ; 

Thus seyde I never er this, ne shal to 
mo ; 1514 

And if to yow it were a gret gladnesse 
To tvirne ayein, soone after that ye go, 
As fayn wolde I as yo, it were so, 
As wisly god myn horte bringo at resto ! ' 
And him in amies took, and ofte keste. 

218. Agayns his wil, sin it mot nedes be. 
This Troilus up roos, and faste him 

cleddfi, 152 1 

And in his armes took his lady free 
An himdred tyme, and on his wey him 

spedde, 
And with swich wordes as his herte 

bledde, 
He seyde, ' farewel, my dere herte swete, 
Ther god us graunte sonnde and sone to 

mete !' 1526 

219. To which no word for sorwe she 
answorde, 

So sore gan his parting hir destrejiio ; 
And Troilus un-to his palays ferde, 
As woo bigon as slio was, sooth to seyno ; 
So hard him wrong of sharp desyr the 

peyne 1531 

For to ben eft tliere he was in plesaunce. 
That it may never oiit of his remem- 

braunce. 

220. Rotorned to his real palais, sone 1534 
He softo in-to his bed gan for to slinke, 
To slejie longe, as he was wont to done, 
But al for nought ; he may wel ligge and 

winke, 
But sleep no maj' ther in his herte 

sinke ; 
Thenkinge how she, for whom desyr him 

brcnde, 
A thousand-fold was worth more than he 

wende. * 1540 

221. And in his thought gan up and doun 
to winde 

Hir wordes alle, and every contenaunce. 
And fermely impresson in liis minde 
Theleste poynt that to him was plesaunce ; 
And verrayliche. of tliilkeremembraunco, 



Desyr al newe him brende, and lust to 
brede 1546 

Gan more than erst, and yet took he non 
hede. 

222. Criseyde also, right in the same wyse, 
Of Troilus gan in hir herte shette 1549 
His worthinesse, his lust, his dedes wyse, 
His gontilesse, and how she with liim 

mette, 
Thonkingo love he so wel hir bisette ; 
Desyring eft to have hir liorto dere 
In swich a plyt, she dorste make him 

chore. 

223. Pandare, a-morwo which that comen 
was ,555 

Un-to his nece, and gan hir fayre grete, 
Seyde, ' al this night so reyned it, alias ! 
That al my drede is that ye, nece swete, 
Han litel layser had to slepe and mete ; 
Al night,' quod he, ' hath reyn so do me 
wake, j:(,n 

That sora of us, I trowe, hir hedes ake.' 

224. And ner he com, and sejale, ' how 
stont it now 

This mery morwe, nece, how can ye fare ? ' 
Criseyde answerdo, 'never the bet for yow, 
Fox that ye been, god yevo your herte 

care ! ,565 

God helpe me so, ye caused al this fare, 
Trow I,' quod she, ' for alle your wordes 

whyte ; 
O ! who-so seeth yow knowotli yow ful 

lyte!' 

225. With that she gan hir face for to 
wryo 

With the shete, and wex for shame al 
reed; i:^ya 

And Pandarus gan under for to prj-e. 
And seyde, ' nece, if that I shal ben deed, 
Have here a swerd, and smj'teth of myn 

heed.' 
With that liis arm al sodeynl,y ho thriste 
Under hir nekke, and at the laste hir 



kiste. 



■575 



226. I passe al that which chargeth 

nought to seye. 
What ! God forj'af his doeth. and she 

al-so 



270 



tvoitm anb ttm^ixi- 



[Book III. 



Foryaf, and with liir tincle gan to pleye, 
For other cause was ther noon than so. 
But of this thing right to the effect to go, 
Wlian tyme was, hom til hir hous slie 
wente, '5^i 

And Pandarus hath fully his entente. 

227. Now torne we ayein to Troilus, 
That restelees ful longe a-bedde lay. 
And prevely sento after Pandarus, 1585 
To him to come in al the haste he may. 
He com anoon, nought ones seyde ho 

' nay,' 
And Troilus ful sobrely he grette, 
And doun upon his beddes syde him 

sette. '5^9 

228. This Troilus, with al the affeccioun 
Of frendes love that herte may devyse. 
To Pandar^^s on knees fil adoun, 

And er that he wolde of the place aryse, 
Hg gan him thonken in his beste wyse ; 
A hondred sythe he gan the tyme blesse. 
That he was born to bringe him fro 
distresse. 159^ 

229. He seyde, ' O frend, of frendes th' 
alderbeste 

That ever was, the sothe for to telle. 
Thou hast in hevene y-brought my soule 

at reste 
Fro Flogiton, the fery flood of helle ; i6oo 
That, though I mighte a thousand tymes 

selle. 
Upon a day, my lyf in thy servyse. 
It mighte nought a mote in that suffyse. 

230. The Sonne, which that al the world 
may see, 

Saw never yet, my lyf, that dar I leye. 
So inly fair and goodly as is she, 1606 

Whos I am al, and shal, til that I deye ; 
Anil, that I thiis am hires, dar I seye. 
That thanke<l be the heighe worthinesse 
Of love, and eek thy kinde bisiuesse. 1610 

231. Thus hastow me no litel thing y-yive, 
Fo which to thee obliged be for ay 

My lyf, and why? for thorugh thyn help 

I live ; • 
For elles deed haddo I be many a day.' 



And with that word doun in his bed he 
lay, 1615 

And Pandarus ful sobrely him herde 
Til al was seyd, and thanne he him 
answerde : 

232. ' My dere frend, if I have doon for 
thee 

In any cas, god wot, it is me leef ; 
And am as glad as man may of it be, 1620 
God help me so ; but tak now not a-greef 
That I shal seyn, be war of thismyscheef. 
That, there-as thou now brought art in-to 

blisse. 
That thou thy-self ne cause it nought to 

misso. 

233. For of fortunes sharii adversitee 1625 
The worst kinde of infortune is this, 

A man to have ben in prosperitee. 
And it remembren, whan it passed is. 
Thoii art wys y-nough, for-thy do nought 

amis ; 
Be not to rakel, though thou sitte 

warme, '630 

For if thou be, certeyn, it wol thee 

harme. 

234. Thou art at ese, and hold thee wel 
ther-inne. 

For also seur as reed is every fyr. 
As greet a craft is kope wel as winne ; 
Brydle alwey wel thy speche and thy 
desyr. '635 

For worldly joye halt not but by a wyr ; 
That preveth wel, it brest alday so ofte ; 
For-thy uede is to werke with it softe.' 

235. Quod Troilus, ' I hope, and god to- 
forn. 

My dere frend, that I shal so me bere, 
That in my gilt ther shal no thing be 
lorn, 1641 

N' I jiil not rakle as for to greven here ; 
It nedeth not this matere ofte tere ; 
For wistestow myn herte wel, Pandare, 
God woot, of this thou woldest litel care.' 

236. Tho gan he telle him of his glade 
night. 1646 

And whcr-of first his herte dredde, and 
how, 



Book III.] 



■^rotfue an^ Cnse^be. 



271 



And seyde, 'freend, as I am trewe knight, 
And hy that feyth I shal to god and yow, 
I hadde it never half so hote as now; 1650 
And ay the more tliat desyr me byteth 
To love hir best, the more it me delyteth. 

237. I noot my-self not wisly what it is ; 
But now I fele a newe qualitee, 

Yc, al another than I dide er this.' 1655 
Pandare answerde, and seyde thus, that he 
That ones may in hevene blisse be, 
He foleth other weyes, dar I lej'e, 
Than thilke tyme he first herde of it seye. 

238. This is o word for al ; this Troilus 
Was never ful, to speko of this matere. 
And for to preysen vm-to Pandarus 1662 
Tlie bountee of his righte lady dere, 
And Pandarus to thanke and maken 

chere. 
This tale ay was span-newe to biginne 1665 
Til that the night departed hem a-twinne. 

239. Sone after this, for that fortune it 
wolde, 

I-comen was the blisful tyme swete. 
That Troilus was warned that he sliolde, 
Ther he was erst, Criseyde his lady 

mete ; 1670 

For which ho felte his lierte in joye 

flete; 
And feythfully gan alle the goddes herie ; 
And lat see now if that he can be merie. 

210. And holden was the forme and al 
the wyse, 

Of hir cominge, and eek of his also, 1675 
As it was erst, which nedetli nought 

devyse. 
But playnly to the effect right for to go. 
In joye and seurte Pandarus hem two 
A-bedde broughte, whan hem bothe leste. 
And thus they ben in quiete and in 

reste. 1680 

211. Nought nedeth it to yow, sin they 
ben met. 

To aske at me if that they blythe were ; 
For if it erst was wel, tho was it bet 
A thousand-fold, this nedeth not enquere. 
A-gon was every sorwe and every lere ; 



And bothe, y-wis, they hadde, and so 
they wende, 1686 

As muche joye as herte may comprende. 

242. This is no litel thing of for to seye. 
This passeth every wit for to devyse ; 1689 
For eche of hem gan otheres lust obeye ; 
Felicitee, which that thise clerkes wyse 
Commenden so, no may not here suffyse. 
Tliis joye may not writen been with inke, 
This passeth al that herte may bithinke. 

243. But cruel day, so wel-awey the 
stounde ! 1605 

Gan for to aproche, as they by signes 

knewe. 
For whiche hem thoughte felon dethes 

wounde ; 
So wo was hem, that changen gan hir 

hewe, 1698 

And day they gonnen to dispyse al newe. 
Calling it traytour, envyous, and worse. 
And bitterly the dayes light they curse. 

244. Quod Troilus, ' alias ! now am I war 
That Pirous and tho swifte stedes three, 
Whiche that drawen forth the sonnes 

char, 
Han goon som by-path in despyt of me ; 
That maketh it so sonc day to be ; 1706 
And, for the Sonne him hasteth thus to 

ryse, 
Ne shal I never doon him sacrifyse !' 

245. But nedes day departo moste hem 
sone. 

And whanne hir speche doon was and hir 

chere, 1710 

They twinno anoon as they were wont to 

done. 
And setten tyme of meting eft y-fere ; 
And many a night they wroughte in this 

manere. 
And thus Fortune a tyme ladde in joye 
Criseyde, and eek this kinges sone of 

Troye. 17 15 

246. In suffisaunee, in blisse, and in sing- 
inges. 

This Troilus gan al his lyf to lede ; 
Ho spendeth, justeth, maketh ffesfcey- 
inges ; 



ZvoihQ ant> Cvm^pU. 



[Book III. 



He yevetli frely ofte, and chaungetli 
wede, >7i9 

And hold aboiTte him alwey, cut of drede, 
A world of folk, as cam him wel of kinde, 
The fressheste and the besto he coudo 
finde ; 

'2i7. That swich a voys was of him and 

a stevenc 
Thorugh-out the world, of honour and 

largesse, i7-'4 

That it np rong nn-to the yate of heveno. 
And, as in love, he was in swich gladnesse, 
That in his herte he demede, as I gesse. 
That there nis lovere in this world at ese 
So wel as he, and thus gan love him 

plese. 

248. The godlihcde or heautee which that 
kinde '7.'o 

In any other lady hadde y-sot 

Can not the mountaunce of a knot un- 

binde, 
A-boi\to his horte, of al Criseydes net. 
Ho was so narwo y-masked and y-knet, 
That it undoon on any manere syde, 1735 
That nil not been, for ought that may 

belydo. 

249. And by the bond ful ofte ho woldo 
tako 

This Pandarus, and in-to gardin lode. 
And swicli a festo and swich a proces 

make 1/39 

Him of Criseyde, and of hir womanhode. 
And of hirbeautce, that, with-outen drede. 
It was an heveno his wordes for to here ; 
And thanne he wolde singe in this 

manere 

250. ' Love, that of ertho and see hath 
governaunce, 

Love, that his liestes hath in hovene hye, 
Love, that with an holsom alliaunce 1746 
Halt peples joyned, as him list hom gye, 
Love, that knottcth lawe of companye, 
And couples doth in vertu for to dwello, 
Bind this acord, tliat I have tokl and 
telle ; 175" 

2.51. That that the world witli foytli, 

which that is stable, 
Dyversoth so his stoundes concordinge. 



Tliat elements that been so discordable 
Holden a bond perpetuely duringe. 
That Phebus moto his rosy day forth 

bringe, 1 755 

And that the mone hath lordship over 

the nightes, 
Al this doth Love ; ay heriod be liis 

mightes ! 

252. That that the see, that gredy is to 
flowen, 

Constreyneth to a certeyn endo so 1759 
His flodes, that so fersly they ne growcn 
To drenchen erthe and al for over-m(j ; 
And if that Love ought leto his brydol go, 
Al that now loveth a-sonder sholde Icpo, 
And lost were al, that Love halt now to- 
hepe. 

253. So woldo god, that autitor is of 
kindo, i7')5 

That, with his bond, Love of his vortu 

liste 
To cerclen hertes alio, and fasto binde. 
That from his Iwnd no wight tho woy out 

wisto. 
And hertes coldo, hem wolde I that he 

twiste 
To make hem love, and that hom loste ay 

re we 177:) 

On hertes sore, and kepe heni that ben 

trewe. ' 

254. In alle nodes, for the tounos werre, 
He was, and ay the firste in armes dight ; 
And corteynly, but-if that bokes erro, 1774 
Save Ector, most y-drad of any wight ; 
And this encrees of hardinesso and might 
Cam him of love, his ladies thank to 

winno. 
That altered liis spirit so with-inne. 

255. In tyme of trewe, on haukinge wolde 
he ryde. 

Or elles hunten boor, here, or lyoun ; 1780 
Tho smale bostos leet ho gon bi-syde. 
And whan that he com rydingo in-to 

toun, 
Ful ofte liis lady, froni hir window doun. 
As fresh as faucon comen out of niuwe, 
Ful redy was, him goodly to saluwe. 1 785 



Book I\^] 



^roifu0 ant> (tviecjie. 



273 



256. And most of love and vertu was liis 
speche, 

And in despyt liadde alle wrecchednesse ; 
And doutelees, no nedo was him bisoclie 
To lionouren hem that hadde worthi- 
nesse, 1789 

And esen hem that weren in distresse. 
And glad was he if any wight wel ferde, 
That lover was, whan he it wiste or herde. 

257. For sooth to seyn, he lost held every 
wight 

But-if he were in loves heigh servyse, 
I mene folk that onghte it been of right. 
And over al this, so wel coude he de- 

vyse 1796 

Of sentement, and in so unkonth wyso 
Al his array, that every lover thoughte, 
That al was wel, what-so he seyde or 

wroughtc. 

258. And thoiigh that he bo come of 
blood royal, 1800 

Him liste of prydo at no wight for to 

chase ; 
Benigne he was to ech m general. 



For which he gat him thank in every 

place. 
Thus wolde Love, y-heried be his grace. 
That Pryde, Envye, Ire, and Avaryce i8(\s 
He gan to flee, and every other vyce. 

259. Thou lady bright, the doughter to 
Dione, 

Thy blinde and winged sone eek, daun 

Cupyde ; 
Ye snstren nyne eek, that by Elicono 
In hil Parnaso listen for to abyde, 1810 
That ye thus fer han deyned me to gyde, 
I can no more, but sin that ye wol wendo. 
Ye heried been for ay, with-ou.ten ende ! 

260. Thourgh j'ow have I sej-d fully in 
my song 

Th'effect and joye of Troilus servyse, 1815 
Al be that ther was som disese among, 
As to myn auctor listeth to devyse. 
My thridde book now ende icli in this 

wyse ; 
And Troilus in luste and in quiete 1819 
Is with Criseydo, his owne herte sweto. 
Explicit Liber Tercius. 



BOOK IV. 



[Prohemium.] 

1. But al to litel, weylawey the whyle, 
Lasteth swich joye, y-thonked be For- 
tune ! 

That semeth trewest, whan she wol 

bygyie, 

And can to foles so hir song entuno. 
That she hem bent and blent, traytour 

comune ; 5 

And whan a wight is from hir wheel 

y-throwe, 
Than laugheth she, and maketh him the 

mowe. 

2. From Troilus she gan hir brighto face 
Awey to wrythe, and took of him non 

hede, 



But caste him clene outo of his lady 
grace, 10 

And on hir wheel she sette lap Diomede ; 

For which right now myn herte ginneth 
blede, 

And now my ponne, alias ! with which 
I wryte, 

Quaketh for drede of that I moot endyte. 

3. For how Criseyde Troilus forsook, 15 
Or at the leste, how that she was un- 

kiude, 
Mot hennes-fortli ben matero of my 

book. 
As wryten folk thorugh which it is in 

minde. 
Alias ! that they shulde ever cause 

finde 



274 



^rotfu0 ant (tviet^^i. 



[Book IV. 



To speke liir harm ; and if they on hir 
lye, 20 

Y-wis, hem-self shokle han the vilanye. 

4. O ye Herines, Nightes doughtren three, 
That endelees compleynen ever in pyne, 
Megera, Alete, and eek Thesiphone ; 
Thon cruel Mars eek, fader to Quiryne, 25 
This ilke ferthe book me helpeth fyne, 
So that the los of lyf and love y-fere 

Of Troilus be fnlly shewed here. 

Explicit t prohemium. Incipit Quartus 
Liber. 

5. LiGGiNGE in ost, as I have seyd er this, 
The Grekes stronge, aboute Troye totin, 30 
Bifel that, whan that Phebus shyning is 
Up-on the brest of Hercnlos Lyonn, 
That Ector, with ful many a bold baroiin. 
Caste on a day with Grekes for to fighte, 
As he was wont to greve hem what he 

mighte. 35 

6. Not I how longe or short it was bi- 

twene 
This pnrpos and that day they fighte 

mente ; 
But on a day wel armed, bright and 

shene, 
Ector, and many a worthy wight out 

wente. 
With spere in liond and bigge bowes 

bente ; 40 

And in the herd, with-oute lenger lette, 
Hir fomen in the feld anoon hem mette. 

7. The longe day, with speres sharpe 

y-grounde, 
With arwes, dartes, swerdes, maces fello. 
They fighte and bringcn hors and man 

to grounde, 45 

And with hir axes oiit the braynos quelle. 
But in the laste shour, sooth for to telle. 
The folk of Troye hem-selven so nais- 

ledden. 
That with the worse at night homward 

they iledden. 

8. At whiche day was taken Antenor, 50 
Maugre Polydamas or Monesteo, 
Santippe, Sarpodon, Polynestor, 



Polyte, or eek the Trojan daun Eipheo, 
And othere lasse folk, as Phebuseo. 
So that, for harm, that day the folk of 
Troye 55 

Dredden to lese a greet part of hir joye. 

9. Of Pryamus was yeve, at Greek re- 

queste, 

A tyme of trewe, and tho they gonnen 
trete, 

Hir prisoneres to chaungen, moste and 
leste, 59 

And for the siirplus yeven sommes grete. 

This thing anoon was couth in every 
strete, 

Bothe in th'assege, in tonne, and every- 
where. 

And with the firsto it cam to Calkas ere. 

10. Whan Calkas knew this tretis sholde 
holde. 

In consistorie, among the Grekes, sone 6^ 
He gan in thringe forth, with lordes olde, 
And sette him there-as he was wont to 

done ; 
And with a chaunged face hem bad a 

bone. 
For love of god, to don that reverence. 
To stinte noyse, and yeve him audience. 

11. Thanne seyde he thus, ' lo ! lordes 
niyne, I was 71 

Trojan, as it is knowen out of drede ; 
And if that yow remembre, I am Calkas, 
That alderfirst yaf comfort to your nede. 
And tolde wel how that ye sholden spede. 
For dredelees, thorugh yow, shal, in a 

stounde, 76 

Ben Troye y-brend, and beten doun to 

grounde. 

12. And in what forme, or in what nianer 
wyse 

This town to shende, and al your lust to 

acheve. 
Ye han er this wel herd it me devyse; 80 
This knowe ye, my lordes, as I leve. 
And for the Grekes weren me so leve, 
I coni my-self in my propre persona, 
To teche in this how yow was best to 

done ; 



Book IV. 1 



^rotfue arxt "trtee^be. 



275 



13. Havinge im-to my tresonr ne my 
rente 85 

Eight no resport, to respect of yonr ese. 

Thus al my good I loste and to yow 
wente, 

Waning in this yoii, lordes, for to plese. 

But al that los ne doth me no disese. 

I vouehe-sauf, as wisly have I joye, 90 

For you to lese al that I have in Troye, 

11. Save of a doughter, tliat I lafte, alias ! 
Slepinge at hoom, whanne oiit of Troye 
I sterte. 

sterne, O cruel fader that I was ! 
How mighte I have in that so hard an 

herte '? 95 

Alias ! I ne hadde y-brought hir in hir 

sherte ! 
For sorwe of which I wol not live to 

morwe, 
But-if ye lordes rewe iip-on my sorwe. 

15. For, by that cause I say no tyme er 
now 

Hir to delivere, I holden have my pees ; 
But now or never, if that it lyke yow, loi 

1 may liir have riglit sone, doutelees. 

help and grace ! amouges al this prees, 
Eewe on tliis olde caitif in destresse, 
Sin I through yow have al this hevinesse ! 

16. Ye have now caiight and fetered in 
prisoun 106 i 

Trojans y-nowe ; and if yoiir willes be. 
My child with oou may have redempcioun. 
Now for tlie love of god and of bountee, 
Oon of so fele, alias ! so yeve him me. 1 10 
What nede were it this preyere for to 

werne, 
Sin ye shul bothe ban folk and toian as 

yerne ? 

17. On peril of my lyf, I shal not Ij'e, 
Appollo Iiath me told it feithfuUy ; 

1 have eek founde it by astronomye, 115 
By sort, and by augurie eek trewely. 
And dar wel seye, the tyme is faste by, 
That fyr and flaumbe on al the toun shal 

sprede ; 
And thus shal Troj^o turne in asshen 
dede. 



18. For certeyn, Pliebus and Neptuniis 
bothe, 1^0 

That malceden the walles of the toun, 
Ben with tlio folk of Troye alwey so 

wrothe, 
That thei wol bringe it to confusioun, 
Right in despyt of king Lameadoun. 1 24 
By-cause lie nolde payen hem hir hyre, 
The toun of Troye shal ben set on-fyre.' 

19. Telling his tale alwey, this olde greye. 
Humble in speche, and in his lolvinge eke, 
The salte teres from his eyen twe.ye 129 
Ful faste ronnen doun by eyther cheke. 
So longe he gan of socou.r hem by-seke 
That, for to hele him of his sorwes sore. 
They yave him Antenor, with-oute more. 

ad v-nough but Calkas 



ful sone his nedes 
135 



20. But who was 
tho? 

And of this thing 

leyde 

On hem that sholden for the tretis go, 
And hem for Antenor ful ofte preyde 
To bringeii hoom king Toas and Criseyde ; 
And whan Pryam his save-garde sente, 
Th'embassadours to Tx-oye streyght they 

wente. 140 

21. The cause y-told of hir coininge, the 
olde 

Pryam the king ful sone in general 
Let here-upon his parlement to liolde, 
Of wliich the eifect rehersen yow I shal. 
Tli'embassadours ben answered for fynal, 
Th'eschaunge of prisoners and al this 
nede 146 

Hem lyketh wel, and forth in they pro- 
cede. 

22. This Troilus was present in the place. 
Whan axed was for Antenor Criseyde, 
For which ful sone chatingen gan his face. 
As he that with tho wordes wel neigli 

deyde. 15 [ 

But natlielees, he no word to it seyde, 
Lest men sholde his affeccioun espye ; 
Witli mannes herte he gan his sorwes 

drye. 

2.3. And ful of anguish and of grisly 
dredo 155 

Abood what lordes woldo un-to it seye ; 



^76 



^rotfu0 atxi) Cvtee^U. 



[Book IV, 



And if they woldo graiinte, as god for- 

bede, 
Th'eschaunge of hir, than thoughto he 

thinges tweye, 
First, how to save hir honour, and what 

weye 
He mighte best th'eschaunge of hir witli- 

stonde ; i6o 

Ful faste ho caste how al tliis miglite 

stonde. 

24. Love him made al prest to doon hir 
byde, 

And rather dye than she shohle go; 
But resoun seyde him, on tliat otlier syde, 
' With-otite assent of hir ne do not so, 165 
Lest for thy werk she wol'^e be thy fo, 
And sejni, that thorugh thy medling is 

y-blowe 
Your bother love, there it was erst im- 

knowe.' 

25. For which he gan deliberen, for the 

beste, 
That though the lordes wolde that she 

wente, 1 70 

He wolde late hem graunte what hom 

leste, 
And telle his lady first what tliat they 

mente. 
And whan that she had seyd him hir 

entente, 
Ther-after woldo he werken also blyve. 
Though al the world ayein it wolde 

stryve. 1 75 

26. Ector, which that wel the Grekes 
herde. 

For Antenor how thej' wolde ban Cri- 

seyde, 
Gan it withstonde, and sobrely <in- 

swerde : — ■ 
' Sires, she nis no prisoner,' he sej'de ; 
' I noot on yow who that this charge 

leyde, iSo 

But, on my part, ye may eft-sono him 

telle. 
We usen here no wommen for to selle.' 

27. The noyse of peple up-stirte thanne 
at ones. 

As bremc as blase of straw y-set on fyre ; 



For infortune it wolde, for the nones, 185 

They sholden hir confusioiin desyre. 

' Ector,' quod they, ' what goost may yow 

enspyre. 
This womman tliiis to shilde and doon us 

lese 
Daun Antenor ? — a wrong wey now yo 

chese — 

28. That is so wys, and eek so holdbaroun. 
And we lian nede of folk, as men may 

see ; 191 

Ho is eek oon, the grettcst of this toun ; 
O Ector, lat tho fantasyes he ! 
O king Pryam,' quod they, ' thus seggen 

we, 194 

That al our voys is to for-gon Criseyde;' 
And to deliveren Antenor they preyde. 

29. O Juvenal, lord ! trewe is thy sen- 
tence, 

That litel witen folk what is to ycrne 
That they ne finde in hir desyr offence ; 
For cloud of errour lat hem not descerne 
Wliat best is ; and lo, here ensample as 

yerne. 201 

Tliis folk desiren now deliveraiince 
Of Antenor, that broughte hem to mis- 

chaunce ! 

30. For he was after traytour to the toun 
Of Troye ; alias ! they quitto him out to 

rathe ; 205 

O nyce world, lo, thy discrecioun ! 
Criseyde, which that never dide hem 

skathe, 
Shal now no lenger in hir blisse bathe ; 
But Antenor, he shal com hoom to toune. 
And she shal oitt • thus seyden here and 

howne. 210 

31. For which delibered was by parlc- 
ment. 

For Antenor to yelden up Criseyde, 
And it pronounced by the president, 
Al-theigh that Ector ' nay ' ful ofte 

preyde. 
And fynaly, what wight that it with- 

seyde, 215 

It was for nought ; it mcsto been, and 

sholde ; 
For substaunce of the parlement it woldo. 



Book IV. 1 



tj^rotfue ant Cneepbe. 



277 



32. Departed out of parlement eclione, 
This Troilus, witli-ovite wordes mo, 
Un-to his chaumbre spedde him faste 

allono, 220 

But-ifit were a man of his or two, 
The whiche he bad out faste for to go, 
By-canse he wokle slepen, as he seyde, 
And hastely up-on his bed him leyde. 

33. And as in winter leves been biraft, 225 
Eche after other, til the tree be bare, 

So that ther nis but bark and braunche 

y-haft, 

Lytli Troilus, biraft of ech wel-fare, 
Y-bounden in the blake bark of care, 
Disposed wood out of his wit to breyde, 
So sore him sat the chaunginge of Cri- 
seyde. 2.^ i 

34. He rist him up, and every doro he 
shette 

And windowe ock, and tho this sorweful 

man 
Up-on his beddes syde a-doun him settc, 
Ful lyk a deed image pale and wan ; 235 
And in his brest the heped wo bigan 
Out-breste, and he to werken in this 

wyse 
In his woodnesse, as I shal yow devyse. 

35. Eight as the wilde bole biginneth 
springe 

Now here, now there, y-darted to the 

herte, 240 

And of his deeth roreth in compleyninge. 
Eight so gan he aboute the chaumbre 

sterte, 
Smyting his brest ay with his fostes 

smerte ; 
His heed to the wal, his body to tho 

groiinde 
Ful ofte he swapto, him-selven to con- 

founde. 245 

36. His eyen two, for pitee of his herte, 
Out stremeden as swilte welles tweye ; 
The heighe sobbes of his sorwes smerte 
His speche him rafte, unnethes mighte 

he seye, 249 

' O deeth, alias ! why niltow do me deye? 
A-cursed be the day which that nature 
Shoop me to ben a lyves creatiirc ! ' 



37. But after, whan the furie and the 
rage 

Which that his herte twiste and faste 
threste, 254 

By longthe of tyme somwhat gan asswage, 
Up-on his bed he leyde him doun to reste ; 
But tho bigonne his teres more out-breste, 
That wonder is, the body may suffyse 
To half this wo, which that I yow devyse. 

38. Than seyde he thus, ' Fortune ! alias 
the whyle ! 260 

What have I doon, what have I thus 

a-gilt ? 
How mightestow for reuthe me bigyle ? 
Is ther no grace, and shal I thus Ise spilt ? 
Shal thus Criseyde awey, for that thou 

wilt ? 264 

Alias ! how niaystow in thj-n herte fmde 
To been to me thus cruel and unkindo? 

39. Have I thee nought honoured al m.^• 
lyve. 

As thou wel west, above the goddes alle ? 
Why wiltow me fro joye thus depryve ? 
O Troilus, what may men now thee call© 
But wrecche of wrecches, out of honour 

falle 271 

In-to miserie, in which I wol biwayle 
Criseyde, alias ! tU that the breeth me 

fayle ? 

40. Alias, Fortvine ! if that my lyf in joye 
Displesed hadde un-to thy foule envye. 
Why ne haddestow my fader, king of 

Troye, ' 276 

By-raft the lyf, or doon my bretheren dye. 
Or slayn my-self, that thus compleyne 

and crye, 
I, combre-world, that may of no-thing 

serve, 
Biit ever dye, and never fully sterve? 280 

41. If that Criseyde allone were me laft. 
Nought roughte I whider thou woldest 

me stere ; 
And hir, alias ! than hastow me biraft. 
But ever-more, lo ! this is thy manere, 
To reve a wight that most is to him dere, 
To preve in that thy gerful violence. 28() 
Thus am I lost, ther helpeth no defence. 



= 78 



^trotfu0 ani CviH^U. 



[Book IV. 



42. O vcrray lord of love, O god, alias ! 
That knowest best inyn herte and al my 

thought, 
What shal my sorwful lyf <l()n in this cas 
If I for-go that I so dere have bought? 291 
Sin ye Cryseyde and mo han fully brought 
In-to yoiir grace, and bothe our hertes 

seled. 
How may ye sufFrc, alias ! it be repeled ? 

43. What I may doon, I shal, whyl I may 
dure 295 

On lyve in torment and in cruel j)eyno. 
This infortune or this disaventure, 
Allono as I was born, y-wis, oompleyne ; 
Ne never wil I seen it shyne or reyne ; 
But ende I wil, as Edippe, in derknesse 
My sorwful lyf, and dyen in distresse. 301 

44. O wory goost, that errest to and fro, 
Why niltow fleen out of the wofuUeste 
Body, that over inighte on grounde go ? 

soule, lurkinge in this wo, unneste, 305 
Flee forth out of myn herte, and lat it 

brcste, 
And folwe alwey Criseyde, thy lady dere ; 
Thy righte place is now no longer here ! 

45. O wofullo eyen two, sin your disport 
Was al to seen Criseydes eyen brighte, 
What shal ye doon but, for my discom- 
fort, 3 1 1 

Stonden for nought, and wopen out your 

sighto? 
Sin she is queynt, that wont was yow to 

lighto. 
In veyn fro-this-fortli have I eyen tweye 
Y-formcd, sin your vertue is a-weye. 315 

46. O my Criseyde, O lady sovereyno 
Of thilke woful soule that thus crycth. 
Who shal nowycven comfort tomy peyne? 
Alias, no wight ; but when myn herte 

dycth. 
My spirit, which that so un-to yow hyeth, 
Receyve in gi-ee, for that shal ay yow 

serve ; 321 

For-thy no fors is, thoiigh the body sterve. 

47. O ye lovores, that heighe upim the 
wheel 

Ben set of Fortune, in good aventure. 



Grod leve that ye finde ay love of steel, 325 
And longe mot your lyf in joye endure ! 
But whan ye comen by my sepulture, 
Kemembreth that your felawe resteth 

there ; 
For I lovede eek, though I unworthy 

were. 329 

48. O olde unholsom and misljn'od man, 
Calkas I mene, alias ! what eyleth thee 
To been a Greek, sin thoii art born 

Trojan ? 
O Calkas, which that wilt my bane be, 
In cursed tyme was tliou born for me ! 
As wolde blisful Jove, for his joye, 335 
That I thee hadde, where I wolde, in 

Troye ! ' 

49. A thousand sykes, hottere than the 
glede. 

Out of his brest ech after other wente, 
Medled with pleyntes newe, his wo to 
fede, 339 

For which his woful teres never stente ; 
And shortly, so liis poynes him to-rente, 
And wex so mat, that joj'e nor penaunce 
He feleth noon, but lyth forth in atraunce. 

50. Pandare, which tliat in the parlement 
Hadde herd what every lord and burgeys 

seyde, 345 

And how ful gravinted was, by oon assent. 
For Antenor to yelden so Criseyde, 
Gan wel neigh wood out of his wit to 

breyde. 
So that, for wo, he niste what he inonto ; 
But in a rees to Troilns he wente. 350 

51. A certeyn knight, tliat for the tyme 
kepto 

Thechaumbre-dore, un-dido it himanoon : 
And Pandare, that ful tendreliche wepte, 
In-to the derke chaumbre, as stille as 

stoon. 
Toward the bed gan softely to goon, 355 
So confus, that he niste what to seye ; 
For verray wo his wit was neigh aweye. 

52. And with liis chero and loking al 
to-torn. 

For sorwe of tliis, and with his armes 
folden, 



Book IV.] 



Croifu0 an^ ^viuj^tt. 



279 



He stood this woful Troilus bifom, 360 
And on his pitous face he gan biholden ; 
But lord, so often gan his herte coklen, 
Seing his freend in wo, whos hevincsse 
His herte slow, as tliouglite liim, for dis- 
tresse. 

53. Tliis woful wight, this Troilus, that 
felte 365 

His frccnd Pandare y-comen him to see, 
Gan as the snow ayein the sonne melte, 
For which this sorwful Pandare, of pitee, 
Gan for to wepe as tendreliche as he ; 
And specheles thus been thise ilke tweye. 
That ncyther mighte o word for sorwo 
seye. 371 

•54. But at the laste this woful Troilus, 
Ney deed for smcrt, gan bresten out to 

rore, 
And with a sorwful noyse he seyde thus, 
Among his sobbes and his sykes sore, 375 
' Lo ! Pandare, I am deed, with-outen 

more. 
Hastow nought herd at parlement,' ho 

seyde, 
' For Antenor how lost is my Criseyde ? ' 

00. This Pandarus, ful deed and pale of 

hewe, 
Ful pitously answerde and seyde, ' yis ! 
As wisly were it fals as it is trewe, 381 
That I have herd, and wot al how it is. 
O mercy, god, who wolde have trowed 

this? 
Wlio wolde have wend that, in so litel 

a throwe, 384 

Fortune our joye wolde han over-throwe? 

56. For in this world ther is no creature, 
As to my doom, that ever saw ruyne 
Straungere than this, thorugh cas or 

aventure. 
But who may al eschewe or al devyne ? 
Swich is this world ; for-thy I thus de- 

fyne, 390 

fNe truste no wight finden in Fortune 
Ay propreteo ; hir yeftes been comvine. 

57. But tel mo this, why thou art now so 
mad 

To sorwen thus? Why lystow in this 
wyse, 



Sin thy desyr al holly hastow had, -^q^ 
So that, by right, it oughte y-now suffyse ? 
But I, that never felte in my servyse 
A frendly chere or loking of an ye, 
Lat me thus wopo and wayle, til I dye. 

58. And over al this, as thou wol wost 
thy-selve, 4(X) 

This town is ful of ladies al aboute ; 
And, to my doom, fairer than swiche 

twelve 
As ever she was, shal I finde, in som 

route, 
Ye, oon or two, with-outen any doute. 404 
For-thy be glad, myn owene dere brother. 
If she be lost, we shul recovere another. 

59. What, god for-bede alwey that cch 
plesaunce 

In o thing were, and in non other wight ! 
If oon can singe, another can wel daunce ; 
If this be goodly, she is glad and light ; 
And this is i'ayr, and that can good 
a-right. 411 

Ech for his vertu holden is for dere, 
Bothe heroner and faucon for rivere. 

60. And eek, as writ Zanzis, that was ful 
wys, 

" The newe love out chaceth ofte the 
oldo ; " 415 

And up-on newe cas lyth newe avys. 

Thenk eek, thy-self to saven artow holde ; 

Swich fyr, by jn'oces, shal of kinde colde. 

For sin it is but casuel plesaunce, 

Som cas shal putte it out of remein- 
braunce. 4^0 

61. For al-so seur as day comoth after 
night, 

The newe love, labour or other wo, 
Or elles selde seinge of a wight, 
Don olde affecciouns alle over-go. 
And, for thy jsart, thou shalt have oon of 
tho 425 

To abrigge with tliy bittre peynes smerte; 
Absence of hir shal di-yve hir out of herte.' 

62. Thise wordes seyde he for the nones 

alle, 
To holpe his iVeend, lest he for sorwe 
deyde. 



28o 



'<tvoih6 an^ Cttsepiic. 



[Book IV. 



For doutelces, to doon his wo to falle, 430 
He rough te not what unthrift that he 

seyde. 
But Troilus, that neigh for sorwe deydo, 
Tok litel hede of al that ever he mente ; 
Oon ere it herde, at the other out it 

wente : — 

G3. But at the laste answcrdc and soydc, 
' freend, 435 

This lechecraft, or liclcd thus to be, 

Were wel sitting, if that I were a feend, 

To traysen hir that trewe is unto me ! 

I pray god, lat this consayl never y-thee ; 

Jkit do nio rather sterve anon-right 
her.o 440 

Er I thus do as thou mo wohlest lere. 

04. She that I serve, y-wis, what so thou 

seye, 
To whom myn herte enhabit is by right, 
Shal han me holly hires til that I deye. 
For, Pandarus, sin I have trouthe hir 

l"glit, 445 

I wol not been untrewe for no wight ; 
But as hir man I wol ay live tmd sterve, 
And never other creature serve. 

Co. And fh(>r thou seyst, thou shalt as 

faire findo 
As she, lat be, make no comparisoun 450 
To creature y-formed here by kinde. 

leve Pandare, in conclusioun, 

1 wol not be of thyn opinioun. 
Touching al tliis ; for whiche I thee bi- 

scche. 
So hold thy poes ; thou sleest me with 
thy specho. 455 

6G. Thow biddest me I sholdo love an- 
other 

Al freshly newo, and lat Criseyde go ! 

It Ij'th not in my power, leve brother. 

And thoiigh I mighte, I wolde not do so. 

But canstow pleyen raket, to and fro, 460 

Netle in, dokko out, now this, now that, 
Pandare ? 

Now foule falle hir, for thy wo that care ! 

67. Thow farost eek by me, thou Pan- 
darus, 
As lie, that whan a wight is wo bi-goon. 



He cometh to him a pas, and seyth right 
thus, 465 

"Thenk not on smort, and thou shalt folo 
noon." 

Thou most me first transmuwen in a 
stoon, 

And reve me my passiounes alio, 

Er thou so lightly do my wo to fallo. 

68. The deeth may wel out of my brest 
departe 470 

The lyf, so longe may this sorwe myne ; 
But fro my soule shal Criseydes darte 
Out never-mo ; but dovin with Proserpyno, 
Whan I am deed, I wol go wone in pyne: 
And ther I wol eternally compleyne 475 
My wo, and how that twinned be we 
tweync. 

69. Thow hast here maad an argument, 
for fyn. 

How that it sholdo lasse peyne be 
Criseyde to for-goon, for she was myn. 
And live in ese and in felicitee. 480 

Why gabbestow, that seydest thus to me 
That " him is wors that is fro wcle y- 

throwe. 
Than he hadde erst non of that wclo 

y-knowe?" 

70. But tel me now, sin that thee thinketli 

so light 
To chaungen so in love, ay to and fro, 485 
Why hastow not don bisily thy might 
To chaungen hir that doth thee al thy wo? 
Why niltow leto hir fro thyn herto go ? 
Why niltow love an-other lady swete. 
That may thyn hsrtc setten in qviiete ? 

71. If thou hast had in love aj^ yet mis- 
chaunco, 491 

And canst it not out of thyn herte dryve, 
I, that livedo in lust and in plesaunce 
With hir as muche as creature on-lj've, 
How sholde I that foryete, and that so 
blyvo ? 495 

where hastow ben hid so longe in muwe. 
That canst so wel and formely arguwe ? 

72. Nay, nay, g<jd wot, nought worth is al 
thy reed. 

For which, for what that ever may bifalle, 



Book IV.] 



^rotfu0 anb tvxBt^U. 



281 



With-oviten wordes mo, I wol be deed. 500 
O death, that endere art of sorwes alle. 
Com now, sin I so ofte after thee calle ; 
For sely is that deeth, soth for to seyne, 
That, ofte y-cleped, oometh and endeth 
peyne. 

73. Wei wot I, wnyl my lyf was in qnieto, 
Er thou me slowc, I wolde have yevcn 

hyre ; 5<'6 

But now thj' commge is to mo so swete, 
That in this world I no-thing so desyre. 
O deeth, sin with this sorwe I am a-fyre. 
Thou outher domeanoon in teres drenche, 
Or with thy colde strook myn hete 

quenche ! 5" 

74. Sin that thou sleest so felo in sondry 
wyse 

Ayens hir wil, unpreyed, day and night. 
Do me, at my requeste, this servyse, 
Delivere now the world, so dostow right. 
Of me, that am the wofulleste wight 516 
That ever was ; for tyme is that I stervo, 
Sin in this world of right nought may 
I serve.' 

75. This Troilus in teres gan distillo. 

As licour out of alambyk ful faste ; 520 
And Pandarus gan holde his tunge stillo. 
And to the ground his eyen doun he 

caste. 
But nathelees, thus thoughte he at the 

laste, 
' What, j)arde, i-ather than my fclawe 

deye, 
Yet shal I som-what more un-to him seye : ' 

76. And seyde, ' freend, sin thou hast 
swich distresse, 526 

And sin thee list myn arguments to blame. 
Why nilt thy-selven helpen doon redresse, 
And with thy manliod letten al this 

gramo? 
Go ravisshe hir ne canstow not for shame ! 
And outlier lat hir out of tonne fare, 531 
Or hold hir stillo, and levo thy nyce fare. 

77. Artow in Troj-o, and hast non hardi- 
ment 

To take a womman which that lovetli 
thee, 



And wolde hir-selven been of thyn assent V 
Now is not this a nyce vaniteo ? 536 

Rys up anoon, and lat this weping be. 
And kj-tli thou art a man, for in this 

houre 
I wil be deed, or she shal blcven oure.' 

78. To this answerde him Troilus lul 
softe, 540 

And seyde, ' parde, leve brother dere, 
Al this have I my-self yet thought ful ofte, 
And more thing than thou devysest here. 
But why this thing is laft, thou shalt wol 
hero ; 544 

And whan thoii mo hast yevo an audience, 
Ther-after mayst thou telle al thy sen- 
tence. 

79. First, sin thou wost this toun hath al 
this werre 

For ravisshing of wommen so by might. 
It sholde not be suffred me to erre, 540 
As it slant now, ne doon so gret unright. 
I sholde han also blame of every wight, 
Mj' fadres graunt if that I so withstode. 
Sin she is chaunged for the tonnes goode. 

80. I have eek thought, so it Were hir 
assent, 

To aske hir at my fader, of his grace ; 5S5 
Than thenke I, this were hir accvisemenf, 
Sin wel I woot I may hir not purchace. 
For sin my fader, in so heigh a place 
As parlement, hath hir eschaungo enseled, 
He nil for me his lettre be repeled. 560 

81. Yet drede I most hir herte to jier- 
tourbe 

With violence, if I do swich a game ; 
For if I wolde it openly distourbe. 
It moste been disclaundre to hir name. 
And me were lever deed than hir defame, 
As nolde god but-if I sholde have 566 

Hir honour lover than my lyf to save ! 

82. Thus am I lost, for ought that I can 
see ; 

For corteyn is, sin that I am hir knight, 
I moste hir honour lever han than me 
In every cas, as lovere oughte of right. 571 
Thus am I with desyr and reson twight ; 



282 



^trotfu0 (lYib Itvm^U. 



[Book IV. 



Desyr for to distourben hir mo redeth, 
And reson nil not, so myn lierte dredcth.' 

83. Thus wopingo that he coude never 
cesso, 575 

He seyde, ' alLis ! how shal I, wrecche, 
faro? 

For wel tele I alwey my love encresso, 

And hope is lasse and lasse alwey, Pan- 
dare ! 

Encresson oek the causes of my care ; 

So wel-a-wey, why nil myn horto breste ? 

For, as in love, ther is but litel reste.' 581 

84. Pandaro answerdc, ' froond, thou 
mayst, for me, 

Don as thee list ; hut haddo icli it so bote, 
And tliyn estat, she sholdo go with mc ; 
Though al this toun cryedc on this tiling 

by note, 5S5 

I noldc setto at al that noyso a grote. 
For when men ban wel cryed, than wol 

they rounc ; 
A wonder last but nyno night never in 

touno. 

85. Devyno not in reson ay so depe 

No curteysly, but help thy-sclf anoon ; 590 
Bet is that otherc than thy-selven wepe. 
And namely, sin ye two been al oon. 
Rys up, for by myn heed, she shal not 

goon ; 
And rather be in blame a lyte y-foundc 
Than storvo here as a gnat, with-outo 

wounde. 595 

86. It is no shame un-to yow, no no vyce 
Hir to with-holden, that yo lovotli most. 
Paravmtor, she inighto holdon thee for 

nyco 
To letc hir go thus to the Grokcs ost. 
Thenk eek Fortune, as wel thy-selven 

wost, 600 

Helpeth hardy man to his emprysc. 
And weyveth wrecches, for hir cowardyse. 

87. And thougli thy lady woldo a litcl hir 
greve, 

Thou shalt thy poes I'ul wol here-after 

niake. 
But as for me, certayn, I can not leve 605 
That she wolde it as now for yvel take. 



Why sholde than for ferd thyn hcrte 

quake ? 
Thenk eek how Paris hath, that is thy 

brother, 
A love ; and why shaltow not have 

another ? 

88. And Troilus, o thing I dar tliee 
swerc, 6h) 

That if Criseyde, whiche that is thy lecf, 
Now lovetli thee as wel as thou dost hero, 
God holpe me so, she nil not take a-greef, 
Though thou do bote a-noon in this 

mischeef. 
And if she wilneth fro thee for to i^asse, 
Thanno is she fals ; so love hir wel the 

lasso. 616 

89. For-thy tak herte, and thenk, right as 
a knight, 

Thoiirgh love is broken alday every lawc. 
Kyth now sumwhat thy corago and thy 

might, 
Have mercy on thy-self, for any awe. 620 
Lat not this wrecched wo thin horto 

gnawo, 
Biit manly set the world on sixe and 

sevene ; 
And, if thou dej-e a martir, go to hevene. 

90. I wol my-solf bo with thee at this 
dode, 

Thougli ic.h and al my kin, up-on a 
stoundo, 625 

ShuUe in a strete as dogges liggen dode, 
Thourgh-girt with many a wyd and blody 

wounde . 
In every eas I wol a freend be founde. 
And if thee list here storven as a wrecche, 
A-dieu, tlie devel spede him that it 
reecho ! ' 630 

91. This Troihis gan with tho wordes 
quiken, 

And seyde, ' froond, graunt mercy, ich 

assente ; 
But certaynly thou mayst not me so 

prikcn. 
No pej^ne noon no may me so tormente, 
That, for no cas, it is not myn entente. 
At shorte wordes, though I dyon sholde. 
To ravisshe hir, but-if hir-self it wolde.' 637 



Book IV.] 



t2^fotfu0 ant Crteepte. 



283 



92. ' Why, so mono I,' quod Paiidiirus, 'al 
this day. 

But tel me than, hastow hir wel assayed, 
That sorwost thus?' And ho answerdo, 

' nay.' 640 

'Wher-of artow,' fjVTod Paiidarc, 'than 

a-maycil, 
Tliat nost not that slio wol ben yvel 

apayed 
'I'o ravisshc hir, sin tliou liast not ))<;u 

there, 
Bvit-if that Jovo tolde it in tliyn ore ? 

93. For-thy rys up, as nouglit no wore, 
anoon, 645 

And wasli thy face, and to tlic king thou 

wondo. 
Or he may 'wondren whider thou art goon. 
Thou most with wisdom him and othere 

blende ; 
Or, up-on CIS, he may after thee sende 
Er tliou be war ; and shortly, brother 

dei'e, 650 

Be glad, and lat mo werke in thismatere. 

94. For I shal shape it so, that sikorlj' 
Thou shalt tliis }iiglit som tymo, in som 

man ere. 
Com spoke with thy lady provely. 
And by hir wordes oek, and by hir chere, 
Thou shalt ful sono aparceyve and wel 

hero 656 

Al hir entente, and in this cas the beste ; 
And fare now wel, for in this point I 

resto.' 

95. The swifto Fame, whicho that false 
thingcs 

Egal reportetli lyk the thingestrewe, 660 
Was thorugh-out Ti-oyo y-fled with presto 

winges 
Fro man to man, and made this talo al 

newe, 
How Calkas doughter, with hir l)righte 

hewc, 
At parlemont, with-outc wordes more, 
I-graunted was in chaungeof Antenore. 665 

9G. The 'whiche tale anoon-right as Cri- 

seyde 
Had herd, she which that of hir fader 

rough to. 



As in this cas, right nought, no whanne 

ho dej'de, 
Ful bisily to Juppitor bisoughto 
Yeve him mischaunce that this trotis 

brovighte. 670 

But shortly, lost thise tales sotho were. 
She dorste at no wight asken it, for fere ; 

97. As she that hadde hir horte and al hir 
minde 

On Troilus y-sot so wonder faste. 

That al this world no niighto hir love 

u.nbinde, 675 

No Troilus out of hir herto caste ; 
She wol ben his, whyl that hir lyf may 

laste. 
And thus she brenneth bothc in love and 

drcde, 
So that she nisto what was liost to redo. 

98. But as men scon in toune, and al 
aboute, 680 

That wommen usen frendos to visyto. 
So to Criseyde of wommcin com a route 
For pitous joye, and wenden hir dolyte ; 
And with hir tales, dore y-nough a myte, 
Those wommen, whiche that in the cite 
dwelle, 685 

They sette hem doun, and soydo as I shal 
"telle. 

99. Quod first that oon, ' I am glad, 
trewely, 

By-cause of yow, that shal your fader see.' 
A-nother seyde, ' y-wis, so nam not I ; 
For al to litel hath she with us be.' 690 
Quod tlio the thriddo, ' I hope, y-wis, 

that she 
Shal bringen us the pees on every syde. 
That, whan she gooth, almighty god hir 

gydo ! ' 

100. Tho wordes and tlio wonniuumisshe 
t hinges, 

She lierde hom right as though she 
thennes were ; 695 

For, god it wot, hir herto on other thing 
is, 

AlthoiTgh the body sat among hem there. 

Hir advertence is alwey elles-whero ; 

For Troilus ful faste hir soule soughte ; 

With-outen word, alwey on him. she 
thoughte. 700 



Crotfu0 (xni) Crtee^be. 



[Book IV. 



101. Thise ■vvommen, that thus -wendeu 
hir to plese, 

Aboute nought gonne alle hir tales 

spende ; 
Swich vanitee ne can don hir non ese, 
As she that, al this mene whyle, brende 
Of other passioun than that they wende, 
So that she felte almost hir herte dj^e 706 
For wo, and wery of that companye. 

102. For which no lenger mighte she 
restreyne 

Hir teres, so they gonnen iip to welle, 
That yeven signes of the bitter jieyne 710 
In whiche hir spirit was, and moste 

dwelle ; 
Eemembring hir, fro heven unto which 

belle 
She fallen was, sith she forgoth the 

sighte 
Of Troilus, and sorowfuUy she sighte. 714 

103. And thilke foles sittings hir aboute 
Wenden, that she wepte and syked sore 
By-cause that she sholde out of that route 
Departe, and never pleye with hem more. 
And they that haddey-knowen hir of yore 
Seye hir so wepe, and thouglite it kinde- 

nesse, 720 

And eche of hem wepte eek for hir dis- 
tresse ; 

104. And bisily they gonnen hir conforten 
Of thing, god wot, on which she litel 

thoughte ; 
And with hir tales wenden hir disporten, 
And to be glad they often hir bisoughte. 
Bvit swich an ese ther-with they hir 

wroughte 726 

Eight as a man is esed for to fele, 
For ache of heed, to claweu him on his 

hele! 

105. But after al this nyce vanitee 
They took hir leve, and boom they wenten 

alle. 730 

Criseyde, ful of sorweful pitee, 
In-to hir chaumbre up wentc out of the 

halle. 
And on liir bed she gan for deed to falle. 
In purpos never thennes for to ryse ; 
And thus she wroughte, as I shal yow 

devyse. 735 



106. Hir ounded beer, that sonnisli was 
of liewe, 

She rente, and eek hir fingres longe and 

smale 
She wrong ful ofte, and bad god on hir 

rewe, 
And with the deeth to doon bote on hir 

bale. 
Hir hewe, whylom bright, that tho was 

pale, 74.0 

Bar witnes of hir wo and hir constrejaite ; 
And thus she spak, sobbinge, in hir com- 

pleynte : 

107. ' Alas ! ' quod she, ' out of this 
regioun 

I, woful wrecche and infortuned wight, 
And born in corsed constellacioun, 745 
Mot goon, and thus departen fro my 

knight ; 
Wo worth , alias ! that ilke dayes light 
On which I saw him first with eyen 

tweyne. 
That causetli me, and I him, al this 

peyne ! ' 

108. Therwitb the teres from hir eyen 
two 750 

Doun flUe, as shoiir in Aperill, ful swythe ; 
Hir wliyte brest she bet, and for the wo 
After the deeth she cryed a thousand 

sythc. 
Sin he tliat wont hir wo was for to lythe, 
She mot for-goon ; for which disaventure 
She held hir-self a forlost oreatu.re. 756 

109. She seyde, 'how shal he doon, and 
I also ? 

How sholde I live, if that I from him 

twinne ? 
O dere herte eek, that I love so, 
Wlio shal that sorwe sleen that ye ben 

inne ? 760 

O Calkas, fader, tbyn be al this sinne ! 
O moder myn, that cleped were Argyve, 
Wo worth that day that thou me bere on 

lyve ! 

110. To what fyn sholde I live and sorwen 
thus ? 

How sholde a fish with-oute water dure ? 
What is Criseyde worth, from Troilus? 766 



Book IV.] 



^rotfue (Xnb ^^nee^^e. 



285 



How sliokle a plaunte or lyves creature 
Live, with-oute his kinde noriture ? 
For which ful oft a by-word here I seye, 
That, " rotelees, mot grene sons deye." 770 

111. I shal don thus, sin neither swerd ne 
darte 

Dar I non handle, for the crueltee. 
That ilke day that I from yow departe. 
If sorwe of that nil not my banc be, 
Than shal no mete or drinke come in 
me 775 

Til I my soule out of my breste unshethe ; 
And thus my-selven wol I do to dethe. 

112. And, Troilus, my clothes everichoon 
Sliul blake been, in tokeninge, herte 

swete. 
That I am as oiit of this world agoon, 780 
That wont was yow to setten in quiete ; 
And of myn ordre, ay til deeth me mete, 
The observaiince ever, in your absence, 
Shal sorwe been, compleynte, and absti- 
nence. 

113. Myn herte and eek the woful goost 
ther-inne 785 

Biquethe I, with your spirit to compleyne 
Eternally, for they shul never twinne. 
For though in erthe y-twinned be we 

tweyne, 
Yet in the feld of pitee, out of peyne. 
That liight Elysos, shul we been y-fere, 790 
As Orpheus and Erudice his fere, 

114. Thus herte niyn, for Antenoi-, alias ! 
I sone shal bo chaunged, as I wene. 

Biit how shul ye don in this sorwful 

cas. 
How shal your tendre herte this sustene? 
But herte myn, for-yet this sorwe and 

tene, 796 

And me also ; for, soothly for to seye. 
So ye wel fare, I recche not to deye.' 

115. How ruighte it ever y-red ben or 
y-songe. 

The pleynte that she made in hir dis- 
tresse ? 800 

I noot ; but, as for me, my litel tonge. 
If I discreven wolde hir hevinesse. 
It sholde make hir sorwe seme lesse 



Than that it was, and childishly deface 
Hir heigh compleynte, and therfore I it 
pace. 805 

116. Pandare, which that sent froni 
Troikis 

Was to Criseyde, as ye han herd devyse. 
That for the beste it was accorded thus. 
And he ful glad to doon him that servyse, 
Un-to Criseyde, in a ful secree wyse, 810 
Ther-as she lay in torment and in rage, 
Com hir to telle al hooUy his message. 

117. And fond that she hir-selven gan to 
trete 

Ful pitou^sly ; for with hir salte teres 
Hir brest, hir face y-bathed was ful 

wete ; 815 

The mighty tresses of hir sonnish heres, 
Unbroyden, hangen al aboute hir eres ; 
Which yaf him verray signal of martyre 
Of deeth, which that hir herte gan 

desyre. 

118. Wlian she him saw, she gan for sorwe 
anoon 820 

Hir tery face a-twixe hir armes hyde, 
For which this Pandare is so wo bi-goon. 
That in tlie hous he mighte unnethe 

abyde. 
As he that pitee felte on every syde. 
For if Criseyde hadde erst compleyned 

sore, 825 

Tho gan she pleyne a thousand tymes 

more. 

119. And in hir aspre pleynte than she 
seyde, 

' Pandare first of joyes mo than two 
Was cause causinge uu-to me, Criseyde, 
That now transmuwed been in cruel 

wo. 830 

Wher shal I seye to yow " wel come " or 

no. 
That alderfirst me broughte in-to servyse 
Of love, alias ! that endeth in swich wyse? 

120. Endeth than love in wo ? Ye, or men 
lyeth ! 834 

And alio worldly blisse, as thinketh me, 
The ende of blisse ay sorwe it oceupyeth ; 
And who-so troweth not that it so be, 



!86 



Crotfue ani ^rteepie. 



[Book IV. 



Lat him tipon me, woful wrecche, y-see, 
That my-self hate, and ay my birthe 

acorse, 
Felinge alvvey, fro wikke I go to worse. 

121. Who-so me seeth, ho seoth sorwe al 
at ones, 841 

Pcyno, torment, pleyntc, wo, distresse. 
Out of my woful body harm ther noon is, 
As angiiish, langour, cruel hitternesse, 
A-noy, smert, drede, fury, and eek sik- 
nesse. 845 

I trowc, y-wis, from hovene teres reyne. 
For pitec of myn asprfe and cruel peyne ! ' 

122. 'And thou, my suster, ful of dis- 
comfort,' 848 

Quod Pandarus, ' what thenkestow to do? 
Wliy ne hastow to thy-selven som resport, 
Why woltow thus thy-selve, alias, for-do ? 
Leef al this werk and tak now hedo to 
That I shal seyn, and herkne, of good 

entente. 
This, which by mo thy Troilus thee 

sente.' 

12:5. Torncd hir tho Criseyde, a wo 

makinge 855 

So greet that it a deetii was for to see :— 

' Alias ! ' qaod she, ' what wordes may ye 

bringe ? 
Wliat wol my dere herte seyn to me. 
Which that I drede never-mo to see ? 859 
Wol he have pleynte or teres, er I wende ? 
I have y-nowe, if ho ther-after sende ! ' 

124. She was right swicli to seen in hir 
visage 

As is that wight that men on here binde ; 
Hir face, lyk of Paradys the image, 
Was al y-chaiinged in another kinde. 865 
Tho pleye, the laughtre men was wont to 

finde 
In hir, and eek hir joyes everychone, 
Bon fled, and thus lyth now Criseyde 

allone. 

125. Abotite hir eyen two a purpre ring 
Bi-trent, in sothfast tokninge of hir 

peyne, 870 

That to biholde it was a dedly thing, 
For which Pandare mighte not restreyno 



The teres from his eyen for to rejme. 
But nathelees, as he best mighte, he seydo 
From Troilus thise wordes to Criseyde. 8 75 

126. ' Lo, nece, I trowe ye han herd al 
how 

Tho king, with othero lordos, for the 

beste. 
Hath mad eschaungo of Anton<ir and 

yow. 
That cause is of this sorwe and this 

tinreste. 
But how this cas doth Troilus molesto, 880 
That maj' non erthely manncs tonge 

seye ; 
For verray wo his wit is al aweye. 

127. For which we han so sorwed, he 
and I, 

That in-to litol bothe it hadde us slawo ; 
But thurgh my conseil this day, fynally, 
He somwhat is fro wejiing now with- 
drawe. 886 

And semeth rae that lie desyreth fawo 
With yow to been al night, for to devyse 
Remede in this, if ther were any wyse. 

128. This, short and pleyne, th'effect of 
my message, 890 

As ferforth as my wit can comprehende. 
For ye, that been of torment in swich rage, 
May to no long prologo as now entende ; 
And her-upon ye may answere him sende. 
And, for the love of god, my nece dere, 
So leef this wo er Troilus bo here.' 896 

129. ' Gret is my wo,' quod she, and sighto 
sore. 

As she that feletli dedly sharp distresse ; 
' But yet to mo his sorwe is muchel more, 
That love him bet than ho him-self, 
I gesse. 901) 

Alias ! for me hath he swich hevinesse ? 
Can he for m© so pitously compleyne ? 
Y-wis, this sorwe doubleth al my peyne. 

130. Grovous to me, god wot, is for to 
twinne,' 

Quod she, ' but yet it hardere is to me 905 
To seen that sorwe which that he is inne ; 
For wel wot I, it wol my b.ane be ; 
And deye I wol in certayn,' tho qiiod she ; 



Book IV.] 



Croifue anl ^^vt'eep^e. 



287 



' But bidde him oome, er deeth, that thus 

me threteth, 
Dryve out that goost, which in myn herte 

beteth.' 910 

131. Thise wordes seyd, she on hir armes 

two 
Fil gruf, and gan to wepe pitously. 
Quod Pandarus, ' aUas ! why do j'e so, 
Syn wel ye wot the tyme is faste by, 
That he shal come ? Arys iip hastely, 915 
That he yow nat biwopen thus ne finde, 
But j'e wol han him wood out of his 

minde ! 

1.32. For wiste he tliat ye ferde in this 

manere, 
He wolde him-selve slee ; and if I wende 
To han this fare, he sholde not come 

here 920 

For al the good that Pryam may despende. 
For to wliat fyn ho wokle anoon pretende, 
That kuowe I wel ; and for-thy yet I seyc, 
So leef tliis sorwe, or jjlatly he wol deye. 

133. And shapeth yow his sorwe for to 
abregge, 925 

And nought encresse, leve nece swete ; 
Betli ratlier to him cause of flat than 

egge, 
And with som wysdom ye his sorwes bete. 
What helpeth it to wepen ful a strete, 
Or tlioughye botlie in salte teres dreynte? 
Bet is a tyme of cure ay tlianof pleynte. 931 

134. I mens tlius ; whan I him liider 
brings, 

Sin ye ben wyse, and botlie of oon assent, 
So shapetli liow distourbe your goinge. 
Or come ayen, sone after ye be went. 935 
Wommen ben wyse in short avysement ; 
And lat sen how your wit shal now 

avayle ; 
And what that I may helpe, it shal not 

fayle. ' 

135. ' Go,' quod Criseyde, ' and uncle, 
trewely, 

I shal don al my might, me to restreyno 
From weping in his sight, and bisily, 941 
Him for to glade, I shal don al my peyne. 
And in myn herte selien every veyne ; 



If to this soor ther may be founden salve, 

It shal not lakken, certain, on myn 

halve.' 945 

136.. Goth Pandarus, and Troilus he 

soughto. 
Til in a temple he fond him allone, 
As ho that of his Ij-f no lenger roughte ; 
But to the pitouse goddes evcriehone 
Ful tendrely he preyde, and made his 

mono, 950 

To doon him sone out of this world to 

pace ; 
For wel he thoughto ther was non other 

grace. 

137. And shortly, al the sothe for to seye. 
He was so fallen in despeyr that day, 
Tliat outrely he shoop him for to dej^e. 955 
For right thus was his argument alwey : 
He seyde, ho nas but loren, waylawey ! 

' For al that comth, comth by necessitee ; 
Tlius to be lorn, it is my destinee. 

138. For certaynly, this wot I wel,' ho 
seyde, 960 

' That for-sight of divyne purveyaunce 
Hath seyn alwey me to for-gon Criseyde, 
Sin god seeth every thing, out of dout- 

aunce, 
xA.nd hem desponeth, thourgli his orde- 

naunce. 
In hir merytes sothly for to be, 965 

As they shvil comen by predestinee. 

139. But nathelees, alias ! whom shal I 
leve? 

For ther ben grete clerkes many oon. 
That destinee thorugh argumentes preve ; 
And som men seyn that nedely ther is 
noon ; 970 

But that free chois isyeven us everichoon. 
O, welaway ! so sleye arn clerkes olde. 
That I not whos ojjinion I may holde, 

140 For som men seyn, if god seth al 

biforn, 
Ne god may not deceyved ben, pardee, 975 
Tlian moot it fallen, though men hadde it 

sworn. 
That purveyaunce hath seyii bifore to be. 
Wherfor I seye, that from eterne if he 



'ZvoiiuQ ar^t ^ti&t^^H. 



[Book IV. 



Hath wist biforn our thought eek as our 

dede, 
We have no free chois, as these clerkes 

rede. 980 

141. For other thought nor other dede 
also 

Might never be, but swich as purveyaunce, 
Which may not ben deceyved uever-mo, 
Hath feled biforn, with-outen ignoraunce. 
For if ther mighte-been a variaunce 985 
To wr\-tlien out fro goddes purveyinge, 
Tlier nere no jjrescienee of thing eominge ; 

142. But it were rather an opinioun 
Uncerteyn, and no stedfast forseinge ; 
And certes, tliat were an abusioun, 990 
Tliat god shtild han no parflt cleer witinge 
More tlian we men that han doutous 

weninge. 
But swich an errour up-on god to gesse 
Were fals and foul, and -wikked corsed- 

nesse. 

143. Eek this is an opinioun of somme 995 
That han hir top fol heighe and smothe 

y-shore ; 
They seyn right thus, that thing is not to 

come 
For that the prescience hath seyn bifore 
That it shal come; but they seyn, that 

therfore 
That it shal come, therfore the purvey- 

atince lotKj 

Wot it biforn with-outen ignoraunce ; 

144. And in this manere this necessitee 
Eetorneth in his part contrarie agayn. 
For needfully bihoveth it not to be 
That tliilke thinges fallen in certayn 1005 
That ben purveyed ; but nedely, as they 

seyn, 
Bihoveth it that thinges, whiche that 

faUe, 
That they in certayn ben purveyed alle. 

145. I mene as though I laboured me in 
this, 

To enqueren which tiling cause of which 
thing be ; loio 

As whether that the prescience of god is 
The certayn cause of the necessitee 



Of thinges that to comen been, pardee ; 

Or if necessitee of tiling eominge 

Be cause certeyn of the piirveyinge. 1015 

146. But now ne enforce I me nat in 
shewinge 

How the ordre of causes stant ; but wel 

wot I, 
That it bihoveth that the bifallinge 
Of thinges wist biforen certeynly 
Be necessarie, al seme it not ther-by 1020 
Tliat prescience put falling necessaire 
To thing to come, al falle it foule or 

faire. 

147. For if ther sit a man yond on a see. 
Than by necessitee bihoveth it 

That, certes, thyn opinioun soth be, 1025 
That wenest or conjectest that he sit ; 
And ferther-over now ayenward yit, 
Lo, right so it is of the part contrarie. 
As thus ; (now herkne, for I wol not 
tarie) : 

148. I seye, that if the opinioun of thee 
Be sooth, for that he sit, than seye I 

this, 1031 

Tliat he mot sitten by necessitee ; 
And thus necessitee in either is. 
For in him nede of sitting is, y-wis, 
And in thee nede of sooth ; and thus, for- 

sothe, 1035 

Ther moot necessitee ben in yow bothe. 

149. But thou mayst seyn, the man sit 
not therfore. 

That thyn opinion of sitting soth is ; 
But rather, for the man sit ther bifore, 
Therfore is thyn opinion sooth, y-wis. 1040 
And I seye, though the cause of sooth of 

this 
Comth of his sitting, yet necessitee 
Is entrechaunged, bothe in him and thee. 

1.50. Thus on this same wyse, out of 

doutaunce, 
I may wel maken, as it semeth me, 1045 
My resoninge of goddes purveyaunce, 
And of the thinges that to comen be ; 
By whiche reson men may wel y-see, 
That thilke thinges that in erthe falle. 
That by necessitee they comen alle. 1050 



Book IV.] 



^rotfu0 ant> tneepU. 



151. For al- though that, for thing shal 
come, y-wis, 

Therfore is it purveyed, certaynly, 
Nat that it comth for it purveyed is : 
Yet uathelees, bihoveth it nedfully, 
That thing to come be purveyed, trewely; 
Or elles, thinges that purveyed be, 1056 
That they bityden by necessitee. 

152. And this suffyseth right y-novv^, 
certeyn. 

For to destroye our free chois every del. — 
But now is this abusion to seyn, 1060 

That fallinge of the thinges temporel 
Is cause of goddes prescience eternel. 
Now trewely, that is a fals sentence. 
That thing to come sholde cause his 
prescience, 

153. What mighte I wene, and I hadde 
swich a thought, 1065 

But that god purveyth thing that is to 

come 
For that it is to come, and elles nought ? 
So mighte I wene that thinges alle and 

some. 
That whjlom been bifalle and over-come, 
Ben cause of thilke sovereyn purvey- 

aimce, 1070 

That for-wot al with-outen ignoraunce. 

154. And over al this, yet seye I more 
herto, 

Tliat right as whan I woot ther is a 

thing, 
Y-wis, that thing mot nedefully be so ; 
Eek right so, whan I woot a thing 

coming, 1075 

So mot it come ; and thus the biiiilling 
Of thinges that ben wist bifore the tyde, 
They mowe not been eschewed on no 

syde.' 

155. Than seyde he thus, ' almighty Jove 
in trone, 

Tliat wost of al this thing the soothfast- 
nesse, 1080 

Eewe on my sorwe, or do me deye sone. 

Or bring Criseyde and me fro this dis- 
tresse.' 

And whyl he was in al this hevinesse. 



Disputinge with him-self in this matere. 
Com Pandare in, and seyde as ye may 
here. 10S5 

156. ' O mighty god,' quod Pandaru.s, ' in 
trone, 

Ey ! who seigh ever a wys man faren so ? 
Why, Troilus, what thenkestow to done ? 
Hastow swich hist to been thyn owene fo ? 
What, parde, yet is not Criseyde a-go ! 1090 
Why lust thee so thy-self for-doon for 

drede, 
That in thyn heed thyn eyen semen dede ? 

157. Hastow not lived many a yeer bi- 
forn 

With-oiiten hir, and ferd ful wel at ese ? 
Artow for hir and for non other born ? 
Hath kind thee wroughte al-only hir to 

plese ? 1096 

Lat be, and tlienk right thvis in thydisese : 
That, in the dees right as ther fallen 

chaunces. 
Right so in love, ther come and goon 

plesaunces. 

158. And yet this is a wonder most of alle, 
Why thou thus sorwest, sin thou nost 

not yit, 1 10 1 

Touching hir goinge, how that it shal 

faUe, 
Ne if she can hir-self distorben it. 
Thou hast not yet assayed al hir wit. 
A man may al by tyme his nekke bede t 105 
Whan it shal of, and sorwen at the nede. 

159. For-thy take hede of that that I shal 
seye ; 

I have with hir y-spoke and longe y-be, 
So as accorded was bitwixe us tweye. 
And ever-mo me thiuketh thus, that she 
Hath som-what in hir hertes prevetee, 
Wlier-with she can, if I shal right arede, 
Distorbe al this, of which thou art in 
dredc. 11 13 

160. For which my counseil is, whan it is 
night. 

Thou to hir go, and make of this an 

ende ; 

And blisful Juno, thourgh hir grete 

mighte, 11 16 



290 



Croifu0 ani Crieepie. 



[Book IV. 



Shal, as I hope, liir grace un-to us sende. 
M.vn herte seji;h, " certeyn, she shal not 

wende ;" 
And for-thy pvit thyn herte a whyle in 

reste ; 1119 

And hold this purpos, for it is the heste.' 

161. This Troilus answerde, and sighte 
sore, 

' Tho].i seyst right wel, and I wil do right 

so ;' 
And -what him liste, he seyde un-to it 

more. 
And whan that it was tyme for to go, 
Ful prevely him-self, with-ou.ten mo, 1125 
Un-to hir com, as he was wont to done ; 
And how they wroughte, I shal yow telle 

sone. 

162. Soth is, that whan they gonne first 
to mete, iij8 

So gan the peyne hir hertes for to twiste. 
That neither of hem other mighte grete. 
But hem in amies toke and after kiste. 
Tlie lasse wofuUe of hem bothe uiste 
Wher that he was, ne mighte o word 

out-bringe. 
As I sej-de erst, for wo and for sobbinge. 

163. Tho woful teres that they leten 
falle 1135 

As bittre weren, out of teres kinde, 
For peyne, as is ligne-aloiis or gallc. 
So bittre teres weep nought, as I finde. 
The wofu.1 Myrra through the bark and 

rinde. 
That in this world ther nis so hard an 

herte, 1140 

That nolde han rewed on hir peynes 

smerte. 

164. Btit whan hir woful wery gostes 
■ tweyne 

Eetorned been ther-as hem oughte dwello, 
And that som-what to wayken gan the 

peyne 
By lengthe of pleynte, and ebben gan the 

Welle 1145 

Of hire teres, and the herte unswelle. 
With broken voys, al hoors for-shright, 

Criseyde 
To Troilus thisc ilke wordes seyde : 



165. ' O Jove, I deye, and mercy I be- 
seche ! 

Help, Troilus ! ' and ther-with-al hir face 
Upon his brest she leyde, and loste 

speche ; 1151 

Hir woful spirit from his propre place, 
Right with the word, alwey up poynt to 

jiace. 
And thus she lytli with hewes jjale and 

grene. 
That whylom fresh and fairest was to 

sene. 1155 

166. This Troilus, that on hir gan biholde, 
Clepinge hir name, (and she lay as for 

deed, 
With-oute answere, and felte hir limes 

colde, 
Hir eyen throwen upward to hir heed), 
This sorwful man can now noon other 

reed, 11 60 

But ofte tyme hir colde mouth he kiste ; 
Wlier him was wo, god and him-self it 

wiste ! 

167. He rist him up, and long streight ho 
hir leyde ; 

For signe of lyf, for ought he can or 
may. 

Can he noon finde in no-thing on Cri- 
seyde, 1165 

For which his song ful ofte is ' weylawa j^ ! ' 

But whan he saugh that specheles she 
lay, 

With sorwful voys, and herte of blisse al 
bare. 

He seyde how she was fro this W(}rld 
y-fare ! 

168. So after that he longe hadde hir 
comiileyned, 1170 

His hondes wrong, and seyde that was to 

seye. 
And with his teres salte hir brest bi- 

reyned, 
He gan tho teres wypen of ful dreye. 
And pitously gan for the soule preye. 
And seyde, ' O lord, that set art in thy 

ti'one, 1175 

Eewe eek on me, for I shal folwe hir 

sone ! ' 



Book IV.] 



^rotfue anb tmepie. 



291 



169. She cold was and with-outen sente- 
inent, 

For aught he woot, for breeth ne felte he 

noon ; 
And this was him a preignant argument 
That she was forth out of this workl 

agoon ; 1180 

And whan he seigh ther was non other 

woon, 
He gan hir limes dresse in swich manere 
As men don hem that shul be leyd on here. 

170. And after this, with sterne and cruel 
herte, 

His swerd a-noon out of his shethe he 

twighte, 1 185 

Him-self to sleen, how sore that him 

smerte, 
So that his sowle hir sowle folwen mighte, 
Ther-as the doom of Mynos wolde it dighte ; 
Sin love and cruel Fortvme it ne wolde, 
That in this world he lenger liven sholde. 

171. Thanne seyde he thus, fulfild of 
heigh desdayn, 1191 

' O cruel Jove, and thou, Fortune adverse, 
This al and som, that falsly have ye 

slayn 
Criseyde, and sin ye may do me no werse, 
Fy on your might and werkes so di- 
verse ! 1 1 95 
Thus cowardly ye shul me never winne ; 
Ther shal no deeth me fro my lady twinne. 

172. For I this world, sin ye han slayn hir 
thus, 

Wol lete, and folowe hir spirit lowe or hye; 
Shal never lover seyn that Troilus 1200 
Dar not, for fere, with his lady dye ; 
For certeyn, I wol here hir companye. 
But sin j'e wol not sufFre us liven here, 
Yet suffreth that our soules ben y-fere. 

173. And thou, citee, whiche that I leve 
in wo, 1205 

And thoii, Pryam, and bretheren al y-fere. 
And thou, mj* moder, farewel ! for I go ; 
And Attrojjos, make redy thou my here ! 
And thou, Criseyde, o swete herte dere, 
Receyv'e now my spirit !' wolde he seyo. 
With swerd at herte, al redy for to deye. 



174. But as god wolde, of swough ther- 
with she abreyde, 1212 

And gan to syke, and ' Troilus ' she cryde ; 

And he answerde, ' lady myn Criseyde, 

Live ye yet?' and leet his swerd doun 
glyde. 1215 

' Ye, herte myn, that thanked be Cupyde !' 

Quod she, and ther-with-al she sore sighte ; 

And he bigan to glade hir as he mighte ; 

173. Took liir in armes two, and kiste hir 

ofte. 
And hir to glade he dide al his entente ; 
For which hir goost, that ilikered ay 

on-lofte, 1221 

In-to hir woful herte ayein it wente. 
But at the laste, as that hir eyen glente 
A-syde, anoon she gan his swerd aspye, 
As it lay bare, and gan for fere crye, 1225 

176. And asked him, why he it hadde 
out-drawe ? 

And Troilus anoon the cause hir tolde, 
And how hinaself ther-with he wolde 

have slawe. 
For which Criseyde vip-on him gan bi- 

holde, 
And gan him in hir armes faste folde, 1230 
And seyde, ' O mercy, god, lo, which a 

dede ! 
Alias ! how neigh we were bothe dede ! 

177. Thanne if I ne hadde spoken, as 
grace was. 

Ye wolde han slayn your-self anoon ? ' 

quod she. 
' Ye, douteless ; ' and she answerde, ' alias ! 
For, by that ilke lord that made me, 1236 
I nolde a forlong wey on-lyve han be, 
After your deeth, to han be crowned quene 
Of al the lond the sonne on shyneth shene. 

178. But with this solve swerd, which 
that here is, 1240 

My-selve I wolde have slayn ! ' — quod she 

tho ; 
' But ho, for we han right y-now of this. 
And late us ryse and streight to bedde go, 
And there lat vs speken of our wo. 
For, by the morter which that I see 

brenne, 1245 

Knowe I ful wel that day is not fer henne.' 



L 2 



29: 



'Zvoih& anb Cn'eepie. 



[Book IV. 



179. Wlian they were in liir bedde, in 
armes folde, 

Nought was it lyk tho nightes here-biforn ; 
For pitonsly ech other gan biholde, 1249 
As they that hadden al hir blisse y-lorn, 
Biwaylinge ay the day that they were born. 
Til at the last this sorwful wight Criseyde 
To Troilus these ilke wordes seyde : — 

180. ' Lo, herte myn, wel wot ye this,' 
quod she, 1254 

' That if a wiglit alwey his wo compleyne. 
And seketh nought how holpen for to be, 
It nis but folye and encrees of peyne ; 
And sin that here assembled be we tweyne 
To finde bote of wo that we ben inne, 
It were al tyme sone to biginne. 1260 

181. I am a womman, as ful wel ye woot, 
And as I am avysed sodeynly. 

So wol I telle yow, whyl it is hoot. 
Me thinketh thus, that neither ye nor I 
Oughte half this wo to make skilfullj-. 1265 
For there is art y-now for to redresse 
That yet is mis, and sleen this hevinesse. 

182. Sooth is, the wo, the whiche that we 
ben inne. 

For ought I woot, for no-thing elles is 
But for the cause tliat we sholden twinue. 
Considered al, ther nis no-more amis. 1271 
But what is thanne a remede un-to this, 
Bixt tlaat we shape lis sone for to mete ? 
This al and som, my dere herte swete. 

183. Now that I shal wel bringen it 
aboute 1275 

To come ayein, sone after that I go, 
Ther-of am I no maner thing in doute. 
For dredeles, with-inne a wouke or two, 
I shal ben here ; and, that it may be so 
By alle right, and in a wordes fewe, 12S0 
I shal yow wel an heep of weyes shewe. 

181. For which I wol not make long 

sermoun. 
For tyme y-lost may not recovered be ; 
But I wol gon to my conclusioun, 1284 
And to the beste, iii ought that I can see. 
And, for the love of god, for-yeve it me 
If I speke ought ayein your hertes reste ; 
For trewely, I speke it for the beste ; 



185. Makinge alwey a protestacioun, 
That now these wordes, whiche that I shal 

seye, 1290 

Nis but to shewe yow my mocioun, 
To iinde un-to our helpe the beste weye ; 
And taketh it non other wyse, I preye. 
For in effect what-so ye me comaunde. 
That wol I doon, for that is no demau.nde. 

186. Now herkeneth this, ye ban wel 
under stonde, 1296 

My going gi-aunted is by xsarlement 
So ferforth, that it may not be with-stonde 
For al this world, as by my jugement. 
And sin therhelpeth noon avysement 1300 
To letten it, lat it jjasse out of minde ; 
And lat VIS shape a bettre wey to finde. 

187. The sothe is, that the twinninge of 
us tweyne 

Wol us disese and cruelliche anoye. 
But him bihoveth som-tyme han a peyne. 
That servetli love, if that he wol have 
joye. 1306 

And sin I shal no ferthere out of Troye 
Thau I may ryde ayein on half a morw% 
It oughte lasse causen us to sorwe ; 

188. So as I shal not so ben hid in mawe. 
That day by day, myn owene herte dere, 
Sin wel ye woot that it is now a truwe. 
Ye shul ful wel al myn estat y-here. 13 13 
And er that truwe is doon, I shal ben here, 
And thanne liave ye bothe Antenor y- 

wonne 
And me also ; beth glad now, if ye conne ; 

189. And thenk right tlius, " Criseyde is 
now agoon, 1317 

But what ! she slial come hastely ayeyn ; " 
And whanne, alias ? by god, lo, right 

anoon, 
Er dayes ten, this dar I saufly seyn. 1320 
And thanne at erste shul we been so fayn. 
So as we shulle to-gederes ever dwelle, 
That al this world ne miglite our blisse 

telle. 

190. I see that ofte, thor-as we ben now, 
Tliat for the beste, oiir conseil for to hyde. 
Ye speke not vnth me, nor I with yow 1326 
In fourteniglit ; ne see yow go ne ryde. 



Book TV.] 



Croifu0 an^ ^rioepbe. 



293 



May ye not ten dayes thanne abyde, 
For myn liononr, in swicli an aventure ? 
Y-wis, ye mowen elles lyte endiire ! 1330 

191. Ye knowe eek how that al my kin is 
here, 

But-if that onliche it my fader be ; 
And eek myn othere thinges alle y-fere, 
And nameliche, my dere herte, ye, 
Whom that I nokle leven for to see 1335 
For al this world, as wyd as it hath space ; 
Or elles, see ich never Joves face ! 

192. Why trowe ye my fader in this wyse 
Coveiteth so to see me, but for drede 1339 
Lest in this toun that folkes me dispyse 
By-cause of him, for his unhappy dede ? 
What woot my fader what lyf that I lede? 
For if he wiste in Troye how wel I fare, 
Us neded for my wending nought to care. 

193. Ye seen that every day eek, more 
and more, 1345 

Men trete of pees ; and it supposed is. 
That men the quene Eleyne shal restore. 
And Grekes us restore that is mis. 
So though ther nere comfort noon but 
this, 1349 

That men purposen pees on every syde. 
Ye may the bettre at ese of herte abyde. 

194. For if that it be pees, myn herte 
dere. 

The nature of the pees mot nedes dryve 
That men moste entrecomunen y-fere, 
And to and fro eek ryde and gon as blyve 
Alday as thikke as been flen from an 
hyve ; 1356 

And every wight ban libertee to bleve 
Wher-as him list the bet, with-outen leve. 

195. And though so be that pees ther may 
be noon. 

Yet hider, though ther never pees ne 
were, 1360 

I moste come ; for whider sholde I goon. 
Or how mischaunce sholde I dwelle there 
Among tho men of armes ever in fere ? 
For which, as wisly god my soule rede, 
I can not seen wher-of ye sholden drede. 

196. Have here another wey, if it so be 
That al this thing ne may yow not suffyse. 



My fader, as ye knowen wel, pardee, 

Is old, and elde is ful of coveityse. 

And I right now have founden al the 

gyse, 1370 

With-oute net, wher-with I shal him 

hente ; 
And herkeneth how, if that ye wole 

assente. 

197. Lo, Troilus, men seyn that hard it is 
The wolf ful, and the wether liool to have ; 
This is to seyn, that men ful ofte, y-wis. 
Mot spenden part, the remenaunt for to 

save. 1376 

For ay with gold men maj' the herte 

grave 
Of him that set is up-on coveityse ; 
And how I mene, I shal it yow devyse. 

198. The moeble which that I have in 
this toun i38(j 

Un-to my fader shal I take, and seye. 
That right for trust and for savacioun 
It sent is from a freend of his or tweye, 
The whiche freendes ferventliche him 

preye 
To senden after more, and that in hye, 
Whyl that this toun stant thus in ju- 

partye. 1386 

199. And that shal been an huge 
quantitee. 

Thus shal I seyn, but, lest it folk aspyde. 
This may be sent by no wight but by me ; 
I shal eek she wen him, if pees bityde, 1390 
What frendes that ich have on every syde 
Toward the court, to doon the wrathe 

pace 
Of Priamus, and doon him stonde in 

grace. 

200. So, what for o thing and for other, 
swete, 

I shal him so enchaunten with my sawes. 
That right in hevene his sowle is, shal he 

mete ! 1396 

For al Appollo, or liis clerkes lawes. 
Or calculinge avayleth noiaght three 

hawes ; 
Desyr of gold shal so his sowle blende, 
That, as me lyst, I shal wel make an 

ende. 1400 



294 



^rotfu0 anl Cvm^U. 



[Book IV. 



201. And if he wolde ought by his sort it 
preve 

If that I lye, in certayn I shal fonde 
Distorben him, and plukke him by the 

sieve, 
Makinge his sort, and beren him on 

hondo, 
He hath not wel the goddes understonde. 
For goddes spoken in amphibologyes, 1406 
And, for a sooth, they tellen twenty lyes. 

202. Eek dredo fond first goddes, I sup- 
pose. 

Thus shal I seyn, and that his coward 

herte 
Made him amis the goddes text to glose. 
Whan he ior ferde out of his Delphos 

sterte. 141 1 

And but I make him sone to converte, 
And doon my reed with-inne a day or 

tweye, 
I wol to yow oblige me to deye.' 

203. And trewelicho, as writen wel I finde. 
That al this thing was seyd of good en- 
tente ; 1416 

And that hir herte trewe was and kinde 
Towardes him, and spak right as she 

mente. 
And that slie starf for wo neigh, whan 

she wente. 
And was in purpos ever to be trewe ; 1420 
Thus writen they that of hir werkes 

knewe. 

204. This Troilus, with herte and eres 
spradde, 

Herde al this thing devysen to and fro ; 
And verraylich him semed that he hadde 
The selvo wit ; but yet to lete hir go 1425 
His lierte misforyaf him ever-mo. 
But fjTially, he gan his herte wreste 
To trusten hir, and took it for the besto. 

205. For which the grete furie of his 
penaimce 

Was queynt with hope, and ther-with 
hem bitwene 1430 

Bigan for joye the amorouse daunce. 

And as the briddes, wlian the sonne is 
shene, 

Delvten in hir song in leves grene, 



Eight so the wordes that they spake 

y-fere 
Delyted hem, and made hir hertes clere. 

206. But natheles, the wending of Cri- 
seyde, 1436 

For al this world, may nought out of his 

minde ; 
For which fitl ofte he jiitously hirpreyde, 
That of hir heste he might hir trewe 

finde. 1439 

And seydo hir, 'certes, if ye be unkinde, 
And but ye come at day set in-to Troye, 
Ne shal I never have hele, honour, ne 

joye. 

207. For al-so sooth as sonne up-rist on 
morwe. 

And, god ! so wisly thou me, woful 
wrecche, 1444 

To reste bringe out of this cruel sorwe, 
I wol my-selven slee if that ye drecche. 
But of my deeth though litel be to recche, 
Yet, er that ye me cavise so to smerte, 
Dwel rather here, myn owene swete herte ! 

208. For trewely, myn owene lady dere, 
Tho sleightes yet that I have herd yow 

stero I 45 I 

Ful shaply been to fallen alle y-fere. 
For thus men seyn, " that oon thenketli 

the here. 
But al another thenketh his ledere." 
Your sire is wys, and seyd is, out of drede, 
" Men may the wyse at-renne, and not at- 

rede." 1456 

209. It is ful hard to halten unespyed 
Bifore a crepul, for he can the craft ; 
Your fader is in sleighto as Argvis yed ; 
For al be that his moeble is him biraft, 
His olde sleiglite is yot so witli liim laft, 
Ye shal not blende him for your woman- 

hede, 1462 

Ne feyne a-right, and that is al my drede. 

210. I noot if pees shal over-mo bityde ; 
But, pees or no, for ernest ne for game, 
I woot, sin Calkas on the Grekes syde 
Hath ones been, and lost so foule his 

name, 1467 



Book IV.] 



^rctfue ani itvist^H. 



295 



He dar no more come here ayein for 

shame ; 
For which that weye, for ought I can 

espye, 
To trusten on, nis hut a fantasye. 1470 

211. Ye shal eek seen, your fader shal 
>-ow gloSG 

To been a 'wyf, and as he can wel preche, 
He shal som Greek so preyse and wel 

alosc, 
That ravisshen ho shal yow with his 

speche, 147+ 

Or do yow doon by force as he shal teche. 
And Troilus, of whom ye nil han routhe, 
Shal causeles so sterven in his trouthe ! 

212. And over al this, your fader shal 
d espy SB 

Us alle, and sejTi this citee nis but lorn ; 
And that th'assege never shal aryse, 1480 
For-why the Grekes han it alle sworn 
Til we be shi.vn, and dovin our walles torn. 
And thus he shal you with his wordes 

fere, 
That ay dredo I, that ye wol blevc there. 

213. Ye shul eek seen so man3' a lusty 
knight 1485 

A-mong the Grekes, ful of worthinesse, 
And eche of hem with herto, wit, and 

might 
To plesen yow don al liis besinesse, 
Tliat ye shul dullen of the rudenesse 
Of us sely Trojanes, but-if routhe 1490 
Eemordo yow, or vertuc of your trouthe. 

214. And this to me so grevous is to 
thinke, 

That fro my brest it wol my soule rende ; 
Ne dredeles, in me ther may not sinke 
A good opinioun, if that ye wende ; 1495 
For-why j'our faderes sleighto wol us 

shendc. 
And if ye goon, as I liave told yow yore. 
So thenk I nam but deed, with-oute more. 

215. For which, with hiimble, trewe, and 
pitous herte, 141,9 

A thousand tymes mercy I .vow preye ; 
So reweth on myn aspre peynes smertc. 



And doth somwhat, as that I shal yow 

seyo, 
And lat us stele away bitwixo us tweye ; 
And thenk that folyo is, whan man may 

chese, 1504 

For accident his substaunce ay to lese. 

216. I mene this, that sin we mowe er 
day 

Wel stele away, and been to-gider so, 
What wit were it to piitten in assay, 
In cas ye sholden to your fader go, 
If that ye mighte come ayein or no ? 1510 
Thus mene I, that it were a gret folye 
To putte that sikernesse in jupartye. 

217. And vulgarly to speken of substaunce 
Of tre.sour, may we bothe with us lede 
Y-nough to live in honour and plesaunce, 
Til in-to tj-me that we shul ben dede ; 
And thus we may eschewen al this 

drede. 
For everich other wey ye can recorde, 
Myn herte, .y-wis, may not ther-with 

acorde. 1519 

218. And hardily, no dredeth no povcrte, 
For I have kin and freendes elles-where 
That, though we comen in our bare sherte, 
Us sholde neither lakke gold ne gere. 
But been honoured whyl we dwelten 

there. 1524 

And go we anoon, for, as in myn entente, 
This is the beste, if that ye wole assente.' 

219. Criseyde, with a syk, right in this 
wyse 1527 

Answerde, ' y-wis, my dere herte trewe. 
We may wel stole away, as ye devyse. 
And finde swiche unthrifty weyes newe ; 
But aftei-ward, ful sore it wol us rewe. 
And help me god so at my moste nede 
As causeles ye suffren al this drede ! 

220. For thilke day that I for cherisshinge 
Or drede of i'ader, or of other wight, 1535 
Or for cstat, delyt, or for weddingo 

Be fals to yow, my Troilus, my knight. 
Saturnes doiighter, Juno, thorugh hir 

might. 
As wood as Athamante do mo dwelle 
Etcrnaly in Stix, the put of holle ! 1540 



296 



Crotfue fln^ Criee^be. 



[Book IV. 



221. And this on every god celestial 

I swere it yow, and eek on eclie goddesse, 
On every Nymphe and deite infernal, 
On Satiry and Fauny more and lesse, 
That halve goddes been of wildernesse ; 
And Attropos my t breed of lyf to-breste 
If I be fals ; now trowe me if tliow leste ! 

222. And tliou, Simoys, that as an arwe 
clere 1548 

Thorngh Troye rennest ay downward to 

the see, 
Ber witnesse of this word tliat seyd is 

here, 1550 

That thilke day that ich untrewe be 
To Troilus, myn owene herte free, 
Tliat thou retorne bakwarde to thy welle, 
And I with body and soule sinke in helle ! 

223. Hut that ye speke, awey thus for 
to go 1555 

And leten alle your freendes, god for- 

bede. 
For any womman, that ye sholden so, 
And namely, sin Troye hath now swich 

nede 
Of help ; and eek of o thing taketh hede. 
If this were wist, my lif laye in balaunce. 
And your honoiir ; god shilde u^s fro mis- 

chaunce ! 1561 

224. And if so be that pees her-after take. 
As alday happeth, after anger, game. 
Why, lord ! the sorwe and wo ye wolden 

make, 1564 

That ye ne dorste come ayein for shame ! 
And er that ye juparten so your name, 
Beth nought to hasty in this hote fare ; 
For hasty man ne wanteth never care. 

225. What trowe ye the peple eek al 
aboute 1569 

Wolde of it seye ? It is ful light to arede. 
They wolden seye, and swere it, out of 

doute. 
That love ne droof yow^ nought to doon 

this dede. 
But lust voluptuoiis and coward drede. 
Thus were al lost, y-wis, myn herte dere, 
Your honour, which that nowshyneth so 

clere. 1^75 



226. And also thenketh on myn honestee, 
That floureth yet, how foule I sholde it 

shende. 
And with what filthe it spotted sholde be. 
If in this forme I sholde with yow wende. 
Ne though I livede t\n-to the worldes 

ende, 1580 

My name sholde I never ayeinward 

wiune ; 
Thus were I lost, and that were routhe 

and sinne. 

227. And for-thy slee with reson al this 
hete ; 

Men seyn, "the suffraunt overcometh," 

pardee ; 
Eek " who-so wol han leef, he leef mot 

lete ; " 1585 

Thus maketh vertue of necessitee 
By pacience, and thenk that lord is he 
Of fortune ay, that nought wol of hir 

recche ; 
And she ne daunteth no wight but a 

wrecche. 

228. And trusteth this, that certes, herte 
swete, 1590 

Er Phebus svister, Lucina the shene. 
The Leoun passe out of this Ariete, 
I wol ben here, with-outen any wene. 
I mene, as helpe me Juno, hevenes queue. 
The tenthe day, bvit-if that deeth me 
assayle, 1595 

I wol yow seen, with-outen any fayle.' 

229. ' And now, so this be sooth,' quod 
Troihis, 

' I shal wel suffre un-to the tenthe day. 
Sin that I see that nede it moot be thus. 
But, for the love of god, if it be may, 1600 
So lat ns stele prively away ; 
For ever in oon, as for to live in reste, 
Myn herte seyth that it wol been the 
beste.' 

230. ' O mercy, god, what Ij'f is this ? ' 
quod she ; 1604 

' Alias, ye slee me thus for verray tene ! 
I see wel now that ye mistrusten me ; 
For by your wordes it is wel y-sene. 
Now, for the love of Cynthia the shene, 



Book IV.] 



^rotfu0 anb Cviu^U, 



297 



Mistrust me not thus causeles, for routhe ; 

Sin to be trewe I Lave yow plight my 

trouthe. 1610 

231. And thenketh wel, that som tyme it 
is wit 

To spende a tyme, a tyme for to winne ; 
Ne, pardee, lorn am I nought fro yow yit, 
Though that we been a day or two 

a-twinne. 
Dryf out the fantasyesyow with-inne ; 1615 
And trusteth me, and leveth eek your 

sorwe, 
Or here my trouthe, I wol not live til 

morwe. 

232. For if ye wiste how sore it doth me 
smerte. 

Ye wolde cesse of this ; for god, thou 

wost, 
The pure spirit wepeth in mynherte, 1620 
To see yow wepen that I love most, 
And that I moot gon to the Grekes ost. 
Ye, nere it that I wiste remedye 
To come ayein, right here I wolde dye ! 

233. But certes, I am not so nyce a wight 
That I ne can imaginen a way 1626 
To come ayein that day that I have hight. 
For who may holde thing that wol a-way ? 
My fader nought, for al his queynte pley. 
And by my thrift, my wending out of 

Troye 1 630 

Another day shal tome us alle to joye, 

234. For-thy, with al myn herte I yow 
beseke, 

If that yow list don ought for my preyere. 
And for the love which that I love yow 

eke, 
That er that I departe fro yow here, 1635 
That of so good a comfort and a chere 
I may you seen, that ye may bringe at 

reste 
Myn herte, which that is at point to 

breste. 

235. And over al this, I pray yow,' quod 
she tho, 1639 

' Myn owene hertes soothfast siiffisaixnce, 
Sin I am th.yn al hool, with-outen mo. 
That whyl that I am absent, no plesaunce 



Of othere do me fro your remembi-aunce. 
For I am ever a-gast, for-why men rede. 
That " love is thing ay ful of bisy drede." 

236. For in this world ther liveth lady 
noon, 1646 

If that ye were untrewe, as god defends ! 
That so bitraysed were or wo bigoon 
As I, that alle trouthe in yow entende. 
And douteles, if that ich other wende, 
I nere but deed ; and er ye cause finde. 
For goddes love, so beth me not un- 
kinde.' 

237. To this answerde Troilus and seyde, 
' Now god, to whom ther nis no cause 

y-wrye, 1654 

Me glade, as wis I never un-to Criseyde, 
Sin thilke day I saw hir first with ye. 
Was fals, ne never shal til that I dye. 
At shorte wordes, wel ye may me leve ; 
I can no more, it shal be founds at preve.' 

238. ' Graunt mercy, goode myn, y-wis,' 
quod she, 1660 

' And blisful Venus lat me never sterve 
Er I may stonde of plesaunce in degree 
To quyte him wel, that so wel can deserve; 
And whyl that god my wit wol me con- 
serve, 
I shal so doon, so trewe I have yow 
foiande, 1665 

That ay honour to me-ward slial rebounde. 

239. For trusteth wel, that your estat 
royal 

Ne veyn delyt, nor only worthinesse 
Of yow in werre, or torney marcial, 1669 
Ne pompe, arraj', nobley, or eek richesse, 
Ne made me to rewe on your distresse ; 
But moral vertue, grounded upon trou.the, 
That was the cause I first hadde on yow 
routhe ! 

240. Eek gentil herte and manhod that ye 
hadde, 

And that ye hadde, as me thoughte, in 
despj't 1675 

Every thing that souned in-to badde, 
As riidenesse and poeplish appetyt ; 
And that your reson brydled your delyt. 



^ 3 



^roifue an^ Cvm^tt, 



[Book V. 



This made, aboven every creature, 
That I was j'our, and shal, whyl I raay 
dure. 1680 

241. And this may lengthe of yeres not 
for-do, 

Ne remuable fortune deface ; 
But Juppiter, that of his miglit may do 
The sorwful to be glad, so yeve lis grace, 
Er nightes ten, to meten in this place, 
So that it may your herte and myn suf- 

fyse ; 1686 

And fareth now wel, for tyme is that ye 

ryse. ' 

242. And after that they longe y-pleyned 
hadde, 

And ofte y-kist and streite in armes folde, 

The day gan ryse, and Troilus him 

cladde, 1690 



And rewfulliohe his lady gan biholde. 
As he that felte dethes cares colde. 
And to hir grace he gan him recoma^u^de ; 
Wher him was wo, this holde I no de- 
maunde. 1694 

243. For mannes heed imaginen ne can, 
Ne entendement considere, ne tonge 

telle 
The cruel peynes of this sorwful man. 
That passen every torment doun in 

helle. 1698 

For whan he saugh that she ne mighte 

dwelle, 
Which tliat his soule out of his herte 

rente, 
With-outen more, out of the chaumbre 

he weute. 1701 

Explicit Liber Quartus. 



BOOK V. 



Incipit Liber Quintus. 

1. Aprochen gan the fatal destinee 
That Joves hath in disposicioun, 

And to yow, angry Parcas, sustren three, 
Committeth, to don execucioun ; 
For which Criseyde moste out of the 
toun, 5 

And Troilus shal dwelle forth in pyne 
Til Lachesis his threed no lenger twyne. — 

2. The golden-tressed Phebus heighe on- 

lofte 
Thryes hadde alle with his homes shene 
The snowes molte,and Zophirtis as ofte 10 
Y-brought ayein the tendre leves grene. 
Sin that the sone of Ecuba the queue 
Bigan to love hir iirst, for whom his sorwe 
Was al, that she departe sholde a-morwe. 

3. Ful redy was at pryme Dyomede, 15 
Criseyde un-to the G-rekes ost to lede. 
For sorwe of which she felte hir herte 

blede, 
As she that niste what was best to rede. 
And trewely, as men in bokes rede, 



Men wiste never womman han the care, 20 
Ne was so looth out of a toun to fare. 

4. This Troilus, with-oiiten reed or lore. 
As man that hath his joyes eck forlore. 
Was wajiiinge on liis lady ever-more 

As she that was the soothfast crop and 
more 25 

Of al his lust, or joyes here-tofore. 

But Troilus, now farewel al thy joye. 

For shaltow never seen hir eft in 
Troye ! 

5. Soth is, that whyl he bood in this 

manere. 
He gan his wo ful manly for to hyde, 30 
That wel imnethe it seen was in his 

chere ; 
But at the yate ther she sholde oute 

ryde 
With certeyn folk, he hoved hir t'abyde, 
So wo bigoon, al wolde he nought him 

plejme. 
That on his hors unnethe he sat for 

peyne. 35 



Book V.] 



^rotfue anl Cviec^H. 



299 



6. For ire he quook, so gan his herte 

gnawe, 
Wlian Diornede on horse gan him dresse, 
And seyde nn-to him-self this ilke sawe, 
' Alias,' quod he, ' thus foul a wrecched- 

nesse 
Why suffre icli it, why nil ich it re- 

dresse ? 40 

Were it not het at ones for to dye 
Than ever-more in langour thus to drye ? 

7. Wliy nil I make at ones riche and 

pore 
To have y-nough to done, er that she go ? 
W^ly nil I bringe al Troye upon a rore? 45 
Why nil I sleen this Diomede also ? 
Why nil I rather with a man or two 
Stele hir a- way ? Wliy wol I this endure ? 
Wliy nil I helpen to myn owene cure ? ' 

8. But why he nolde doon so fel a dede, 
That shal I seyn, and why him liste it 

spare : 51 

He hadde in herte alwey a maner drede, 
Lest that Criseyde, in rumour of this fare, 
Sholde han ben slayn ; lo, this was al his 

care. 
And elles, certeyn, as I seyde yore, 55 

He hadde it doon, with-outen wordes 

more. 

9. Criseyde, whan she redy was to ryde, 
Ful sorwfully she sighte, and seyde 

' alias ! ' 
But forth she moot, for ought that may 

bityde. 
And forth she rit ful sorwfully a pas. 60 
Ther nis non other remedie in this cas. 
What wonder is though that hir sore 

smerte, 
Whan she forgoth hir owene swete herte ? 

10. This Troilus, in wyse of curteisye. 
With hauke on hond, and with an huge 

route 6-; 

Of knightes, rood and didehircompanye, 
Passinge al the valey fer with-oute. 
And ferther wolde hau riden, out of 

doute, 
Ful fayn, and wo was him to goon so 

sone ; 
But tome he moste, and it was eek to 

done. 70 



11. And right with that was Antenor 
y-eome 

Out of the Grekes ost, and every wight 
Was of it glad, and seyde he was wel- 
come. 
And Troilus, al nere his herte light. 
He peyned him with al his fuUe might 75 
Him to with-holde of wepinge at the 

leste, 
And Antenor he kiste, and made feste. 

12. And ther-with-al he moste his leve 
take. 

And caste his eye upon hir pitously. 
And neer he rood, his cause for to make, 
To take hir by the honde al sobrely. 81 
And lord ! so she gan wepen tendrely ! 
And he ful softe and sleighly gan hir 

seye, 
' Now hold your day, and dooth me not to 

deye.' 

13. With that his courser torned he 
a-boute 85 

With face pale, and un-to Diomede 
No word he spak, ne noon of al his route ; 
Of which the sone of Tydeus took hede. 
As he that coude more than the crede 
In swich a craft, and by the reyne hir 
hente ; 90 

And Troilus to Troye honawarde he wente. 

14. This Diomede, that ladde hir by the 
brydel, 

Whan that he saw the folk of Troye 

aweye, 
Thoughte, 'al my labour shal not been 

on ydel. 
If that I niay, for somwhat shal I seye. 95 
For at the worste it may yet shorte our 

weye. 
I have herd seyd, eek tymes twyes twelve, 
" He is a fool that wol for-yete him- 

selve." ' 

15. But natheles this thoughte he wel 
ynough. 

'That certaj-nly I am aboute nought 100 
If that I speke of love, or make it tough ; 
For douteles, if she have in hir thought 
Him that I gesse, he may not been 
y-brought 



^ 5 



300 



^rotfu5 anb ^rteejie. 



[Book V. 



So sone awey ; but I shal finde a mene, 
That she not wite as yet shal what I 
niene.' 105 

16. This Diomede, as he that coude his 
good, 

Whan this was doon, gan fallen forth in 

speche 
Of this and that, and asked why she 

stood 
In swich disese, and gan hir eek biseche. 
That if that he encrese mighte or eche no 
With any thing hir ese, that she sholde 
Comaunde it him, and seyde he doon it 

wolde. 

17. Por trewely he swoor hir, as a knight. 
That ther nas thing with whiche he 

mighte hir jilese, 
That he nolde doon his peyne and al his 

might 115 

To doon it, for to doon hir herte an ese. 
And preyede hir, she wolde hir sorwe 

apese, 
And seyde, ' y-wis, we Grekes con have 

joye 
To honouren yow, as wcl as folk of Troye.' 

IS. He seyde eek thus, ' I woot, yow 
thinketh straunge, 120 

No wonder is, for it is to yow newe, 
Th'aqneiutaunce of these Trojanes to 

chaunge. 
For folk of Grece, that ye never knewe. 
But wolde never god but-if as trewe 
A Greek ye shulde among us alle finde 125 
As any Trojan is, and eek as kinde. 

19. And by the cause I swoor yow right, 

lo, now, 
To been your freend, and helply, to my 

might. 
And for that more acqueintaunce eek of 

yow 
Have ich had than another straunger 

wight, 130 

So fro this forth I pray yow, day and 

night, 
Comaundeth me, how sore that me smerte, 
To doon al that may lyke iin-to your 

herte ; 



20. And that ye me wolde as your brother 
trete. 

And taketh not my frendship in despyt ; 
And though your sorwes be for thinges 

grete, 136 

Noot I not why, but out of more respyt, 
Myn herte hath for to amende it greet 

delyt. 
And if I may your harmes not redresse, 
I am right sory for yoiir hevinesse. 140 

21. And though ye Trojans with us 
Grekes wrothe 

Han many a day be, alwey yet, pardee, 

god of love in sooth we serven bothe. 
And, for the love of god, my lady free. 
Whom so j'e hate, as beth not wroth with < 

me. " 145 

For trewely, ther can no wight yow 

serve. 
That half so looth your wraththe wolde 

deserve. 

22. And nere it that we been so neigh the 
tente 

Of Calkas, which that seen us bothe 
may, 

1 wolde of this yow telle al myn entente ; 
But this enseled til another day. 151 
Yeve me your bond, I am, and shal ben 

a.y, 

God help me so, whyl that my lyf may 

dure, 
Your owene aboven every creature. 

23. Thus seyde I never er now to womman 
born ; 155 

For god myn herte as wisly glade so, 
I lovede never womman here-biforn 
As paramours, ne never shal no mo. 
And, for the love of god, beth not my fo ; 
Al can I not to yow, my lady dere, :6o 
Compleyne aright, for I am yet to lere. 

24. And wondreth not, myn owene lady 
bright. 

Though tliat I speke of love to you thus 

blyve ; 
For I have herd or this of many a wight. 
Hath loved thing he never saugh his 

ly^'e. 165 

Eek I am not of power for to stryve 



Book V.] 



^rotfu0 cin^ Crteejie. 



301 



Ayens the god of love, but him obeye 
I wol alwey, and mercy I yow preye. 

25. Ther been so worthy knightes in this 
place, 169 

And ye so fair, that everich of hem alle 
Wol peynen him to stonden in your graca 
But mighte me so fair a grace falle. 
That ye me for your servaunt wolde calle, 
So lowly ne so trewely you serve 
Nil noon of hem, as I shal, til I sterve.' 175 

26. Criseide iin-to that purpos lyte an- 
swerde, 

As she that was with sorwe oppressed so 
That, in effect, she nought his tales herde, 
But here and there, now here a word or 

two. 
Hir thoughte hir sorwful herte brast 

a-two. 180 

For whan she gan hir fader fer aspye, 
Wei neigh doun of hir hors she gan to 

sye. 

27. But natheles she thonked Diomede 
Of al his travaile, and his goode chere, 
And that him liste his friendship hir to 

bede ; 185 

And she accepteth it in good mauere, 
And wolde do fayn that is him leaf and 

dere ; 
And trusten him she wolde, and wel she 

mighte, 
As seyde she, and from hir hors she 

alighte. 

28. Hir fader hath hir in his armes nome, 
And tweynty tyme he kiste his doughter 

swete, 191 

And seyde, ' O dere doughter myn, wel- 
come ! ' 
She seyde eelc, she was fayn with him to 

mete, 
And stood forth mewet, milde, and man- 

suete. 
But here I leve hir with hir fader dwelle. 
And forth I wol of Troilus yow telle. 196 

29. To Troye is come this woful Troilus. 
In sorwe aboven alle sorwes sroerte. 
With i'elon look, and face dispitous. 



Tho sodeinly doun from his hors he 

sterte, 200 

And thorugh his paleys, with a swollen 

herte. 
To chambre he wente ; of no-thing took 

he liede, 
Ne noon to him dar speke a word for 

drede. 

30. And there his sorwes that he spared 
hadde 

He yaf an issue large, and ' deeth ! ' he 
cryde ; 205 

And in his throwes frenetyk and madde 
He cursed Jove, Appollo, and eek Ciipyde, 
He cursed Ceres, Bacus, and Ciprj'de, 
His burthe, him-self, his fate, and eek 

nature. 
And, save his lady, every creatrnre. 210 

31. To bedde he goth, and weyleth tliere 
and torneth 

In furie, as dooth he, Ixion, in helle ; 
And in this wyse he neigh til day so- 

jorneth. 
But tho bigan his herte a lyte unswelle 
Thorugh teres which that gonnen iip to 

welle ; ^ ' 5 

And pitously he crj'de up-on Criseyde, 
And to him-self right thus he spak, and 

seyde : — • 

32. ' Wher is myn owene lady lief and 
dere, 

Wher is hir whyte brest, wher is it, 

where ? 
Wher been hir armes and hir eyen clere, 
That yesternight this tyme with me 

were? 221 

Now may I wepe allone many a tere. 
And graspe aboute I may, but in this 

place. 
Save a pilowe, I finde nought t'enbrace. 

33. How shal I do ? Wlian shal she com 
ayeyn ? 225 

I noot, alias ! why leet ich hir to go ? 
As wolde god, ich hadde as tho be sleyn ! 
O herte myn, Criseyde, O swete fo ! 
O lady mjn, that I love and no mo ! 229 
To whoni for ever-mo myn herte I dowe ; 
See how I deye, ye nil me not rescowe ! 



302 



'Zvoiiu.6 anb (tvxet'^H. 



[Book V. 



34. Wlio seetli yow now, my righte lode- 
sterrc ? 

Wlio sit right now or stant in your 

presence ? 
T^Tio can conforten now your hertes 

werre ? 
Now I am gon, whom yeve ye audience ? 
Who si^eketh for me right now in myn 

absence ? 236 

Alias, no wight ; and that is al my care ; 
For wel wot I, as yvel as I ye fare, 

35. How shulde I thiis ten dayes fvil 
endure, 

Whan I the firsts night have al tliis 

tene ? 240 

How shal slie doon eek, sorwful creature? 
For tendernesse, how shal slie this sus- 

tene, 
S-\vich wo for me ? O pitous, pale, and 

grene 
Slial been your fresshe wommanliche face 
For langour, er ye torne un-to this 

place.' 24s 

36. And whan he fil in any slomeringes, 
Anoon biginne lie sholde for to grone. 
And dremen of the dredfulleste thinges 
That mights been ; as, mete he were 

allone 
In place horrible, makinge ay his mone, 
Or meten that lie was amonges alle 251 
His enemys, and in hir lioudes falle. 

37. And ther-with-al his body sholde 
sterte, 

And with the stert al sodeinliche awake. 
And swich a tremour fele aboute his 

herte, 255 

That of the feer his body sholde quake ; 
And there-with-al he sholde a noyse 

make. 
And seme as though he sholile falle depe 
From heighe a-lofte ; and than he wolde 

wepe, 

38. And rewen onhim-self sopitously, 260 
Tliat wonder was to here his fantasye. 
Another tyme he sholde mightily 
Conforte him-self, and seyn it was folye, 
So causeles swich drede for to di-ye, 



And eft biginne his aspre sorwes newe. 
That every man mighte on his sorwes 
rewe. 266 

39. Wlio coude telle aright or ful dis- 

cryve 
His wo, his pleynte, his langour, and his 

pyne ? 
Nought al the men that ban or been on- 

lyve. 
Thou, redere, mayst thy-self ful wel 

devyne 270 

That swich a wo my wit can not defyne. 
On ydel for to wryte it sholde I swinke, 
Whan that my wit is wery it to thinke. 

40. On hevene yet the sterres were sene, 
Al-though ful pale y-waxen was the 

mone ; 275 

And whyten gan the orisonte shene 
Al estward, as it woned is to done. 
And Phebus with his rosy carte sone 
Gan after that to dresse him up to fare, 
Whan Troilus hath sent after Pandare. 

41. This Pandare, that of al the day 
biforn 281 

Ne mighte have conien Troilus to see, 
Al-though be on liisheed it liadde y-sworn. 
For with the king Pryaiii alday was he, 
So that it lay not in his libertee 285 

No-wher to gon, but on the morwe he 

wente 
To Troilus, whan that he for him sente. 

42. For in his herte he coude wel devyne, 
That Troilus al night for sorwe wook ; 
And that he wolde telle him of his pyne, 
This knew he wel y-nough, with-oute 

book. 291 

For which to chaumbre streight the wey 

he took. 
And Troilus tho sobreliche he grette, 
And on the bed ful sone he gan him sette. 

43. 'My Pandarus,' quod Troilus, 'the 
sorwe 295 

Which that I drye, I may not longe 

endure. 
I trowe I shal not liven til to-morwe ; 
For whiche I wolde alwey, on aventure, 
To thee devysen of my sepulture 



Book V.] 



^rotfue anb Cneej^e. 



303 



The forme, and of my m.oeble thou dis- 
pone 300 
Right as thee semetli best is for to done. 

44. Bvit of the fyr and flaurobe funeral 
In whiclie my body brenne shal to glede, 
And of the feste and pleyes palestral 304 
At my vigile, I pray thee take good liede 
That al be wel ; and offre Mars my stede, 
My swerd, myn belni, and, leve brother 

dare, 
My sheld to Pallas yef, that sliynetli 
clere. 

45. The povidre in which myn lierte y- 
brend slial torne, 

That preye I thee thou take and it con- 
serve 310 
In a vessel, that men clepeth an urne, 
Of gold, and to my lady that I serve. 
For love of whom thus pitoiisly I starve. 
So yeve it bir, and do me this plesaunce. 
To preye hir kepe it for a remembraunce. 

46. For wel I fele, by my maladye, 316 
And by my drenies now and yore ago, 

Al certeinly, that I mot nedes dye. 

The owle eek, which that bight Ascapbilo, 

Hath after me shright aUe thise nightes 

two. 3^0 

And, god Mercurie ! of me now, woful 

wrecche, 
The sovile gyde, and, whan thee list, it 

fecche ! ' 

47. Pandareanswerde,andseyde, 'Troilus, 
My dere freend, as I have told thee yore. 
That it is folyo for to sorwen thus, 325 
And causeles, for whiche I can no-more. 
But who-so wol not trowen reed ne lore, 

I can not seen in him no remedye. 

But lete him worthen with his fantasye. 

48. But Troilus, I pray thee tel me now. 
If that thou trowe, er this, that any 

wight 331 

Hath loved paramours as wel as thou ? 
Ye, god wot, and fro many a worthy 

knight 
Hath his lady goon a fourtenight. 
And he not yet made halvendel the 

fare. 335 

Wliat nede is thee to maken al this care ? 



49. Sin day by day thou mayst thy-selven 
see 

That from his love, or elles from his wyf, 
A man mot twinnen of necessitee. 
Ye, thoughhelove hir as his owene lyf ; 340 
Yet nil he with him-self thus maken 

stryf. 
For wel thow wost, my leve brother dere. 
That alwey freendes may nought been 

y-fere. 

50. How doon this folk that seen hir loves 
wedded 

By freendes might, as it bi-tit ful ofte, 345 
And seen hem in hir spou.ses bed y-bedded ? 
God woot, they take it wysly, faire and 

softe. 
For-why good hope halt x\p hir herte on- 

lofte. 
And for they can a tyme of sorwe endure ; 
As tyme hem hurt, a tyme doth hem 

cure. 350 

51. So sholdestow endure, and late slyde 
The tyme, and fonde to ben glad and 

light. 
Ten dayes nis so long not t' abyde. 
And sin she thee to comen hath bihight. 
She nil hir hestes breken for no wight. 355 
For dred thee not that she nil finden weye 
To come ayein, my l3rf that dorste I leye. 

52. Thy swevenes eek and al swich fan- 

tasye 
Drj^ out, and lat hem faren to mis- 

chavince ; 
For they procede of thy malencolye, 360 
That doth thee fele in sleep al this pen- 

aunce. 
A straw for alle swevenes signifiaunce ! 
God helpe me so, I counte hem not a 

bene, 
Ther woot no man aright what dremes 

mene. 

5.0. For prestes of the temple tellen this. 
That dremes been the revelaciouns 366 
Of goddes, and as wel they telle, y-wis. 
That they ben infernals illusiouns ; 
And leches seyn, that of comi^lexiouns 
Proceden they, or fast, or glotonye. 370 
^Vl^o woot in sooth thus what they 
signifye ? 



304 



^rotfu0 anb Cneepbe. 



[Book V. 



6-1. Eck othciro soyn that thorugh irn- 

pressiouns, 
As it' a wight hath fasto a thing in mindc, 
That ther-of comotli swicho avisiouns ; 
And othcre soyn, as tlicy in bokes iiude, 
That, after tynios of tlio yecr by kiiido. 
Men drome, and that th'effectgoth by the 

mono ; 377 

Bwt love no dreem, for it is nought to 

done. 

55. Wcl worth of dromes ay thiso oMo 
wyvcs, 

And trowelicho eok augurio of thise 
foules ; 380 

For fore of which men wenen lose her 
lyves, 

As ravenos quahn, or sliryking of thise 
onlcs. 

To trowon on it Ijotho fals and foul is. 

Alias, alias, so noble a creature 

As is a man, shal dredo swich ordure ! 385 

56. For wliich with al myn herto I thee 
bcsochc, 

Un-to thyself that al this thou foryive ; 
And rys up now with-oute more spoche, 
And lat us caste how forth may best be 

drive 
Tliis tyme, and eok how freshly we may 

live 3()<) 

Wlian tliat she cometh, the whicdi shal 

be right sone ; 
God holp me so, the bcsto is thus to done. 

57. Rys, lat us speko of lusty lyf in Troye 
That we ban lad, and forth the tyme 

dryvo ; 
And eok of tyme cominge us rojoyo, 395 
That bringen shal our blisse now so blyve ; 
And langour of tlieso twyiis dayes fyve 
Wo shal ther-with so foryete or opprosse, 
That wel unnethe it doon shal us duresse. 

58. This town is ful of lordes al aboute. 
And trewos lasten al this mene wliylc. 
Go we pleye us in som lusty route 40^ 
To Sarpcdon, not honnos bnt a myle. 
And thus thou slialt the tymo wel bigyle. 
And dryvo it forth un-to that blisful 

morwo, 405 

That thou hir see, that cause is of thy 
sorwe. 



59. Now rys, my dore brother Troilus ; 
For cortes, it noon lioncjur is to thee 

To wope, and in thy bed to jouken thus. 
For trewcly, of o thing trust to mo, 410 
If thou tlius ligge a day, or two, or three, 
Tho i'olk wol weue that thou, for 

cowardyse, 
Thee feynest syk, and that thou darst 

not ryse.' 

60. Tliis Troilus ansvverdo, ' O brother 
(lore. 

This knowon folk that lian y-suffrcd 

poyne, 415 

That though ho w(!po and mako sorwful 

chore, 
That feloth harm and suK^rt in evoi'y 

veyno. 
No wonder is ; and though I ever ployne, 
Or alwey wepe, I am no-thing to blame. 
Sin 1 have lost the cause of al my game. 

61. But sin of fyno force I moot aryse, 

I shal aryse, as sonc as over I may ; 422 
And god, to whom myn lierte 1 sacrifyse, 
So sonde us hastely tho tcnthe day ! 
For was ther never fowl so fayn of May, 
As I shal been, whan that she cometh in 
Troye, 4-'6 

That cause is of my torment and my joye. 

62. But whider is thy rood,' quod Troilus, 
' That wo may pleye us best in al this 

toun '? ' 
' By god, my consoil is,' quod Pandarus, 
' To ryde and pleye us with king Sarpo- 

doun.' 431 

So longo of this they spoken up and doun, 
Til Troilus gan at tho laste assonte 
To ryse, and forth to Sarpcdoun tliey 

wento. 

63. This Sarpedoun, as he that honourable 
Was over his lyvo, and ful of hoigh 

prowesse, 436 

With al that mighto y-servod boon on 

table, 
That deyntee was, al coste it greet 

richesse, 
He feddo hem day by day, that swich 

noblesse, 



Book V.] 



^rotfue ant Crieepie. 



305 



As seyden bothe tho moste and eek the 

leste, 440 

Was never er that day wist at any feste. 

<34. Nor in this world ther is non instru- 
ment 
Delicious, throixgh wind, or touche, or 

corde, 
As fer as any wight hath ever y-went, 
That tongo telle or herte may recorde, 445 
That at that fcste it nas wel herd acorde ; 
Ne of ladies eek so fayr a companye 
On daunce, er tho, was never y-seyn with 

ye. 

65. But what avayleth this to Troilus, 
That lor his sorwe no-thing of it roughte? 
For ever in oon his herte pietous 451 

Ful bisily Criseyde his lady soughte. 
On hir was ever al that liis herte thoughte. 
Now this, now that, so fasto imagininge. 
That glade, y-wis, can him no festeyinge. 

(56. Tliese ladies eek that at this feste 
been, 456 

Sin that he saw his lady was a-weye. 
It was liis sorwe npon hem for to seen, 
Or for to here on instrumentz so pleyo. 
For she, that of his herte berth the keye, 
Was absent, lo, this was his fantasye, 461 
That no wight sholdo make melodye. 

67. Nor ther nas houre in al the day or 
night, 

Whan he was ther-as no wight mighte 

him here. 
That he ne seyde, ' O lufsom lady briglit, 
How have ye faren, sin that ye were 

liere ? 4O6 

Wel-come, y-wis, mj'n owene lady dcre.' 
But wclaway, al this nas but a inase ; 
Fortvine his howve entended bet to glase. 

68. The lettres eek, that she of olde tyme 
Hadde him y-sent, he wolde allone rede. 
An hundred sythe, si-twixen noon and 

prynie ; 472 

Ilefiguringe hir shiip, hir womanhede, 
With-inne his herte, and every word and 

dedo 
That passed was, and thus he droof to an 

ende 475 

The ferthe day, and seyde, ho wolde 

wende. 



69. And seyde, ' leve brother Pandarus, 
Intendestow that we shul here bleve 
Til Sarpedoun wol forth congeyen us ? 
Yet were it fairer that we toke our leve. 
For goddes love, hit us now sone at eve 
Our leve take, an<l homward lat vis tome; 
For trewely, I nil not thus sojorne.' 483 

70. Pandare answerde, ' bo we comen 
hider 

To fecchen fyr, and rennen hoom ayeyn? 
Of>d helpe me so, I can not tellen whider 
We mighten goon, if I shal soothly scyn, 
Ther any wight is of us more fayn 
Than Sarpedoun ; and if we hennes hye 
Thus sodeinly, I holde it vilanye, 490 

71. Sin that we seyden that we wolde 
bleve 

With him a wouke ; and now, thus 

sodeinly. 
The ferthe day to take of him our leve. 
He wolde wondren on it, trewely ! 494 
Lat us holde forth our purj)os fermely; 
And sin that ye bihighten him to byde, 
Hold forward now, and after lat vis ryde.' 

72. Thus Pandarus, with alle peyne and 

wo. 
Made him to dwclle ; and at tho woukes 

ende. 
Of Sarpedoun they toke hir leve tho, 501) 
And on hir wey they spedden hem to 

wende. 
Quod Troilus, ' now god me grace sende. 
That I may finden, at myn hom-cominge. 
Criseyde comen!' and ther-with gan he 

singe. 

713. ' Ye, hasel-wodc !' thoughte this Pan- 
dare, 505 
And to him-self ful softely he seyde, 
' God woot, refroyden may this bote fare 
Er Calkas sende Troilus Criseyde !' 
But natheles, he japed thus, and seyde, 
And swor, y-wis, his herte liim wel 
bihighte, 510 
She wolde come as sone as ever she 
mighte. 

74. Whan they un-to the paleys were 

y-comen 
Of Troilus, they doun of hors alightn, 



3o6 



^rotfu0 anf> Cmepbe. 



[Book V. 



And to the chambre liir wey than han 

they nomen. 
And in-to tyme tliat it gan to nighte, 515 
They spaken of Criseyde the briglite. 
And after this, whan that hem bothe 

leste, 
They spedde hem fro the soper un-to 

reste. 

75. On morwe, as sone as day bigan to 
clere, 

This Troihis gan of his sleep t'abreyde, 520 
And to Pandare, his owene brother dere, 
' For love of god,' fill pitously he seyde, 
' As go we seen the palej's of Criseyde ; 
For sin we yet may have namore feste. 
So lat lis seen hir paleys at the leste.' 525 

76. And ther-with-al, his meynee for to 
blende, 

A cause he fond in tonne for to go. 
And to Criseydes hous they gonneu wende. 
But lord ! this sely Troilus was wo ! 
Him thoiighte his sorweful herte braste 

a-two. i^^o 

For whan he saugh hir dores sperred alle, 
Wei neigh for sorwe a-doun he gan to 

falle. 

77 Therwith whan he was war and gan 

biholde 
How shet was every windowe of the place, 
As frost, him thoughte, his herte gan to 

colde ; i;:^^ 

For which with chaunged deedlich pale 

face, 
AVith-onten word, he forth bigan to pace ; 
And, as god wolde, he gan so faste ryde. 
That no wight of his contenaunce asi^yde. 

78. Than seyde he thus, ' paleys desolat, 
O hous, of houses whylom best y-hight, 
O paleys empty and disconsolat, 542 

O thou lanterne, of which queynt is the 

light, 
O paleys, whj-lom day, that now art night, 
Wei oughtestow to falle, and I to dye, 545 
Sin she is went that wont was us to gye ! 

79.0 paleys, whylom croune of houses alle, 
Enlumined with sonne of alle blisse ! 



O ring, fro which the ruby is out-falle, 
O cause of wo, that caiise hast been of 

lisse ! 550 

Yet, sin I may no bet, fayn wolde I kisse 
Thy colde dores, dorste 1 for this route ; 
And fare-wel shryne, of which the seynt 

is oute !' 

80. Ther-with he caste on Pandarus his ye 
With chaunged face, and pitous to biholde ; 
And whan he mighte his tyme aright 

aspye, 556 

Ay as he rood, to Pandarus he tolde 
His newe sorwe, and eek his joyes olde, 
So pitously and with so dede an hewe, 
That every wight mighte on his sorwe rewe. 

81. Fro thennesforth he rydeth up and 
doun, 561 

And every thing com him to remem- 

braunce 
As he rood forth by places of the toun 
In whiche he whylom hadde al his ples- 

aunce. 564 

' Lo, yond saiigh I myn owene lady daunce ; 
And in that temple, with hir ej'en clere, 
Me caughte first my righte lady dere. 

82. And yonder have I herd ful lustily 
My dere herte laughe, and yonder pleye 
Saugh I hir ones eek ful blisfuUy. 570 
And yonder ones to me gan she seye, 

" Now goode swete, love me wel, I preye." 
And yond so goodly gan she me biholde, 
That to the deetli myn herte is to hir holde. 

83. And at that corner, in the yonder hous, 
Herde I tnyn alderlevest lady dere 576 
So wommanly, with voys melodious, 
Singen so wel, so goodly, and so clere. 
That in my soule yet mo thinketh I here 
The blisful soun ; and, in that yonder 

place, 5S0 

My lady first me took iin-to hir grace.' 

84. Thanne thoughte he thus, ' O blisful 
lord Cupyde, 

Whanne I the proces have in mymemorie. 
How thou me hast werreyed on every syde. 
Men mighte a book make of it,lyk a storie. 
What nede is thee to seke on me victorie, 



Book V.] 



^rotfu0 anb ^viet^^i. 



307 



Sin I am thyn, and hooUy at thy wille ? 
"What joye hastow thyn owene folk to 
spille ? 588 

85. Wei hastow, lord, y-wroke on me thyn 
ire, 

Thon mighty god, and dredful for to greve ! 
Now mercy, lord, thou wost wel I desire 
Thy grace most, of alle lustes leve. 592 
And live and deye I wol in thy bileve ; 
For which I n'axe in gnerdon but a bone. 
That thou Criseyde ayein me sende sone. 

86. Distreyne hir herte as faste to retorne 
As thou dost myn to longen hir to see ; 
Than woot I wel, that she nil not sojorne. 
Now, blisful lord, so cruel thou no be 
Un-to the blood of Troye, I preye thee, 600 
As Juno was un-to the blood Thebane, 
For wliich the folk of Thebes caughte hir 

bane.' 

87. And after this he to the yates wente 
Ther-as Criseyde out-rood a ful good paas, 
And up and doun ther made he many 

a wente, 605 

And to him-self ful ofte he seyde 'alias ! 
From hennes rood my blisse and my solas! 
As wolde blisfu.1 god now, for his joj'e, 
I mights hir seen ayein come in-to Troye. 

88. And to the yonder hille I gan hir gyde, 
Alias ! and there I took of hir my leve ! 
And yond I saugh hir to hir fader rj'de, 
For sorwe of which myn herte shal to- 

cleve. 613 

And hider lioom I com whan it was eve ; 
And here I dwelle out-cast from alle joye, 
And shal, til I may seen hir eft in Troye.' 

89. And of him-self imagined he ofte 
To ben defet, and pale, and waxen lesse 
Than he was wont, and that men seyde 

softe, 
' Wliat may it be ? who can the sothe 

gesse 620 

Wliy Troilus liath al this hevinesse ? ' 
And al this nas but liis malencolye. 
That he hadde of him-self swich fantasye. 

90. Another tyme imaginen he wolde 
That every wight that wente by the weye 



Had of him routhe, and that they seyen 
sholde, 626 

' I am right sory Troilus wol deye.' 
And thiis he droof a day yet forth or tweye. 
As j'e have herd, swich Ij^ right gan lie lede, 
As he that stood bitwixen hojie and drede. 

91. For which him lyked in his songes 
shewe 631 

Th'encheson of his wo, as he best mighte, 
And make a song of wordes but a fewe, 
Somwhat his ■svoful herte for to lighte. 
And whan he was from every mannes 
sighte, 6xs 

With softe voys he, of his lady dere. 
That was absent, gan singe as ye may here. 

92. ' O sterre, of which I lost have al the 
light, 

With herte soor wel oughte I to bewayle, 
That ever derk in torment, night by niglit, 
Toward my deeth with wind in stere I 
sayle ; 641 

For which the tenthe night if that Ifayle 
The gyding of thy hemes brighte an houre, 
My ship and me Caribdis wol devoure.' 

93. This song when he thus songen hadde, 
sone 645 

He fil ayein in-to his sykes olde ; 
And every night, as was his wone to done, 
He stood the brighte mone to beholde, 
And al his sorwe he to the mone tolde ; 
And seyde, ' y-wis, whan thou art horned 
newfe, 650 

I shal be glad, if al the world be trewe ! 

94. I saugh thyn homes olde eek by the 
morwe, 

Whan hennes rood my righte lady dere, 
That cause is of my torment and mj' sorwe ; 
For whiche, Obrighte Lucina the clere, 655 
For love of god, ren faste aboute thy spere ! 
For whan thyn homes newe ginne springe, 
Tlian shal she come, that may my blisse 
bringe !' 

95. The day is more, and longer every 
night, 

Than they be wont to be, him thoughte 
tho ; 660 



3o8 



^voifue anb Crt'eepie. 



[Book V. 



And that the sonne wente his course 

wn right 
By lenger wey than it was wont to go ; 
And seyde, ' y-wis, me dredeth ever-mo, 
The sonnes sone, Pheton, be on-lyve, 
And that his fadres cart amis he dryve.' 665 

96. Upon the walles faste eek wolde he 
walke, 

And on the Grekes ost he wolde see, 
And to him-seli' right thus he wolde talke, 
' Lo, yon der is myn owene lady free, 
Or elles yonder, ther tho tentes be ! 670 
And thennes comth this eyr, that is so 

sote. 
That in my soule I fele it doth me bote. 

97. And hardely this wind, that more and 
more 

Thus stoundemele encreseth in my face. 
Is of my ladyes depe sykes sore. 675 

T preve it thus, for in non othere place 
Of al this toun, save onliche in this space, 
Fele 1 no wind that souneth so lyk peyne ; 
It seyth, " alias ! why twinned be we 
tweyne ? " ' 

98. This longe tyme he dryveth forth right 
thus, 680 

Til fully passed was the nyntlie night ; 
And ay bi-syde liini was this Pandarus, 
That bisily dide alle his fulle might 
Him to comforte, and make his herte light ; 
Yevinge him hope alwey, the tenthe morwe 
That she shal come, and stinten al his 
sorwe. 686 

99. Up-on that other syde eek was Cri- 
seyde, 

With wommen fewe, among the Grekes 

stronge ; 
For which ful ofte a day 'alias ! ' she seyde, 
' That I was born ! Wei may myn herte 

longe 690 

After my deeth ; for now live I to longe ! 
Alias ! and I ne may it not amende ; 
For now is wors than ever yet I wende. 

100. My fader nil for no-thing do me grace 
To goon ayein, for nought I can him 

queme ; 695 

And if so be that I my terme passe, 



My Troilns shal in his herte deme 607 
That I am fals, and so it may wel seme. 
Thus shal I have vinthank on every syde ; 
That I was born, so weylawey the tyde ! 

101. And if that I me putte in jupartj-e. 
To stele awey by nighte, and it bifalle 
That I be caught, I shal be holde a spye ; 
Or elles, lo, this drede I most of alle. 

If in the hondes of som wrecche I falle, 
I am but lost, al be myn herte trewe ; 706 
Now mighty god, thou on my sorwe rewe ! ' 

102. Ful pale y- waxen was hir brighte face, 
Hir limes lene, as she that al the day 
Stood whan she dorste, and loked on the 

place 710 

Ther she was born, and ther she dwelt 

hadde ay. 
And al the night wepinge, alias ! she la3-. 
And thus despeired, out of alle cure, 
She ladde hir lyf, this woful creature. 

103. Ful ofte a day she sighte eek for 
destresse, 715 

And in hir-self she wente ay portrayingo 
Of Troilns the grete worthinesse. 
And alle his goodly wordes recordinge 
Sin first that day hir love bigan to springe. 
And thus she sette hir woful herte a-iyre 
Thorugh remembraunce of that she gan 
desyre. -21 

104. In al this world ther nis so cinel 
herte 

That hir hadde herd compleynen in hir 

sorwe. 
That nolde han wopen for hir peynes 

smerte, 
So tendrely she weep, bothe eve and morwe. 
Hir nedede no teres for to borwe. 726 

And this was yet the worste of al hir peyne, 
Ther was no wight to whom she dorste liir 

pleyne. 

105. Ful rewfuUy she loked up-on Troj'e, 
Biheld the toures heighe and eek the 

halles ; 7,^0 

' Alias !' quod she, 'the plesaunce and the 

joye , 

The whiche that now al torned in-to 

galle is, 



Book V.] 



^rotfue ant Cneejbe. 



509 



Have I had ofte with-inne yonder walles ! 

Troilus, what dostow now,' she seyde ; 

' Lord ! whether yet thou thenke up-on 
Criseyde ? 735 

106. Alias! Inehadde trowed on your lore, 
And went with yow, asyeme radde erthis! 
Thanne liaddc I now not syked half so sore. 
Who mighte have seyd, that I had doon 

a-mis 
To stele awey with swicli on as he is ? 740 
But al to late cometh the letuarie, 
Whan men the cors nn-to the grave carie. 

107. To late is now to speke of this matere ; 
Prudence, alias ! oon of thyn eyen three 
Me lakked alwey, er that I cam here ; 745 
On tyme y-passed, wel rememhred me ; 
And present tyme eek coude I wel y-see. 
But futur tyme, er I was in the snare, 
Coude I not seen ; that causeth now my 

care. 749 

108. But natheles, hityde what bityde, 

1 shal to-morwe at night, by est or weste. 
Out of this ost stele on som maner syde, 
And go with Troilus wher-as him leste. 
This purpos wol I holde, and this is beste. 
No fors of wikked tonges janglerye, 755 
For ever on love han wrecches had euN'ye. 

109. For who-so wole of every word take 
hede. 

Or rewlen him by every wightes wit, 
Ne shal he never thryven, out of drede. 
For that that som men blamen ever yit, 
Lo, other maner folk commenden it. 761 
And as for me, for al swich variaunce, 
Felicitee clepe I my suffisaunce. 

110. For which, with-outen any wordes mo, 
To Troye I wol, as for conclusioun.' 765 
But god it wot, er fully monthes two, 
She was ful for fro that entencioun. 

For bothe Troilus and Troye toun 

Shal knotteles throvigh-out hir herte 

slyde ; 
For she wol take a purpos for t'abyde. 770 

111. This Diomede, of whom yow telle 
Igan, 

Goth now, with-inne him-self ay arguinge 



With al the sleighte and al that ever he 

can. 
How he may best, with sliortest taryinge, 
In-to his net Criseydes herte bringe. 775 
To this entente he coude never fyne ; 
To fisshen hir, he leyde out hook and lyne. 

112. But natheles, wel in his herte ho 
thoughtc. 

That she nas nat with-oute a love in Troye. 
For never, sithen he hir thennes broughte, 
Ne coude he seen her lauglie or make 

joye. 781 

He niste how best hir herte for t'acoye. 
' But for t'assaye,' he seyde, ' it nought 

ne greveth ; 
For he that nought n'assayeth, nouglit 

n'acheveth.' 

113. Yet seide he to him-self upon a night, 
' Now am. I not a fool, that woot wel how 
Hir wo for love is of another wight. 
And here-up-on to goon assaye hir now ? 
I may wel wite, it nil not been my prow. 
For wyse folk in bokes it expresse, 790 
" Men shal not wowe a wight in he vinesse." 

114. But who-so mighte winnen swich 
a flour 

From him, for whom she morneth night 

and day. 
He mighte seyn, he were a conquerour.' 
And right anoon, as he that bold was ay, 
Thoughte in his herte, ' happe, how happe 

may, 796 

Al sholde I deye, I wole hir herte seche ; 
I shal no more lesen but my speclie.' 

115. This Diomede, as bokes us declai-e. 
Was in his nedos prest and corageous ; 
With Sterne voys and mighty limes square. 
Hardy, testif, strong, and chevalrous 

Of dedes, lyk his fader Tideus. 

And som men seyn, he was of tunge large; 

And heir he was of Calidoine and Arge. 805 

116. Criseyde mene was of hir stature, 
Ther-to of shap, of face, and eek of chere, 
Ther mighte been no fairer creature. 
And ofte tyme this was hir manere. 

To gon y-tressed with hir heres clere 810 



310 



Cvoifue ani Cnee^be. 



[Book V. 



Bonn byliir coler at liir bak bihinde, 
Whioli with a threde of gold she wokle 
binde. 

117. And, save hir browes joyneden y-fere, 
Thcr nas no lak, in ought I can esi)yen ; 
But for to spoken of hir eyen clere, 815 
Lo, trowcly, they "writen that hir syen, 
That Paradys stood formed in hir yen. 
And with hir riche beautee ever-more 
Strof love in hir, ay which of hem was 

more. 

118. She sobre was, eek simjile, and wys 
with-al, 820 

The bc&to y-norisshed eek that mightebe, 
And goodly of hir spcche in general. 
Charitable, estatliche, lusty, and free ; 
Ne never-mo no lakkcdo hir iiitoe ; 
Tendre-herted, slydinge of corage ; 825 
But trewely, I can not telle hir age, 

119. And Troilus wel waxen was in highte. 
And complet formed by proporcioun 

So wel, that kindo it not amenden mighte ; 
Yong, fresshe, strong, and hardy as lyoun ; 
Trewe as steel in ech condicioun ; 831 

On of the beste enteched creature. 
That is, or shal, whyl that the world may 
ilure, 

120. And certainly in storie it is y-foundc. 
That Troilus was never un-to no wight, 835 
As in his tyme, in no degree secovmde 

In durring don that longeth to .a knight. 
Al mighte a geaunt passen him of might. 
His herto ay with the firste and with the 
beste 839 

Stod paregal, to durre don that him leste. 

121. But for to tellen forth of Diomede : — 
It lil that after, on the tenthe day. 

Sin that Crisoyde out of the citee yede. 
This Diomede, as fresshe as brauncJie in 

May, 
Com to the tento thcr-as Calkas lay, 845 
And feyned him with Calkas han to done ; 
But what he mente, I shal yow telle sone. 

122. Criseydc, at shorte wordes for to telle, 
Welcomed him, and doun by hir him sette ; 
And he was cthey-nough to makeu dwelle. 



And after this, with-outen longe lotto, 851 
The spyces and the wyn men forth hem 

fette ; 
And forth they spoke of this and that 

y-fere, 
As freendes doon, of which som shal ye 

here. 

123. He gan first fallen of the werre in 
specho 855 

Bitwixc hem and the folk of Troye tovm ; 
And of th'assege he gan hir eek byseche, 
To telle him what was hir opinioun. 
Fro that demaunde he so descendeth doun 
To asken hir, if that hir straunge thoughte 
The Grekes gyse, and werkes that they 
wroughte ? 861 

124. And why hir fader tarieth so longe 
To wedden hir un-to som worthy wight ? 
Crisoyde, that was in hir peynes stroiige 
For love of Troilus, hir owene knight, 865 
As fer-forth as she conning haddo or 

might, 
Answerde him tho ; but, as of his entente, 
It semed not she wiste what he mente. 

125. But natheles, this ilke Diomede 
Gan in him-self assure, and thus he seyde, 
' If ich aright have taken of yow hede, S71 
Me thinketh thus, O lady myn, Criseyde, 
That sin I first hond on your brydel 

leyde. 
Whan .ye out come of Troye by the morwe, 
Ne coude I never seen yow but in sorwe. 

126. Can I not seyn what may the cavise 
bo 876 

But-if for love of som Troyan it were. 
The which right sore woldo athinken me 
That ye, for any wight that dwelleth 

there, 
Sliolden spille a qiiarter of a tore, 880 

Or pitously your-selven so bigyle ; 
For dredelees, it is nought worth the 

whyle. 

127. Tho folk of Troye, as who soyth, alle 
and some 

In preson been, as ye your-selven see ; 
For thennes shal not oon on-ly ve come 8S5 



Book V.] 



■^roifu0 anb Crtee^be. 



311 



For al the gold bitwixen sonne and see. 
Trustetli wel, and understondeth me, 
Ther shal not oon to mercy goon on-lyve, 
Al were he lord of worldes twyes fyve ! 

128. Swich wreche on hem, for fecching 
of Eleyne, 890 

Ther shal be take, er that we hennes 

wende. 
That Manes, which that goddes ben of 

pejTie, 
Shal been agast that Grekes wol hem 

shende. 
And men shul drede, un-to the worldes 

ende, 894 

From hennes-forth to ravisshe any quene, 
So cruel shal our wreche on hem be sene. 

129. And but-if Calkas lede lis with am- 
bages. 

That is to seyn, with dovible wordes slye, 
Swich as men clepe a " word with two 

visages," 
Ye shul wel knowen that I nought ne 

lye, 900 

And al this thing right seen it with your 

ye, 

And that anoon ; ye nil not trowe how 

sone ; 
Now taketh heed, for it is for to done. 

130. '\^1iat wene ye your wyse fader 
wolde 

Han yeven Antenor for yow anoon, 905 
If he ne wiste that the citee sholde 
Destroyed been? Why, nay, so mote 

I goon ! 
He knew ful wel ther shal not scapen oon 
That Troyan is ; and for the grete fere. 
He dorste not, ye dwelte lenger there. 910 

131. What wole ye more, lufsom lady 
dere? 

Lat Troye and Troyan fro your herte 

pace ! 
Dryf out that bittre hope, and make good 

chere, 
And clepe ayein the beautee of your face, 
That ye with salte teres so deface. 915 
For Troye is brought in swich a jupartye, 
That, it to save, is now no remedye. 



132. And thonketh wel, j^e shal in Grekes 
finde 

A more parfit love, er it be night, 

Than any Troy.an is, and more kinde, 920 

And bet to serven yow wol doou his 

might. 
And if ye vouche sauf, my lady bright, 
I wol ben he to sei-ven yow jny-selve, 
Ye, lever than be lord of Greces twelve I ' 

133. And with that word he gan to waxen 
reed, 925 

And in his speche a litel wight he quook, 
And caste a-syde a litel wight his heed, 
And stinte a whyle ; and afterward awook. 
And sobreliche on hir he threw his look, 
And seyde, ' I am, al be it yow no joye, 
As gentil man as any wight in Troye. 931 

134. For if my fader Tydeus,' he seyde, 
' Y-lived hadde, I hadde been, er this, 
Of Calidoine and Arge a king, Criseyde ! 
And so hope I that I shal yet, y-wis. 935 
But he was slayn, alias ! the more harra 

is. 
Unhappily at Thebes al to rathe, 
Poljanites and many a man to scathe. 

135. But herte myn, sin that I am yoiir 
man. 

And been the ferste of whom I seche 
grace, 940 

To serven you as hertely as I can. 
And ever shal, whyl I to live have space, 
So, er that I departe out of this place, 
Ye wol me graunte, that I may to-morwe. 
At bettre leyser, telle yow my sorwe.' 945 

136. What shold I telle his wordes that he 
seyde ? 

He spak y-now, for o day at the meste ; 
It preveth wel, he spak so that Criseyde 
Graunted, on the morwe, at his requeste, 
For to speken with him at the leste, 950 
So that he noldo speke of swich matere ; 
And thus to him she seyde, as ye may 
here : 

137. As she that hadde hir herte on 
Troilus 

So faste, that ther may it noon arace ; 
And straungely she s^jak, and seyde thus : 



312 



'ZvoituQ An^ Cn'eepbe. 



[Book V. 



' O Diomecle, I love that ilke place 956 
Ther I was born ; and Joves, for his 

grace, 
Deliverc it sone of al that doth it care ! 
Cfod, for thy might, so leve it wel to fare ! 

1H8. That Grekes wolde hir wraththe on 
Troye wreke, 960 

If that they mighte, I knowe it wel, 
y-wis. 

But it shal not bifallen as ye speke ; 

And god to-forn, and farther over this, 

I wot my fader wys and redy is ; 

And that he me hath bought, as ye me 
tolde, 965 

80 dere, I am the more iin-to him holde. 

13t). That Grekes been of heigh con- 

dicioun, 
I woot eek wel ; but certein, men shal 

iinde 
As worthy folk with-inne Troj'e tonn, 
As conning, and as parfit and as kinde. 
As been bitwixen Orcades and Inde. 971 
And that ye coude wel your lady serve, 
I trowe eek wel, hir thank for to deserve. 

1 40. But as to speke of love, y-wis, ' she 
seyde, 

' I liadde a lord, to whom I wedded was, 
The wlios myn herte al was, til that he 

deydc ; 976 

And other love, as helpe me now Pallas, 
Ther in myn hex'te nis, ne never was. 
And that ye been of noble and heigh 

kinrede, 
I have wel herd it tellen, out of di-ede. 980 

141. And that doth me to ban so gret a 
wonder, 

That ye wol scornen any womman so. 
Eek, god wot, love and I be fer a-sonder ; 
I am disposed bet, so mote I go, 
Un-to my deeth, to pleyne and maken 
wo. 985 

What I shal after doon, I can not seye ; 
But trewely, as yet me list not pleye. 

142. Myn herte is now in tribulacioiin, 
And ye in armes bisy, day by day. 
Here-alter, whan ye wonnen han the 

toun, 990 



Paraunter, thanne so it happen may, 
That whan I see that I never er say, 
Than wole I werke that I never wroughte ! 
This word to yow y-nough suffysen 
oughte. 

143. To-morwe eek wol I speke with yow 
fayn, 995 

So that ye touchen nought of this matere. 
And whan yow list, ye may come here 

ayeyn ; 
And, er ye gon, thus muche I seye yow 

here : 
As helpe me Pallas with hir heres clere, 
If that I sholde of any Greek han routhe. 
It sholde be your-selven, by my trouthe ! 

144. I sey not therfore that I wol yow 
love, 1002 

Ne I sey not nay, but in conclusioun, 
I mene wel, by god that sit above : ' — 
And ther-with-al she caste hir eyen 

doun, 
And gan to syke, and seyde, ' O Troye 

toun, 1006 

Yet bidde I god, in quiete and in reste 
I may yow seen, or do myn herte breste.' 

145. But in effect, and shortly for to seye. 
This Diomede al freshly newe ayeyn loio 
Gan pressen on, and faste hir mercy 

preyc ; 10 11 

And after this, the sothe for to seyn, 
Hir glove he took, of which he was ful 

fayn. 
And fynally, whan it was waxen eve, 
And al was wel, he roos and took his 

leve. 1015 

146. The brighte Venus folwedo and ay 
taughte 

The wey, ther brode Phebiis doun alighte ; 
And Cynthea hir char-hors over-raughte 
To whirle oiit of the Lyon, if she mighte; 
And Signifer his candeles shewed brighte, 
Whan that Criseyde un-to hir bedde 
wente 102 j 

In-with hir fadres faire brighte tente. 

147. Retorning in hir soule ay up and 
doun 

The wordes of this sodein Diomede, 



Book V.] 



■^rotfue an^ Cviet^li. 



313 



His greet estat, and perilof the toun, 1025 
And that she was allone and hadde iiede 
Of freendes help; and thus bigan to 

brede 
The cause why, the sothe for to telle, 
That she tok fully purpos for to dwelle. 

148. The morwe com, and goostly for to 
speke, 1030 

This Diomede is come tm-to Criseyde, 
And shortly, lest that ye my tale breke. 
So wel he for him-selve spak and seyde. 
That alle hir sykes sore adoun he leyde. 
And fynally, the sothe for to seyne, 1035 
He refte hir of the grete of al hir peyne. 

149. And after this the story telleth us, 
That she him yaf the faire baye stede. 
The which he ones wan of Troilus ; 
And eek a brocho (and that was litel 

nede) 1040 

That Troilus was, she yaf this Diomede. 
And eek, the bet from sorwe him to 

releve, 
She made him were a pencel of hir sieve. 

150. I finde eek in the stories elles-where. 
Whan through the body hurt was Dio- 
mede 1045 

Of Troilus, tho weep she manj' a tere. 
Whan that she saugh his wj'de woundes 

blede ; 
And that she took to kepen him good 

hede. 
And for to hele him of his sorwes smerte. 
Men seyn, I not, that she yai" him hir 

herte. 1050 

151. But trewely, the story telleth us, 
Ther made never womman more wo 
Than she, whan that she falsed Troilus. 
She seyde, ' alias ! for now is clene a-go 
My name of trouthe in love, for ever-mo ! 
For I have falsed oon, the gentileste 
That ever was, and oon the worthieste ! 

152. Alias, of me, un-to the worldes ende, 
Shal neither been y-writen nor y-songe 
No good word, for thise bokes wol me 

shende, 1060 

O, rolled shal I been on many a tonge ! 



Through-out the world my belle shal be 

ronge ; 
And wommen most wol hate me of alle. 
Alias, that swich a cas me sholde falle ! 

153. They wol seyn, in as muehe as in 
me is, 1065 

I have hem doon dishonour, weylawey I 
Al be I not the firste that dide amis. 
What helpeth that to do my blame awey ? 
But sin I see there is no bettre way. 
And that to late is now for me to rewe. 
To Diomede algate I wol be trewe. 1071 

154. But Troilus, sin I no better may, 
And sin that thus departen ye and I, 
Yet preye I god, so yeve yow right good 

day 
As for the gentileste, trewely, 1075 

That ever I say, to serven feithfully, 
And best can ay his lady honour kope :' — 
And with that word she brast anon to 

wepe. 

155. ' And certes, yow ne haten shal I 
never. 

And freendes love, that shal ye han of 
me, io8<) 

And my good word, al mighte I liven ever. 

And, trewely, I wolde sory be 

For to seen yow in adversitee. 

And giltelees, I woot wel, I yow leve ; 

But al shal passe ; and thus take I my 
leve.' 1085 

156. But trewely, how longe it was bi- 
twene. 

That she for-sook him for this Diomede, 
Ther is non auctor telleth it. I wene. 
Take every man now to his bokes hede ; 
He shal no terme finden, out of drede. 
For though that he bigan to wowe hir 
sone, 1091 

Er he hir wan, yet was ther more to done. 

157. Ne me ne list this sely womman 
chyde 

Ferther than the story wol devyse. 
Hir name, alias ! is publisshed so wyde, 
That for hir gilt it oughte y-now suffyse. 
And if I mighte excuse hir any wyse. 



114 



^rotfu0 cinb CvitifjfiU. 



[Book V. 



For she so sory was for hir untroiithe, 
Y-wis, I wolJe excuse hir yet for ronthe. 

158. This Troihis, as I biforn have tokl, 
Thus dryveth forth, as wel as he hath 

might. iioi 

But often was his herte hoot and cohl, 
And namely, that ilke nyntlie night. 
Which on the morwe she hadde him 

hyhight 
To come ayein : god wot, ful litel reste 
Hadde he tliat night ; no-thing to slepe 

him leste. 1106 

159. The laurer-crouned Phebus, with his 
hete, 

Gan, in his course ayiipward as he wente, 

To warmen of ftli' est see the wawes wete ; 

And Nisus doughter song with fresh en- 
tente, 1 1 10 

Whan Troilus his Pandare after sente ; 

And on tlie walles of the toun they 
pleyde, 

To loke if they can seen ought of Criseyde. 

] 60. Til it was noon, they stoden for to 

see 
Who that ther come ; and every maner 

wight, 1 1 15 

That cam fro fer, they seyden it was she. 
Til that they coude knowen him a-riglit, 
Now was his herte dul, now was it light ; 
And thus by-japed stonden for to stare 
Aboute nought, this Troilus and Pandare. 

161. To Pandarus this Troilus tho seyde, 
' For ought I wot, l)i-for noon, silcerly, 
Tn-to this toun ne comth nought here 

Criseyde. 
She hath y-now to done, hardily, 1 124 

To winnen from hir fader, so trowe I ; 
Hir olde fader wol yet make hir dyne 
Er that she go ; god yeve his herte pyno ! ' 

162. Pandare answerde, ' it may wel be, 
certeyn ; 

And for-tliy lat us dyne, I thee biseche ; 
And after noon than mayst thou come 

ayeyn.' 11 30 

And hoom they go, with-oute more 

speche ; 



And comen ayein, but longe may they 

seche 
Er that they finde that they after cape ; 
Fortune hem bothe thenketh for to jape. 

163. Quod Troilus, ' I see wel now, that 
she 1135 

Is taried with hir olde fader so, 
That er she come, it wol neigh even be. 
Com forth, I wol un-to the yate go. 
Thiso portours been unkonninge ever-mo ; 
And I wol doon hem holden up the .yate 
As nought ne were, al-though she come 
late.' 1 141 

164. The day goth faste, and after that 
comth eve. 

And yet com nought to Troilus Criseyde. 
He loketh forth by hegge, by tree, by 

greve. 
And fer his heed over the wal he leyde. 
And at the laste he torned him, and 

seyde, 1146 

' By god, I woot hir mening now, Pandare ! 
Al-most, .v-wis, al newe was my care. 

165. Now douteles, this lady can hir 
good ; 

I woot, she meneth ryden prively. 1150 
I comende hir wysdom, by myn hood ! 
She wol not maken peple nycel.y 
Gaure on hir, whan she comth ; but 

softely 
By nighte in-to the toiui she thenketh 

ryde. 
And, dere brother, thenk not longe f 

abyde. 1155 

166. We han nought elles for to doon, 
y-wis. 

And Pandarus, now woltow trowen me ? 
Have here my trouthe, I see hir ! yond 

she is. 
Heve up thyn eyen, man ! maystow not 

see ? ' 
Pandare answerde, ' nay, so mote I thee ! 
Al wrong, by god ; what seystow, man, 

wher art ? 1161 

That I see yond nis but a fare-cart.' 

167. 'Alias, thou seist right sooth,' quod 
Troilus ; 

' But hardely, it is not al for nought 1164 



Book V.] 



^rotfu0 ani Crtee^ie. 



315 



That in myn herte I now rejoyse thus. 
It is ayein som good I have a thought. 
Noot I not how, but sin that I was 

wrought, 
Ne felte I swicli a confort, dar I seye ; 
She comth to-night, my lyf, that dorste 

I leye ! ' 

168. Pandare answerde, ' it may be wel, 

y-nough ' ; 1170 

And held with liim of al that ever he 

seyde ; 
But in his herte lie thoughte, and softe 

lotigh, 
And to him-self ful sobrely he seyde : 
' From hasel-wodo, therJoly Robin pleyde, 
Shal come al that that thou abydest 

here ; 11 75 

Ye, fare-wel al the snow of feme yere ! ' 

] 1)9. The wardein of the yates gan to calle 
Tlie folk which that with-oute the yates 

were, 
And bad hem dryven in hir bestes alle. 
Or al the night they moste bleven there. 
And fer with-in the night, with raany 

a tere, 1181 

This Troilus gan hoomward for to ryde ; 
For wel he seeth it helpeth nought t'a- 

byde. 

170 But natheles, he gladded him in this ; 
He thoughte he misacounted hadde his 

day, 1185 

And seyde, ' I understonde have al a-mis. 
For thilke night I last Criseyde say, 
She seyde, " I shal ben here, if that I 

may, 
Er that the mone, dere herte swete ! 
The Lyon passe, out of this Ariete." 1190 

171. For which she may yet holde al hir 

biheste.' 
And on the morwe un-to the yate he 

wente, 
And \vp and down, by west and eek by 

este, 
Up-on the walles made he many a wente. 
But al for nought ; his hope alwey him 

blente ; 1195 



For which at night, in sorwe and sykes 

sore 
He wente him hoom, with-oiiten any 

more. 

172. This hope al clene out of his herte 
fledde, 

He nath wher-on now lenger for to honge : 
But for the peyne him thoughte his herte 

bledde, 1200 

So were his throwes sharpe and wonder 

stronge. 
For when he saugh that she aliood so 

longe. 
He niste what he juggen of it niighte, 
Sin she hath broken that she him bi- 

highte. 

173. The thridde, ferthe, fifte, sixte day 
After tho dayes ten, of which I tolde, 
Bitwixen hope and drede his herte lay, 
Yet som-what trustinge on hir hestesolde. 
But whan he saugh she nolde hir terme 

holde. 
He can now .seen non other remedye, 1210 
But for to shape him sone for to dye. 

174. Ther-with the wikked spirit, god us 
blesse, 

Wliich that men clepeth wode jalousye, 
Gan in him crepe, in al this lievinesse ; 
For which, by-cause he wolde sone dye. 
He ne eet ne dronk, for his malencolye. 
And eek from every companye he fledde ; 
This was the lyf that al the tyme he 
ledde. 

175. He so defet was, that no maner man 
Unnethe mighte him knows tlier he 

wente; 1220 

So was he lene, and ther-to pale and wan. 
And feble, that he walketh by potente ; 
And with his ire he thus him-selven 

shente. 
And who-so axed him wher-of him smerte, 
He seyde, his harm was al aboute his 

herte. 1225 

17(3. Pryam ful ofte, and eek his moder 

dere, 
His bretheren and his sustren gonne him 

freyne 



31 6 



^roifu0 ar\\> Crieepte. 



[Book \'. 



Why he so sorwful was in al his chere, 
And -what thing was tho canso of al liis 

peyne ? 
But al for nought ; he noldo iiis canso 

jjleyne, i ^30 

But seyde, lie felte a grevous malailj'O 
A-boute his herte, and fayii he woldo dye. 

177 So on a day he leydo him doun t,(j 

slepo, 
And so hifol tliat in his sleep liim 

thoughte, 
That in a fon-st fasto ho wclk to wepo 1235 
For love of liir that him those peynes 

wrouglito ; 
And up and doun as he the forest sough te, 
Ho motto he saugli a boor witli tuslies 

grete, 
That sleep ayein the bright sonncs hote. 

178. And by this boor, fasto in his armos 

folde, I ^40 

Lay kissing ay his lady bright Crisoydo : 
For sorwo of which, whan ho it gan 

biholde, 
And ibr dcspyt, out of his slope he breyde, 
And loudo ho cryde on Pandarus, and 

seyde, 
' O Pandarus, now hnowe I crop and 

roto ! 1 .'45 

I nam but deed, ther nis non other bote ! 

17il. My hidy bright Criseydo hath me 

hit rayed. 
In whom I trusted most of any wight. 
She cUes-whoro hatli now liir liorto 

apayed ; 
The blisful goddos, tlirough hir grete 

might, 1 250 

H<an in my dreem y-shewod it ful right. 
Thus in my dreem Crisoj-de I have 

biholde ' — 
And al this thing to Pandarus he tolde. 

180. ' O my Crisoyde, alias ! what subtil- 
tee, 

What newo lust, what boautee, what 
science, 1255 

What wratthe of juste cause have yo to 
me? 

What gilt of mo, Mhat fcl oxporionco 

Hath fro me rait, alias! thyn advertence? 



O trust, O feyth, O dope aseuraunce, 
Who hath me reft Criseyde, al my iile- 
saunoe ? 1260 

181. Alias! why leet I yoii from hennes 

go, 
For which wel neigh out of my wit I 

breyde ? 
Who shal now trowe on any othos mo ? 

od wot I wende, O lady bright, Criseyde, 
That every word was gospel that ye seyde ! 
But who may betbigylen, if him listc, 1266 
Than he on whom men wcneth best to 

triste ? 

18-2. What shal I doon, my Pandarus, 
alias ! 

1 fele now so sharpo a newo peyne. 
Sin that ther is no remedio in this cas. 
That bet were it I with myn hondes 

tweyne 1271 

My-sclvon slow, than alwey thus to pleyne. 
For through my docth my wo sliolde han 

an ende, 
Ther every day with lyf my-solf I -shondc." 

183. Pandare answerde and seyde, 'alias 
the whyle 1275 

That I was born ; have I not seyd or this, 
That dremes many a maner man bigyle? 
And why? for folk expounden hem a-mis. 
How darstow seyn that fals thy lady is. 
For any dreem, right for thyn owene 

drede? 12S0 

Lat bo this thotight, thou canst no dremes 

rede. 

184. Paraunter, ther thou dremost of this 
boor, 

It may so be that it may signifye 
Hir fader, which that old is and eek hoor, 
Ayein tho sonno lyth, on poyntto dye, 1285 
And she for sorwo ginneth wepe and crye, 
And kisseth him, ther ho lyth on the 

grounde ; 
Thus shuldestow thy dreem a-right ex- 

poiinde.' 

18."). 'How mighto I thanno do?' qu<"l 

Troilus, 
' To knowe of this, ye, were it never so 

lyte?' 1290 



Book V.] 



^rotfue anb Cn'ee^ie. 



3n 



' Now seystowwysly,' quod tliisPandarns, 
' My reed is this, sin thou canst wel 

endyte, 
'I'liat hastely a lottro thou hir wryte, 
Thorngh which thou shalt wel bringen it 

aljoute, 
To kuowo a sooth of that thou art in 

doute. ii'95 

l^<i. And sec now why ; for this I dar wel 

seyn, 
That if so is that she untrewe be, 
I can not trowo that she wol wryte ayeyn. 
And if she wryte, thou shalt ful sono see. 
As whether she hath any libertee i3tx) 
To come ayein, or ellos in soni clause, 
If she be let, she wol assigno a caixse, 

187. Tliou hast not wi-iten hir sin that 
she wente, 

Xor she to thee, and this I dorste leye, 
Ther may swich cause been in hir en- 
tente, 1305 
That hardely thou wolt thy-selven seye. 
That hlra-bood the bcsto is for yow tweye. 
Xow wryte hir thanne, and thou shalt 

fele sono 
A sothe of al; ther is no more to done.' 

188. Acordedbeentothisconckisioun, 1310 
And that anoon, these ilke lordes two ; 
And hastely sit Troilus adoun. 

And rolleth in liis herte to and fro. 
How he may best discrj'\'en hir his wo. 
And to Criseyde, his owene lady dere, 1315 
He wroot right thus, and seyde as ye may 
here. 

189. ' Eight fresshe flour, whos I have 
been and shal, 

With-outen part of elles-where servyse, 
With herte, body, lyf, lust, thought, and 

al; 
I. woful wight, in every humble wyso 1320 
That tonge telle or herte may devj'se, 
As ofte as matere occupyeth place. 
Me recomaunde un-to your noble grace. 

190. Lyketh it yow to witen, swete herte, 
As ye wel knowe how longo tyme agoon 
That j'e mo lafte in asjjre peynes smerte. 



Whan that ye wente, of which yet bote 
noon 1327 

Have I non had, biit ever wers bigoon 
Fro day to day am I, and so mot dwelle, 
Wliile it yow list, of welo and wo my 
wello ! 1330 

191. For which to yow, with dreadful 
herte trowo, 

I wryte, as he that sorwe dryfth to wryte, 
My wo, that every houre encreseth newe, 
Comi)lej'ningo as I dar or can endyte. 
And that defaced is, that may ye wyte 1335 
The teres, which that fro myn eyen reyne. 
That wokle speke, if that they coude, and 
ployne. 

192. Yow first bisccho I, that your oyon 
(dcro 

To look on this defouled yo not holde ; 
And over al this, that ye, my lady dere, 
Wol vouche-sauf this lettre to biliolde. 134 1 
And by the cause eek of my cares coldo. 
That sloeth my wit, if ouglit amis me 

asterte, 
F<^r-yevo it mo, myn owene swete herte. 

193. If any servant dorste or oiiglite of 
right 1345 

Up-on his lady pitously compleyne, 
Than weno I, that ich oughto bo that 

wight, 
Considert>d this, that ye these monthes 

tweyno 
Han taried, ther ye seyden, sooth to 

seyne. 
But dayes ten yonolde in ost sojourno, 1350 
But in two monthes yet ye not retoxirne. 

194. But for-as-muche as me mot nodes 
lyke 

Al that yow list, I dar not pleyne more, 
Bvit humblely with sorwl'ul sykes syke ; 
Yow wryte ich myn unrcsty sorwes sore. 
Fro day to day desyring cver-moro 1356 
To knowen fully, if your wil it were. 
How ye ban ferd and doon, wh3-l ye bo 
there. 

195. The whos wel-fare and hole eek god 
encrosso 1359 

In honour swich, that upward in degree 



3i8 



'ZvoiiuQ anb ^nee^be. 



[Book V. 



It growe alwey, so that it never cesse ; 
Bight as your herte ay can, my lady free, 
Devyse, I prey to god so jnote it be. 
And graunte it that ye sone np-on mo 

rewe 
As wisly as in al I am yow trewe. 1365 

196. And if yow lyketh knowen of the fare 
Of me, whos wo ther may no -wight dis- 

cryve, 
I can no more hut, cheste of every care. 
At wrytinge of this lettre I was on-lyve, 
Al redy ovit my wolul gost to dryve; 1370 
Which I dclaye, and holde him yet in 

honde. 
Upon the sight of matere of your sonde. 

197. Myn eyen two, in vcyn with which 
I see. 

Of sorweful teres salte am waxen welles ; 
My song, in pleynte of myn adversitee ; 
My good in harm ; myn ese eek waxen 

helle is. 1376 

My joye, in wo ; I can sey yow nought 

elles. 
But turned is, for which my lyf I warie, 
Everich joye or ese in his contrarie. 

198. Which with your cominge hoom 
ayein to Troye 13S0 

Ye may redresse, and, more a thousand 

sythe 
Than ever ich hadde, encresen in me joye. 
For was ther never herte yet so blythe 
To han his lyf, as I shal been as swytho 
As I yow see ; and, though no maner 

routhe 13S5 

Commeve yow. yet thinkcth on your 

trouthe. 

199. And if so be my gilt hath death 
deserved. 

Or if you list no more up-on me see, 
Tn guerdon yet of that I have yoii served, 
Biseche I yow, myn hertcs lady free, 1390 
That here-upon ye woldcn wryte me. 
For love of god, my righto lode-sterrc, 
Ther deeth may make an ende of al my 
werre. 

200. If other cause aught doth yow for to 
dwelle, 1394 

That with your lettre ye me recomforte ; 



For though to me your absence is an helle, 
With pacience I wol my wo comport e, 
And with your lettre of hope I wol 

desporte. 
Now wryteth, swete, and lat me tlius not 

pleyne ; 
With hope, or deeth, delivereth me fro 

peyne. 1400 

201. Y-wis, myn owene dere herte trewe, 
I woot that, whan ye next itp-on rae see. 
So lost have I myn helc and eek myn hewe, 
Criseyde shal nought conne knowe me ! 
Y-wis, myn hertes day, my lady free, 1405 
So thursteth ay myn herte to biholde 
Yourbeautee, that my lyf unnetho I holde. 

202. I sey no more, al have I for to seye 
To you wel more than I telle may ; 1409 
But whether that ye do me live or dej^e, 
Yet pray I god, so yeve yow right good day. 
And I'areth -wel, goodly fayre fresshe may. 
As ye that Ij^ or deeth me may comaunde ; 
And to yovir trouthe ay I me recomaunde 

203. With hele swich that, but ye yeven 
me 1415 

The same hele, I shal noon hele have. 
In you lyth, whan yow list that it so be, 
Tlio day in which me clothen shal my 

grave. 
In yow my lyf, in yow might for to save 
Me from disese of alle peynes smerte ; 1420 
And fare now wel, myn owene swete herte ! 
Le vostre T.' 

204. This lettre forth was sent un-to 
Criseyde, 

Of which hir answere in effect was this ; 
Ful pitously she wroot ayein, .ind seyde, 
That al-so sone as that she might, y-wis, 
She wolde come, and mende al that was 

mis. 1426 

And fynally she wroot and seyde him 

thanne. 
She wolde come, ye, but she niste whanne. 

205. But in hir lettre made she swich 
festes. 

That wonder was, and swereth she loveth 

hiin best, 1430 

Of which he fond but botmelees bihestes. 



Book V.] 



^rotfu0 arib Cviu^H. 



319 



But Troilus, thou mayst now, est or west, 
Pype in an ivy leaf, if that thee lest ; 
Thns gooth the world ; god shilde us fro 

mischaunce, 
And every wight that meneth trouthe 

avaunce ! i435 

206. Encresen gan the wo fro day to night 
Of Ti'oilus, for taryinge of Criseyde ; 
And lessen gan his hojie and eek his 

might, 
For wliich al down he in his bed him 

leyde ; 
He ne eet, ne dronk, ne sleep, ne word he 

seyde, 1440 

Imagininge ay that she was unkinde ; 
For which wel neigh he wex out of his 

minde. 

207. This dreem, of which I told have eek 
biforn, 

Maynever come out of his remembraunce ; 
He thoughte ay wel he hadde his lady 

lorn, 1445 

And that Joves, of his purveyaunce. 
Him shewed hadde in sleep the signifi- 

aunce 
Of hir untrouthe and his disaventure, 
And that the boor was shewed him in 

figure. 

208. For which he for Sibille his suster 
sente, 1450 

Tliat called was Cassandre eek al aboute ; 
And al his dreem he tolde hir er he stente. 
And hir bisoughte assoilen him the doute 
Of the stronge boor, with tuskes stoute ; 
And fynally, with-inne a litel stounde, 
Cassandre him gan right thus his dreem 
expounde. 1456 

209. She gan first smyle, and seyde, ' O 
brother dere. 

If thou a sooth of this desyrest knowe. 
Thou most a fewe of olde stories here. 
To purpos, how that fortune over-throwe 
Hath lordes olde ; through which, with- 
inne a throwe, 1461 
Thou wel this boor shalt knowe, and of 

what kinds 
He comen is, as men in bokes finde. 



210. Diane, which that wrooth was and in 
ire 

For Grekes nolde doon hir sacrifyse, 1465 
Ne encens up-on hir auter sette a-tyre, 
She, for that Grekes gonne hir so dispyse, 
Wrak hir in a wonder cruel wyse. 
For with a boor as greet as oxe in stalle 
She made up frete hir corn and vjoies alle. 

211. To slee this boor was al the contree 
reysed, 14;! 

A-monges which ther com, this boor to see, 
A mayde, oon of this world the best 

y-prej-sed ; 
And Meleagre, lord of that contree, 
He lovede so this fresshe mayden free 1475 
That with his manhod, er he wolde stente. 
This boor he slow, and hir the heed he 

sente ; 

212. Of which, as olde bokes tellen tis, 
Ther roos a contek and a greet envj-e ; 
And of this lord descended Tydeus 14S0 
By ligne, or elles olde bokes Ij-e ; 

But how this Meleagre gan to dye 
Thorugh his moder, wol I yow not telle, 
For al to long it were for to dwelle.' 



[Arginnent of the 72 Books 0/ Statins' 
Thebais.] 

Associat profugum Tideo priimts Polimi- 

tem ; 
Tidea legatum docet insidiasque secundus ; 
Tercius Hemoniden canit et vates lati- 

tantes ; 
Quartus habet reges ineuntes prelia sep- 

tem ; 4 

Mox furie Lenne quinto narratur et anguis ; 
Archimori bustum sexto ludique leguntur ; 
Dat Graios Thebes et vateni Septimus 

vmbris ; 
Octauo cecidit Tideus, spes, vita Pelasgis ; 
Ypomedon nuno moritur cum Partho- 

nopeo ; 9 

Fulmine percussus, decimo Capaneus 

superatur ; 
Vndecimo sese perimunt per vulnera 

fratres ; 
Argiuam flentem narrat duodentis et 

ignem. 12 



320 



'Zvoiho Ar\t> tvm^plt. 



[Book V. 



213. She toldis eek how Tydeus, er she 
stente, 1485 

Un-to the stronge citee of Thebes, 
To cleyme kingdom of the citee, wente, 
For his felawe, daun Polymites, 
Of which the brother, daun Ethyocles, 
Ful wrongfully of Thebes held the 
strengthe ; 1490 

This tolde she by proces, al by lengthe. 

214. She tolde eek how Hemonides asterte. 
Whan Tydeus sloagh iifty knightes stoute. 
She tolde eek al the prophesyes by herte. 
And how that sevene kinges, with hir 

route, 1495 

Bisegeden the citee al aboute ; 
And of the holy serpent, and the welle, 
And of the furies, al she gan him telle. 

215. Of Axchimoris buryinge and the 
pleyes, 

And how Amphiorax fil through the 
grounde, 1500 

How Tydeus was slayn, lord of Argeyes, 
And how Ypomedoun in litel stounde 
Was dreynt, and deed Parthonope of 

wounde ; 
And also how Cappaneus the proude 
With thonder-dint was slayn, that cryde 
loude. 1505 

216. She gan eek telle him how that 
either brother, 

Ethyocles and Polimyte also, 
At a scarmyche, eche of hem slough other, 
And of Argyves wepinge and hir wo ; 
And how the town was brent she tolde 
eek tho. 15 10 

And so descendeth doun from gestes olde 
To Diomede, and thus she spak and tolde. 

217. ' This illce boor bitokneth Diomede, 
Tydeus sone, that doun descended is 
Fro Meleagre, that made the boor to 

blede. 1515 

And thy lady, wher-so she be, y-wis. 
This Diomede hir herte hath, and she his. 
Weep if thou wolt, or leef ; for, out of 

doute. 
This Diomede is inne, and thou, art outc' 



218. ' Thou sey^t nat sooth,' quod he, 

' thou sorceresse, 
With al thy false goost of prophesye ! 152 1 
Thou wenest been a greet devyneresse ; 
Now seestow not this fool of fantasye 
Peyneth hir on ladyes for to lye ? 
Awey,' qu.od he, ' ther Joves yeve thee 

sorwe ! 1525 

Thou shalt be fals, paraunter, yet to- 



219. As wel thou mightest lyen on Alceste, 
That was of creatures, but men lye. 
That ever weren, kindest and the beste. 
For whanne hir housbondc was in ju- 

partye 1530 

To dye him-self, but-if she wolde dye. 
She chees for him to dye and go to 

helle. 
And starf anoon, as us the bokes telle.' 

220. Cassandre goth, and he with cruel 
herte 1534 

For-yat his wo, for angre of hir speclie ; 
And from his bed al sodeinly he sterte, 
As though al hool him hadde y-mad a 
leche. 1537 

And day by day he gan enquere and seche 
A sooth of this, with al his fulle cure ; 
And thus he dryeth forth his aventure. 

221. Fortune, whiche that permutacioun 
Of thinges hatli, as it is hir committed 
Through purveyaunce and disposicioun 
Of beighe Jove, as regnes shal ben flitted 
Fro folk in folk, or whan they shal ben 

smitted, 1545 

Gan pulle awey the fetheres brighte of 

Troye 
Fro day to day, til they bea bare of joye. 

222. Among al this, the fyn of the parodie 
Of Ector gan approchen wonder blyve ; 
The fate wolde his soule sholde unbodie, 
And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryve ; 
Ayeins which fate him helpeth not to 

stryve ; 1552 

But on a day to fighten gan he wende, 
At which, alias ! he caughte his lyves 

ende. 



Book V.] 



^roifu0 anb ^neejie. 



321 



223. For which me thinketh e\'er\' maner 
wight 155s 

That haixnteth amies oiighte to biwayle 
Tlie deeth of him that was so noble 

a knight ; 
For as he drongh a king hy th'aventayle, 
Unwar of this, Achilles through the mayle 
And through the body gan him for to 

ryve ; 1560 

And thus this worthy Icnight was brought 

of lyve. 

224. For whom, as olde bokes tellen us. 
Was maad swich wo. that tonge it may 

not telle ; 
And namely, the sorwe of Troilus, 1564 
That next him was of worthinesse welle. 
And in this wo gan Troilus to dwelle, 
That, what for sorwe, and love, and for 

unreste, 
Ful ofte a day he bad his herte breste. 

225. But natheles, though he gan him 
dispejTe, 1569 

And dradde ay that his lady was untrewe, 
Yet ay on hir his herte gan repejTe. 
And as these loveres doon, he soiighte ay 

newe 
To gete ayein Criseyde, bright of hewe. 
And in his herte he wente hir excusinge, 
Tliat Calkas causede al hir taryinge. 1575 

226. And ofte tyme he was in purjios 
grete 

Him-selven Ij'k a pilgrim^ to disgj'se. 
To seen hir ; but he may not contrefete 
To been unknowen of folk that weren 
wyse, 1579 

Ne finde exciise aright that may suffyse. 
If he among the Grekes knoweu were ; 
For which he weep ful ofte many a tere. 

227. To hir he wroot yet ofte tyme al 
newe 

Ful pitously, he lefte it nought for slouthe, 
Biseching hir that, sin that he was trewe, 
fShe wolde come ayein and holde hir 

trouthe. 1586 

Fc)r which Criseyde up-on a day, for 

routhe, 
I take it so, touchinge al this niatere, 
Wrot him ayein, and seyde as ye may 

here. 



228. ' Cupydes sone, ensample of goodli- 
hede, 1590 

swerd of knighthod, sours of gentilesse ! 
How mighte a wight in torment and in 

drede 
And helelees, yow sende as yet gladnesse? 

1 hertelees, I syke, I in distresse ; 1594 
Sin ye with me, nor I with yow may dele, 
Yow neither sende ich herte may nor hele. 

229. Yovir lettres ful, the papir al y- 
pleynted, 

Conseyved hath myn hertes pietee ; 
I have eek seyn with teres al depeynted 
Your lettre, and how that ye requeren me 
To come ayein, which yet ne may not be. 
But whj-, lest that this lettre founden 
were, 1602 

No mencioiin ne make I now, for fere. 

230. Grevous to me, god woot, is your 
unreste. 

Your haste, and that, the goddes or- 
denaunce, 1605 

It semeth not ye take it for the beste. 

Nor other thing nis in your remem- 
braunce, 

As thinketh me, but only .^•()l^r plesaunce. 

But beth not wrooth, and that I yow 
biseche ; i6o(> 

For that I tarie, is al for wikked speche. 

231. For I have herd wel more than I 
wende, 

Touchinge us two, how thinges han j-- 

stonde ; 
Which I shal with dissimulinge amende. 
And beth nought wrooth, I have eek 

understonde, 1614 

How ye ne doon but holden me in honde. 
But now no fors, I can not in yow gesse 
But alle trouthe and alle gentilesse. 

232. Comen I wol, but yet in swich dis- 
jojTite 

I stonde as now, that what yeer or what 

day 
That this shal be, that can I not apoynte. 
But in effect, I prey yow, as I may, 1621 
Of your good word and of your frendsliip 

ay. 



32: 



^rotfue ant Crteep^e. 



[Book V. 



For trewely, wlijl that mj' lyf may dure, 
As for a freend. ye may in me assure. 

233. Yet preye I yow on yvei j^e ne take, 
That it is short which that I to yow 

wryte ; if'sf) 

I dar not, ther I am, wel lettres make. 
Xe never yet ne coude I wel endyte. 
Eek greet effect men wryte in place lyte. 
Tli'entente is al, and nought the lettres 

space ; 16.^0 

And fareth now wel, god have you in his 

grace ! 

La vostre C 

234. This Troilus this lettre thoughte al 
straunge, 

AVhan he it saugh, and sorwefully he 

sighte ; 
Him thoughte it lyk a kalendes of 

chaunge ; 
But fynally, he ful ne trowen mighte 1(^5 
Tliat she ne wolde him holden that she 

highte ; 
For with ful yvel wil list him to leve 
That loveth wel, in swich cas, though 

hina greve. 

'235. But natheles, men seyn that, at the 
laste, 1639 

For any thing, men shal the sothe see ; 
And swich a cas hitidde, and that as faste, 
That Troilus wel understood that she 
Nas not so kinde as that liir oughte be. 
And iynally, he woot now, out of doute. 
That al is lost that he hath been aboute. 

236. Stood on a day in his malencolye 1646 
This Troilus, and in siispecioun 

Of hir for whom he wende for to dye. 
And so Lifel, that through-out Troye toun. 
As was the gyse, y-bore was up and doun 
A maner cote-armure, as seyth the storie, 
Biforn Deiphebe, in signe of his victorie, 

237. The whiche cote, as telleth Lollius, 
Deiphebe it hadde y-rent from Diomede 
The same day ; and whan this Troilus 1655 
It sa\igh, he gan to taken of it hede, 
Avysing of the lengthe and of the brede. 
And al the werk ; but as he gan biholde, 
Ful sodeinly his herte gan to colde. 



238. As he that on the eoler fond with- 
inne : 660 

A broche, that he Criseyde yaf that morwe 
That she from Troye moste nedes twinne. 
In remembraunce of him and of his sorwe ; 
And she him leyde ayein hir fej'th to 
borwe 1 664 

To kepe it ay ; but now, ful wel he wiste. 
His lady nas no lenger on to triste. 

239. He gooth him hoom, and gan ful 
sone sende 

For Pandarus ; and al this newe chavince. 
And of this broche, he tolde him word 

and ende, 1669 

Compley^linge of hir hertes variaunce, 
His hmge love, his trouthe, and his pen- 

avince ; 
And after deeth, with-outen wordes more, 
Ful faste he cryde, his reste him to restore. 

2i0. Than spak he thus, ' O lady mj-n 

Criseyde, 
Wher is your fej-th, and wher is your 

biheste? 1675 

Wher is your love, wher is your trouthe V ' 

he seyde ; 
' Of Diomede have ye now al this feste ! 
Alias, I wolde have trowed at the leste. 
That, sin ye nolde in trouthe to me stonde. 
That ye thus nolde han holden me in 

honde ! lO.So 

241. Who shal now trowe on anj- othes 
mo? 

Alias, I never wolde han wend, er this. 
That ye, Criseyde, coiide han chaunged so ; 
Ne, but I hadde a-gilt and doon amis, 16.S4 
So cruel wende I not your herte, y-wis. 
To slee me thus ; alias, your name of 

trouthe 
Is now for-doon, and that is al my routhe. 

242. Was ther non other broche yow liste 
lete 

To feffe with your newe love,' quod he, 16S9 
' But thilke broche that I, with teres wete, 
Yow yaf, as for a remembraunce of me ? 
Non other cause, alias, ne hadde ye 
But for despyt, and eek for that ye mente 
Al-outrely to shewen your entente ! 



Book Y^ 



^rotfue ari^ Cneep^c. 



323 



243. Through which I see that clene otit 
ofyourmincle 161)5 

Ye hau me cast, and I ne can nor maj-, 
For al this world, witli-in myn herte linde 
T' nnloven yow a quarter of a day ! 
In cursed tyme I born was, weylaway ! 
That ye, that doon me al this wo endure. 
Yet love I best of anj' creature. 1701 

244. Xow god,' quod he, ' me senile j-et 
the grace 

That I may meten with this Diomeelo ! 
And trewely, if I have might and space, 
\et slial I make, I hope, his sydes blede. 

god,' quod he, ' that oughtest taken hede 
Ti> fortheren troiithe, and wronges to 

punyce, 1707 

Why niltow iloon a vengeannce on this 
vyce i* 

245. Pandare, that in dremes for to 
triste 

Me blamed hast, and wont ait ofte up- 

breyde, 1710 

Now maystow see thy-selve, if that thee 

liste. 
How trewo is imw tliy noce, bright Cri- 

seyde ! 
In sondrj' formes, god it woot,' he seyde, 
• The goddes shewen Ijotlie joye and tene 
In slepe, and by my drem.e it is now sene. 

240. And certaynly, with-oute more 
speche, 1716 

From hennes-forth, as ferforth as I may, 
Myn owene deeth in amies wol I seche ; 

1 recche not how sone be the day ! 

But trewely, Criseyde, swete may, 1 yju 
Whom I have ay with al my might y- 

served, 
That ye thus doon, I have it nought 

deserved.' 

247. This Pandarus, that alle these thiuges 

lierde, 
And wiste wel he seyde a sooth of this. 
He nought a word ayein to him answerde ; 
For sory of his frendes sorwe he is, 1726 
And shamed, for his nece hath doon a-mis ; 
And stant, astoned of these causes tweye. 
As stille as stoon ; a word ne coude he 

seye. 



248. But at the laste thus he spak, and 
seyde, 1 7^0 

' My brother dere, I may thee do no-moie. 
What shukle I seyn ? I hate, y-wis, 

Criseyde ! 
And god wot, I wol liate hir evermore ! 
And that thou me bisoughtest doon of 

yore, 1734 

Havinge un-to myn honour ne my reste 
Right no reward, I dide al that thee leste. 

249. If I dide ought that mighte Ijkeu 
thee. 

It is me leef ; ami of this treson now, 
God woot, that it a sorwe is un-to me ! 
And dredelees, for hertes ese of yow, 1740 
Right fayn wolde I amende it, wiste I how. 
And fro this world, almighty god I preye, 
Delivere hir sone ; I can no-more seye.' 

250. Gret was the sorwe and i)leynt of 
Troilus ; 

But foi'tli hir cours fortune ay gan to 
liolde. J 745 

Criseyde loveth the sone of Tydeus, 
And Troilus mot wepe in cares oolde. 
Swicli is this world ; who-so it can bi- 

holde. 
In eche estat is litel hertes reste ; 1 749 
God leve us for to take it for the beste I 

251. In many cruel batayle, oiit of dretle, 
Of Troilus, this ilke noble knight. 

As men may in these olde bokes rede. 
Was sene his kuighthod and his grete 

might. 
And dredelees, his ire, day and night, 1755 
Ful cruelly the Grekes ay aboughte ; 
■\nd alwey most this Diomede he soughte. 

252. And ofte tyme, I linde that they 
mettc 1758 

With blotly strokes and with wortles grete, 
Assayinge Ihav hir speres weren whette ; 
And god it woot, with many a cruel hete 
Gan Troilus upon his helm to-bete. 
But natheles, fortune it nought ne wolde, 
Ofotheres bond that either deycnshoble. — 

25;}. Ami if I hatlde y-taken Ibr to wryte 
The armes of this ilke worthy man, 1766 



324 



'ZvoxixiB ani Cvteejbe. 



[Book V. 



Than wolde I of his batailles endyte. 
"But for that I to wrj'te first higan 
Of his love, I have seyd as that I can. 1769 
His worthy dedes, who-so list hem here, 
Eeed Dares, he can telle hem alle y-fere. 

254. Bisechinge every lady hright of hewe. 
And every gentil womman, what she be, 
That al be that Criseyde was untrewe. 
That for that gilt she be not wrooth with 

me. 1775 

Ye may hir gilt in othere bokes see ; 
And gladlier I wol wryten, if yow leste, 
Penelopees trouthe and good Alceste. 

255. Ne I sey not this al-only for these 
men, 

Biit most for wommen that bitraysed be 
Through false folk ; god yeve hem sorwe, 

amen ! 1781 

That with hir grete wit and subtiltee 
Bitrayse yow ! and this eommeveth me 
To speke, and in effect yow alle I preye, 
Beth war of men, and herkeneth what 

I seye ! — 1785 

256. Gro, litel book, go litel myn tregedie, 
Ther god thy maker yet, er that he dye. 
So sende might to make in som comedie ! 
But litel book, no making thou n'en'S'j'e, 
But siiligit be to alle poesye ; 1 790 
And kis the steppes, wher-as thou seest 

pace 
Virgile, Ovyde, Omer, Luean, and Stace. 

257. And for ther is so greet diversitee 
In English and in wryting of oiir tonge, 
So preye I god that noon miswiyte thee, 
Ne thee mismetre for defaiite of tonge. 1796 
And red wher-so thou be, or elles songe, 
That thou be understonde I god beseche ! 
Biit yet to purpos of my rather speche. — 

258. The wraththe, as I began yow for to 
seye, 1800 

Of Troilus, the (Irekes boughten dere ; 
For thousandes his hondes maden deye. 
As he that was with-outen any pere, 
Save Ector, in his tynie, as I can here. 
But weylaway, save onlygoddeswille, 1805 
Pispitously him slough the fier.^ Achille. 



259. And whan that he was slaj'n in this 
manere, 

His lighte goost ful bhsfull3' is went 
Up to the holownesse of the seventh spere. 
In con vers letinge every element ; 1810 
And ther he savigh, with ful a-s'ysement, 
The erratik sterres, herkeninge armon,A'e 
With sownes fulle of hevenish melodye. 

260. And doiin from thennes faste he gan 
avyse 1S14. 

This litel spot of erthe, that with the see 
Enbraced is, and fully gan despyse 
This wrecched world, and held al vanitee 
To respect of the plej'n felicitee 
That is in hevene above ; and at the laste, 
Ther he was slayn, his loking doun he 
caste; 1820 

261. And in him-self he lough right at 
the wo 

Of hem that wepten for his deeth sofasto ; 
And dampned al oiir werk that folweth so 
The blinde lust, the which that may not 
laste, I 8^4 

And sholden al our herte on hevene caste. 
And forth he wente, shortly for to telle, 
Ther as Merciirie sorted him to dwelle. — 

262. Swich fyn hath, lo, this Troilus fi>r 
love, 

Swich fyn hath al his grete worthinesse ; 
Swich fyn hath his estat real above, iS^u 
Swich fyn his lust, swich fyn hath his 

noblesse; 
Swich fyn hath false worldes brotelnesse. 
And thus bigan his lovinge of Criseyde, 
As I have told, and in this wyse he deytle. 

263. O yonge fresshe folkes, he or she, 18^5 
In which that love up groweth with your 

age, 
Repeyreth hoom from worldly vanitee, 
And of yo^^r herte up-casteth the visage 
To thilke god that after his image 
Yow made, and thinketh al nis but 

a fayre 1840 

This world, that passeth sone as fioures 

fayre. 

264. And loveth him, the which that 
right for love 

I'lion a cros, our soules for to beye, 



Book V.I 



<!^rotfu6 anX) Cviu^lz, 



325 



First start', and roos, and sit in hevene 1 Of your benignitees and zeles gode. 



a-bove ; 
For lie nil falsen no wight, dar I seye, 1845 
That wol his herte al hoolly on him leye. 
And sin he best to love is, and most meke, 
What nedeth feyned loves for to seke ? 

265. Lo here, of Paj'ens corsed olde rytes, 
Lo here, what alle hir goddes may availle ; 
Lo here, these wrecched worldes appe- 

tytes ; 1851 

Lo here, the fyn and guerdon tor travaille 
Of Jove, Appollo, of Mars, of swich 

rascaille ! 
Lo here, the forme of okle clerkes speche 
In iioetrye, if ye hir bokes seche. — 1855 

266. O moral Gower, this book I directs 
To thee, and to the philosophical Strode, 
To vouchen sauf, tlier nede is, to corecte. 



And to that sothfast Crist, that starf on 
rode, 1800 

With al myn herte of mercy ever I preye ; 

And to the lord right thus I speke and 
seye : 

267. Thou oon, and two, and three, eterne 

on-lyve, 
That regnest ay in three and two and 

oon, 
Uncircumscript, and al mayst circuni- 

scryve, 1865 

L's from visible and invisible foon 
Defende ; and to thy mercy, everychoon, 
So make us, Jesvis, for thy grace, digne. 
For love of mayde and moder thyn 

benigne ! Amen. 

Explicit Liber Troili et Criseydis. 



THE HOUS OF FAME, 



BOOK I. 



Ctod turne lis every dreeni to gode ! 

For liit is wonder, by the rode, 

To my wit, what caiiseth swevenes 

Either on morwes, or on ovenes ; 

And why th'efFect folweth of sonime, 

And of somnie hit shal never come ; 

Why that is an avisionn, 

And f this a revelaciotin ; 

M'hy this a drccm, why that a sweven, 

And nat to every man licho even ; 

Why tliis a fantom, fthese oracles, 

I noot ; hut who-so of these miracles 

The causes knoweth l^et than I, 

Dev>'ne he ; for I certeinly 

Ne can hem noght, ne never think e 

To hesily my wit to swinkc, 

To knowe of hir signifiannce 

The gendres, neither the distaunce 

Of tymes of hem, ne the causes 

For-why this f niore than that cause is ; 

As if folkes complexioiins 

Make hem dreme of reflexionns ; 

Or elles tliiis, as other sayn, 

For to greet fehlenesse of -I Itrayn, 

By abstinence, or by seeknesse. 

Prison, stewe, or greet distresse ; 

Or elles l)y disordinannce 

Of naturel acustonaaunce, 

That soni man is to curious 

In studie, or melancolious. 

Or thus, so inlv fill of drede, 



That no man may him bote bede ; 

Or elles, that devocioun 

Of somme, and contemplacioun 

Causeth swiche dremos ofte : 35 

Or that the cruel lyf unsofte 

Which these ilke lovers loden 

That hopen over mucho or dreden, 

That purely hir impressiouns 

Causeth hem avisiouns; 40 

Or if that spirits have the might 

To make folk to dreme a-night ; 

Or if the soule, of propro kinde. 

Be so parfit, as men finde. 

That hit forvvot that is to come, 45 

And that hit warneth alle and somme 

Of everiche of hir aventures 

By avisioiins, or l)y figures. 

But that our flesh ne hath no might 

To understonden hit aright, 50 

For hit is warned to derkl,\-: — 

But why the cause is, noght wot I. 

Wei worthe, of this thing, grete clerkes. 

That trete of tliis and other werkes ; 

For I of noon opinioun 55 

Nil as now make mencioun. 

But only that the holy rode 

Turne us every dreem to gode ! 

For never, sith that I was boni, 

Ne no man elles, me biforn, 60 

Mette, I trowe stedfastly. 

So wonderful a dreem as I 



Book I.l 



ZU 1^0M6 of ^amc. 



327 



The tentlie day [dide] of Decembre, 
The which, as I can now remembre, 
I wol yow tellen every del. 65 

The Invocation. 

But at my ginning, trnsteth wel, 

I wol make invocacioun, 

With special devocioun, 

Unto the god of slepe anoon, 

That dwelleth in a cave of stoon 70 

Upon a streem that comth fro Lete, 

That is a flood of helle unswete ; 

Bosydo a folk men clepe Cimerie, 

Ther slepeth ay this god immerie 

With his slepy thousand sones 75 

That alway for to slepe hir woue is — 

And to this god, that I of rede, 

Prej-e I, that he wol me spede 

My sweven for to telle aright. 

If every dreeni stonde in his might. So 

And he, that mover is of al 

That is and was, and ever shal, 

80 .^"ive hem joye that hit here 

Of alle that they dreme to-yere, 

And for to stonden alle in grace 85 

Of hir loves, or in what place 

That hem wer levest for to stonde, 

And shelde hem fro fpovert and slionde. 

And fro imhappe and ech disese. 

And sende hem althat may hem plese, 90 

That take hit wel, and seorne hit noght, 

Ne hit misdemen in her thoght 

Through malicious entencioun. 

And who-so, through presumpcioiin. 

Or hati» or seorne, or through envye, 95 

Dispj-t, or jape, or vilanye, 

Misdeme hit, preye I Jesus god 

That (tlrenie he barfoot, dreme he sho<l). 

That every harm that any man 

Hath had, sith [that] the world began, 100 

Befalle him therof, or he stei'\-e. 

And gravmte he mote hit ful deserve, 

Lo ! with swich a conclusioun 

As had of his avisioun 

('resus, that was king of Lyde, 105 

Til at high \ipon a gebet dyde ! 

This prayer shal he have of me : 

I am no bet in charite ! 

Now herkneth, as I have y<ni seyd, 
What that T mette. or T abrevd. 1 ki 



The Dream. 

Of Decembre the tenthe day. 

Whan hit was night, to slepe I lay 

Right ther as I was wont to done, 

And fil on slepe wonder sone. 

As he that wery was for-go 115 

On pilgrimage myles two 

To the corseynt Leonard, 

To make lythe of that was hard. 

But as I -f sleep, rae mette I was 
Within a temple y-mad of glas : 120 

In whiche ther were mo images 
Of gold, stondinge in sondry stages, 
And mo riche tabernacles, 
And with perree nao pinacles, 
And mo curious jjortreytures, 125 

And queynte maner of figures 
Of olde werke, then I saw ever. 
For certeynly, I niste never 
"Wlier that I was, but wel wiste I, 
Hit was of Venus redely, ijo 

The temple ; for, in portreyture, 
I saw anoon-right hir figure 
Naked fletinge in a see. 
And also on hir heed, pardee, 
Hir rose-garlond whyt and reed, 135 

And liir comb to kembe hir heed, • 
Hir dowves, and dann Cupido, 
Hir blinde sone, and Vulcano. 
That in his face was ful broun. 

But as I romed up and douu. 140 

I fond that on a wal ther was 
Thus writen, on a table of bras : 
' I wol now singe, if that I can, 
The amies, and al-so the man. 
That first cam, through his destinee, 145 
Fugitif of Troye contree. 
In Itaile, with ful moche pyne. 
Unto the strondes of Lavyne.' 
And tho began the story anoon. 
As I shal telle yow echoon. iso 

First saw I the destruccioun 
Of Troye, through the Greek Sinoun, 
[That] with his false forsweringe. 
And his chere and his lesinge 
Made the hors broglit into Troye, 155 

Thorgii which Troyeiis loste al hir joye. 
And after this was grave, alias ! 
How Ilionn assailed was 
And wonne, ami king Priam y-slayn, 



328 



^^e ^ou6 of ^Amc. 



[Book I. 



1 60 



165 



175 



180 



And Polites his sone, certayn, 
DispitoTisly, of dan Firms. 

And next that saw I how Venus, 
Wlian that she saw the castel brende, 
Doun fro the hevene gan descende, 
And bad hir sone Eneas flee ; 
And how he fledde, and how that he 
Escaped was from al the pres, 
And took his fader, Anchises, 
And bar him on his bakke away, 
Cryinge, ' Alias, and welaway ! ' 
The whiche Anchises in his honde 
Bar the goddes of the londe, 
Thilke that unbrende were. 

Aiid I saw next, in alle this fere, 
How Crensa, dann Eneas wyf. 
Which that he lovede as his lyf. 
And hir yonge sone lulo. 
And eek Ascanius also, 
Fledden eek with drery chere. 
That hit was pitee for to here ; 
And in a forest, as they wente. 
At a turninge of a wente. 
How Crensa was y-lost, alias ! 
That deed, [but] noot I how, she was ; 
How he hir soughte, and how hir gost 185 
Bad him to flee the Grekes ost. 
And ^yde, he moste unto Itaile, 
As was his destinee, sanns faille ; 
That hit was pitee for to here. 
Whan hir spirit gau appere. 
The wordes that she to him seyde. 
And f<^r to kepe hir sone him preyde. 
Ther saw I graven eek how he. 
His fader eek, and his meynee. 
With his shippes gan to sayle 
Toward the contree of Itaile, 
As streight as that they mighte go. 

Ther saw I thee, cruel Juno, 
Tliat art daun Jupiteres W3rf, 
That hast y-hated, al thy lyf, 
Al the Troyaiiisshe blood, 
Kenue and crye, as thou were wood. 
On Eolus, the gixl of windes, 
To blowen out, of alle kindes, 
So loude, that he shvilde drenche 
Lord and lady, gi'onie and wenche 
Of al the Troyan nacioun, 
Withoute any savacio\in. 

Ther saw I swioh tempeste aryse. 
That every herte mighte agryse, 



190 



195 



205 



To see hit peynted on the walle. 

Ther saw I graven eek withalle, 
Venus, how ye, my lady dere, 
Wepinge with ful woful ohere, 
Prayen Jupiter an hye 215 

To save and kepe that navye 
Of the Troyan Eneas, 
Sith that he hir sone was. 

Ther saw T Joves Venus kisse. 
And graunted of the tempest lisse. 220 
Ther saw I how the tempest stente. 
And how with alle pyne he wente, 
And prevely took arrivage 
In the contree of Cartage ; 
And on the morwe, how that he 225 

And a knight, hight Achatee, 
Metten with Ventis that day, 
Goinge in a qiieynt array. 
As she had ben an hunteresse. 
With wind blowinge upon hir tresse ; 230 
How Eneas gan him to pleyne. 
Whan that he knew hir, of his peyne ; 
And how his shippes dreynte were. 
Or elles lost, he niste where ; 
How she gan him comforte tho, 235 

Aiid bad him to Cartage go, 
And ther he shulde his folk finde. 
That in the see were left behinde. 

And, shortly of this thing to pace, 
She made Eneas so in grace 240 

Of Dido, quene of that contree. 
That, shortly for to tellen, she 
Becam his love, and leet him do 
That that wedding longeth to. 
What shulde I speke more queynte, 245 
Or peyne me my wordes peynte, 
To speke of love ? hit wol not be ; 
I can not of that facultee. 
And eek to telle the manere 
How they aqtieynteden in-fere, 250 

Hit were a long proces to telle, 
And over long for yow to dwelle. 

Ther saw I grave, how Eneas 
Tolde Dido every cas, 
That him was tid upon the see. 255 

And after grave was, how she 
Made of him, shortly, at 00 word, 
Hir lyf, hir love, hir lust, hir lord : 
And dide him al the reverence. 
And leyde on him al the dispence. 260 
Tliat anv woman mighte do, 



Book I.] 



Z^c 1Bk>u6 of fami. 



329 



Weninge hit had al be so, 

As he hii- swoor ; and her-by demed 

That he was good, for he swich semed. 

Alias ! what harm doth aiiparence, 265 
Whan hit is fals in existence ! 

For he to liir a traitour was ; 

Wlierfor she slow hir-self, alias ! 
Lo, how a woman doth amis, 

To love him that iinknowen is ! 270 

For, by Crist, lo ! thus hit fareth ; 

' Hit is not al gold, that glareth.' 

For, al-so bronke I wel myn heed, 

Ther may be imder goodliheed 

Kevered many a shrewed vyce ; 275 

Therfor be no wight so nyce, 

To take a love only for chere. 

For speche, or for frendly manere ; 

F«r this shal every woman finde 

That som man, of his piire kinde, 280 

Wol shewen outward the faireste, 

Til he have caiight that what him leste ; 

And thanne wol he causes finde. 

And swere how that she is unkinde, 

Or fals, or prevy, or double was. 285 

Al this seye I by Eneas 

And Dido, and hir nyce lest. 

That lovede al to sone a gest ; 

Therfor I wol seye a proverbe. 

That ' he that fully knoweth th'erbe 290 

May saufly leye hit to his yH ' ; 

Withoute dreed, this is no lye. 
But let us speke of Eneas, 

How he betrayed hir, alias ! 

And lefte hir ful unkindely. 295 

So whan she saw al-iitterly. 

That he wolde hir of trouthe faile, 

And wende fro hir to Itaile, 

She gan to wringe hir houdes two. 

'Alias !' quod she, ' what me is wo ! 300 
Alias ! is every man thus trewe, 
That every yere wolde have a newe. 
If hit so longe tyme dure. 
Or elles three, peraventure ? 
As thus : of oon he wolde have fame 305 
In magnifying of his name ; 
Another for frendship, seith he ; 
And yet ther shal the thridde be. 
That shal be taken for delyt, 
Lo, or for singular prof^'t.' ^10 

In swiche wordes gan to ple.vne 
Dido of hir grete peyne, 



As me mette redely; 

Non other auctour alegge I. 

' Alias ! ' quod she, ' my swete herte, j; 15 

Kaye pitee on my sorwes smerte, 

And slee me not ! go noght away ! 

O woful Dido, wel away ! ' 

Quod she to hir-selve tho. 

' O Eneas ! what wil ye do ? 320 

O, that your love, ne your bonde. 

That ye han sworn with your right lionde, 

Ne my cruel deeth, ' quod she, 

' May holde yow still heer with me ! 

O, haveth of my deeth pitee ! 325 

Y-\vis, my dere herte, ye 

Knowen ful wel that never yit. 

As fer-forth as I hadde wit, 

Agilte [I] yow in thoght ne deed. 

O, have ye men swich goodliheed 330 

In speche, and never a deel of trouthe ? 

Alias, that ever hadde routlie 

Any woman on any man ! 

Now see I wel, and telle can, 

We wrecched wimmen conne non art ; 3^5 

For certeyn, for the more part, 

Thus we be served everichone. 

How sore that ye men conne grone, 

Anoon, as we have yow receyved, 

Certeinly we ben deceyved ; 340 

For, though your love laste a sesoun, 

Waji;e upon the conclusiouu. 

And eek how that ye determynen, 

And for the more part ditf^Tien. 

' 0, welawey that I was born ! 345 

For through yow is my name lorn, 
And aUe myn actes red and songe 
Over al this lond, on every tonge. 
wikke Fame ! for ther nis 
Nothing so swift, lo, as she is ! 350 

O, sooth is, every thing is wist, 
Though hit be kevered with the mist. 
Eek, thogh I mighte duren ever. 
That I have doon, rekever I never, 
That I ne shal bo seyd, alias, ^^^t^ 

Y-shamed be through Elneas, 
And that I shal thus juged be — 
" Lo, right as she hath doon, now she 
Wol do eftsones, hardily ; " 
Thus seyth the peple prevely.' — • 360 

But that is doon, nis not to done ; 
-(•Al hir compleynt ne al hir mone, 
Certe.^ai, availeth hir not a stree. 



M 3 



33° 



Z^i. ^ou0 of -^amt. 



[Book I. 



,lnd whan she wiste sothly he 
Was forth unto his shippes goon, 365 

She fin hir cliambre wente anoon, 
And called on hir suster Anne, 
And gan hir to compleyne thanne ; 
And seyde, that she oavise was 
That she first lovede f Eneas, 370 

And thus counseilled hir therto. 
But what ! when this was seyd and do, 
She roof hir-selve to the herte. 
And deyde through the wounde snierte. 
But al the maner how she deyde, 375 

And al the wordes that she seyde, 
Wlio-so to knowe hit hath purpos, 
Keed Virgile in Eneidos 
Or the Epistle of Ovyde, 
"Wliat that she wroot or that she dyde : 380 
And nere hit to long to endyte. 
By god, I wolde hit here wryte. 

But, welaway ! the harm, the routhe. 
That hath betid for swich untrouthe. 
As men may ofte in bokes rede, 385 

And al day seen hit j'et in dede. 
That for to thenken hit, a tene is. 

Lo, Demophon, duk of Athenis, 
How he forswor him ful falsly 
And trayed Phillis wikkedly, 390 

The kinges doghter was of Trace, 
And falsly gan his terme pace ; 
And when she wiste that he was fals, 
She heng hir-self right by the hals. 
For he had do hir swich untrouthe ; 395 
Lo ! was not this a wo and routhe ? 

Eek lo ! how fals and reccheles 
Was to Briseida Achilles, 
And Paris to -jOenone ; 
And Jason to Isiphile ; 400 

And eft Jason to Medea ; 
And Ercules to Dyanira ; 
For he lefte hir for Icile, 
That made him cacche his deeth, pardee. 

How fals eek was he, Theseus ; 405 

That, as the story telleth us, 
How he betrayed Adriane ; 
The devel be his soules bane ! 
For had he laughed, had he loured. 
He moste have be al devoured, 410 

If Adriane ne had y-be ! 
And, for she had of hini pitee. 
She made him fro the dethe escape. 
And he made hir a fnl fals jajie ; 



For after this, within a whyle 415 

He lefte hir slepinge in an yle, 

Deserto alone, right in the see, 

And stal away, and leet hir be ; 

And took hir suster Phedra tho 

With him, and gan to shippe go. 4^0 

And yet he had y-sworn to here, 

On al that ever he mighte swere, 

That, so she saved him his lyf. 

He wolde have take hir to his wyf ; 

For she desired nothing elles, 425 

In certein, as the book us telles. 

But to excusen Eneas 
Fulliche of al his greet trespas. 
The book seyth, Mercurie, sauns faile. 
Bad him go into Itaile, 430 

And leve Auffrykes regioun, 
And Dido and liir faire toun. 

Tho saw I grave, how to Itaile 
Daun Eneas is go to saile ; 
And how the tempest al began, 435 

And how he loste his steresman, 
Which that the stere, or he took keep, 
Smot over-bord, lo ! as he sleep. 

And also saw I how Sibyle 
And Eneas, besj'de an yle, 440 

To helle wente, for to see 
His fader, Anchises the free. 
How he ther fond Palinurus, 
And Dido, and eek Deiphebtis ; 
And every tourment eek in helle 445 

Saw he, which is long to telle. 
Which who-so willeth for to knowe, 
He moste rede many a rowe 
On Virgile or on Clavidian, 
Or Daunte, that hit telle can. 450 

Tho saw I grave al th'arivaile 
That Eneas had in Itaile ; 
And with king Latine his tretee. 
And alle the batailles that he 
Was at him-self, and eek his knightes, 455 
Or he had al y-wonne his rightes ; 
And how he Turnus refte his lyf, 
And wan Lavyna to his vryf ; 
And al the mervelous signals 
Of the goddes celestials ; 460 

How, niaugre Juno, Eneas, 
For al hir sleighte and hir compas, 
Acheved al his aventure ; 
For Jixpiter took of him cure 
At the prayere of Venus 465 



A 



EOOK II.] 



ZU l^owe of S^^^* 



331 



The wliiche I prej'e alway save ns, 
And lis ay of oiir sorwes lighte ! 

Whan I had seyen al this sighte 
In this noble temple thus, 
'A, Lord ! ' thonghte I, 'that madest ns, 
Yet saw I never swieh noblesse 471 

Of images, ne swich richesse, 
As I saw graven in this chirche ; 
But not woot I who dide hem wirche, 
Ne wher I am, ne in what contree. 475 
But now wol I go out and see, 
Eight at the wiket, if I can 
See o-wher stering any man, 
That may me telle wher I am.' 

When I out at the dores cam, 480 

I faste aboiate me beheld. 
Then saw I but a large feld, 
As fer as that I mighte see, 
Withouten toun, or hous, or tree. 
Or bush, or gras, or ered lond ; 485 

For al the feld nas but of sond 
As smal as man may see yet lye 



In the desert of Libye ; 

Ne I no maner creature. 

That is y-formed by nature, 490 

Ne saw, me [for] to rede or wisse. 

' O Crist,' thoughte I, ' that art in hlisse, 

Fro fantom and illusioun 

Me save ! ' and with devocioun 

Myn yen to the heven I caste. 495 

Tho was I war, lo ! at the laste, 
That faste by tlie sonne, as hye 
As kenne mighte I with myn ye. 
Me thoughte I saw an egle sore, 
But that hit semed rnoche more 500 

Then I had any egle seyn. 
Biit this as sooth as deeth, certeyn, 
Hit was of golde, and shoon so brighte. 
That never saw men such a sighte, 
But -if the heven hadde y-wonne 505 

Al newe of golde another sonne ; 
So shoon the egles fethres brighte, 
And somwhat dounward gan hit lighte. 
Explicit liber primus. 



BOOK II. 



Incipit liber secundus. 

Proem. 

Now herkneth, every maner man 
That English understonde can, 
And listeth of my dreem to lere ; 
For now at erste shul ye here 
So f selly an avisioim. 
That Isaye, ne Scipioun, 
Ne king Nabugodonosor, 
Pharo, Turnus, ne Eleanor, 
Ne mette swich a dreem as this ! 
Now faire blisful, O Cipris, 
So be my favour at this tyme ! 
And ye, me to endyte and ryme 
Helpeth, that on Parnaso dwelle 
By Elicon the clere welle. 

O Thought, that wroot al that I raette. 
And in the tresorie hit shette 
Of my brayn ! now shal men see 525 i 

If any vertu in thee be, 
To tellen al my dreem aright ; 
Now kythe thyn engyn and might ! (20) 

M 



510 



5^5 



(10) 



520 



The Dream. 
This egle, of which I have yow told. 
That shoon with fethres as of gold, 530 
Which that so hye gan to sore, 
I gan beholde more and more, 
To see hir beautee and the wonder ; 
But never was ther dint of thonder, 
Ne that thing that men calle foudre, 535 
That smoot somtyme a tour to poudre, 
And in his swifte coming brende. 
That so swythe gan descende, (30) 

As this foul, whan hit behelde 
That I a-roume was in the felde ; 540 

And with his grimme pawes stronge, 
Within his sharjie nayles longe, 
Me, fleinge, at a swappe he hente. 
And with his sours agayn up wente, 
Me caryinge in his clawes Starke 545 

As lightly as I were a larke. 
How high, I caji not telle yow, 
For I cam up, I niste how. (40) 

For so astonied and a-sweved 



332 



<2rb^ l^oue of ;^amc. 



[Book II. 



Was ever-\' vertu in iii>' lioved, 550 

What with his sours and with my drede, 
That al my feling gan to dede ; 
For-why hit was to greet atfra,\-. 

Tims I h)nge in his elawes lay, 
Til at the laste he to me spak 555 

In mannes vols, and seyde, ' Awak ! 
And be not "I- so a-gast, for shame ! ' 
And called me tho by m^- name. (50) 

And, for I sliolde the bet abreyde — • 
Me mette — ' Awak,' to me he scyde, 560 
Right in the same vois and stevene 
That nseth oon I conde nevene ; 
And with that vois, soth for to saj-n, 
My minde cam to me agayn ; 
For hit was goodlj- seyd to me, 565 

So nas hit never wont to be. 

And hex'withal I gan to stere, 
And lie me in his feet to here, (60) 

Til that he felte that I had hete, 
And felte eek tho myn herte liete. 570 
And tho gan he me to disporte. 
And with wordes to comforte. 
And sayde twyes, ' Seynte Marie ! 
Thoii art noyous for to carie, 
And nothing nedeth hit, pardee ! 575 

For al-so wis god helpe me 
As thou non harm shalt have of this ; 
And this cas, that betid thee is, (70) 

Is for thy lore and for thy prow ; — 
Let see ! darst thou yet loke now ? 580 
Be fill assured, boldely, 
I am thy frend.' And therwith I 
Gan for to wondren in my minde. 
' O god,' thoughte I, ' that madest kinde, 
Shal I non other weyes dye ? 585 

Wher Joves wol me stellifye, 
Or what thing may this signifye ? 
I neither am Enok, ne Elye, (80) 

Ne Romulus, ne Ganymede 
That was y-lsore up, as men rede, 590 

To hevene with dan Jupiter, 
And maad the goddes boteler." 

Lo ! this was tho my fantasj'e ! 
But he that bar me gan espye 
That I so thoghte, and seyde this:- - 595 
' Thou demest of thy-self amis ; 
For Joves is not ther-aboute — 
I dar wel initte thee out of doute — (90) 
To make of thee as yet a sterre. 
But er I here thee moche ferre, 600 



I wol thee telle what I am. 

And whider thoii shalt, and why I cam 

To fdone this, so that thou take 

Good herte, and not for fere (juake.' 

' Gladly,' quod I. ' Now wel,' quod he : — 

' First I, that in my feet have thee, 606 

Of which thou hast a feer and wonder, 

Am dwelling with the god of thonder, 

ANTiieh that men callen Jupiter, (loi) 

That dooth xne flee iul ofte fer 610 

To do al his comaundement. 

And for this cause he hath me sent 

To thee : now -j-lierkne, l)y thy trouthe ! 

Certeyn, he hath of thee routhe, 

That thou so longe trewely 015 

Hast served so ententifly 

His blindc nevew Cupido, 

And fair Venus [goddosse] also, ('lo) 

^Vithoute guerdoun ever yit, 

And nevertheles hast set thy wit — ■ 620 

Although that in thy hede ful i lyte is — 

To make bokes, songes, dytees, 

In ryme, or elles in ca<lence, 

As thou best canst, in reverence 

Of Love, and of his servants oke, 0-'5 

That have his servise soght, and seke ; 

And pe.^'nest thee to preyse his art, 

Althogh thoii haddest never part ; (120) 

Wherfor, al-so god me blesse, 

Joves halt hit greet liumblesse 630 

And vertu eek, that thou wolt make 

A-night ful ofte thyn heed to ake, 

In thy stuilie so thou wrji;est. 

And ever-mo of love endytest. 

In honour of hini and preysinges, 6^5 

And in his folkes furtheringes. 

And in hir matere al devysest, (^^9) 

And noght him nor his folk despysest. 

Although thou mayst go in the daiince 

Of hem that him list not avaunce. 640 

' Wherfor, as I seyde, y-wis, 
Jupiter considereth this. 
And also, l)eaii sir, other thinges ; 
That is, that thou hast no tydinges 
Of Loves folk, if they be glade, 645 

Ne of noght elles that god made ; 
And noght only fro fer contree 
That ther no tyding comth to thee, (.140) 
But of thy verray neyghebores. 
That dwellen almost at th3' dores, 650 

Thou herest neither that no this ; 



Book II.] 



'Z^c 1fc)ou0 of ^atnc. 



.^35 



655 



(15") 



66t) 



665 



(i6u) 



For whan thy labour cioon al is, 
And hast y-maad thy rekeninges, 
In stede of reste and newe thinges, 
Thou gost hooni to thy hous anoon ; 
And, also donib as any stcjon, 
Thou sittest at another boke, 
Til fully daswed is thy loke, 
And livest thus as an herniyte, 
Although thyn abstinence is lyte. 

' And therfor Joves, through liis grace, 
Wol that I here thee to a place, 
Wliich that hight tiik Hous of Famk, 
To do thee soni disport and game, 
In som reconipensacioun 
Of labour and devocioi^n 
That thoii hast liad, lo ! causeles, 
T<j Cupido, the recclieles ! 
And thus this god, thorgh his nieryte, 
Wol with soni inaner thing tliee quyte, 
So that thou wolt be of gotid cliere. 671 
For truste wel, that thoii shalt here, 
\Vlien we be comen ther I seye. 
Mo wonder thinges, dar I leye, 
Of Loves folke mo tydinges, 
Bothe soth-sawes and lesinges ; 
And mo loves newe begonne, 
And longe y-served loves "w< nne, 
And nio loves easuelly 
That been betid, no man w<jt why. 
But as a blind man stert an hare ; 
And more jolytee and fare, 
Whyl that they finde love of stele, 
As thinketh hem, and over-al wele ; 
Mo discords, and mo jelousyes, 
Mo murmurs, and mo novelryes. 
And nio dissimulaciouus, 
And feyned reparaciouns ; 
And mo berdes in two hoiires 
Withoute rasour or sisoures 
Y-maad, then greynes be of sondes ; 
And eke mo holdinge in honiles, 
And also mo renovelaunces 
Of olde forleten aqvieyntaunces ; 
Mo love-dayes and acordes 
Then on instruments ben cordes ; 
And eke of loves mo eschaunges 
Thau ever comes wei'e in graunges ; 
Unethe maistow trowen this?' — 
Quod he. ' No, hel]ie me god so wis !' — 
Quod I. 'No? whyV quod he. 'For hit 
Were impossible, to niy wit, 



6/5 



(17'') 



680 



68=; 



(.80) 



690 



695 



(190) 
699 



Though that Fame hadde al the pyes 

In al a realnie, and al the spyes, 

Ho^v that yet she shulde here al this, 705 

Or they espye hit.' ' O yis, yis !' 

Ciuod he to me, ' that can I preve 

By resoun, worthy for t(j leve, (-^oo) 

So that thou yeve thyn advertence 

To understonde my sentence. 711) 

' First shalt thou heron v>htn- she dwell- 
eth. 
And so thyn i>wne book liit telleth ; 
Hir paleys stant, as I shal seye, 
Eight even in middes of the weye 
Betwixen hevene, erthe, and see ; 715 

That, what-so-ever in al tlieso three 
Is spoken, in privee or aperte, 
The wey therto is so overte, 210) 

And stant eek in s» juste a i)lace, 
That every soun mot to hit pace, 7-'i) 

Or what so comth fro any tonge. 
Be liit rouned, red, or songe. 
Or spoke in seurtee or drede, 
Certein, hit moste thider nede. 

' Now herkne wel ; for-wh,\- I wille 7-'5 
Tellen thee a proprc skile, 
And -f-worthy demonstraeiouu 
In myn imagynacioun. (jjo) 

' Geffre3-, thou wost riglit wel this. 
That every kindly thing that is, 730 

Hath a kindly stede ther ho 
May best in hit conserved bo ; 
Unto which place every thing, 
Through his kindly enclyning. 
Moveth for to come to, 735 

Whan that hit is awey therfro ; 
As thus ; lo, thou mayst al da\- see 
That any thing that hevy be, .-^^o) 

As stoon or lecd, or thing of wightc, 
And ber hit never so hye on hightc, 740 
Lat go thyn hand, liit falleth doun. 

' Eight so seye I by fyre or soun, 
Or smoke, or other thinges lighte, 
Alwey they seke upwartl on highte ; 
Whyl ech of hem is at his lai-jOjc, 745 

Light thing up, and dounward chai-ge. 

' And for this cause mayst thoii sec, 
That every river to the see '^4") 

Enclyned is to go, 1)3' kinde. 
And by these skilles, as I findo, 750 

Hath Jish tlwellinge in fioodc and see, 
And tri'i-s eek in citlic be. 



334 



ZH Joue of §<imt. 



[Book II. 



(250) 
760 



765 



(260) 



770 



775 



Thus every thing, by this resoun, 

Hath his propre mansiouu, 

To which hit seketh to repaire, 

As ther hit shiilde not apaire. 

Lo, this sentence is knowen couthe 

Of every philosophres moutlie, 

As Aristotle and dan Platon, 

And other clerkes nian5' oon ; 

And to confirnie my resoun, 

Tliou wost wel this, that speche is Boun, 

Or elles no man miglite hit here ; 

Now fherkne what I wol thee lore. 

' Soun is noght bi\t air y-broken. 
And every speclie that is spoken, 
Loud or i^rivee, foul or fair, 
In liis substaunce is but air ; 
For as flaunibe is but liglited smoke, 
Eight so soun is air y-broke. 
But this may be in many wyse. 
Of which I wil thee two devyse, 
As soun that comth of pype or harpe. 
For whan a p.vi^e is blowen sharpe, 
Tlie air is twist with violence, 
And rent ; lo, this is my sentence ; 
Eek, whan men harpe-stringes smyte, 
Mliether hit be moche or lyte, (270) 

Lo, with the strook the air to-breketh ; 779 
Eight so hit breketh whan men speketh. 
Thus wost thou wel what thing is siieche. 

' Now hennesfurth I wol thee teche, 
How every speche, or noise, or soun, 
Through his niultiiilicacioim, 
Thogh hit were pj^ed of a mouse, 785 

Moot nede come to Fames House. 
I x)reve hit thus — tak hede now — 
By experience ; for if that thou 
Throwe on water now a stoon, 
Wel wost thou, hit wol make anoon 
A litel roundel as a cercle. 
Para venture brood as a covercle ; 
And right anoon thou shalt see weel. 
That wheel wol cause another wheel. 
And that the thridde, and so forth, 
brother, 795 

Every cercle causing other, 
Wyder than himselve was ; 
And thus, fro roundel to comxjas, (290) 
Eeh aboute other goinge. 
Caused of otheres steringe, 800 

And multiplying ever-mo. 
Til that hit be so fer y-go 



(280) 



790 



That hit at bothe brinkes be. 

Al-thogh thou mowe hit not j'-see 

Above, hit goth yet alway under, 805 

Although thou thenke hit a gret wonder. 

And who-so seith of trouthe I varie. 

Bid him proven the contrarie. (300) 

And right thus every word, y-wis. 

That loude or privee spoken is, 810 

Moveth iirst an air aboute, 

And of this moving, out of doute, 

Another air anoon is meved. 

As I have of the water preved, 

Tliat every cercle causeth other. 815 

Eight so of air, my leve brother ; 

Everlch air in other stereth (309) 

More and more, and speche up bereth. 

Or vois, or noise, or word, or soun. 

Ay through multiplicaciouu, 820- 

Til hit be atte House of Fame ; — 

Tak hit in ernest or in game. 

' Now have I told, if thou have minde. 
How speche or soun, of x^ure kinde, 
Enclyned is upward to meve ; 825 

This, mayst thou fele, wel I preve. 
And that f the mansiovin, y-wis, 
That everj' thing enclyned to is, (320) 

Hath his kindeliche stede ; 
i'Than sheweth hit, withouten drede, 830 
That kindely the mansioun 
Of every speche, of every soun. 
Be hit either foul or fair. 
Hath his kinde place in air. 
And sin that every thing, that is 835 

Out of his kinde place, y-wis, 
Moveth thider for to go 
If hit a-weye be therfro, (330) 

As I before have preved thee. 
Hit seweth, ever;\- soun, pardee, 840 

Moveth kiudely to pace 
Al up into his kiudely place. 
And this place of which I telle, 
Ther as Fame list to dwelle, 
Is set amiddes of these three, S45 

Hevei\, erthe, and eek the see. 
As most conservatif the soun. 
. Than is this the conclusiouu, (340) 

That every speche of every man 
As I thee telle first began, 850 

Moveth up on high to pace 
Kindely to Fames place. 

' Telle me this feithfuUy, 



Book II.] 



ZU I50U6 of ^am^. 



335 



Have I not preved thus simpl.\'. 

Withoviten any subtiltee 855 

Of speclie, or gret prolixitee 

Of termes of philosophye, 

Of figures of poetrye, (350) 

Or colours of rethoryke? 

Pardee, hit oglite thee to lyke ; 860 

For hard langage and liard niatere 

Is encombrous for to here 

At ones ; wost tliou not wel this ? ' 

And 1 answerde, and seyde, ' Yis.' 

' A ha ! ' quod he, ' lo, so I can S65 

Lewedly to a lewed man 
Speke, and shewe him swiche skiles. 
That he may shake hem by the biles, (360) 
So palpable they shulden be. 
But tel me this, now pray I thoe, 870 

How thinkth thee my conclusioun ? ' 
[Quod he]. ' A good ijersuasioun,' 
Quod I, ' hit is ; and lyk to be 
Eight so as thou hast preved me.' 
' By god,' quod he, ' and as I leve, 875 

Thou shalt have yit, or hit be eve. 
Of every word of this sentence 
A preve, by experience ; (370) 

And with thj-n eres heren wel 
Tt>p and tail, and everydel, 880 

That every word that spoken is 
Comth into Fames Hous, y-wis. 
As I have seyd ; what wilt thou more ? ' 
And with this word upi^er to sore 
He gan, and seyde, ' By Seynt Jame ! 885 
Now wil we spekeu al of game.' — 

' How farest thou ? ' quod he to me. 
' Wel,' quod I. ' Now see,' quod he, (380) 
'By thy troiithe, yond adoun, 
Wlier that thou knowest any toun, 890 
Or hous, or any other thing. 
And whan thou hast of ought knowing, 
Loke that thou warne me, 
And I anoon shal telle thee 
How fer that thou art now therfro.' 895 

And I adoun fgan loken tho. 
And beheld feldes and plaines, (389) 

And now hilles, and now mountaines. 
Now valeys, and now forestes. 
And now, unethes, grete bestes ; 900 

Now riveres, now citees. 
Now tounes, and now grete trees. 
Now shippes sailinge in the see. 

But thus sone in a whvle ho 



Was flowen fro the grounde so hye, 905 

That al the world, as to myn ye, 

No more semed than a prikke ; 

Or elles was the air so tliikke (4<x)) 

That I ne mighte not discerne. 

With that he spak to me as yerne, 910 

And seyde : ' Seestow any toun 

Or ought thou knowest yonder doun ? ' 

I seyde, ' Nay.' ' No wonder nis,' 
Quod he, ' for half so high as this 
Nas Alexander Macedo ; 91^^ 

Ne the king, dan Scipio, 
That saw in dreme, at ijoint devys, 
Helle and erthe, and paradys ; (410) 

Ne eek the wrecche Dedalus, 
Ne his child, nyce Icarus, 920 

That fleigh so higlie that the hete 
His winges malt, and he fel weto 
In-mid the see, and ther he dreynte. 
For whom was maked moch compleynte. 

' Now turn upward,' quod he, ' thy face. 
And behold this large place, 926 

This air ; but loke thou ne bo 
Adrad of hem that thou shalt see ; (420) 
For in this regioun, certein, 
Dwelleth many a citezein, 9^0 

Of which that speketh dan Plato. 
These ben the eyrish bestes, lo ! ' 
And so saw I al that meynee 
Bothe goon and also flee. 
' Now,' qiiod he tho, ' cast up thyn ye ; 935 
See yonder, lo, the Galaxye, 
Which men clepeth the Milkj^ Wej-, 
For hit is whyt : and sorame, parfey, (430) 
Callen hit Watlinge Strete : 
That ones was y-brent with hete, 940 

AVhan the sonnes sone, the rede. 
That higlite Pheton, wolde lede 
Algate his fader cart, and gye. 
The cart-hors gonne wel espyo 
That he ne coude no governaunce, 945 
And gonne for to lepe and launce. 
And beren him now up, now doun, 
Til that he saw the Scorj)ioun, (44") 

Which that in heven a signe is yit. 
And he, for ferde, loste his wit, 950 

Of that, and loet the reynes goon 
Of his hors ; and they anoon 
Gonne vip to mounte, and doun desoende 
Til bothe the eyr and erthe brende ; 
Til Jiipitei-, 1", atte laste, 955 



336 



ZU J^one of §(xm^. 



[Book II. 



Him slow, and fro tae carte caste. 

Lo, is it not a greet mischannce, 

To lote a fole han governatince f45<)) 

Of thing that lie can not demeino ? ' 

And with this word, soth for to seyne, 
He gan alway upper to sore, 961 

And gladdf'd me ay more and more, 
So feithfnlly to me spak he. 

Tho gan I loken under mo, 
And beheld the eyrisli bestes, 965 

Clondes, mistes, and tenipestes, 
Snowos, hailes, reines, windes, 
And th'engendring in hir kindes, (460) 
And al the wey throvigli whiche I cam ; 
' O god,' qiiod I, ' that made Adam, 970 
Moche is thy might and thy noblesse ! ' 

And tho thonghte I upon Boece, 
Tliat writ, ' a thought may flee so hye, 
With fetheres of Philosophye, 
To passen everich element ; 975 

And whan he hatli so for y-went. 
Than may be seen, behind his bak, 
Cloud, and al that I of spak.' (47<>) 

Tho gan I wexen in a were. 
And seyde, ' I woot wel I am here ; 980 
B\^t wher in body or in gost 
I noot, y-wis ; but god, thou wost ! ' 
For more clocr entendement 
Nadde he mo never yit y-sent. 
And than though te I on Marcian, 985 
And eek on Anteclaudian, 
That sooth was hir descripcioun 
Of al the heveues regioim, (4S0) 

As fer as that I saw the i)reve ; 
Therfor I can hem now belevc. 990 

With that this egle gan t^) cj-yo : 
' Lat be,' quod he, ' thy fantasye ; 
Wilt thou lore of sterres anght ? ' 
'Nay, certeinly,' quod I, 'right naught ; 
And why ? for I am now to old.' 995 

' EUes I wolde thee have told,' 
(Juod he, ' tho sterres names, lo. 
And al the hevenes signes to, (49<>) 

And which they been.' ' No fors,' <iuod I. 
' Yis, Pardee,' quod he; 'wostowwhy? uxxj 
For whan th<m redest poetrye. 
How goddes gonne stellitye 
Brid, fish, beste, or him or here, 
As the Kavon, or either Bere, 
Or Ariones harpe fyn, 1005 

Castor, Pollux,, or Delphyn, 



Or f Atlaiites doughtres sevono, 

How alle these arn set in hevene ; (500) 

For though thou have hem ofte on honde, 

Yet nostow not wher that they stonde.' 

' No fors,' quod I, ' hit is no nede : loii 

I leve as wel, so god me spede. 

Hem that wryte of this matere, 

As though I knew hir places here ; 

And eek they sliynen here so brighte. 

Hit shitlde shenden al my sighte, loiO 

To loke on hem.' ' That may wel bo,' 

Quod he. And so forth bar he me (510) 

A wliyl, and than he gan to crye. 

That never herde I thing so hye, lo.'o 

' Now up the heed ; for al is wol ; 

Seynt Julyan, lo, bon hostel ! 

See here the House of Fame, lo ! 

Maistow not heren that I do ? ' 

'What?' quod I. ' The grete .soun,' 1025 

Quod he, ' that rl^mbletll up and doun 

In Fames Hous, ful of tydinges, 

Bothe of fair speche and chj'ilingos, (520) 

And of fals and soth compouned. 

Herkne wel ; hit is not rouned. 1030 

Herestow not the grete swogh '? ' 

' Yis, pardee,' quod I, ' wel y-nogh.' 

' And what soun is it lyk ? ' quod he. 

' Peter ! lyk beting of the see,' 

(Juod I, ' again the roches holowe, 1035 

Whan tempest d(^th the shijipes swalowc; 

And lat a man stonde, out of doute, 

A mylo thons, and here hit route; (530) 

Or olios Ij-k the last humblinge 

After the clappe of a thundringe, 1040 

When .loves hath the air y-bete ; 

Biit hit doth me for fere swete.' 

' Na,^', dred thee not therof,' qiiod he, 

' Hit is nothing wil byten thee ; 

Thou shalt non harm have, trewely.' 1045 

And with this word bothe he and I 
As nigh tho place arryved were 
As men may casten with a spere. (S-io) 
I niste how, but in a strete 
He setto me faire on my fete, 1050 

And seyde, ' Walke forth a pas, 
And tak thyn aventure or cas. 
That thou shalt findo in Fames place.' 

' Now,' qnod I, ' wliyl we han space 
To spoke, or that I go fro thee, 1055 

For the love of god, tel me, 
In so<jtli that wil I of thee lore. 



Book III.j 



Zi>t ^ou0 of jfaine. 



337 



Tf this noise that I here ("So") 

Be, as I have lierd thee telleii, 

Of folk that doun in erthe dwellen, 1061) 

And comth here in the same wyso 

As I thee herde or this devyse ; 

And that ther lyves body nis 

In al that hous that yonder is, 

Tliat niaketli al this loude fare ?' 1065 

' Xo,' quod he, ' by Seynte Clare, 

And also wis god rede me ! 

But o thinge I wil wanie thee (560) 

Of the which thoii wolt have wonder. 

Lo, to the House of Fame yonder 11)70 

Thou wost how Cometh every speche. 

Hit nedeth noglit thee eft to teche. 

But underst<>nd now right wel this; 

Whan any speche y-conaen is 



Up to the paleys, anon-right 10-5 

Hit wexeth lyk the same wight 
Which that the word in erthe spak. 
Be hit clothed reed or blak ; ("s^o) 

And hath so verray his lyknesse 
That spak the word, that thoii wilt gesso 
That hit the same body be, i<)<S[ 

Man or woman, he or she. 
And is not tliis a wonder tiling ? ' 
' Yis,' <xiv)d I thi>, ' by heveno kiiit,' I ' 
And with this worde, 'Farwel,' qiiod lu', 
' And here I wol abj'den thee ; 1086 

And god of hevene sendo thee grace, 
Som gootl to lernen in this place.' (580) 
And I of him took love anoon. 
And gan forth t" tlie paleys goon. 1091) 
Explicit liber secundus. 



BOOK III. 



Incipit liber tercius. 

Invocation. 

god of science and of light, 

Apollo, throiigh thy grete might, 

This litel laste book thou gye ! 

Nat that I wilne, for maistrye, 

Here art poetical be shewed ; 1095 

But, for the rj'm is light and lewed, 

Yit make hit sumwhat agreable, 

Though som vers faile in a sillalde ; 

And that I do no diligence 

To shewe craft, but o sentence. (10) ikx) 

And if, divyne vertu, thou 

Wilt helpe me to shewe now 

That in myn hede y-marked is — 

Lo, that is for to menen this. 

The Hous of Fame to descrj-\'e — 1 105 

Thou shalt see me go, as blyve, 

Unto the nexte laure I see. 

And kisse hit, for hit is thy tree ; 

Now entreth in my brcste anoon ! — 

The Dream. 

Whan I was fro this egle goon, (20) 1 1 10 
I gan beholde upon this place. 



And certein, or 1 ferther pace, 

I wol yow al the shap devyse 

Of hous and fsite ; and al the wyse 

How I gan to this place aprf)eho 1 1 15 

That stood iipon so high a rf)che, 

Hyer stant ther noon in Spaine. 

But up I clomb with alle jiaine. 

And though to climbe hit greved me. 

Yit I ententif was to see, (^o) luo 

And for to pouren wonder lowe. 

If I coude any weyes knowe 

What maner stoon this roche was : 

For hit was lyk a thing of glas, 

Bu-t that hit shoon ful more clere ; 11 25 

But of what congeled matcre 

Hit was, I niste redely. 

But at the laste espyed I, 
And found that hit was, every deel, 
A roche of yse, and not of steel. (40) i i.^o 
Tlioughte I, ' By Seynt Thomas of Kent ! 
This were a feblo i'oundement 
To bilden on n jilace hye ; 
He oughte him litel glorifye 
That her-on bilt, god so mo save !' 1135 

Tho saw I al the half y-gravo 
With famoiis folkos names felo. 
That had y-bei-n in luochel wclo, 



338 



ZU S0U6 of ^amt. 



[Book III. 



And liir fames wj'de y-blowe. 

Biit wel unethes coude I knowe (50) 1 140 

Any lettres for to rede 

Hir names by ; for, out of drede, 

They were almost of-tliowed so, 

That of the lettres oou or two 

Was molte away of everj- name, 1 145 

So uufamous was wexe hir fame ; 

But men seyn, ' What may ever laste ? ' 

Tho gan I in myn herte caste, 
That thej- were molte awey with hete, 
And not awey with stormes bete. (60) 1 150 
For on that other syde I sey 
Of this liille, that northward lay. 
How hit was writen ful of names 
Of folk that hadden grete fames 
Of olde tyme, and yit they were 1155 

As fresshe as men hail writen 

there 
The selve day right, or that houre 
That I upon hem gan to poure. 
Bnt wel I wiste what hit made ; 
Hit was conserved with the shade — 
Al this wrytinge that I sy — 
Of a castel, that stood on hy. 
And stood eek on so cold a place, 
That hete mighte hit not deface. 

Tho gan I up the hille to goon. 
And fond iipon the coppe a woon, 
That alle the men that ben on Ij^-e 
Ne han the cunning to descryve 
The beautee of that ilke place, 
Ne coude casten no compace (80) 11 70 

Swich another for to make. 
That mighte of beautee be his make, 
Ne [be] so wonderliche y-wrought ; 
That hit astonieth j'it my thought, 
And maketh al my wit to swinke 1175 
On this castel to bethiuke. 
So that the grete feraft, beautee. 
The cast, the curiositee 
Ne can I not to yow devyse. 
My wit ne may me not suffyse. (90) 11 80 

But natheles al the substance 
I have yit in mj- remembrance ; 
For-why me thoughte, by Se.^'ut Gyle ! 
Al was of stone of beryle, 
Bothe castel and the tour, 1185 

And eek the halle, and e\ery hour, 
Withouten peces or joiniuges. 
But many subtil compassinges, 



hem 



(70) 
1161 



ii6s 



1 190 



I '95 



■j-Babewinnes and pinacles, 

Imageries and tabernacles, (icx>) 

I saw ; and ful eek of windowes. 

As flakes falle in grete snowes. 

And eek in ech of the pinacles 

Wereu soudrj' habitacles. 

In whiche stodeu, al withoute — 

Ful the castel, al aboute — 

Of alle mauer of minstrales, 

And gestiours, that tellen tales 

Bothe of weping and of game. 

Of al that longeth unto Fame, (iioj 1200 

Ther herde I pleyen on an harpe 
That souned bothe wel and sharpe, 
Orpheiis ful craitely. 
And on his syde, faste by, 
Sat the harper Orion, 1205 

And Eacides Chiron, 
Ancl other harpers many oou. 
And the Bret Glascurion ; 
And smale harpers with her glees 
fSeten under hem in sees, (120) 1210 

And gonne on hem upward to gape. 
And countrefete hem as an ape. 
Or as craft couutrefeteth kinde. 

Tho saugh I stonderi hem behinde, 
A-fer fro hem, al by hemselve, 12 15 

Many thousand tymes twelve, 
That maden loude menstralcyes 
In cornemuse, and shalmyes, 
And many other maner p.vpe, 
That craftely begiinne pype (i.so) 1220 

Bothe in doucet and in rede. 
That ben at festes with the brede ; 
And many floute and lilting-horne. 
And pypes made of greue corne. 
As han thise litel herde-gromes, 1225 

That kepen bestes in the bromes. 

Ther saugh I than Atiteris, 
And of Athenes dan Pseustis. 
And Marcia that lost her skin, 
Bothe in face, body, and chin, (140) 1230 
For that she wolde en\'yen, lo ! 
To pypen bet then Apollo. 
Ther saugh I famoiis, olde and j'onge, 
Pyjiers of the Duche tonge. 
To lerne love-daunces, springes, 1235 

Reyes, and these strauuge thinges. 

Tho saugh I in another place 
Stonden in a large space, 
Of hem that maken blody soun 



Book III.] 



Z^t '^oxiti of 5<^me. 



Ill triimpe, beme, and clarioun ; (150) 1240 
For iu figlit and blood-shedinge 
Is used gladly clariouiuge. 

Tlier herde I trumpen Messenns, 
Of whom that speketh Virgilius. 
Ther herde I Joab trumpe also, 1245 

Theodomas, and other mo ; 
And alle that used clarion 
Iu Cataloigue and Aragon, 
That in hir tyme lamous were 
To lerne, saugli I trumpe there. (i6o) 1250 

Ther saugh I sitte in other sees, 
Pleyinge upon sondry glees, 
Wliiche that I cannot nevene, 
Mo then sterres been iu hevene, 
Of whiche I nil as now not ryme, 1255 

For ese of yow, and losse of tyme : 
For tyme y-lost, this knowen ye. 
By no way may recovered be. 

Ther saugh I f pleyen jogelours, 
Magiciens and tregetours, (170J 1260 

And phitonesses, charmeresses, 
Olde wicches, sorceresses. 
That use exorsisaciouns 
And eek thise fumigaeiuuns ; 
And clerkes eek, which conne wel 1265 
Al this magyke naturel, 
That craftely don hir ententes. 
To make, in certeyn ascendentes, 
Images, lo, through which magyk 
To make a man ben hool or syk. (180) 1270 
Ther saugh I fthee, queen Medea, 
And Circes eke, and Calipsa ; 
Ther saugh I Hermes BaUenus, 
Lymote, and eek Simon Magus. 1274 

Ther saugh I, and knew hem Ijy name. 
That by such art don men han fame. 
Ther saugh I Collo tregetour 
Upon a table of sicamour 
Pleye an uncouthe thing to telle ; 
I saugh him carien a wind-melle (190) 1280 
Under a walsh-note shale. 

What shuld I make lenger tale 
t Of al the peple that I say, 
Fro hennes in-to domesday ? 

Whan I had al this folk beholde, 1285 
And fond me lous, and noght y-holde, 
And eft y-mused longe whyle 
Upon these walles of beryle. 
That shoon ful lighter than a glas. 
And made wel more than hit was (200) 



339 



1291 



To semen, every thing, y-wis. 

As kinde thing of fames is ; 

I gan forth romen til I fond 

The eastel-yate on my right hond, 

Which that so wel corven was 1295 

That never swich another nas ; 

And yit hit was by aventure 

Y-wrought, as often as by cure. 

Hit nedeth noght yow for to tellen. 
To make yow to longe dwellen, (210) 1300 
Of this yates florisshinges, 
Ne of compasses, ne of kervinges, 
Ne how they ihatte in masoneries. 
As, corbets fuUe of imageries. 
But, lord ! so fair hit was to shewe, 1,^05 
For hit was al with gold behewe. 
But in I wente, and that anoon ; 
Ther mette I crying many oon, — 
' A larges, larges, hold i^p wel ! 
God save the lady of this pel, (220) 1310 
Ovir owne gentil lady Fame, 
And hem that wilnen to have name 
Of us ! ' Thus herde I cryen alle, 
And faste comen out of halle, 
And shoken nobles and sterlinges. 1315 
And somme crouned were as kinges. 
With crovuies wroght ful of losenges ; 
And many riban, and many frenges 
Were on hir clothes trewely. 

Tho atte laste aspyed I (230) 1320 

That pursevauntes and heraudes, 
That cryen riche folkes laudes. 
Hit weren alle ; and evei-y man 
Of hem, as I yow tellen can. 
Had on him throwen a vesture, 1325 

Which that men clepe a cote-armure, 
Enbrowded wonderliche riche, 
Al-though they nere nought y-liche. 
But noght nil I, so mote I thrj-ve, 
Been aboute to discryve (240) 1330 

Al these amies that ther weren, 
That they thus on hir cotes beren. 
For hit to me were impossible : 
Men mighte make of hem a bible 
Twenty foot thikke, as I trowe. 1335 

F(jr certeyn, who-so coude y-knowe 
Mighte ther alle the amies seen 
Of famous folk that han y-been 
In Auft'rike, Europe, and Asye, 
Sith first began the chevalrye. (-'50) 1340 
Lo ! how sliulde I now telle al this ? 



34° 



ZH '^ouB of jfatne. 



[Book III. 



Ne of the lialle eek what nede is 

To tellen yow, that every wal 

Of hit, and floor, and roof and al 

Was plated half a fote thikke 1,^45 

Of gold, and that nas no-thing wikke. 

But, for to prove in aUe wyse. 

As fyn as dncat in Venyse, 

Of whiche to lyte al in my poviche is '? 

And they wer set as thikke of nouchis (260) 

Fulle of the fynest stones faire, 1351 

That men re<le in the Lapidaire, 

As greses growen in a mede ; 

Bnt hit were al to longe to rede 

The names ; and therfore I pace. 1355 

But in this riclie lusty place. 
That Fames halle called was, 
Fill moche prees of folk ther nas, 
Ne cronding, for to mochil prees. 
But al on hye, above a dees, (2yo) 1360 
i Sitte in a see imperial. 
That maad was of a rnbee al, 
Which that a carbuncle is y-called, 
I saugh, perpetnallj' :i'-stalled, 
A feminyne creature ; 1365 

That never formed liy nature 
Nas swich another thing y-seye. 
For altherfirst, soth for to seye, 
Me thoughte tliat she was So lyte. 
That the lengthe <if a cubyte (280) 1370 
Was lenger than she semed lie ; 
But thus sone, in a whyle, she 
Hir tho so -I wonderliche streighte. 
That with hir feet she th'ertln' reighte. 
And with hir heed she touched hevene, 
Ther as shynen sterres sevene. 1376 

And ther-to eek, as to my wit, 
I saixgli a gretter wonder yit. 
Upon hir eyen to beholde ; 
But certeyn I hem never tolde ; (21)0) 1380 
For as fele eyen hadde she 
As fetheres upon fo\\les be, 
Or weren on the bestes foure. 
That goddes trone gunne honoure. 
As .Tc>hn writ in th'apocalips. 1385 

Hir heer, that oundy was and crips, 
As burned gold hit shoon to see. 
And sooth to tellen, also she 
Had also fele iip-stonding eras 
And tonges, as on bestes heres ; (300) 131)0 
And on hir feet wexen saugh I 
Partriches winges redely 



But, lord ! the perrie and the richesse 
I saugh sitting on this goddesse ! 
And, lord ! the hevenish melodye 1395 
Of songes, ful of armonye, 
I herde aboute her trone y-songe. 
That al the paleys-walles ronge ! 
So song the mighty Muse, she 
That clej)ed is Caliopee, ("3")) i4(X) 

And hir eighte sustren eke, 
That in hir face semen meke ; 
And evernio, eternally, 
They songe of Fame, as tho herde I : — 
' Heried be thoii and thy name, 1405 

Goddesse of renoun and of fame ! ' 

Tho was I war, lo, atte laste, 
As I myn eyen gan \ip caste, 
That this ilke noble queue 
On hir shuldres gan siastene (320) 1410 
Bothe th'armes and the name 
Of tho that hadde large fame ; 
Alexander, and Hercules 
That with a sherte his lyt lees ! 
■j-Thus fond I sitting this goddesse, 1415 
In nobley, honour, and richesse ; 
Of which I stinte .1 whyle now. 
Other thing to tellen yow. 

Tho saugh I stonde on cither syde, 
Streight doun to the dores wyde, (330) 14J0 
Fro the dees, many a pileer 
Of metal, that shoon not ful cleer ; 
But though thej' nere of no richesse. 
Yet they were maad for greet noblesse, 
And in hem greet [and hj'] sentence ; 1425 
And folk of digne reverence, 
Of whiche I wol yow telle foude. 
Upon the piler saugh I stonde. 

Alderfirst, lo, ther I sigh, 
Upon a piler stonde on high, (34<i) 1430 
That was of lede and yren fyn, 
Him of secte Saturnyn, 
Th' Ebrayk Josephiis, the olde, 
That of Jewes gestes tolde ; 
And bar upon his shuldres hye 1435 

The fame \\i^ of the Jewerye. 
And by him stoden other sevene, 
Wyse and worthy for to nevene. 
To helpen him here iip the charge, 
Hit was so hevy and so large. (350) 1440 
And for they writen of batailes, 
As wel as other olde mervailes, 
Therfor was, lo, this pileer. 



Book III.] 



^0e 15*5"^ "^f S<^we. 



341 



Of which that I yow telle lieer. 

Of lede and j'ren bothe, y-wis. 1 445 

For yrcn Martos metal is, 

\^'hich that god is of hataile ; 

And the leed, withouten faile, 

Is, lo, the metal of Satiirne, 

That hath ful largo wheel to tiirne. {^6o) 

Tho stodon forth, on every rowc, 1451 

Of hem which that I conde knowe, 

Tliogh I hem noght by ordre telle, 

To make yow to long to dwelle. 

These, of whiche I ginno rode, 1455 

Thorsaugh T stonden, ont of il rede : 
Upon an yrou piler strong. 
That peynted was, al endelong, 
^Vith tygres blodo in every place. 
The Tholosan that highte Stace, (370) 1460 
That bar of Tliebes up the fame 
Upon his shvildres, and the name 
Also of cruel Achilles. 
And by him stood, withouten lees, 
Ful wonder liye on a pileer i4''>5 

Of yren, he, the gret Omecr ; 
And witli him Dares and Tytus 
Before, and eek he, Lollius, 
And Guido eek do Columpnis, 
And English ttaufriilo eek, y-wis ; (380J 1470 
And ech of these, as have I joye, 
Was besy for to here xip Troye. 
So hevy ther-of was the fame. 
That tor to here hit was no game. 
But yit I gan ful wel espye, 1475 

Betwi.\ hem was a litel envye. 
Oou seydc, Omero made lyes, 
Feyningo in his poetryes. 
Anil was to Grekes fav(^rablo ; 
Therfor held lie hit but fable. (390) 1480 

Tlio saugh I stonde on a pileer, 
That was of tinned yren cleer. 
That Latin poete, [dan] Virgyle, 
That bore hath up a longe wliyle 
The fame of Pins Eneas. 1485 

And next him on a piler was. 
Of coper, Venus clerk, Ovyde, 
That hath y-sowen wonder wyde 
The gretc god of Loves name. 
And ther he bar ui) wel his fame, (41 x)) 
Upon this piler, also hyo 141)1 

As I might see hit with myn yii : 
F<)r-why this halle, of whiche I rede 
Was woxe on f highte, longtho and brede. 



Wel more, by a thoiisand del, 1495 

Than hit was erst, that sangli 1 wel. 

Tho saugh I, on a piler by, 
Of yren wroght ful sternel,^■, 
The grete poete, daun Lucan, 
And on his shnldres bar up than, (410) 
As highe as that I mighte see, 1501 

The fame of Julius and Pompee. 
And by hini stoden alle these clerkos, 
That writeu of Homes niighty workes, 
That, if I wolde liir names telle, 1-05 

Al to longe moste I dweUe. 

And next hini on a i)iler stood 
Of soulfre, lyk as he were wood, 
Dan Claudian, the soth to telle, 
That bar up al tho fame of lielle, (420) 1510 
Of Pluto, and of Pi-oseii)yne, 
That (lueno is of the derko i)yue. 

What shulde I more telle of this'? 
The halle was al fid, .y-wis. 
Of hem that writen olde gestes, 15 15 

As ben on trees rokes nestes ; 
But hit a ful confus matere 
Were al the gestes for to here. 
That they of write, and how they 

highte. 
But whyl tliat I beheld tliis sighte, (430) 
I liorde a noise aprochen blyve, 1521 

That ferde as been tlon in an hyve, 
Agen her tyme of out-fleyinge ; 
Eight swiche a manor murmuriiige. 
For al the world, hit semed me. 1525 

Tho gan I loke abouto and see. 
That ther coni entring fin the lialU' 
A right grot conn)an,v with-alle, 
And that of .son<lry regiouns, 
Of alleskinnes condiciouns, (440) 1530 

That dwelle in erthe under the mone. 
Pore and ryclie. And also sone 
As they wore come into tho halle, 
They gonne doxxn on knees falle 
Before this ilke noble queue, 1535 

And soyde, ' Graunte lis, lady sheno. 
Ech of us, of thy grace, a bone ! ' 
And somme of hem she graunted 

sone. 
And somme she werned wel and fairo ; 
And somme she graunted the contraire 
Of hir axing uttorl.y. (451 j 1541 

But thus I seye .vow trowel.v, 
What hir cause was, I niste. 



342 



C^e ^ou0 of -^c^mt. 



[Book III. 



Per this folic, ful wel I wiste, 

Thej' hadde good fame ech deserved, 1545 

Altliogh they were diversly served ; 

Right as hir snster, dame Fortune, 

Is wont to serven in comune. 

Now herkne how she gan to paye 
That gonne hir of hir grace praye ; (460) 
And yit, lo, al this companye 1551 

Seyden sootli, and noght a lye. 

' Madame,' sej'den they, ' we he 
Folk that heer besechen thee. 
That thori graunte lis now good fame, 1555 
And lete onr werkes han that name ; 
In ful recompensaciotin 
Of good werk, give ns good renoun.' 
' I werne j'ow hit,' qnod she anoon, 
' Ye gete of me good fame noon, (470) 1560 
By god ! and therfor go yoiir wey.' 

' Alas,' qnod they, ' and welaway ! 
Telle ns, what may yonr canse be ? ' 

■For me list hit noght,' qviod she ; 
' No wight shal speke of yow, y-wis, 1565 
Grood ne harm, ne that ne this.' 
And with that word she gan to calle 
Hir messanger, that was in halle, 
And bad that he shiilde faste goon, 
fUp i^eyne to be blind anoon, (480) 1570 
For Eolns, the god of windc ; — 
' In Trace ther ye shul him finde. 
And bid him bringe his clarionn, 
That is ful dyvers of his sovm, 
And hit is cleped Clere Lande, 1575 

With which he wont is to heraude 
Hem that me list y-preised be : 
And also bid him how that he 
Bringe his other clarionn. 
That highte Sclaundre in every tonn, (490) 
With which he wont is to diffame 1581 
Hem that me list, and do hem shame.' 

This messanger gan faste goon. 
And fonnd wher, in a cave of stoon, 
In a contree that highte Trace, 1585 

This Eolns, with harde grace. 
Held the windes in distresse. 
And gan hem under him to presse, 
That they gonne as beres rore. 
He bond and pressed hem so sore. (500) 

This messanger gan faste crye, 1591 
' Rys up,' quod he, ' and faste hye, 
Til that thou at my lady be ; 
And tak thy clarions eek with thee. 



And speed thee forth.' And he anon 1595 

Took to a man, that hight Triton, 

His olariouns to here tho, 

And leet a certeyn wind to go, 

That blew so hidously and hye. 

That hit ne lefte not a skye (510) i6aj 

In al the welken longe and brood. 

This Eolus no-wher abood 
Til he was come at Fames feet, 
And eek the man that Triton heet ; 
And ther he stood, as still as stoon. 1605 
And her-withal ther com anoon 
Another huge companye 
Of gode folk, and gunne crye, 
' Lady, graunte us now good fame. 
And lat our werkes han that name (520) 
Now, in honour of gentilesse, 161 1 

And also god yotir soule blesse ! 
For we han wel deserved liit, 
Therfor is right that we ben quit.' 

'As thryve I,' quod she, 'ye shal 
faile, 
Good werkes shal yow noght availe 1616 
To have of me good fame as now. 
But wite j'e what ? I graunte yow. 
That ye shal have a shrewed fame 1619 
And wikked loos, and worse name, (530) 
Thottgh ye good loos have wel deserved. 
Now go your wey, for ye be served ; 
And thou, dan Eolus, let see ! 
Tak forth thy trumpe anon,' quod she, 
' That is y-cleped Sclaunder light, 1625 
And blow hir loos, that every wight 
Speke of hem harm and shrewednesse. 
In stede of good and worthinesse. 
For thou shalt tritmpe al the contraire 
Of that they han don wel or faire.' 1630 

' Alas,' thoughte I, ' what aventures 
Han these sory creatures ! (542) 

For they, amonges al the pres, 
Shtil thus be shamed gilteles ! 
But what ! hit moste nedes be.' 1635 

Wliat did this Eolus, but he 
Tok out his blakke trumpe of bras, 
That fouler than the devil was. 
And gan this trumpe for to hlowe. 
As al the world shulde overthrowe ; (550) 
That through-aut every regioun 1641 

Wente this foule trumpes sotin, 
As swift as pelet out of gonne. 
Whan fyr is in the poudre ronne. 



Book III.] 



ZU l^oue of :^ante. 



343 



And swiche a smoke gan ont-wende 1645 

Out of his fonle trumpes ende, 

Blalc, lilo, grenish, swartish reed, 

As doth wlier tliat men melte leed, 

Lo, al on high fro the tuel ! 

And therto 00 thing sangh I wel, (560) 1650 

That, the ferther that hit ran, 

The gretter wexen hit began, 

As doth the river from a welle, 

And hit stank as the pit of helle. 

Alas, thus was hir shame y-ronge, 1655 

And giltelees, on every tonge. 

Tho com the thridde companye, 
And gunne up to the dees to hye. 
And doun on knees they fille anon, 
And seyde, ' We ben everichon (570) 1660 
Folk that han fill trewely 
Deserved fame rightfullj', 
And praye yow, hit mot be knowe. 
Eight as hit is, and forth y-blowe.' 
' I graunte,' quod she, ' for me list 1665 
That now yoiu* gode fwerk be wist ; 
And yit ye shul han better loos, 
Eight in dispyt of alle your foos, 
Than worthy is ; and that anoon : 
Lat now,' quod she, ' thy trumpe goon, (580) 
Thou Eolus, that is so blak ; 1671 

And out thjTi other trumpe tak 
That highte Laude, and blow hit so 
That throiigh the world hir fame go 
Al esely, and not to faste, 1675 

That hit be knowen atte laste.' 

' Ful gladly, lady myn,' he seyde ; 
And out his trumpe of golde he brayde 
Anon, and sette hit to his mouthe. 
And blew hit est, and west, and soiithe,(59o) 
And north, as loude as any thunder, i68i 
That every wight hadde of hit wonder. 
So brode hit ran, or than hit stente. 
And, certes, al the breeth that wente 
Out of his trumpes mouthe smelde 1O85 
As men a pot-ful fbawme helde 
Among a basket ful of roses ; 
This favour dide he til hir loses. 

And right with this I gan aspye, 
Ther com the ferthe comjjanye — {600) 1690 
But certeyn they were wonder fewe — 
And gonne stonden in a rewe, 
And seyden, ' Certes, lady briglite, 
We han don wel with al our mightc ; 
But we ne kepen have no fame. 1695 



Hyd our werkes and our name. 

For goddes love ! for certes we 

Han certeyn doon hit for bountee, 

And for no maner other thing.' 

' I graunte j'ow al your asking,' (610) 1700 

Qviod she ; ' let your -j-werk be deed.' 

With that aboute I clew myn heed. 
And savigh anoon the fifte route 
That to this lady gonne loiite, 
And doun on knees anoon to falle ; 1 705 
And to hir tho besoughten alle 
To hyde hir gode werkes eek. 
And seyde, they yeven noght a leek 
For fame, ne for swich renoun ; 
For they, for contemplaciotin (620) 1710 
And goddes love, hadde y-wronght : 
Ne of fame wolde they nought. 

' "What ? ' qaod she, ' and be ye wood ? 
And wene ye for to do good. 
And for to have of that no fame ? 1715 

Have ye dispyt to have my name ? 
Nay, ye shul liven everichoon ! 
Blow thy trumpe and that anoon,' 
Qiiod she, ' thou Eolus, I hote, 
And ring tliis folkes f werk by note, (630) 

That al the world may of hit here.' 1721 

And he gan blowe hir loos so elere 

In his golden clarioun. 

That throvigh the world wente the sonn, 

■f-So kenely, and eek so softe ; 1725 

But atte laste hit was on-lofte. 
Thoo com the sexte companye, 

And gonne faste on Fame erye. 

Eight verraily, in this manere 

They seyden : 'Mercy, lady dere ! (640) 1730 

To telle certein, as hit is. 

We han don neither that ne this. 

But ydel al our lyf y-be. 

But, natheles, yit preye we. 

That we mowe han so good a fame, 1735 

And greet renoun and knowen name, 

As they that han don noble gestes, 

And acheved alle hir lestes, 

As wel of love as other thing ; 

Al was us never broche ne ring, (650) 1740 

Ne elles nought, from wimmen sent, 

Ne ones in hir herte y-ment 

To make us only frendly chere. 

But mighte temen us on here ; 

Yit lat lis to the peple seme 1745 

Swiche as the world maj' of us deme. 



344 



Z^i ^oue of 5^^^- 



[Book III. 



That wimmen loven us for wood. 

Hit slial don us as moche good, 

And to our lierte as moehe availe 

To countrepeise ese and travaile, (660) 1750 

As we had wonne hit with labour ; 

For that is dere boght honour 

At regard of our grete ese. 

And yit thou most us more plese ; 

Let us be hohlen eek, therto, 1755 

Worthy, wyse, and gode also, 

And rlche, and happy unto love. 

For goddes love, that sit above, 

Thoiigh we may not the body have 

Ofwimmen,yet,so god yow save! (670) 1760 

Let men glowe on lis the nanie ; 

SufFyceth that we han the fame.' 

' I graunte,' quod she, ' liy my trouthe ! 
Now, Eolus, with-oi^ten slouthe, 
Tak out thy trumpe of gold, flet see, 1765 
And blow as they han axed me, 
That every man wene hem at ese. 
Though they gon in ful badde lese. ' 
This Eolus gau hit so Ijlowe, (679) 1769 
That through the world hit was y- 
knowe. 

Tho com the seventh route anoon. 
And fel on knees everichoon, 
And seyde, ' Lady, graunte us sone 
The same thing, the same bone. 
That [ye] this nexte folk han doon.' 1775 
' Fy on yow,' quod she, ' everichoon ! 
Ye masty swyn, ye .ydel wrecches, 
Ful of roten slowe tecches ! 
What ? false theves ! wher j^e wolde 
Be famous good, and no-thing nolde (690) 
Deserve why, ne never roughte? 1781 

Men rather yow to-hangen oughte ! 
For ye be lyk the sweynte eat, 
That wolde have fish ; but wostow what ? 
He wolde no-thing wete his clowes. 1785 
Yvel thrift come on your jowes. 
And eek on myn, if I hit graunte, 
Or do .yow favour, yow to avaunte ! 
Thou Eolus, thoti king of Trace ! 
Go, blow this folk a sory grace,' (700) 1790 
Quod she, ' anoon ; and wostow how? 
As I shal telle thee right now ; 
Se.v : " These ben they that wolde honoiir 
Have, and do noskinnes labour, 
Ne do no good, and yit han laiide ; 1795 
And that men wende that bele Isaude 



Ne coude hem noght of love werne ; 
And yit she that grint at a querne 
Is al to good to ese hir herte." ' 

This Eolus anon up sterte, (710) 1800 
And with his blakke clarioun 
He gan to blasen out a soun, 
As loiide as belweth wind in helle. 
And eek therwith, [the] sooth to telle, 
This soun was [al] so ful of japes, 1S05 

As ever mowes were in apes. 
And that wente al the world aboute. 
That every wight gan on hem shoute, 
And for to laughe as they were wode ; 
Such game fonde they in hir liode. (720) 

Tho com another companye, 1811 

That had y-doon the traiterye, 
The harm, the f gretest wikkednesse 
That any herte couthe gesse ; 
And preyed hir to han good fame, 1815 
And that she nolde hem doon no 

shanie. 
But yeve hem loos and good renoun, 
And do hit blowe in clarioun. 
' Nay, wis ! ' quod she, ' hit were a 

vj'ce ; 
Al be ther in me no justyce, (730) 1820 

Me listeth not to do hit now, 
Ne this nil I not graiinte you.' 

Tho come ther lepinge in a roiite, 
And gonne choppen al aboute 
Evei\v man upon the croune, 1R25 

That al the halle gan to soune. 
And seyden : 'Lady, lefe and dere. 
We ben swich folk as ye mowe here. 
To tellen al the tale aright. 
We ben shrowes, every wight, (740) 1830 
And han delyt in wikkednesse, 
As gode folk han in goodnesse ; 
And joye to be knowen shrewes, 
And fuUe of vyce and wikked thewes ; 
Wherfor we preyen yow, a-rowe, 1835 

That our fame swich be knowe 
In alle thing right as hit is.' 

' I graunte hit yow,' quod she, ' y-wis. 
But what art thou that seyst this tale. 
That werest on thy hose a pale, (750) 1840 
And on thy tipet swiche a belle ! ' 
' Madame,' qiiod he, ' sooth to telle, 
I am that ilke shrewe, y-wis, 
That brende the temple of Isidis 
In Athenes, lo, that citee.' 1845 



Book III. I 



ZH '^ouQ of j^amc 



!45 



'And wherl'or didest thou so?' qi\od 

she. 
' By my thrift,' quod he, ' madame, 
I wolde t'ayu han had a fame, 
As other folk hadde in the toun, 
Al-thogh they were of greet renoun (760) 
For hir vertu and for hir thewes ; 1851 
Thoughte I, as greet a fame han slirewes, 
Thogh hit be +but for shrewednesse, 
As gode folk han for goodnesse ; 
And sith I may not have that oon, 1855 
That other nil I noght for-goon. 
And for to gette of Fames hyre. 
The temple sette I al a-fyre. 
Now do our loos he blowen swythe, 
As wisly be thou ever blythe.' (770) i860 
' Gladly,' quod she ; ' thou Eolus, 
Herestow not what they preyen us ?' 
' Madame, yis, fol wel,' qu.od he, 
' And I wil triimpen hit, parde ! ' 
And tok his blakke trumpe faste, 1865 
And gan to puffen and to blaste, 
Til hit was at the worldes eude. 

With that I gan aboute wende ; 
For oon that stood right at my bak, 
Me thoughte, goodly to me spak, (780) 1870 
And seyde : ' Frend, what is thy name ? 
Artow come hider to han fame ? ' 
' Nay, for-sothe, frend ! ' quod I ; 
' I cam noght hider, graunt mercy ! 
For no swich cause, by my heed ! 1875 

Suffyceth me, as I were deed. 
That no wight have my name in 

honde. 
I woot my-self best how I stonde ; 
For what I drye or what I thinke, 
I wol my-selven al hit drinke, (790) 1880 
Certeyn, for the more part. 
As ferforth as I can mj'u art.' 
' But what dost thou here than ?' quod he. 
Quod I, ' that wol I tellen thee. 
The cause why I stonde here : — 1885 

Som newe tydings for to lere : — 
Som newe f thinges, I not what, 
Tydinges, other this or that, 
Of love, or swiche thinges glade. 
For certeynly, he that me made (800) 1890 
To comen hider, seyde me, 
I shulde bothe here and see, 
In this place, wonder thinges ; 
But tliese be no swiche tvdinges 



1895 



As I mene of.' ' No ?' quod he. 

And I answerde, ' No, pardee ! 

For wel I fwiste, ever yit, 

Sith that first I hadde wit. 

That som folk han desj^red fame 

Dyversly, and loos, and name ; (810) 1900 

But certeynly, I niste how 

Ne wher that Fame fdwelte, er now ; 

Ne eek of hir descripcioun, 

Ne also hir condicioun, 

Ne the ordre of hir dome, 1905 

Unto the tyme I hider come.' 

' "t-Whiche be, lo, these tydinges, 

That thou now [thus] hider bringes, 

That thou hast herd ? ' quod he to me ; 

' But now, no fors ; for wel I see (820) 1910 

Wliat thou desyrest for to here. 

Com forth, and stond no longer here. 

And I wol thee, with-oviten drede. 

In swich another place lede, 

Ther thou shalt here many oon.' 1915 

Tho gan I forth with him to goon 
Out of the castel, soth to seye. 
Tho saugh I stonde in a valeye, 
Under the castel, faste by. 
An hous. that domiis Dedal/, (830) 1920 
That Lahorintus cleped is, 
Nas maad so wonderliche, y-wis, 
Ne half so qneynteliche y-wrovight. 
And evermo, so swift as thoiight, 
This queynte hous aboute wente, 1925 

That never-mo hit stille steute. 
And ther-out com so greet a noise, 
That, had hit stouden upon Oise, 
Men mighte hit han herd esely 
To Home, I trowe sikerly. (840) 1930 

And the noyse which that I herde, 
For al the world right so hit ferde, 
As doth the rou.ting of the stoon 
That from th'engyn is leten goon. 

And al this hous, of whiche I rede, 1935 
Was made of twigges, falwe, rede. 
And grene eek, and som weren whyte, 
Swiche as men to tliese cages thwyte, 
Or maken of these paniers. 
Or elles fhottes or dossers ; (850) 1940 

That, for the swough and for the 

twigges, 
This hous was also ful of gigges, 
And also fvil eek of chirkinges. 
And of many other werkinges ; 



346 



tU 1^0\X6 of ^Amt, 



[Book III, 



And eek this hous liath of entrees 1945 

As fele as leves been on trees 

In somer, whan they grene been ; 

And on the roof men may yit seen 

A thoiisand holes, and wel mo, 

To leten wel the sonn oiit go. (860) 1950 

And by day, in every tyde, 
Ben al the dores open wyde, 
And by niglit, echoon, iinshette ; 
Ne porter ther is non to lette 
No maner tj-dings in to pace ; 1955 

Ne never reste is in that place. 
That hit nis fild fill of t.^'dinges, 
Other loude, or of whispringes ; 
And, over alle the houses angles, 
Isfulof rouninges and of jangles (870) 1960 
Of -j-werre, of pees, of mariages. 
Of -freste, of laboiir of viages, ' 
Of abood, of death, of Ij-fe, 
Of love, of hate, acorde, of strvfe. 
Of loos, of lore, and of winninges, 1965 
Of hele, of sekenesse, of Inldinges, 
Of fairo windes, f of tenipestes. 
Of qualme of folk, and eek of bestes ; 
Of dyvers transmutaciouns 
Of estats, and eek of regionns; (880) 1970 
Of trust, of drede, of jelonsye. 
Of wit, of winninge, of folye ; 
Of plentee, and of greet famyne. 
Of chepe, of derth, and of riiyne ; 
Of good or fniis governement, 1975 

Of fyr, of dyvers accident. 

And lo, this hous, of whiche I wryte, 
Siker be ye, hit nas not lyte ; 
For hit was sixty myle of lengthe ; 
Al was the timber of no strengthe, (890) 
Yet hit is founded to endure 1981 

Whyl that it list to Aventure, 
That is the moder of tydinges. 
As the see of welles and springes, — • 
And hit was shapen lyk a cage. 1985 

' Certes,' qiTod I, ' in al myn age, 
Ne saugh I swich a hous as this.' 
And as I wondred me, y-wis, 
Upon this hous, tho war was I 
How that myn egle, faste by, (900) 1990 
Was perched hye upon a stoon ; 
And I gan streighte to him goon 
And seyde thus : ' I preye thee 
That thou a whyl abyde me 
For goddes love, and let me seen 1995 



What wondres in this place been ; 
For yit, paraventure, I maj- lere 
Som good ther-on, or sum"what here 
That leef me were, or that I wente.' 

' Peter ! that is myn entente,' (910) 2000 
Quod he to me ; ' therfor I dwelle ; 
But certein, oon thing I thee telle. 
That, but I bringe thee ther-inne, 
Ne shalt thou never cunne ginne 
To come in-to hit, out of dovite, 2005 

So faste hit whirleth, lo, aboute. 
But sitli that Joves, of his grace. 
As I have seyd, wol thee solace 
F^\'nally with fswiehe thinges, 
Uncouthe sightes and tydinges, (920) 2010 
To passe with thyn hevinesse ; 
Suche routhe hath he of thy distresse, 
That thou suffrest debonairly — 
And wost thy-selven utterly 
Disesperat of alle blis, 2015 

Sith that Fortune hath maad a-mis 
The ffruit of al thyn hertes reste 
Languisshe and eek in point to In-este — 
That he, through his mightj' meryte, 
Wol do thee ese, al be hit lyte, (930) 2020 
And tyaf expres commaiindement, 
To whiche I am obedient. 
To furthre thee with al my might. 
And wisse and teche thee aright 
Wher thou maist most tydinges here ; 2025 
Shaltow fanoon heer many oon lere.' 

With this worde he, right anoon, 
Hente me up bitweue his toon, 
And at a windowe in me broghte, 2029 
That in thishouswas,asmethoghte — (940) 
And ther-withal, me thoghte hit stente. 
And no-thing hit aboute wente — 
And me sette in the flore adoun. 
But which a congregacioun 
Of folk, as I saugh rome aboute, 2035 

Some within and some withoute, 
Nas never seen, ne shal lien ett ; 
That, certes, in the world nis left 
So many formed by Nature, 
Ne deed so many a creatiire ; (950) 2040 
That wel unethe, in that place, 
Hadde I oon fbot-brede of space ; 
And every wight that I saugh there 
Rouned ech in otheres ere 
A newe tyding prevely, 2045 

Or elles tolde al openly 



Book IIL] 



ZU '^ouQ of ^amc. 



347 



Eight thus, aud sej-de : ' Nost not 

thou 
That is hetid, lo, late or now ? ' 

' No,' quod fthe other, 'tel me what :' — 
And than he tokle him this and that, (960) 
And swoor ther-to that hit was sooth — 
'Thus hath he seyd'— and 'Thus he 

dooth '— 2052 

'fThus shal hit be'— 'fThus herde I 

seye ' — 
'That shal be found' — 'That dar I 

leye : ' — ■ 
That al the folk that is a-lj-^'e 2055 

Ne han the cunning to discryve 
The thinges that I herde there. 
What aloudo, and what in ere. 
But al the wonder-most was this : — ■ 
Whan oon had herd a thing, y-wis, (970) 
He com ■f-ff)rth to another wight, 2061 
And gau him tellen, anoon-right, 
Tlie same that to him was told, 
Or liit a furlong-way was old, 
But gan somwhat for to eche 2065 

T(i this tyding in this speche 
More than hit ever was. 
Antl nat so sone departed nas 
That he fro liim, that he ne mette 
With the thridde ; and, or he lette (980) 
Any stounde, he tolde him als ; 2071 

Were the tyding sooth or fals, 
Yit wolde he telle hit nathelees, 
And evermo with more encrees 
Than hit was erst. Thus north and 

southe 2075 

Went every -j-word fro mouth to moutlie. 
And that encresing ever-mo. 
As fyr is wont to quikke and go 
From a sparke spronge amis. 
Til al a citee brent up is. (990) 2080 

And, whan that was ful y-spronge, 
And woxen more on eveiy tonge 
Than ever hit was, -f-hit wente anoon 
Up to a windowe, out to goon ; 
Or, but hit mighte out ther pace, 2085 

Hit gan out crepe at som crevace. 
And fleigh forth faste for the nones. 
And somtyme saiigh I tho, at ones, 
A lesing and a sad si^th-sawe. 
That gonne of aventure drawe (uwo) 2(><)(> 
Out at a windowe for to pace ; 
And, wlien they metten in that iilaco. 



They were a-chekked bothe two, 

And neither of hem moste out go ; 

For other so they gonne croude, 2095 

Til eche of hem gan oryen loude, 

' Lat me go first ! ' ' Nay, but lat'me ! 

And here I wol ensuren thee 

With the nones that thou wolt do so, 

That I shal never fro thee go, (loio) 2100 

But be thyn owne sworen brother ! 

We wil medle us ech witli other, 

That no man, be he never so wrothe, 

Shal han f that oon of two, but bothe 

At ones, al beside his leve, 2105 

Come we a-morwe or on eve. 

Be we cryed or stille y-rouned." 

Thus saugh I fals and sootli com- 

pouned 
Togeder flee for 00 tydinge. 

Thus oiit at holes gonne wringe (1020) 
Every tyding streight to Fame ; 21 u 

And she gan yeven eche his name, 
After hir disposicioun. 
And yaf hem eek duracioun. 
Some to wexe and wane sone, 21 15 

As dooth the faire whj-te mone, 
And leet hem gon. Ther mighte I 

seen 
Wenged wondres faste fleen. 
Twenty thousand in a route. 
As Eolus hem Idew aboute. (1030) 2120 

Aiid, lord ! this hous, in alle tymes. 
Was ful of shipmen and pilgrymes. 
With scrippes bret-ful of lesinges, 
Entremedled with tydinges. 
And eek alone by heni-selve. 2125 

O, many a thousand tymes twelve 
Saugh I eek of these pardoneres, 
Currours, and eek messangeres, 
AVith boistes crammed ful of lyes 
As ever vessel was with Ij-es. (1040) 2i?(i 
And as I alther-fastest wente 
Abovtte, and dide al myn entente 
Me for to pleye and for to lere. 
And eek a tyding for to here. 
That I had herd of som contree 21,^5 

Tliat shal not now be told for me : — 
For hit no nede is, redely ; 
Folk can singe hit bet than I ; 
For al mot out, other late or ratlie. 
Alio tlie sheves in the lathe : — ■ (1050) 2140 
1 herde a gret noise withalle 



348 



ZU 15ou6 of ^amt. 



In a corner of the halle, 

Ther men of love tydings tolde, 

And I gan tliiderward beholde ; 

For I saugli renninge every wight, 2145 

As faste'as that they hadden might ; 

And everich cryed, ' What thing is 

that ?' 
And som seyde I not never what. 
And whan they were alle on an hepe, 
Tho behinde gonne up lepe, (1060) 2150 



And clamhen np on othere faste, 
And up the fuose on hye caste, 
And troden faste on othere heles 
And stampe, as men don after eles. 

Atte laste I saugh a man, 2155 

Wliich that I [nevene] naught ne can ; 
But he semed for to be 
A man of greet auctoritee . . . (1068) 2158 

(Unjinished.) 



THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN. 



Text A (Earlier Version). 
Tlie prologe of .ix. goode Wiminen. 

A THOUSAND sythes have I herd men 

telle, 
That ther is joye in he^-en, and peyne in 

helle ; 
And I acorde wel that hit be so ; 
But natheles, this wot I wel also, 
That ther nis noon that dwelleth in this 

contree, 5 

That either hath in helle or heven y-be, 
Ne may of hit non other weyes witen, 
But as he hath herd seyd, or fbunde hit 

writen ; 
For by assay ther may no man hit preve. 
But goddes forbode, but men sliulde leva 
Wel more thing then men han seen with 

ye ! II 

Men shal nat wenen every-thing a lye 
For that he seigli it nat of yore ago. 
God wot, a thing is never the lesse so 

Thogh every wight ne may hit nat j'-see. 
Bernard the monk ne saugli nat al, parde ! 

Than mote we to bokes that we finde. 
Through which that olde thinges been in 

miude. 
And to the doctrine of these olde wyse, 
Yeven credence, in every skilful wyse, 20 
And trowen on these olde aproved stories 
Of holinesse, of regnes, of victories, 
Of love, of hate, of other siindry thinges, 
Of whiche I may not maken reliersinges. 
And if that olde bokes were a-weye, 25 
Y-loren were of remembraunce the keye. 
Wel oghte us than on olde bokes leve, 



Text B {Later Version). 
Tlie prologe of .ix. goode Wimmen. 

A THOUSAND tymes have I herd men 

telle, 
That ther is joye in heven, and pe.^-ne in 

helle ; 
And I acorde wel that hit is so ; 
But natheles, yit wot I wel also, 
That ther nis noon dwelling in this 

contree, 5 

That either hath in heven or helle y-be, 
Ne may of hit non other weyes witen, 
But as he hath herd seyd, or founde hit 

writen ; 
For by assay ther may no man hit preve. 
But god forbede but men shulde leve 10 
Wel more thing then men han seen with 

ye ! 
Men shal nat wenen every-thing a lye 
But-if him-self hit seeth, or elles dooth ; 
For, god wot, thing is never the lasse 

sooth, i-i- 

Thogh every wight ne may hit nat y-see. 
Bernard the monk ne saugh nat al, parde ! 

Than mote we to bokes that we finde, 
Through which that olde thinges been in 

minde, 
And to the doctrine of these olde wyse, 
Yeve credence, in every skilful wyse, 20 
That tellen of these olde appreved stories, 
Of holinesse, of regnes, of victories. 
Of love, of hate, of other sundry thinges. 
Of whiche I may not maken reliersinges. 
And if that olde bokes were a-weye, 25 
Y-loren were of remembraunce the keye. 
Wel oghte us than honouren and beleve 



35° 



ZH Begent of (Booi (pS)omen. 



Ther-as ther is non other assay by preve. 

And, as for me. though that my wit be 

lyte, 

On bokes for to rede I me delyte, 30 

And in myn herte have hem in reverence ; 

And to hem yeve swic-h hist and swich 

credence, 
Tliat ther is wel nnethe game noon 
That from my bokes make me to goon, 
But liit be other tip-on the haly-day, 35 
Or elles in the joly tj^me of May ; 

Whan that I liere tlic smale foules singe, 

And that the flonres ginne for to springe, 
Farwel my studie, as histing that sesoun ! 
Now have I therto this condicioun 40 
That, of alle tlie floures in the mede. 
Than love I most these flonres whyte and 

rede, 
Swiche as men eallen daysies in our toun. 
To hem have I so greet affeccioun, 44 

As I seyde erst, whan comen is the May, 
That in my bed ther dawetli me no day 
That I nam up, autl walking in the mede 
To- seen these floures agein the soune 

sprede, 
Whan it up-riseth by tlie morwe shene, 49 
The longe day, thus walking in the grene. 
And whan the sonne ginneth for to weste, 
Tlian clf)seth hit, and draweth hit to reste. 
So sore hit is afered of the night. 
Til on the morwe, that liit is dayes light. 
This dayesye, of alle floures flour, 55 

Fulilld of vertu and of alle honour. 
And ever y-lyke fair and fresh of hewe, 
As wel in winter as in somer newe, 



[Cf. U. 51-3, above. J 



These bokes, ther we han non other preve. 
And as for me, thogh that I can but 

lji;e, 
On bokes for to rede I me delyte, 30 

And to hem yeve I feyth and ful 

credence, 
And in myn herte have hem in reverence 

So hertely, that ther is game noon 
That fro my bokes maketh me to goon. 
But hit be seldom, on the holyday ; 35 
Save, certeynly, whan that the month of 

May 
Is comen, and that I here tlie foules 

singe. 
And that the floures ginnen for to springe, 
Farwel my Vtook and my devocioun ! 

Now have I than swich a condicioun, 
That, of alle the floures in the mede, 41 
Than love I most these floures whyte and 

rede, 
Swiche as men eallen daysies in our tnun. 
To hem have I so greet affeccioun, 44 

As I seyde erst, whan comen is the May, 
Tliat in my bed ther daweth me no day 
That I nam up, and walking in the medo 
To seen this flour agein the sonne spredo. 

Whan hit upryseth erly by the morwe ; 
That lilisfiil siglite softneth al my sorwe, 
So glad am I whan that I have presence 
Of hit, to doon al maner reverence, 52 



As she, that is of alle floures flour, 
Fulfilled of al vertu. and honour, 54 

And ever y-lyke fair, and fresh of hewe ; 
And I love hit, and ever y-lyke newe, 
And ever shal, til that myn herte dye ; 
Al swere I nat, of this I wol nat lye, 
Ther loved no wight hotter in his lyve. 
And whan that hit is eve, I renne 

blyve, 60 

As sone as ever the sonne ginneth weste, 
To seen this flour, how it wol go to reste, 
For fere of night, so hateth she derknesse! 
Hir cliere is pleynly sprad in the bright- 

nesse 
Of the Sonne, for ther hit wol unclose. 65 
Alias ! that I ne had English, ryme or 

prose. 



^rofogue. (Cwo (Peretone.) 



351 



Fain wolde I preisen, if I coude aright ; 59 
But wo is me, hit lyth nat in my might ! 



For wel I wot, that I'olk lian her-beforn 
Of making ropen, and lad a-wey the corn ; 
And I come alter, glening here and 

there, 
And am fnl glad if I may tinde an ere 
Of any goodly word that they han left. 65 
Aiid, if hit happe me reliersen eft 
That they hau in her fresshe songes sayd, 
I hope that they wil nat ben evel apayd, 
Sith hit is seid in forthering and honour 
Of hem that either serven leef or flour. 70 



[Cf. p. 354, col. 2, 11. 188-196.] 
For trusteth wel, I ne have nat under- 
take 
As of the leef, ageyn the flour, to make ; 
Ne of the flour to make, ageyn the leef, 
Xo more than of the corn ageyn the 

sheef. 
For, as to me, is leefer noon ne lother ; 75 
I am with-holde yit with never nother. 
I not who serveth leef, ne who the flour; 
That nis nothing the entent of my labour. 
For this werk is al of another tunne, 79 
Of olde story, er swich stryf was begunne. 
Biit wherfor that I spak, to yeve cre- 
dence 
To bokes olde and doon hem reverence. 
Is for men shulde ai^toritees beleve, 
Ther as ther Ij-th non other assay by 

preve. 
For myn entent is, or I fro yow fare, 85 
The naked text in English to declare 
Of many a story, or elles of many a geste. 
As autours seyn ; leveth hem if yow leste ! 



Suffisant this flour to preyse aright I 
Bu.t helpeth, ye that han conning and 

might, 
Ye lovers, that can make of sentement ; 
In this cas oghte ye he diligent 70 

To forthren me somwhat in my labour, 
Whether ye ben with the leef or with the 

flour. 
For wel I wot, that ye han her-bil'orn 
Of making ropen, and lad awey the corn ; 
And I come after, glening here and 

there, 75 

And am ful glad if I may flnde an ere 
Of any goodly word that ye han left. 
And thogh it happen me rehercen eft 
That ye han in your fresshe songes sayd, 
For-bereth me, and beth nat evel apayd, 
Sin that ye see I do hit in the honour 81 
Of love, and eek in service of the flour, 
Whom that I serve as I have wit or 

might. 
She is the clernesse and the verray light. 
That in this derke worlde me wynt and 

ledeth, 85 

The herte in-with my sorowful brest yow 

dredeth. 
And lovetli so sore, that ye ben verrayl,\- 
The maistresse of my wit, and nothing I. 
My word, my werk, is knit so in your 

bonde. 
That, as an harpe obeyeth to the honde 1,0 
And maketli hit soune alter his finger- 

inge. 
Right so mowe ye out of myn herte 

bringe 
Swich vols, right as yow list, to laughe 

or pleyne. 
Be ye my gyde and lady sovereyne ; 
As to myn erthly god, to yow I calle, 05 
Bothe in this werke and in my sorwos 

alle. 
But wherfor that I spak, to give cre- 
dence 
To olde stories, and doon heni reverence. 
And that men mosten more thing beleve 
Then men may seen at eye or elles preve? 

That shal I seyn, whan that I see my 
tyme ; loi 

I may not al at ones speke in ryme. 
My besy gost, that thrusteth alwey newe 



35- 



ZU Begeni of (Boob (^omen. 



^\^lal^• passed was almost the month of 

May, 
And I had romed, al the someres day, 90 
The grene medew, of which that I yow 

tohle, 
r'pon the fresshe daysy to behokle, 
And that the sonne out of the south gan 

weste, 
And closed was the flon.r and goon to 

rests 
Tor derknesse of the night, of which she 

dredde, 95 

Hoom to myn hous ful swiftly I nie 

spedde ; 
And, in a litel erber that I have, 
Y- benched newe with turves fresshe y- 

grave, 
I bad men shulde me my couch e make ; 
For deyntee of the newe sonieres sake, 100 
I bad hem strowe floures on my bed. 
Wlian I was layd, and had myn eyen lied, 
I fel a-slepe with-in an houre or two. 
Me mette how I w^as in the medew tho, 
And that I romed in that same gyse, 105 
To seen that flour, as yc han herd devyse. 
Fair was this medew, as tlioughte me 

overal ; 
With floures swote eubrowded was it al ; 

As for to speke of gomme, or erbe, or 

tree, 
Comparisoun may noon y-maked be. no 
For hit surniounted pleynly alle odoures, 
And eek of riche beaute alle floures. 
Forgeten had the ertlie his pore estat 
Of winter, that him naked made and mat. 
And with his swerd of cold so sore had 

greved. 115 

ITow had the atempre Sonne al that re- 

leved. 
And clothed him in grene al newe agayn. 
The smale foiiles, of the seson fayn, 
That from the panter and the net ben 

scaped, 119 

I'pon the fouler, that hem made a-whaped 
In winter, and distroyed had hir brood. 



To seen this flour so ,vong, so fresh of 

liewe, 
Constreyned me with so gledy desyr, 105 
That in my lierte I fele yit the fyr, 
That made me to ryse er hit wer day — 
And this was now the firste morwe of 

May — 
With dredful herte and glad devocioun, 
For to ben at the resureccioiin no 

Of this flour, wlian that it shuld unclose 
Agayn the sonne, that roos as rede as 

rose. 
That in the brest was of the beste that 

day, 
That Agenores dogliter ladde away. 114 
[Cf. p. 354, col. 2, 11. 197-210.] 



And doun on knees anon-right I me sette, 
And, as I coude, this fresshe flour I grette ; 
Kneling alwe,y, til hit unclosed was, 
Upon the smale softe swote gras. 
That was with floures swote enbrouded al. 

Of swich swetnesse and swich odour 

over-al, 1 20 

That, for to speke of gomme, or herbe, or 

tree, 
Comparisoun may noon y-maked l^e ; 
For hit surmounteth ple,^'iil,y alle odoures, 
And eek of riche beautee alle floures. 
Forgeten had the ertlie his pore estat 125 
Of winter, that liim naked made and mat. 
And with his swerd of cold so sore greved ; 

Now hath the atempre sonne al that re- 

leved 
That naked was, and clad hit new agayn. 
The smale foules, of the seson fayn, 130 
That from the panter and the net ben 

scaped. 
Upon the fouler, that hem made a-wliaped 
In winter, and distroyed had hir brood, 



(ptofogu^. (Zwo (Peret'ona.) 



353 



la his despyt, hem thoughte hit did hem 

good 
To singe of him, and in hir song despyse 
The foule cherl that, for his covetyse, 124 
Had hem betrayed with his sophistrye. 
This was hir song — ' the fouler we defye!' 
Somme songen [layes] on the braunches 

clere 
Of love and [May], that joye hit was to 

here, 
In worship and in preysing of hir make. 
And of the newe blisful someres sake, 130 



That songen, ' blissed be seynt Valentyn ! 
[For] at his day I chees yow to be myn, 
With-onte repenting, myn herte swete ! ' 
And therwith-al hir bekes gonnen mete. 
fThey dide honour and humble obei- 
saunces, 135 

And after diden other observaunces 

Right [plesing] un-to love and to nature ; 
So ech of hem [doth wel] to creature. 
This song to herkne I dide al myn 
entente, 139 

For- why I mette I wiste what they mente. 



In his despyt, hem thoughte hit did hem 
good 134 

To singe of him, and in hir song despyse 
The foule cherl that, for his covetyse. 
Had hem betrayed with his soj)histrye. 
This was hir song — ' the fouler we defye. 
And al his craft ! ' And somme songen 
clere 139 

Layes of love, that joye hit was to here, 

In worshipinge and preisinge of hir make. 
And, for the newe blisful somers sake. 
Upon the braunches fi\l of blosmes softe, 
In hir delyt, they turned hem ful ofte, 144 
And songen, ' blessed be seynt Valentyn ! 
For on his day I chees yow to be myn, 
Withouten repenting, myn herte swete ! ' 
And therwith-al hir bekes gonnen mete, 
Yelding honotir and humble obeisaunces 

To love, and diden hir other obser- 
vaunces 150 
That longeth unto love and to nature ; 
Construeth that as yow list, I do no cure. 
And tho that hadde doou unkinde- 
nesse — 
As dooth the tydif, for new-fangelnesse — 
Besoghte mercy of hir trespassinge, 155 
And humblely songen hir repentinge. 
And sworen on the blosmes to be trewe. 
So that hir makes wolde upon hem rewe. 
And at the laste maden hir acord. 
Al founde they Daunger for a tyme a 
lord, 160 
Yet Pitee, through his stronge gentil 

might, 
Forgaf, and made Mercy passen Eight, 
Through innocence and ruled curtesye. 
But I ne clepe nat innocence folye, 
Ne fals pitee, for ' vertu is the mene,' 165 
As Etik saith, in swich manere I mene. 
And thus thise foules, voide of al malyce, 
Acordeden to love, and laften vyce 
Of hate, and songen aUe of oon acord, 
'Welcome, somer, our governour and 
lord ! ' 170 

And Zephirus and Flora gentillj' 
Yaf to the floures, softe and tenderly, 
Hir swote breth, and made hem for to 

sprede, 
As god and goddesse of the floury mede ; 



N 



354 



ZH Bt^tnt of ^ooi (^omen. 



|Cf. p. 351, col. J, 11. 71-80.] 



[Cf. p. 352, col. I, II. 93-106.] 



Til at the laste a larke song above : 141 
' I see,' quod she, ' the mighty god of love ! 
Lo ! yond he cometh, I see his winges 

sprede ! ' 
Tho gan I Token endelong the mede, 



In which me thoghte I mighte, day by 

flay, 175 

Dwellen alwey, the joly month of Maj', 
Withouten sleep, withotiten mete or 

drinke. 
A-doTin ful softely I gan to sinke ; 
And, leninge on myn clbowe and my 

syde, 1 79 

The longe day I shoop me for to abyde 
For nothing elles, and I shal nat lye, 
But for to loke iipon the dayesye. 
That wel by reson men hit calle may 
The ' dayesye ' or elles the ' ye of day,' 
The emperice and flour of floures alle. 185 
I pray to god that faire mot she falle, 
And alle that loven floiires, for hir sake ! 
But natheles, ne wene nat that I make 
In preysing of the flour agayn the leef. 
No more than of the corn agayn the 

sheet: 190 

For, as to me, nis lever noon ne lother ; 
I nam with-holden yit with never nother. 
Ne I not who serveth leef, ne who the 

flour ; 
Wel brouken they hir service or labour ; 
For this thing is al of another tonne, 195 
Of olde story, er swich thing was be- 

gonne. 
Whan that the sonne out of the south 

gan weste, 
And that this flour gan close and goon to 

reste 
For derknesse of the night, the which she 

dredde, 
Hoom to myn hous ful swiftly I me 

spedde 200 

To goon to reste, and erly for to ryse. 
To seen this flour to sprede, as I devyse. 
And, in a litel herber that I have, 
That benched was on turves fresshe y- 

grave, 204 

I bad men sholde me my couche make ; 
For deyntee of the newe someres sake, 
I bad hem strawen floures on my bed. 
Whan I was leyd, and had myn eyen 

bed, 
I fel on slepe in-with an houre or two ; 
Me mette how I lay in the mcdew tho, 210 
To seen this flour that I so love and drede. 

And from a-fer com walking in the mede 



(profogue. {Zwo (Peretone.) 



355 



And saw him come, and in his hond a 
qtiene, 145 

Clothed in ryal abite al of grene. 
A fret of gold she hadde next hir heer, 
And iip-on that a whyt coroun she beer 
With many floures, and I shal nat lye ; 
For al the world, right as the dayesye 150 
I-coroned is with whyte leves Ij'te, 
Swich were the floures of hir coroun 

whyte. 
For of o perle fyn and oriental 
Hir whj-ie coroun was y-maked al ; 
For which the whyte coroun, above the 
grene, 155 

Made hir lylc a daysie for to sene, 
Considered eek the fret of gold above. 

Y-clothed was this mighty god of love 
Of silk, y-brouded ful of grene greves ; 
A garlond on his heed of rose-leves 160 
Stoked al with lilie floures uewe ; 
But of his face I can nat seyn the hewe. 



For sekirly his face shoon so brighte, 

That with the gleem a-stoned was the 
sight e ; 164 

A furlong-wey I miglite him nat beholde. 

But at the laste in hande I saw him 
holde 

Two fyry dartes, as the gledes rede ; 

And aungellich his wenges gan he sprede. 

And al be that men seyu that blind is lie, 
Al-gate me thoughte he miglite wel y-see ; 
For stornely on me he gan biholde, 171 
So that his loking doth myn lierte colde. 
And by the hande he held the noble 

quene, 
Corouned with whyte, and clothed al in 

grene, 
So womanly, so benigne, and so meke, 175 
That in this world, thogh that men wolde 

seke, 
Half hir beautee shulde men nat findo 
In creature that formed is by kinde, 
Hir name was Alceste the debonayre ; 
I prey to god that ever falle she fayre ! 180 
For ne hadde confort been of hir jire- 

sence, 
I had be deed, withouten any defence. 



The god of love, and in his hande a 

queue ; 
And she was clad in real habit grene. 
A fret of gold she hadde next hir heer, 215 
And upon that a whyt coroun she beer 
With florouns smale, and I shal nat lye ; 
For al the world, ryght as a dayesye 
Y-corouned is with whyte leves Ij'te, 2iq 
So were the florouns of hir coroun 

whyte. 
For of o perle fyne, oriental, 
Hir whyte coroun was y-maked al ; 
For which the whyte coroun, above the 

grene. 
Made hir lyk a daysie for to sene. 
Considered eek hir fret of gold above. 225 

Y-clothed was this mighty god of love 
In silke, eubrouded ful of grene greves, 
In-with a fret of rede rose-leves. 
The fresshest sin the world was flrst 

bigonne. 22g 

His gilte heer was corouned with a sonne, 
In-stede of gold, for hevinesse and wighte ; 
Therwith me thoughte his face shoon so 

brighte 



That wel unnethes miglite I him beholde ; 
And in his hande me thoughte I saugh 

him holde 
Two fyry dartes, as the gledes rede ; 235 
And aungellyke his winges saugh I 

sprede. 
And al be that men seyn that blind is he, 
Al-gate me thoughte that he miglite see ; 
For sternely on me he gan biholde. 
So that his loking doth myn herte coldc. 
And by the hande he held this noble 

quene, 241 

Corouned with whyte, and clothed al in 

grene, 
So womanly, so benigne, and so meke, 
That in this world, thogh that men wolde 

seke, 
Half hir beautee shulde men nat findc 245 
In creature that formed is by kinde. 
[Cf. p. }S7, coL 2, 11. 276-9.] 



N 2 



356 



ZU Be^^hb of (Boob (^omen. 



For drede of Loves wordes and his chere, 

As, whan tyme is, her-after ye shal here. 

Byhind this god of love, upon this greue, 

I saw coniinge of ladyes nyntene i86 

In ryal abite, a ful esy pas, 

And after hem com. of wemen swieh a tras 

Tliat, sin that god Adam made of erthe, 

Tlie thredde part of wemen, ne theferthe, 

Ne wende I nat by possibilitee 191 

Hadden ever in this world y-be ; 

And trewe of love thise wemen were 

echoon. 
Now whether was that a wonder thing 

or nooti. 
That, right anoon as that they gonne 

espye 195 

This flour, which that I clepe the dayesye, 
Ful sodeinly they stinten alle at-ones. 
And kneled adoun, as it were for the 

nones. 
And after that they wenten in compas, 
Daunsinge abotite this flour an esy pas, 200 
And songen, as it were in carole-wyse, 
This balade, which that I shal yow devyse. 



Balade. 

Hyd, Absolon, thy gilte tresses clere ; 
Ester, ley thou thy meknesse al a-doun ; 
Hyd, Jonatlias, al thy frendly manere ; 205 
Penalopee, and Marcia Catoun, 
Mali of your wyf hod no comparisoun ; 
Hyde ye your beautes, Isoude and Eleyne, 
Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. 

Thy faire bodye, lat hit nat appere, 210 
Lavyne ; and thou, Lucresse of Eome 

toun, 
And Polixene, that boghte love so dere, 
Eek Cleopatre, with al thy passioun, 
Hyde ye yovu- trouthe in love and your 

renoun ; 
And thou, Tisbe, that hast for love swich 

peyne : 215 

Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. 

Herro, Dido, Laitdomia, alle in-fere, 
Eek Phyllis, hanging for thy Demophoun, 
And Canace, espyed by thy chere, 
Yslphile, betrayed with Jasoun, 220 



[Cf. p. 357, coL 2, 11. 280-296.] 



And therfor may I seyn, as thinketli me. 
This song, in preysing of this lady fre. 



Balade. 

Hyd, Absolon, thy gilte tresses clere ; 249 
Ester, ley thou thy meknesse al a-doun ; 
Hyd, Jouathas, al thy frendly manere ; 
Penalopee, and Marcia Catoun, 
Mak of your wyfliod no comparisoun ; 
Hyde ye your beautes, Isoude and Eleyne, 
My lady cometh, that al this may dis- 
teyne. 255 

Thy faire body, lat hit nat appere, 
Lavyne ; and thou, Lucresse of Rome 

toun. 
And Polixene, that boghten love so dere. 
And Cleopatre, with al thy passioun, 
Hj-de ye your trouthe of love and your 

renoun ; 260 

And thou, Tisbe, that hast of love swich 

peyne ; 
My lady cometh, that al this may dis- 

teyne. 

Herro, Dido, Laudomia, alle y-fere. 
And Phyllis, hanging for thy Demophoun, 
And Canace, espyed by thy chere, 265 

Ysiphile, betraysed with Jasoun, 



(profo^"^' (^wo (Peretone.) 



357 



Mak of yoiir trouthe in love no bost ne 

soun ; 
Nor Ypermistre or Adriane, ne pleyne ; 
Alceste is here, that al that may desteyne. 



Whan that this halade al y-songen was, 



[Cf. pp. 355-6, col. I, II. 179-198.] 



Upon the softe and swote grene gras, 225 
They setten hem ful softely adoun, 
By ordre alle in compas, alle enveroun. 
First sat the god of love, and than this 

quene 
With the whyte coroun, clad in grene ; 
And sithen al the remenant by and by, 
As they were of degree, ful curteisly ; 231 



Maketh of your trouthe neyther boost ne 

soun ; 
Nor Ypermistre or Adriane, ye tweyne ; 
My lady cometh, that al this may dis- 

teyne. 

This balade may ful wel y-songen be, 270 
As I have seyd erst, by my lady free ; 
For certeynly, alle these mow nat siiffyse 
To apperen with my lady in no wyse. 
For as the sonne wol the fyr disteyne. 
So passeth al my lady sovereyne, 275 

That is so good, so fair, so debonaire ; 
I prey to god that ever falle hir faire ! 
For, nadde comfort been of hir presence, 
I had ben deed, withouten any defence, 
For drede of Loves wordes and his chere; 
As, when tyme is, her-after ye shal here. 
Behind this god of love, upon the grene, 
I saugh cominge of ladyes nyntene 
In real habit, a ful esy paas ; 
And after hem com of women swich a 

traas, 285 

That, sin that god Adam had maad of 

erthe, 
The thridde part of mankynd, or the 

ferthe, 
Ne wende I nat by possibilitee. 
Had ever in this wyde worlde y-be ; 
And trewe of love thise women were 

echoon. 290 

Now whether was that a wonder thing 

or noon. 
That, right anoon as that they gonne 

espye 
Tliis flour, which that I clepe the dayesye, 
Ful sodeinly they stinten alle at ones. 
And kneled doun, as it were for the 

nones, 295 

And songeu with o vois, ' Hele and honour 
To trouthe of womanhede, and to this flour 
That berth our alder prys in figiu-inge ! 
Hir whyte coroun berth the witnessinge ! ' 
And with that word, a-compas en- 

viroun, 300 

They setten hem ful softely adoun. 
First sat the god of love, and sitli his 

quene 
With the whyte coroiin, clad in grene ; 
And sithen al the remenant by and by, 
As they were of estaat, iul curteisly ; 305 



ZU BiQtn'i) of (Bool) (^otnett. 



No nat a word was spoken in the place 
Tlio mountanco of a furlong-wey of space. 

r, lenin;^ fasto l)y under a bonte, 
Abood, to knowen what this peple mento, 
As stillc as any stoon ; til at the laste, 236 
The god of love on nio his eye caste, 
And seydo, ' who resteth ther ? ' and I 

answerde 
ITn-to his axing, whan that I him herde. 
And seyde, ' sir, hit am I ' ; and cam him 

neer, 240 

And salnoil him. Quod lie, ' wliat dostow 

heer 
In my presence, and that so boldely ? 
For it were hotter worthy, trewely, 
A worm to comcn in my sight than 

thou.' 
'And why, sir,' quod I, 'and hit lyke 

yow ? ' 245 

' For thou,' quod ho, ' art thcr-to nothing 

able. 
My servaunts been alio wyse and honoiir- 

able. 
T'lioTi art my mortal I'o, and me warreyost, 

Aiul of myno oldo servaunts thou mis- 

seyest, 
And hinderest hom, with thy translacioun , 
And lettest folic to han devocioun 25 1 

To servcn me, and baldest hit folye 
'Vo troste on me. Thou mayst hit nat 

donyo ; 
For in ployn text, hit nedeth nat to 

gloso. 
Thou hast translated the Eomauns of the 

Rose, 255 

That is an heresye ageyns my lawe, 
And makest wyse folk fro me withdrawe. 
And thiukest in thy wit, that is ful cool. 
That he nis but a verray propre fool 
That lovoth paramours, to harde and 

bote. 260 

Wei wot I thcr-by thon beginnest dote 
As olde fol'es, whan hir spirit fayleth ; 
Thau blame they folk, and wite nat what 

hem ayloth. 
Hast thou nat mad in English 00k the 

book 
How that Crissoydo Troilus forsook, 265 
lu showingo how that women han don 

mis ? 



Ne nat a word was spoken in the place 
The monntance of a furlong-wey of space. 
I kneling by this flour, in good entente 
Abood, to knowen what this peple mente, 
As stillo as any stoon ; til at the laste, 310 
This god of love on me his eyen caste. 
And seyde, ' who kneleth thcr ? ' and I 

answerde 
Unto his asking, whan that I hit herde. 
And seyde, ' sir, hit am I ' ; and com him 

neer, 
And salued him. Qnod he, ' what dostow 

heer 315 

So nigh myn owne floiir, so boldely ? 
For it were better worthy, trewely, 
A worm to neghon neer my flour Ihan 

thou.' 
'And why, sir,' quod I, 'and hit lyko 

yow '? ' 
'For thou,' quod ho, 'art ther-to nothing 

able. 3-!i' 

Hit is my rolik, digno and dclytable, 

And thou my fo, and al my folk wer- 

reyest. 
And of myn oldo servaunts thou mis- 

seyest. 
And hindrest hem, with thy translacioun. 
And lettest folk from hir devocioun 325 
To serve me, and boldest hit folye 
To serve Love. Thou mayst hit nat denye ; 

For in ployn text, with-outen node of 

glose, 
Thou hast translated the Eomaunce of 

the Rose, 
That is an heresye ageyns my lawe, 330 
And makest wyse folk fro mc witlnli'avvo. 



And of Criseyde thou hast soyd as thoc 

liste. 
That makoth men to wommon lasso tristo, 
That ben as trewe as ever was any steel. 



(I^rofogue. {Zvoo (peretona.) 



359 



But natheles, answere me now to this, 
Why noklcst thou as wel han seyd good- 

nesse 
Of woinen, as thoii hast seyd wikkcdnesse? 
Was ther no good niatere in thy minde, 
Ne in alio thy bokes coudest thou nat 

iindo 271 

Slim story of wenien that were goode and 

trewc ? 
Yis ! god wot, sixty bokes olde and newe 
Hast tliou thy-solf, alio fullo of stories 

grete. 
That botho Remains and cek Grekes 

trctc 275 

Of sundry wenaen, which lyf that they 

lad do. 
And ever an hundred gode ageyn oon 

baddo. 
This knoweth god, and alle clerkes eke, 
That iisen swiche materes for to seke. 279 
What seith Valerie, Titus, or Claudian ? 
What seith Jerome ageyns Jovinian ? 
How clone maydens, and how trewe 

wyves, 282 

How stedliist widwes di^ring al hir lyves, 
Telleth Jerome; and that nat ofafewe. 
But, I dar seyn, an hundred on a rewe ; 
That hit is pitee for to rode, and routho, 
The wo that they endiiren for liir trovithe. 
For to hir love were they so trewe. 
That, rather than they woldo take a 

newe. 
They chosen to be dede in sundry wyse, 
And deyden, as the story wol dcvyse ; 291 
And some were brend, and some were cut 

the hals. 
And some dreynt, for tlicj- wolden nat be 

fals. 
For alle kcped thoy hir maydonhcd. 
Or elles wedlok, or hir widwched. 295 

And this thing was nat kept for holi- 

nesse. 
But al for verray vertu and clennesse. 
And for men shuldo setto on hem no lak ; 
And yit they weren hethen, al the pak. 
That were so sore adrad of alle shame. 300 
These olde wemen kepte so hir name. 
That in this world I trow men shal nat 

finde 
A man that coudo bo so trewe and kindo. 
As was the lesto woman in i hat tydo. 



Of thyn answere avyse thee right weel ; 



360 



'Z^t B<tc^<tr\t of (Boob (5S)oinen. 



What seith also the epistels of Ovyde 305 
Of trewe wyves, and of hir labour ? 
What Vincent, in his Storial Mirour? 
Eek al the world of autours maystow 

here, 
Cristen and hethen, trete of swich matere ; 
It ncdeth nat alday thus for t'endyte. 310 
But yit I sey, what oyleth thee to wryte 
The draf of stories, and forgo the corn ? 
By scint Venus, of whom that I was born, 
Although [that] thou reneyed hast my 

hiy, 
As othere olde f^)lcs many a day, 315 



Tliou shalt repente hit, that hit shal bo 

sene ! ' 
Than spak Alceste, the worthieste 

quene, 
And seyde, 'god, right of your curtcsyc, 
Ye moten horknon if ho can replye 
Ageyns these points that ye han to him 

meved ; 320 

A god ne sholde nat be thus agreved. 
But of liis dcitee he shal be stable. 
And thcrto rightful and eek merciable. 
He shal nat rightfully his yre wreke 324 
Or he have herd the tother party spekc. 
Al ne is nat gospel that is to yow pleynod ; 
The god of love berth many a tale 

y-foyncd. 
For in your court is many a losengeour, 
And many a quoynte totelere accusour. 
That tabouron in your eres many a thing 
For hate, or for jelous imagining, 331 

And for to han with yow som daliaunce. 
Envye(Iprey to god yeve hir mischauncc !) 

Is lavender in the grete court alway. 
For she ne parteth, neither night no day, 
Out of the hous of Cesar ; thus seith 

Dante ; 336 

Wlio-so that goth, alwey she moot [nat] 

wantc. 
This man to yow may wrongly been 

accused, 
Ther as by right liim oglite been excused. 
Or cllcs, sir, for that this man is nyce, 340 
Ho may translate a thing in no malyce. 
But for lie usetli bokes for to make, 



For, thogh that thou reneyed hast my 
lay, 33<J 

As other wrecches han doon many a day, 
By seynt Venus, that my moder is, 
If that thou live, thou shalt reponten 

this 
So cruelly, that hit shal wel be sene ! ' 340 

Tho spak this lady, clothed al in grene, 

And seyde, 'god, right of your curtesye, 
Ye moten herknen if he can replye 
Agayns al this that ye han to him 

meved ; 
A god ne sholde nat be thus agreved, 345 
But of his deitee he shal be stable. 
And thertu gracious and merciable. 
And if ye nere a god, that knowen al. 
Than mighte hit be, as I yowtellen shal; 
This man to you may falsly been ac- 
cused, 350 
Ther as by right him oghte been excused. 
For in your court is many a losengeour. 
And many a queynto totelere accusour. 
Til at tabouren in your eres many a soun, 
Right after hir imaginacioun, 355 
To have your daliance, and for envye ; 
These been the cavises, and I shall nat 

lye. 
Envye is lavender of the court alway ; 
For she ne parteth, neither night no day, 
Out of the hous of Cesar ; thus seith 
Dante ; 360 

Wlio-so that goth, algate she wol nat 
wante. 

[Cf. 11. 350-1 above.] 



And eek, paraianter, for this man is nyce, 
He mighte doon hit, gessing no malyce, 
But for he useth thinges for to make ; 



(Profo^ue. {'Zwo (Peretono.) 



361 



And takth non heed of what matere he 

take ; 
Therfor he wroot the Eose and eck 

Crisseyde 
Of innocence, and niste what lie seyde ; 
Or him was boden make thilke tweye 346 
Of som persone, and durste hit nat with- 

seye ; 
For he hath writen many a book er this. 
He no hath nat doon so grevously amis 
To translaten tliat olde clerkes wryten, 350 
As thogh that he of malice wolde endyten 
Despyt of love, and hadde him-self y- 

wroght. 
This shulde a rightwys lord han in his 

thoght, 
And nat be lyk tiraunts of Lnmbardye, 
That iisen wilfulhed and tirannye, 355 
For he that king or lord is naturel, 
Him oghto nat be tiraunt ne cruel. 
As is a fermour, to doon the harm ho can. 
He mostc thinke hit is his lige man, 
And that him oweth, of verray dvietee, 360 
Shewen his peple pleyn benignitee, 
And wol to here hir excusaciouns, 
And hir compleyntes and peticiouns. 
In duewe tyme, whan they shal hit profre. 
This is the sentence of the philosophre : 
A king to kepe his liges in justyce ; 366 
With-outen doiite, that is his offyce. 
And therto is a king ful depe y-sworn, 
Ful many an hundred winter heer-biforn ; 
And for to kcpe his lordes hir degree, 370 
As hit is right and skilful that they be 
Enhaunccd and honoured, and most 

dcre — 
For they ben half-goddcs in this world 

hero — 
This shal ho doon, bothe to poro [and] 

richc, 
Al be that her estat be nat a-liche, 375 
And han of x)ore folk compassioun. 
For lo, the gentil kind of the liovin ! 
For whan a flye offendeth him or byteth, 
He with his tayl awey the flye smyteth 
Alesily; for, of his genterye, 380 

Him dcyncth nat to wreke him on a flye, 
As doth a curre or elles another beste. 
In noble corage oghte been areste, 
And weyen every thing by equitee, 
And ever han reward to his owen degree. 



Him rekketh noght of what matere ho 
take ; 365 



Or him was boden maken thilke tweye 
Of som persone, and durste hit nat with- 

seye ; 
Or him repenteth utterly of this. 
He ne hath nat doon so grevously amis 
To translaten that olde clerkes wryten, 370 
As thogh that he of malice wolde endyten 
Despyt of love, and had him-self hit 

wroght. 
This shulde a rightwys lord have in his 

thoght. 
And nat be lyk tiraunts of Lumbardye, 
Than han no reward but at tirannye. 375 
For he that king or lord is naturel, 
Him oghte nat be tiraunt ne cruel, 
As is a fermour, to doon the harm ho can. 
He moste thinke hit is his lige man, 



And is his tresour, and his gold in cofrc. 
This is the sentence of the philosophre : 381 
A king to kei^e his liges in justyce ; 
With-outen doute, that is his offyce. 



Al wol he kepe his lordes hir degree, 

As hit is right and skilful that they be 385 

Enhaunced and honoured, and most 

derc — 
For they ben half-goddes in this world 

hero — 
Yit mot he doon bothe right, to i)oro and 

riche, 
Al be that hir estat be nat y-liche, 
And han of jiore folk compassioun. 390 
For lo, the gentil kynd of the leoun ! 
For whan a flye offendeth him or byteth, 
He with his tajd awey the flye smyteth 
Al esily ; for, of his genterye, 394 

Him deyneth nat to wreke him on a flye, 
As doth a curre or elles another beste. 
In noble corage oghto been areste, 
And weyen every thing by equitee, 
And ever han reward to his owen degree. 



N 3 



362 



■^^e Bt^tni) of (Boob (^omen. 



For, sir, hit is no maystrie for a lord 386 
To dampne a man witli-oute answere or 

word ; 
And, for a lord, that is ful foul to nse. 
And if so be he may him nat excuse, 
[Bvit] axeth mercy with a sorweful herte. 
And profreth him, right in his bare 

sherte, 39 1 

To been right at you^r owne jugement. 
Than oghte a god, by short avysement, 
Considre his owne honour and his trespas. 
For sith no cause of deeth lyth in this 

cas, 395 

Yow oghte been the lighter merciable ; 
Leteth your yre, and betli somwhat 

tretable ! 
The man hath served yow of his conning. 
And forthered your la we with his making. 
Whyl he was yong, he kepte your estat ; 
I not wher he he now a renegat. 401 

But wel I wot, with that he can endyte. 
He hath maked lewed folk delyte 
To serve you, in preysing of your name. 
He made the book that hight the Hous of 

Fame, 405 

And eek the Deeth of Blaunche the 

Duchesse, 
And the Parlement of Foules, as I gesse. 
And al the love of Palamon and Arcyte 
Of Thebes, thogh the story is knowen lyte ; 
And many an ympne for your halydayes. 
That highten Balades, Roundels, Vire- 

layes ; 411 

And for to speke of other besinesse. 
He hath in prose translated Boece ; 
And of the Wreched Engendring of Man- 

kinde. 
As man may in pope Innocent y-flnde ; 415 
And mad the Lyf also of seynt Cecyle; 
He made also, goon sithen a greet whyl, 
Origenes upon the Maudeleyne ; 
Him oglite now to have the lesse peyne ; 
He hath niad many a lay and many a 

thing. 420 

Now as ye been a god, and eek a king, 
I, your Alceste, whylom quene of Trace, 
I axe yow this man, right of your grace, 
That ye him never hu.rte in al his lyve ; 
And he shal sweren yow, and that as 

blyve, 425 

He shal no more agilten in this wyse : 



For, sir, hit is no maystrie for a lord 400 
To dampne a man with-oute answere of 

word ; 
And, for a lord, that is ful foul to use. 
And if so be he may him nat excuse. 
But asketh mercy with a dredful herte. 
And profreth him, right in his bare 
sherte, 405 

To been right at your owne jugement, 
Than oghte a god, by short avysement, 
Considre his owne honour and his trespas. 
For sith no cause of deeth lyth in this 

cas, 
Yow oglite been the lighter merciable ; 410 
Leteth your yre, and beth somwhat tret- 
able ! 
The man hath served yow of his conning, 
And forthredwel your lawe in his making. 



Al be hit that he can nat wel endyte, 
Yet hath he maked lewed folk dolyte 415 
To serve you, in preysing of your name. 
He made the book that hight the Hous of 

Fame, 
And eek the Deeth of Blaunche the 

Duchesse, 
And the Parlement of Foules, as I gesse, 
And al the love of Palamon and Arcyte 420 
Of Thebes, thogh the storj^ is knowen lyte ; 
And many an ympne for your halydayes, 
That highten Balades, Roundels, Vire- 

layes ; 
And, for to speke of other holynesse, 
He hath in prose translated Boece, 425 



And mad the Lyf also of seynt Cecyle ; 
He made also, goon sithen a greet whyl, 
Origenes upon the Maudelej'ne ; 
Him oghte now to have the lesse peyne ; 
He hath mad many a lay and many 

a thing. 430 

' Now as ye been a god, and eek a king, 
I, your Alceste, wliylom quene of Trace, 
I aske yow this man, right of your grace. 
That ye him never hurte in al his Ij've ; 
And he shal sweren yow, and that as 

^ly^'e, 435 

He shal no more agilten in this wyse ; 



(profo^ue. (Zrvo (Peretone.) 



363 



But he slial maken, as ye wil devyse, 
Of wemen trewe in lovinge al hir lyve, 
Wher-so ye wil, of maiden or of wyve, 
And forthren j-ow, as muche as he mis- 

seyde 430 

Or in the Eose or elles in Criseyde.' 

The god of love answerde hir thus 

anoon, 
' Madame,' quod he, ' hit is so long agoon 
That I yow knew so charitable and trewe, 
That never yit, sith that the world was 

newe, 435 

To me ne fond I better noon than ye. 
That, if that I wol save my degree, 
I may ne wol nat warne your requeste ; 
Al lyth in yow, doth with him what yow 

leste, 439 

And al foryeve, with-otiten lenger space ; 
For who-so yeveth a yift, or doth a grace, 
Do hit by tyme, his thank is wel the 

more ; 
And demeth ye what he shal do therfore. 
Go thanke now my lady lieer,' qiiod he. 
I roos, and doun I sette me on my 

knee, 445 

And seyde thus : ' Madame, the god above 
Foryelde yow, that ye the god of love 
Han maked me his wrathe to foryive ; 
And yeve me grace so long for to live. 
That I may knowe soothly what ye be, 450 
That han me holpen, and put in swich 

degree. 
But trewely I wende, as in this cas, 
Naught have agilt, ne doon to love 

trespas. 
Forwhy a trewe naan, with-outen drede, 
Hath nat to parten with a theves dede ; 
Ne a trewe lover oghte me nat blame, 456 
Thogh that I speke a fals lover som shame. 
They oghte rather with me for to holde, 
For that I of Creseyde wroot or tolde, 
Or of the Eose ; what-so myn auctour 

mente, 460 

Algate, god wot, hit was myn entente 
To forthren trouthe in love and hit 

cheryce ; 
And to be war fro falsnesse and fro vyce 
By swich ensample ; this was my men- 

inge.' 
And she answerde, ' lat be thyn argu- 

inge ; 465 

N 



But he shal maken, as ye wil devyse. 
Of wonamen trewe in lovinge al hir lyve, 
Wher-so ye wil, of maiden or of wyve. 
And forthren yow, as muche as he mis- 

seyde 440 

Or in the Eose or elles in Creseyde.' 
The god of love answerde hir thus 

anoon, 
' Madame,' quod he, ' hit is so long agoon 
That I yow knew so charitable and trewe. 
That never yit, sith that the world was 

newe, 445 

To me ne fond I better noon than ye. 
If that I wolde save my degree, 
I may ne wol nat werne your requeste ; 
Al lyth in yow, doth with him as yow 

leste. 
I al foryeve, with-outen lenger space ; 450 
For who-so yeveth a yift, or doth a grace, 
Do hit by tyme, his thank is wel the 

more ; 
And demeth ye what he shal do therfore. 
Go thanke now my lady heer,' quod he. 
I roos, and doun I sette me on my 

knee, 455 

And seyde thus : ' Madame, the god above 
Foryelde yow, that ye the god of love 
Han maked me his wrathe to foryive ; 
And yeve me grace so long for to live. 
That I may knowe soothly what ye be, 460 
That han me holpe and put in this 

degree. 
Btit trewely I wende, as in this cas. 
Naught have agilt, ne doon to love 

trespas. 
Forwhy a trewe man, with-outen drede. 
Hath nat to parten with a theves dede ; 
Ne a trewe lover oghte me nat blame, 
Thogh that I speke a fals lover som shame. 
They oghte rather with me for to holde. 
For that I of Creseyde wroot or tolde, 
Or of the Eose ; what-so myn auctour 

mente, 470 

Algate, god wot, hit was myn entente 
To forthren trouthe in love and hit 

cheryce ; 
And to be war fro falsnesse and fro ^-yce 
By swich ensample ; this was my men- 

inge.' 
And she answerde, ' lat be thyn argu- 

inge ; 475 

5 



364 



t^i. Begeni of 600b (^omen. 



For Love ne wol nat countrepleted be 
In right ne wrong ; and lerne this at me! 
Thou hast thy grace, and liold thee right 

ther-to. 
Now wol I sejai what penance thon shalt 

do 
i\)r thy trespas, and nnderstond hit here : 
Thon shalt, whyl that thon livest, yeer by 

yere, 471 

The moste party of thy lyve spende 
In making of a glorious Legende 
Of Gode Wemen, maidenes and wyves, 474 
That were trewe in lovinge al hir lyves ; 
And telle of false men that hem bitrayen. 
That al hir lyf ne doon nat but assayen 
How many wemen they may doon a 

shame ; 
For in your world that is now holden 

game. 
And thogli thee lesteth nat a lover be, 480 
Spek wel of love ; this penance yeve 

I thee. 
And to the god of love I shal so preye. 
That he shal charge his servants, by any 

weye. 
To forthren thee, and wel thy labour 

quyte ; 
Go now thy wey, thy penance is but lyte.' 



The god of love gan smyle, and than ho 

seyde, 4S6 

' Wostow,' quod he, ' wher this be wyf or 

mayde. 
Or quene, or countesse, or of what degree. 
That hath so litel penanco yeven thee, 
That hast deserved sorer for to smerte ? 
Biit pitee renneth sons in gentil herte ; 
That mayst thou seen, she kytheth what 

she is.' 
And I answerde, ' nay, sir, so have I blis, 
No more but that I see wel she is good.' 

' That is a trewe tale, by mynhood,' 495 
Quod Love, ' and that thou knowest wel, 

pardoe. 
If hit be so that thou avyse thee. 
Hastow nat in a book, Ij^th in thy cheste. 
The gret goodnesse of the quene Alceste, 
That turned was into a dayesye : 5cx) 

She that for hir husbonde chees to dye. 



For Love no wol nat countrepleted be 
In right ne wrong ; and lerne that of me ! 
Thou hast thy grace, and hold thee right 

ther-to. 
Now wol I seyn what penance thon shalt 

do 
For thy trespas, and nnderstond hit here: 
Thou shalt, whyl that thou livest, yeer 

by yere, 481 

The moste party of thy tyme spende 
In making of a glorious Legende 
Of Gode Wommen, maidenes and wyves, 
Tliat weren trewe in lovinge al hir lyves ; 
And telle of false men that hem bitrayen. 
That al hir lyf no doon nat but assayen 
How many wommen they may doon a 

shame ; 
For in your world that is now holde a 

game. 
And thogh thee lyko nat a lover be, 490 
Spek wel of love ; this penance yive I 

thee. 
And to the god of love I shal so preye, 
That he shal charge his servants, by any 

weye. 
To forthren thee, and wel thj' labour 

quyte ; 
Go now thy wey, this penance is but lyte. 
And whan this book is maad, yive hit the 

quene 496 

On my behalfe, at Eltham, or at Shene.' 
The god of love gan smyle, and than ho 

seyde, 
' Wostow,' quod he, ' wher this be wyf or 

mayde, 
Or quene, or countesse, or of what degree. 
That hath so litel penance yiven thee, 501 
That hast deserved sorer ibr to smerte '? 
But pitee renneth sone in gentil herte ; 
That maystow seen, she kytheth what 

she is.' 504 

And I answerde, ' nay, sir, so have I blis, 
No more but that I see wel she is good.' 

' That is a trewe tale, by myn hood,' 
Quod Love, ' and that thou knowest wel, 

pardee, 
If hit be so that thou avyse thee. 509 

Hastow nat in a book, lyth in thy cheste. 
The grete goodnesse of the quene Alceste, 
That turned was into a dayesye : 
She that for hir husbonde chees to dye, 



(profogwe. (^wo (Peretone.) 



365 



And eek to goon to helle, rather than he, 
And Ercules rescued hir, pardee, 
And broghte hir out of helle agayn to 
blis ? ' 504 

And I answerde ageyn, and seyde, 'yis, 
Now knows I hir ! And is this good 

Alceste, 
The dayesye, and myn owne hertes reste? 
Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wyf, 
That bothe after hir deeth, and in hir lyf, 
Hir grete boimtee doiiLleth hir renoun ! 
Wel hath she quit me myn afFeccioiin 
That I have to hir flour, the dayesye ! 
No wonder is thogh Jove hir stellifye, 
As telleth Agaton, for hir goodnesse ! 
Hir whyte coroun berth of hit witnesse ; 
For also many vertues hadde she, 5:6 

As smale floures in hir coroun be. 
In remembraiince of hir and in honour, 
Cibella made the dayesy and the flour 519 
Y-coroned al with whyt, as men may see ; 
And Mars yaf to hir coroun reed, pardee, 
In stede of rubies, set among the whyte.' 
Therwith this quene wex reed for shame 
a lyte, 523 

Whan she was preysod so in hir presence. 
Thau seyde Love, ' a ful gret negligence 
Was hit to thoe, to write unstedfastnesse 
Of women, sith thoii knowest hir good- 
nesse 
By preef, and eek by stories heer-biibrn ; 
Let be the chaf, and wryt wel of the corn. 
Why noldest thou han writen of Alceste, 
And leten Criseide been a-slepe and 
reste ? 531 

For of Alceste shulde thy wryting be. 
Sin that thou wost that kalender is she 
Of goodnesse, for she taughte of fyn 

lovinge. 
And namely of wyf hood the livinge, 535 
And alle the boundes that she oghte kepe ; 
Thy litel wit was thilke tyme a-slepe. 
But now I charge thee, XTpon thy lyf, 
That in thy Legend thou make of this 

wyf. 
Whan thou hast othere smale maad be- 
fore ; 540 
And fare now wel, I charge thee no more. 



And eek to goon to helle, rather than he. 
And Ercules rescowed hir, pardee, 515 
And broghte hir out of helle agayn to 

blis?' 
And I answerde ageyn, and seyde, 'yis. 
Now knowe I hir ! And is this good 

Alceste, 518 

The dayesye, and myn owne hertes reste ? 
Now fele I wel the goodnesse of this wyf. 
That bothe after hir deeth, and in hir lyf, 
Hir grete bountee doubleth hir renoun ! 
Wel hath she quit me myn affeccioun 
That I have to hir flour, the dayesye ! 
No wonder is thogh Jove hir stellifye, 525 
As telleth Agaton, for hir goodnesse ! 
Hir whyte coroun berth of hit witnesse ; 
For also many vertues hadde she. 
As smale floures in hir coroun be. 529 
In remembraunce of hir and in honour, 
Cibella made the dayesy and the flour 
Y-coroned al with whyt, as raen may see ; 
And Mars yaf to hir coroun reed, pardee. 
In stede of riibies, set among the whyte.' 
Therwith this quene wex reed for shame 

•'•' l.vte, 535 

'Wlian she was preysed so in hir presence. 
Than seyde Love, ' a ful gret negligence 
Was hit to thee, that ilke tyme thou 

niade 538 

" Hyd, Absolon, thy tresses," in balade. 
That thou forgcte hir in thy song to sette. 
Sin that thou art so gretly in hir dette. 



And wost so wel, that kalender is slio 

To any woman that wol lover be 

For she taughte al the craft of I'yn 

lovinge, 
And namely of wyf hood the livinge, 545 
And alle the boundes that she oglite kepe ; 
Thy litel wit was thilke tyme a-slepe. 
But now I charge thee, upon thy lyf, 
That in thy Legend thou make of this ■ 

wyf, 
■Wlian thou hast other smale y-niaad be- 
fore ; 550 
And iare now wel, I charge thee no more. 
But cr I go, thus mucho I wol thee 
telle, 
Ne shal no trewo lover come in helle. 



366 



^0e Begenb of (Booi (56)oine«. 



At Cleopatre I wol tliat thou Taeginne ; 
And so forth ; and my love so shalt thou 
winne.' 543 



And with that word of sleep I gan a-awake, 
And right thus on my Legend gan I make. 



Thise other ladies sittinge here arowe 
Ben in thy balade, if thou canst hem 

knowe, 555 

And in thy bokes alle thou shalt hem 

finde; 
Have hem now in thy Legend alle in 

minde, 
I mene of hem that been in thy knowinge. 
For heer ben twenty thousand mo sittinge 
Than thou knowest, that been good 

wommen alle 560 

And trewe of love, for aught that may 

befalle ; 
Make the metres of hem as the leste. 
I mot gon hoom, the sonne draweth weste, 
To Paradys, with al this companye ; 
And serve alwey the fresshe dayesye. 565 
At Cleoisatre I wol that thou beginne ; 
And so forth ; and my love so shalt thou 

winne. 
For lat see now what man that lover be, 
Wol doon so strong a peyne for love as 

she. 
I wot wel that thou mayst nat al hit 

ryme, 570 

That swiche lovers diden in liir tyme ; 
It were to long to reden and to here ; 
Suffyceth me, thou make in this manere, 
That thou reherce of al hir lyf the grete. 
After thise olde auctours listen to trete. 
For who-so shal so many a storie telle, 576 
Sey shortly, or he shal to longe dwelle.' 
And with that word my bokes gan I take. 
And right thus on my Legend gan I make. 



Explicit prohemium. 



I. THE LEGEND OF CLEOPATRA. 



Incipit Legenda Cleopatrie, Martiris, 
Egipti regine. 

After the deeth of Tholomee the king, 580 
That al Egipte hadde in his governing, 
Regned his quene Cleopataras ; 
Til on a tyme befel ther swiche a cas, 
That out of Rome was sent a senatour, 
For to conqueren regnes and honour 585 
Unto the toun of Rome, as was usaunce, 
To have the world unto her obeisaunce ; 



And, sooth to seye, Antonius was his 

name. 
So fil hit, as Fortune him oghte a 

shame (10) 

\\^lan he was fallen in prosperitee, 590 
Rebel unto the toun of Rome is he. 
And over al this, the suster of Cesar, 
He lafte hir falsly, er that she was war, 
And wolde algates han another wyf ; 
For whiche he took with Rome and Cesar 

stryf. S9S 



Z^ Begeni of Cfeopafra. 



367 



Natheles, for-sooth, this ilke senatotir 
Was a ful worthy gentil werreyovir, 
And of his deeth hit was ful greet damage. 
But love had hroght this man in swiehe 

a rage, (20) 

And him so narwe bounden in his las, 
Al for the love of Cleopataras, 601 

That al the world he sette at no value. 
Him thoughte, nas to him no thing so 

due 
As Cleopatras for to love and serve ; 604 
Him roghte nat in armes for to sterve 
In the defence of hir, and of hir right. 
This noble queue eek lovede so this 

knight. 
Through his desert, and for his chivalrye ; 
As certeinly, but-if that bokes lye, (30) 
He was, of persone and of gentilesse, 610 
And of discrecioun and hardinesse, 
Worthy to any wight that liven may. 
And she was fair as is the rose in May. 
And, for to maken shortly is the beste. 
She wex his wyf, and hadde him as hir 

leste. 615 

The wedding and the feste to devyse. 
To me, that have y-take swiehe empryse 
Of so many a storie for to make, (39) 

Hit were to long, lest that I sholde slake 
Of thing that bereth more effect and 

charge ; 620 

For men may overlade a ship or barge ; 
And forthy to th'effect than wol I skippe. 
And al the remenant, I wol lete hit 

slippe, 
Octovian, that wood was of this dede, 
Shoop him an ost on Antony to lede 625 
Al-oviterly for his destruccioun. 
With stoute Romains, criiel as leoim ; 
To ship they wente, and thus I let hem 

saile. 
Antonius was war, and wol nat faile (50) 
To meten with thise Eomains, if he 

may ; 630 

Took eek his reed, and bothe, upon 

a day. 
His wyf and he, and al his ost, forth 

wente 
To shippe anoon, no lenger they ne stente ; 
And in the see hit happed hem to mete — 
Up goth the trompe — and for to shoute 

and shete, 635 



And peynen hem to sette on with the 

Sonne. 
With grisly soun otit goth the grete 

gonne. 
And heterly they hurtlen al at ones, 
And fro the top dovm cometh the grete 

stones. (60) 

In goth the grapenel so ful of crokes 640 
Among the ropes, and the shering-hokes. 
In with the polax presseth he and lie ; 
Behind the mast beginneth he to flee. 
And oiit agayn, and dryveth him over- 

borde ; 644 

He stingeth him iipon his speres orde ; 
He rent the sail with liokes lyke a sythe ; 
He bringeth the cuppe, and biddeth hem 

be blythe ; 
He poureth pesen upon the hacches slider ; 
With pottes ful of lyixi they goon to- 

gider ; (70) 

And thus the longe day in fight they 

spende 650 

Til, at the laste, as every thing hath ende, 
Antony is shent, and jiut him to the 

flighte. 
And al his folk to-go, that best go mighte. 
Fleeth eek the queen, with al her 

purpre sail. 
For strokes, which that wente as thikke 

as hail ; 6^^ 

No wonder was, she mighte hit nat endure. 
And whan that Antony saw that aven- 

ture, 
' Alias ! ' quod he, ' the day that I was 

born ! 
My worshipe in this day thus have I 

lorn ! ' (80) 

And for dispeyr out of his witte he sterte. 
And roof him-self anoon through-out the 

herte 661 

Er that he ferther wente out of the 

place. 
His wyf, that cotide of Cesar have no 

grace, 
To Egipte is fled, for dredo and for dis- 

tresse ; 
But herkneth, ye that speke of kinde- 

nesse. 665 

Ye men, that falsly sweren many an 00th 

That ye wol dye, if that your love be 

wrooth, 



368 



^$e Begenb of (Booi) (^otnen. 



Heer may ye seen of women whiche a 

trouthe ! 
Tliis woful Cleopatre hath mad swich 

ronthe (90) 

That ther nis tonge noon that may hit 

telle. 670 

But on the morwe she wol no lenger 

dwelle, 
But made hir subtil werkmen niake a 

shryne 
Of alle the rubies and the stones fyne 
In al Egipte that she coude espye ; 
And jjutte ful the shryne of spycerye, 675 
And leot the cors embaume ; and forth 

she fette 
This dede cors, and in the shryne hit 

shette. 
And next the shryne a pit than doth she 

grave ; 
And alle the serpents that she mighte 

have, ( 100) 

She puttc hem in that grave, and thus 

she seyde : 680 

' Now love, to whom my sorweful herte 

obeyde 
So ferforthly that, fro that Ijlisful houre 
That I yow swor to been al frely youre, 
I mene yow, Antonius my kniglit ! 684 
That never waking, in the day or night. 



Ye nere out of m^yn liertes remembraunce 
For wele or wo, for carole or for daunce ; 
And in my-self this covenant made I 

tho, (109) 

That, right swich as ye felten, wele or wo, 
As ferforth as hit in my power lay, 690 
Unreprovable unto my wyfhood ay. 
The same wolde I felen, lyf or deeth. 
And thilke covenant, whyl me lasteth 

breeth, 
I wol fulfille, and that shal wel be sene ; 
Was never unto hir love a trewer quene.' 
And with that word, naked, with ful 

good herte, 696 

Among the serpents in the pit she sterte, 
And ther she chees to ban hir buryinge. 
Anoon the neddres gonne hir for to 

stinge, (120) 

And she hir deeth receyveth, with good 

chere, 700 

For love of Antony, that was hir so dere: — - 
And this is storial sooth, hit is no fable. 
Now, er I finde a man thus trewe and 

stable, 
And wol for love his deeth so freely 

take, 
I pray god lat our hedes never ake ! 705 

Explicit Legenda Cleopatrie. Blartiris. 



II. THE LEGEND OF THISBE OF BABYLON. 



Jncipit Legenda Tesbe Bahilonie, Martiris. 

At Babiloine whylom fil it thus. 
The wliiche toun the queen Semiramus 
Leet diclien al about, and walles make 
Ful hye, of harde tyles wel y-bake. 
Ther weren dwellinge in this noble toun 
Two lordes, which that \vere of greet 

renoun, 711 

And woneden so nigh, tii^on a grene. 
That ther nas but a stoon-wal hem bi- 

twene. 
As ofte in grete tonnes is the wone. 
And sooth to seyn, that o man hadde 

a sone, 715 

Of al that londe oon of the lustieste. (11) 
That other hadde a doghter, the faireste. 



That estward in the world was tho dwel- 
linge. 
The name of everichgan toother springe 
By wommen, that were neighebores 
abovite. 720 

For in that contree yit, withouten doute, 
Maidens been y-kept, for jelosye. 
Fill streite, lest they didcn som folye. 

This yonge man was cleped Piramus, 

And Tisbe hight the maid, Naso seith 

thus ; 725 

And thus by report was hir name y-shove 

That, as they wexe in age, wex hir 

love ; (22) 

And certein, as by reson of hir age, 

Ther mighte have been bitwix hem 

mariage, 7-9 



ZU Begcnb of Z^ieBi, 



;69 



But tliat hir fadres nolde liit nat assente ; 
And bothe in love y-lyke sore they brente, 
That noon of alle hir frendes mighte hit 

lette 
But prively somtyme yit they mette 
By sleiglite, and speken som of liir desyr ; 
As, wry the gleed, and hotter is the fyr ; 
Forbede a love, and it is ten so wood. 736 
This wal, which that bitwix hem bothe 
stood, (32) 

Was cloven a-two, right fro the toppe 

adoun, 
Of olde tyme of his fundacioiin ; 
But yit this clifte was so narwe and 
lyte, 740 

It nas nat sene, dere y-nogh a myte. 
But what is that, that love can nat espye? 
Ye lovers two, if that I shal nat lye. 
Ye founden first this litel narwe clifte ; 
And, with a soun as softe as any shrifte, 
They lete hir wordes through the clifte 
pace, (41) 746 

And tolden, whjd that the^- stode in the 

place, 
Al hir compleynt of love, and al hir wo, 
At every tyme whan they dorste so. 

Upon that o syde of the wal stood he. 
And on that other syde stood Tisbe, 751 
The swote soun of other to receys'e. 
And thus hir wardeins wolde they de- 

ceyve. 

And every day this wal they wolde threte. 

And Avisshe to god, that it were doun 

y-hete. (50) 755 

Thus wolde they sej-n — ' alias ! thou 

wikked wal, 
Throvigh thyn envye thoii us lettest al ! 
Why nilt thou cleve, or fallen al a-two ? 
Or, at the leste, but thou woldest so, 
Yit woldestow but ones lete us mete, 760 
Or ones that we mighte kissen swete. 
Than were we covered of our cares colde. 
But natheles, yit be we to thee holde 
In as muehe as thou suffrest for to goon 
Our wordes throvigh thy lyme and eek 
thy stoon. (60) 765 

Yit oghte we with thee ben wel apayd.' 

Aid whan thise ydel wordes weren sayd. 
The colde wal they wolden kisse of stoon, 
And take hir leve, and forth they wolden 
goon. 



And this was gladly in the even-tyde 770 
Or wonder erly, lest men hit espyde ; 
And longe tyme they wroghte in this 

manere 
Til on a day, whan Phebus gan to clere, 
Aurora with the stremes of hir liete 
Had dryed up the dew of herbes wete; 775 
Unto this clifte, as it was wont to be, (71) 
Com Pyramus, and after com Tisbe, 
And plighten trouthe fully in hir fey 
Tliat illce same night to stele awej'. 
And to begyle hir wardeins everichoon, 780 
And forth out of the citee for to goon ; 
And, for the feldes been so brode and 

^vyde, 
For to mete in o place at o tyde. 
They sette mark hir meting sholde be 
Ther king Ninus was graven, under a 
tree ; (So) 785 

For olde payens that ydoles heried 
Useden tho in feldes to ben beried ; 
And faste by this grave was a welle. 
And, shortly of this tale for to telle, 
This covenant was affermed wonder 
faste ; 790 

And longe liem thoughte that the sonne 

laste. 
That hit nere goon under the see adoun. 

This Tisbe hath so greet affeccioun 
And so greet lyking Piramus to see, 
That, whan she seigh her tyme mighte 
he, (90) 795 

At night she stal awey ful prively 
With her face y-wimpled subtilly ; 
For alle her frendes — for to save her 

trouthe — 
She hath for-sake ; alias ! and that is 

routhe 
That ever woman wolde be so trewe Scx) 
To trusten man, but she the bet him 

knewe ! 
And to the tree she goth a ful good pas. 
For love made her so hardy in this cas ; 
And by the welle adoun she gan her 
dresse. <S()4 

Alias! than comth a wilde leonesse (100) 
Out of the wode, withouten more areste. 
With blody mouthe, of strangling of a 

beste. 
To drinken of the welle, ther as she sat ; 
And, whan that Tisbe had cspyed that, 



37' 



ZU Be^eni of (Booi (^omen. 



She rist lier up, witli a fill drery lierte, 8io 

And in a cave with dredfiil foot she sterte, 

For by the mone she seigh liit wel with- 

alle. 812 

And, as she ran, her wimpel leet she falle. 

And took noon lieed, so sore slie was 

a-whaped. (109) 

And eek so glad of that she was escaped ; 

And thus she sit, and darketh wonder 

stille. 816 

Whan that this leonesse hath dronke her 

fiUe, 
Aboute the welle gan she for to winde. 
And right anoon tlie wimpel gan slie 

iinde. 
And with her blody mouth hit al to- 
rente. 820 

Whan this was doon, no lenger she ne 

stente. 
But to the wode her wey than hath she 
nome. 
And, at the laste, this Piramus is come. 
But al to longe, alias ! at hoom was he. 
The mone shoon, menmighte wel y-see, 825 
And in his weye, as that he com ful 
faste, (121) 

His eyen to the grounde adoun he caste, 
And in the sonde, as he beheld adoun. 
He seigh the steppes brode of a leoiin. 
And in his herte he sodeinly agroos, 830 
And pale he wex, therwith his lieer 

aroos. 
And neer he com, and fond the wimpel 

torn. 
' Alias ! ' quod he, ' the day that I was 

born ! 
This o night wol us lovers hothe slee ! 
How sholde I axen mercy of Tisbe 835 
Whan I am he that have yow slain, alias ! 
My bidding hath yow slain, as in this 
cas. (132) 

Alias ! to bidde a woman goon by nighte 
In place ther as peril fallen niighte. 
And I so slow ! alias, I ne hadde be 840 
Here in this place a furlong-wey or ye ! 
Now what leoiin that be in this foreste. 
My body mote he -f-renden, or what beste 
That wilde is, gnawen mote he now myn 

herte ! ' 
And with that worde he to the wimpel 
sterte, (140) 845 



And kiste hit ofte, and weep on hit ful 

sore. 
And seide, ' wimpel, alias ! ther nis no 

more 
But thou shalt fele as wel the blood 

of me 
As thou hast felt the bleding of Tisbe ! ' 
And with that worde he smoot him to tlie 

herte. 850 

The blood out of the woiinde as brode 

sterte 
As water, whan the conduit broken is. 
Now Tisbe, which that vnste nat of 

this. 
But sitting in her drede, she thoghte thus, 
' If hit so falle that my Piramus 855 

Be comen hider, and may me nat y-finde, 
He may me holden fals and eek unkinde.' 
And out she comth, and after him gan 

espy en (153) 

Bothe witli her herte and with her yen, 
And thoghte, ' I wol him tellen of my 

drede 860 

Bothe of the leonesse and al my dede.' 
And at the laste her love than hath she 

founde 
Beting with his heles on the grounde, 
Al blody, and therwith-al a-bak she sterte. 
And Ij'ke the wawes quappe gan her 

herte, (160) 865 

And pale as box she wex, and in a throwe 
Avysed her, and gan him wel to knowe, 
That hit was Piramus, her herte dere. 
Wlio coiide wryte whiche a deedly chere 
Hath Tisbe now, and how her heer she 

rente, 870 

And how she gan her-selve to turmente, 
And how she lyth and swowneth on the 

grounde. 
And how she weep of teres ful his wounde. 
How medeleth she his blood with her 

compleynte. 
And with his blood her-selven gan she 

peynte; (170)875 

How clippeth she the dede cors, alias ! 
How doth this wofiil Tisbe in this cas ! 
How kisseth she his frosty mouth so cold ! 
' Who hath doon tliis, and who hath 

been so bold 879 

To sleen my leef ? O spek, my Piramus ! 
I am thy Tisbe, that thee calleth thus ! ' 



ZU Be^en^ of ®ibo. 



371 



And therwith-al she lifteth iip his heed. 
This woful man, that was nat fully 

deed, 
Whan that he herde the name of Tisbe 

cryen. 
On her he caste his hevy deedly yen 885 
And doun again, and yeldeth up the 

gost. (iSi) 

Tisbe rist up, withouten noise or host. 
And seigh her wimpel and his empty 

shethe, 
And eek his swerd, that him hath doon 

to dethe ; 
Than spak she thvis : ' My woful hand,' 

quod she, 890 

' Is strong y-nogh in swiche a werk to 

me; 
For love shal yive me strengthe and 

hardinesse 
To make my wounde large y-nogh, I gesse. 
I wol thee folwen deed, and I wol be 
Felawe and cause eek of thy deeth,' quod 

she. (190) 895 

' And thogh that nothing save the deetli 

only 
Mighte thee fro me departe trewely, 
Thou shalt no more departe now fro 

me 
Than fro the deeth, for I wol go with 

thee! 



'And now, ye wrecched jelous fadres 

oure, g^xi 

We, that weren whylom children youre. 
We jirayen yow, withouten more envye, 
That in o grave y-fere we moten lye. 
Sin love hath brought us to this pitous 

ende ! (199) 

And rightwis god to every lover sende, 905 
That loveth trewely, more prosperitee 
Than ever hadde Piramus and Tisbe ! 
And lat no gentil woman her assure 
To putten her in swiche an aventure. 
But god forbede but a woman can 910 
Been as trewe and loving as a man ! 
And, for my part, I shal anoon it kythe ! ' 
And, with that worde, his swerd she took 

as swythe. 
That warm was of her loves blood and 

hoot, (209) 

And to the herteshe her-selven smoot. 915 

And thus ar Tisbe and Piramiis ago. 
Of trewe men I finde but fewe mo 
In alle my bokes, save this Piramus, 
And therfor liave I spoken of him thus. 
For hit is deyntee to us men to finde 920 
A man that can in love be trewe and 

kinde. 
Heer may ye seen, what lover so he be, 
A woman dar and can as wel as he. 
Explicit legetida Tesbe. 



III. THE LEGEND OF DIDO, QUEEN OF CAETHAGE. 



Incipit Legenda Didonis Martins, 
C'artaginis regine. 

Glory and honour, Virgil Mantuan, 

Be to thy name ! and I shal, as I can, 925 

Folow thy lantern, as thou gost biforn, 

How Eneas to Dido was forsworn. 

In thyn Eneid and Naso wol I take 

The tenour, and the grete effectes 

make. 
"Wlian Troye broght was to destruc- 

cioun 930 

By Grekes sleighte, and namely by 

Sinoun, 
Feyning the hors y-offred to Minerve, 
Through which that many a Troyan 

mostesterve; (10) 



And Ector had, after his deeth, appered, 
And fyr so wood, it mighte nat be 

stered, 935 

In al the noble tour of Ilioun, 
That of the citee was the cheef dungeoun ; 
And al the contree was so lowe y-broght, 
And Priamus the king fordoon and 

noght ; 
And Eneas was charged by Venus 940 
To fleen awey, he took Ascanius, 
That was his sone, in his right hand, and 

fledde ; 
And on his bakke he bar and with him 

ledde (20) 

His olde fader, cleped Anchises, 
And by the weye his wyf Crevisa he 

lees. 945 



37 



ZU Bt^tnt) of (Boo^ (P^omen. 



And mocliel sorwe liadde he in his minde 
Er that he coude his felawshippe finde. 
But, at the laste, whan he had hem 
i'ounde, 948 

He made him redy in a certein stounde, 
And to the see lul faste lie gan him hye, 
And saileth forth witli al his companye 
Toward Itaile, as wolde destinee. 
But of his aventures in the see (30) 

Nis nat to purpos for to speke of liere, 
For hit acordeth nat to my matere. 955 
But, as I seido, of liim and of Dido 
Shal bo my tale, til that I have do. 

So longc he sailed in the salte see 
Til in Libye unnethe aryved he. 
With shippes seven and with no more 

navye ; 9^0 

And glad was he to londe for to hye. 
So was he with the tempest al to-shake. 
And whan that he the haven had y- 

take, (41)) 

He had a knight, was called Achates ; 964 
And him of al his felawshippe he chees 
To goon with him, the centre for tespyo ; 
He took with him no more companye. 
But forth they goon, and lafte his shippes 

ryde, 
His fere and he, with-outen any gyde. 969 
So longe he walketh in this wildernesso 
Til, at the laste, he mette an hunteresse. 
A bowe in honde and arwes hadde she. 
Her clothes cutted were unto the knee ; (50) 
But she was yit the fairest creature 
That ever was y-formed by nature ; 975 
And Eneas and Achates she grette. 
And thus she to hem spak, whan she hem 

mette. 
' Sawe ye,' quod she, ' as ye han walked 

wyde, 
Any of my sustren walke yow besydo. 
With any wilde boor or other beste 980 
That they han hunted to, in this foreste, 
Y-tukked up, with arwes in her cas ? ' (59) 

'Nay, soothly, lady,' quod this Eneas; 
' But, by thy beaute, as hit thinketh me. 
Thou mightcst never erthely womman be. 
But Phebus suster artow, as I gesse. 9S6 
And, if so be that thou be a goddesse. 
Have mercy on our laboiir and our wo.' 
' I nam no goddes, soothly,' quod she 

tho; 



' For maidens walken in this contree here, 
With arwes and with bowe, in this 
manere. 991 

This is the regne of Libie, ther ye been, 
Of which that Dido lady is and queen ' — 
And shortly tolde him al the occasioun (71) 
Wli.v Dido com into that regioun , 995 
Of which as now me lusteth nat toryme ; 
Hit nedeth nat ; hit nere but los of tyme. 
For this is al and som, it was Venus, 
His owne moder, that spak with him thus ; 
And to Cartage she bad he sholde him 

dighte, 1000 

And vanished anoon out of his sighte. 
I coude folwe, word for word, Virgyle, 
But it wolde lasten al to longc a whyle. (80) 
This noble queen, that cleped was Dido, 
That whylom was the wyf of Sitheo, 1005 
That fairer was then is the brighte Sonne, 
This noble tovin of Cartage hath begonne ; 
In which she regneth in so greet honour. 
That she was holde of alle quenes flour. 
Of gentilosse, of freedom, of beautee ; 1010 
That wel was hira that mighte her ones 

see ; 
Of kinges and of lordes so desyred, (89) 
That al the world her beaute hadde y- 

fyred ; 
She stood so wel in every wightes grace. 
Whan Eneas was come iin-to that 

jdace, 1015 

Unto the maister-temple of al the toun 
Ther Dido was in her devooioun, 
Ful prively his wey than hath he nome. 
Whan he was in the lai'ge temple come, 
I can nat seyn if that hit be possible, 1020 
Bvit Venus hadde him maked invisible — 
Thus seitli the book, with-outen any lees. 
And whan this Eneas and Achates (100) 
Hadden in this temple been over-al. 
Than founde they, depeynted on a wal, 
How Troye and al the lond destroyed was. 
'Alias ! that I was born,' quod Eneas, 1027 
' Through-out the world our shame is kid 

so wyde. 
Now it is peynted upon every syde ! 
We, that weren in prosperitee, 1030 

Be now disslaundred, and in swich degree, 
No lenger for to liven I ne kepe ! ' 
And, with that worde, he brast out for to 

wepe (110) 



ZU Begenb of ©iio. 



373 



So tendrely, that routhe liit was to 

sene. 
This fresshe lady, of the citee queue, 1035 
Stood in the temple, in her estat royal. 
So richely, and eek so fair with-al. 
So yong, so Insty, with her eyen glade, 
That, if that god, that heven and erthe 

made, 
Wolde han a love, for heaute and good- 

nesse, 1040 

And womanhod, and trouthe, and seemli- 

nesse, 
WTiom sholde he loven but this lady 

swete y 
There nis no womman to him half so 

mete. (>2o) 

Portune, that hath the world in govern- 

aunce. 
Hath sodeinly broght m so newe a 

chaunce, 1045 

That never was ther yit so frenid a cas. 
For al the companye of Eneas, 
Which that he wende han loren in the 

see, 
Aryved is, nat fer fro that citee ; 
For which, the grettest of his lordes some 
By aventure ben to the citee come, 1051 
Unto that same temple, for to seko 
The quene, and of her socotir her beseke ; 
Swich renoun was ther spronge of her 

goodnesso. (131) 

And, whan they hadden told al hir dis- 

tresse, 1055 

And al hir tempest and hir harde cas, 
Unto the quene appered Eneas, 
And openly beknew that hit was he. 
Who hadde joye than but his meynee. 
That hadden founde hir lord, hir gover- 

nour ? 1060 

The qiicne saw they dide him swich 

honour. 
And had herd ofte of Eneas, er tho, 
And in her herte she liadde routhe and 

wo (140) 

That ever swich a noble man as ho 
Shal been disherited in swich degree ; 1065 
And saw tho man, that he was lyk a 

knight. 
And suffisaunt of persone and of might. 
And lyk to been a veray gentil man ; 
And wel his wordes he besette can. 



And had a noble visage for the nones, 1070 
And formed wel of braiines and of bones. 
For, after Venus, hadde he swich fair- 

nesse. 
That no man might be half so fair, I 

gesse. (150) 

And wel a lord he semed for to be . 
And, for he was a straunger, somwhat 

she 1075 

Lyked him the bet, as, god do bote, 
To som folk ofte newe thing is swote. 
Anoon her herte hath pitee of his wo. 
And, with that pitee, love com in also ; 
And thus, for j)itee and for gentilesse, 1080 
Eefresshed moste he been of his distresse. 
She seide, certes, that she sory was 
That ho hath had swich jjeril and swich 

cas ; (160) 

And, in her frendly speche, in this manere 
She to him spak, and seide as ye may 

here. 1085 

' Be ye nat Venus sone and Anchises '? 
In good feith, al the worship and encrees 
That I ruay goodly doon yow, ye shul 

have. 
Your shippes and j-our mej-nee shal I 

save ; ' 
And many a gentil word she spak him to ; 
And comaunded her message res go 109 1 
The same day, with-outen any faile. 
His shippes for to seke, and hem vitaile. 
She manyabesteto the shippes sente, (171) 
And with the wjii she gan hem to pre- 

sente ; 1095 

And to her royal paleys she her spedde, 
And Eneas alwey with her she ledde. 
What nedeth yow the feste to descry ve ? 
He never beter at ese was his lyve. 
Ful was the feste of deyntees and rich- 

esse , I loo 

Of instruments, of song, and of gladnesse. 

And many an amorous loking and devys. 

This Eneas is come to Paradys (180) 

Out of the swolow of helle, and thus iii 

joye 1 104 

Remembreth him of his estat in Troye. 
To dauncing-ohatnbres ful of parements. 
Of riche beddes, and of ornaments, 
This Eneas is lad, after the mete. 
And with the quene whan that he had 

sete. 



74 



^. 



Z^i. Be^enb of (Booi (^omen. 



And spyces parted, and the wyn agoon, 
Unto his chambres was ho lad anoon 1 1 1 1 
To take his ese and for to have liis reste, 
With al his folk, to doon what so hem 

leste. (190) 

Ther nas coursere wel y-brydled noon, 
Ne stede, for the justing wel to goon, 1 1 15 
Ne large jjalfrey, esy for the nones, 
Ne juwel, fretted fnl of riche stones, 
Ne sakkes ful of gold, of large wighte, 
Ne ruby noon, that shynede by uighte, 
Ne gentil hautein faucon heronere, 1120 
Ne hound, for hert or wilde boor or 

dere, 
Necoitpe of gold, with florins newe y-bete. 
That in the lond of Libie may be gete. 
That Dido ne hath hit Eneas y-sent ; (201) 
And al is payed, what that he hath spent. 
Thus can this f noble quene her gestes 

calle, 1126 

As she that can in freedom passen alle. 

Eneas sothly eek, with-outen lees, 
Hath sent nn-to his shippe, by Achates, 
After his sone, and after riche thinges. 
Both ceptre, clothes, broches, and eek 

ringes, 1131 

Som for to were, and som for to presente 
To her, that all thise noble thinges him 

sente ; (210) 

And bad his sone, how that he sholde 

make 
The presenting, and to the quene hit 

take. 1135 

Repaired is this Achates again, 
And Eneas fvil blisful is and fain 
To seen his yonge sone Ascanius. 
But natheles, our aiitoiir telleth us, 
That Cupido, that is the god of love, 1 140 
At preyere of his modor, hye above, 
Hadde the lyknes of the child y-take. 
This noble quene enamoured to make (220) 
On Eneas ; but, as of that scripture, 
Be as be may, I make of hit no cure. 1 145 
But sooth is this, the quene hath mad 

swich chere 
I'n-to this child, that wonder is to here ; 
And of the present that his fader sente 
She thanked him fvU ofte, in good entente. 
Thus is this quene in plesaunce and in 

joye, 1150 

With al this newe lusty folk of Troye. 



And of the dedes hath she more en- 

quered 
Of Eneas, and al the story lered (230) 

Of Troye ; and al the longe day they 

tweye 
Entendeden to spoken and to pleye ; 1 155 
Of which ther gan to breden swich a fyr. 
That sely Dido hath now swich desyr 
With Eneas, her newe gest, to dele. 
That she hath lost her hewe, and eek her 

hole. 
Now to th'effect, now to the fruit of al, 1 160 
Why I have told this story, and tellen 

shal. 
Thus I beginne ; hit fil, upon a night. 
When that the mone up-reysed had her 

light, (240) 

This noble quene un-to her reste wente ; 
She syketh sore, and gan her-self tur- 

mente. 11 65 

She waketh, walweth, maketh many a 

brayd. 
As doon thise loveres, as I have herd sayd. 
And at the laste, unto her suster Anne 
She made her moon, and right thus spak 

she thanne. 
' Now, dere suster myn, what may hit 

be 1170 

That me agasteth in my dreme ? ' quod 

she. 
' This ilke Troyan is so in my thoght. 
For that me thinketh he is so wel 

y-wroght, (250) 

And eek so lykly for to be a man. 
And therwithal so mikelgoodhe can, 1175 
That al my love and lyf lyth in his cure. 
Have ye not herd him telle his aventure? 
Now certes, Anne, if that ye rede hit me, 
I wolde fain to him y-wedded be ; 11 79 
This is th'effect ; what sholde I more seye? 
In him lyth al, to do me live or deye.' 
Her suster Anne, as she that coude her 

good, 
Seide as her thoughte, and somdel hit 

with-stood. (260) 

But her-of was so long a sermoning. 
Hit were to long to make rehersing; 1185 
But fynally, hit may not been with- 

stonde ; 
Love wol love — for no wight wol liit 

wonde. 



ZH Be^en^ of ©t'bo. 



375 



The dawening tip-rist out of the see ; 
This amorous quene chargeth her meynee 
The nettes dresse, and speres brode and 

kene ; 1190 

An hunting wol this lusty fresshe quene ; 
So priketh her this newe joly wo. 
To hors is al her lusty folk y-go ; (270) 
Un-to the court the houndesbeen y-broght, 
And up-on coui-sers, swift as any thoght, 
Her yonge kniglites lioven al aboute, 1 196 
And of her wommen eek an huge route. 
Up-on a thikke palfrey, paper-whyt, 
With sadel rede, enbrouded with delyt, 
Of gold the barres up-onbossed hye, 1200 
Sit Dido, al in gold and perre wrye; 
And she is fair, as is the brighte niorwe. 
That helethsekefolkof nightes sorwe. (280) 

Up-on a courser, startling as the fyr. 
Men mighte turne him with a litel wyr, 
Sit Eneas, lyk Phebus to devyse ; 1206 
So was he fresshe arayed in his wyse. 
Tlie fomy brydel with the bit of gold 
Governeth he, right as him-self hath 

wold. 
And forth this noble quene tlius lat I 

ryde 1 2 10 

An hunting, with this Troyan by her syde. 

The herd of hertes founden is anoon. 
With ' hey ! go bet ! prik thou ! lat goon, 

lat goon ! (290) 

Why nil the looun comen or the here. 
That I mighte ones mete him with this 

spere? ' 12 15 

Thus seyn thise yonge folk, and uji they 

kille 
These f hertes wilde, and han hem at hir 

Aville. 
Among al this to-romblen gan the 

heven. 
The thunder rored with a grisly steven ; 
Doun com the rain, with hail and sleet 

so faste, 1220 

Witli hevenes fyr, that hit so sore agaste 
This noble quene, and also her meynee. 
That ech of hem was glad a-wey to flee. (3(X)) 
And shortly, fro the tempest her to save, 
She fledde her-self into a litel cave, 1225 
And with her wente this Eneas al-so ; 
I noot, with hem if ther wente any mo ; 
The autonr maketh of hit no menciovm. 
And lieer began the depe affeccioun 



Betwix hem two ; this was the firsts 

morwe 1230 

Of her gladnesse, and ginning of her 

sorwe. 
For ther hath Eneas y-kneled so, (309) 
And told her al his herte, and al his wo. 
And sworn so depe, to her to be trewe. 
For wele or wo, and chaunge for no 

newe, 1235 

And as a fals lover so wel can pleyne. 
That sely Dido rewed on his peyne. 
And took him for husband, f to been his 

wyf 
For ever-mo, whyl that hem laste lyf. 
And after this, whan that the tempest 

stente, 1240 

With mirth out as they comen, hoom 

they wente. 
The wikked fame up roos, and that 

anon, (319) 

How Eneas hath with the quene y-gon 
In-to the cave ; and demed as hem liste ; 
And whan the king, that Yarbas hight, 

hit wiste, 1245 

As he that had her loved ever his lyf. 
And wowed her, to have her to his wyf, 
Swich sorwe as he hath maked, and swich 

chere. 
Hit is a routhe and x^itee for to here. 
But, as in love, al-day hit happeth so, 1250 
That oon shal laughen at anothers wo ; 
Now laugheth Eneas, and is in joye 
And more richesse than ever he was in 

Troye. (330) 

O sely womman, ful of innocence, 1254 
Ful of pitee, of trouthe, and conscience, 
What maked yow to men to t rusten so ? 
Have ye swich routhe upon hir feined wo. 
And han swich olde ensamples yow 

beforn ? 
See ye nat alle, how they been for-sworn ? 
Wher see ye oon, that he ne hath laft his 

leef, 1260 

Or been unkinde, or doon hir som mis- 

cheef. 
Or pilled her, or bosted of his dede ? (339) 
Ye may as wel hit seen, as ye may rede ; 
Tak heed now of this grete gentil-man. 
This Troyan, that so wel her plesen can, 
Tliat feineth him so trewe and obeising. 
So gentil and so privy of his doing, 1267 



or 



tU ^<t^<irii) of (Boob (JOometi. 



And can so wel doon alle liis obeisawnces, 
And waiten lier at lestes and at daunces, 
And when she goth to temple and hoom 
ageyn, 1270 

And fasten til he hath his lady seyn, 
Antl here in his devyses, for her sake, 
Noot I nat what ; and songes wolde he 
make, (35") 

Jnsten, and doon of armes many thinges, 
Sende her lettres, tokens, broches, ringes— 
Now herkneth, how he shal his lady 
servo ! 1276 

Ther-as he was in peril for to stervo 
For hunger, and for mischeef in the 

see, 
And desolat, and fled from his contree, 
'And al his folk with tempest alto-driven. 
She hath her body and eek her reame 
yiven 1281 

In-to his hond, ther-as she mighte have 

been 
Of other lond than of Cartage a queen, 
And lived in joye y-nogh ; wliat wolde ye 
more? (361) 

This Eneas, that hath so depe y-swore, 
Is wery of his craft with-in a throwe ; 1286 
The hote ernest is al over-blowe. 
And prively he doth his shippes dighte. 
And shape th him to stele a-wey by uighte. 
This Dido hath suspecioun of this, 1290 
And though te wel, that hit was al a-mis ; 
For in his bedde he lyth a-night and 

syketh ; 
She asketh him anoon, what him mis- 
lyketh— (370^ 

' My dere herte, which that I love most ? ' 
' Certes,' quod he, ' this night my fadres 
gost 1295 

Hath in my sleep so sore me tormented. 
And eek Mercurle his message hath pre- 
sented. 
That nedes to the conqvaest of Itaile 
My destinee is sone for to saile ; 
For which, me thinketh, brosten is myn 
herte ! ' 1300 

Ther-with his false teres out they sterte ; 
And taketh her witli-in his armes two. 
' Is tliat in ernest,' quod she ; ' wil ye 
so? (380) 

Have ye nat sworn to wyve nie to take, 
Alas ! what womman wil ye of me make ? 



I am a gentil- woman and a queen, 1306 
Ye wil nat fro your wyf thus foule fleen ? 
That I was born ! alias ! what shal I do ? ' 
To telle in short, this noble queen Dido, 
She seketh halwes, and doth sacrifyse ; 
She kneleth, cryeth, that routhe is to 

devyse ; 1311 

Conjureth him, and profretli him to be 
His tliral, his servant in tlie leste gree ; 
Slio falleth him to fote, and swowneth 
there (391) 

Dischevele, with her brighte gilte here, 
And seith, ' have mercy ! let me with 

yow ryde ! 13 16 

Tliiso lordes, which that wonen me besyde 
Wil me destroyen only for your sake. 
And, so ye wil me now to wyve take. 
As ye han sworn, than wol I yive yow 

levo 132" 

To sleon me with your swerd now sone at 

eve ! 
For than yit shal I dyen as your wyf. 
I am with childe, and yive my child his 

lyf. (400) 

Mercy, lord ! have pite in your thoght ! ' 
But al this thing availeth her right noght ; 
For on a night, slepinge, he let her lye. 
And stal a-wey un-to his companye, 1327 
And, as a traitour, forth he gan to saile 
Toward the large contree of Itaile. 
Thus hath he laft Dido in wo and pyne ; 
And wedded ther a lady bight La\'yne. 
A cloth he lafte, and eelc his swerd 

stonding, (409) 1332 

Whan he fro Dido stal in her sleping, 
Eiglit at her beddes heed, so gan he hye 
Whan that he stal a-wey to his navye ; 
Wliich cloth, whan sely Dido gan awake, 
She hatli hit kist tul ofte for his sake ; 
And seide, ' O cloth, whyl Jupiter hit 

leste, 
Tak now my soiile, unbind me of this 

unreste ! 1339 

I have fulfild of fortune al the cotirs.' 
And thvis, alias ! with-outeu his socours, 
Twenty tj'me y-swowned hath she thanne. 
And, whan that she i\n-to her suster 

Anne (420) 

Compleyned had, of which I may nat 

wryte — 1344 

So greet a routhe I have hit for t'endyte — 



tU Bt^inii of ^ppeip^fe ant> (VlUbea. 



377 



And bad her norice and her suster goon 
To fecchen fyr and other thing anoon, 
And seide, that she wolde sacrifye. 
And, whan she mighte her tyme wel 

espye, 
Up-on the fyr of sacrifys she sterte, 1350 
And with his swerd she roof her to the 
herte. 
Bnt, as myn autour seith, right thus 
she seyde ; (429) 

Or she was hurt, before that she deyde, 
She wroot a lettre anoon, that thu.s be- 
gan :— 
' Eight so,' quod she, ' as that the whyte 
swan 1355 

Ayeins his deeth beginneth for to singe. 
Eight so to yow make I my compleyninge. 



Nat that I trowe to geten yow again, 
For wel I woot that it is al in vain. 
Sin that the goddes been contraire to me. 
But sin my name is lost through yow,' 

quod she, 1361 

' I may wel lese a word on yow, or letter, 
Al-be-it that I shal he never the better ; 
For thilke wind that blew your ship 

a-wey, (441) 

The same wind hath blowe a-wey your 

fey.'— 1365 

But who wol al this letter have in 

minde, 
Eede Ovide, and in him he shal hit finde. 

Explicit Legenda JDidonis 3Iartiris, 
Cartaginis regine. 



IV. THE LEGEND OF HYPSIPYLE AND MEDEA. 



Incipit Legenda Ysiphile et Medee, 

MaHirnm. 
Part I. The Legend of Hypsipyle. 

Thou rote of false lovers, duk Jasoun ! 
Thou sly devoiirer and confusioun 
Of gentU-wommen, tender creatures, 1370 
Thoii madest thy reclaiming and thy 

lures 
To ladies of thy statly apparaunce, 
And of thy wordes, farced with plesaunce, 
And of thy feyned trouthe and thy 

manere. 
With thyn obeisaunce and thy humble 

chere, (8) 1375 

And with thy coimterfeted peyne and wo. 
Ther other falsen oon, thou falsest two ! 
O ! ofte swore thou that thou woldest dye 
For love, whan thou ne feltest maladye 
Save foul delyt, which that thou callest 

love ! 1380 

If that I live, thy name shal be shove 
In English, that thy sleighte shal be 

knowe ! 
Have at thee, Jasoun ! now thjai horn is 

blowe ! 
But certes, hit is bothe routhe and wo 
That love with false loveres werketh so ; 



For they shul have wel better love and 
chere 13S6 

Than he that hath aboght his love ful 
dere, (20) 

Or had in amies many a blody bos. 
For ever as tendre a capoun et the fox, 
Thogh he be fals and hath the foiil be- 
trayed, 1390 
As shal the good-man that ther-for hath 

payed ; 
Al have he to the capoun skille and 

right. 
The false fox wol have his part at night. 
On Jasoun tliis ensample is wel y-sene 
By Isiphile and Medea the quene. 1395 

In Tessalye, as Guido telleth us, 
Ther was a king that highte Pelleiis, (30) 
That had a brother, which that highte 

Eson ; 
And, whan for age he mighte unnethes 

gon, 
He yaf to Pelleus the governing 1400 

Of al his regne, and made him lord and 

king. 
Of which Eson this Jasoun geten was, 
Tliat, in his tyme, in al that lond, ther nas 
Nat swich a femous knight of gentilesse, 
Of freedom, and of strengthe and lusti- 
nesse. 1405 



378 



ZU Bcgen^ of (Boob (^owen. 



After his fader deeth, lie Isar him. so (39) 
That ther nas noon tliat liste been his fo, 
But dide him al honour and companye ; 
Of which this Pelleus hath greet envye, 
Imagining that Jasoun mighte be 1410 
Enliaunsod so, and put in swich degree 
With love of lordes of his regioun, 
That from his regne he may be put adoiin. 
And in his wit, a-night, compassed he 
How^ Jasoun mighte best destroyed be 1415 
Withoute slaunder of his compasment. 
And at the laste he took avisement (5(5) 
To senden him in-to som fer contree 
Ther as this Jasoun may destroyed be. 
This was his wit ; al made he to Jasoun 
Gret chere of love and of affeccioun, 1421 
Por drede lest his lordes hit espj'de. 
So fll hit so, as fame renneth wj'de, 
Ther was swich tyding over-al and swich 

los. 
That in an yle that called was Colcos, 1425 
Beyonde Troye, estward in the see, 
That ther-in was a ram, that men mighte 

see, (60) 

That had a flees of gold, that shoon so 

brighte, 
That no-wher was ther swich an-other 

sighte ; 1429 

But hit was kept alway with a dragoun, 
And many othore merveils, tip and doun, 
And with two boles, maked al of bras. 
That spitten fyr, and moche thing ther 

was. 
But this was eek the tale, nathelees, 
That who-so woldo winne thilke flees, 1435 
He moste bothe, or ho hit winne mighte, 
With the boles and the dragoun flghte ; 
And king Oetes lord was of that yle. (71) 
This Pelleus bethoghte upon this wyle ; 
That he his nevew Jasoun wolde enhorte 
To sailen to that lond, him to disporte. 
And seide, ' Nevew, if lut mighte be 
That swich a worship) mighte fallen thee. 
That thou this famous tresor mightest 

winne, 1444 

And bringen liit my regioun with-inne, 
Hit were to me gret plesaunceand honou.r ; 
Than were I holdo to quyte thy labour. (80) 
And al the cost I wol my-selven make ; 
And chees what folk that thou wilt with 

thee take ; '449 



Lat see now, darstow taken this viage ? ' 
Jasoun was yong, and lusty of corage, 
And vinder-took to doon this ilke em- 

pryse. 
Anoon Argus his shippes gan devyse ; 
With Jasoun wente the stronge Ercules, 
And many an-other that he with him 

chees. 1455 

But who-so axeth who is with him gon, 
Lat him go reden Argonauticon, (90) 

For he wol telle a tale long y-now. 
Philotetes anoon the sail ui^-drow. 
Whan that the wind was good, and gan 

him liye 1460 

Out of his contree called Tessalye. 
So long he sailed in the salte see 
Til in the yle f Lemnoun aryved he — 
Al bo this nat rehersed of Guido, 
Yet seith Ovyde in his Epistles so — • 1465 
And of this yle lady was and queue 
The faire yonge Isiphilee, the shene, (100) 
That whylom Thoas doghter was, the 

king. 
Isiphilee was goon in her playing ; 1469 
And, roming on tlie clyves by the see. 
Under a banke anoon espyed she 
Wlier that the ship of Jasoun gan aryve. 
Of her goodnesse adoun she sendoth blyve 
To witen yif that any straunge wight 1474 
With tempest thider were y-blowe a-night, 
To doon him soeour ; as was her usaunee 
To forthren every wight, and doon ple- 

saunce (no) 

Of veray bountee and of curtesye. 

This messagere adoun him gan to hye. 
And fond Jasoun, and Ercules also, 1480 
That in a cogge to londe were y-go 
Hem to refresshen and to take the eyr. 
The morwening atempre was and fair ; 
And in his wey the messagere hem mette. 
Ful cunningly thise lordes two he grette, 
And dide his message, axing hem anoon 
Yif they were broken, or oght wo begoon, 
Or hadde nede of lodesmeu or vitaile ; (121) 
For of soeour they shuldo no-thing faile, 
For hit was iitterly the queues wille. 1490 

Jasoun answerde, mekely and stille, 
' My lady,' quod he, ' thanke I hertely 
Of hir goodnesse ; ns nedeth, trewely, 
No-tliing as now, but that we wery be. 
And come for to pleye, out of the see, 1495 



ZU Begenb of 5pP^»Vpf*^ ^^^ Qllciea. 



379 



Til that the wind be better in our weye.' 

Thisladyromethbythecliftopleye, (130) 

With her meynee, endelong the sti'onde, 

And fynt this Jasoun and this other 

stonde, 1499 

In siickinge of this thing, as I yow tokle. 

Tliis Erculos and Jasoun gan heholde 
How that the quene hit was, and faire 

her grette 
Anon-right as they with this lady mette ; 
And she took heed, and knew, by hir 

tnanere, 
By hir aray, by wordes and by chere, 1505 
That hit were gentil-men, of greet degi-ee. 
And to the castel with her ledeth she 
Thise stravinge folk, and doth hem greet 

honour, {141) 

And axeth hem of travail and labour 
That they han suffred in the salte see ; 1510 
So that, within a day, or two, or three. 
She knew, by folk that in his shippes be. 
That hit was Jasonn, ful of renomee, 
And Ercnlos, that had the grete los, 1514 
That soghten the aventtTres of Colcos ; 
And dide hem honour more then before. 
And with hem deled ever lenger the 

more, (150) 

For they ben worthy folk, with-outen lees. 
And namely, most she spak with Ercules; 
To him her herte bar, he sholde bo 1520 
Sad, wys, and trewe, of wordes avisee, 
With-outen any other affeccioun 
Of love, or evil imaginacioun. 

This Ercules hath so this Jasoun preysed. 
That to the sonne ho hath him up 

areysed, 1525 

That half so trewe a man thcr nas of love 
Ihader the cope of heven that is above ; 
And he was wj^s, hardy, secree, and 

riche. — ('61) 

Of thise three pointes ther nas noon him 

liche ; 
Of freedom passed he, and lustiliede, 1530 
Alle tho that liven or ben dede ; 
Ther-to so greet a gentil-man was he. 
Anil of Tessalie lykly king to be. 
Ther nas no lak, but that he was agast 
To love, and for to speke shamefast. 1535 
He hadde lever him-self to mordre, and 

dye (169) 

Than that men shvddea lover him espye : — 



' As wolde almighty god that I had yive 
My blood and flesh, so that I mighte live. 
With the nones that he hadde o-wher 

a wyf 1540 

For his estat ; for swich a lusty lyf 
She sholde ledo with this lusty knight !' 
And al this was compassed on tho 

nigh t 
Betwixe him Jasoun and this Ercules. 
Of thise two beer was mad a shrewed lees 
To come to hous upon an innocent; 1546 
For to be-dote this queen was hir assent. 
And Jasoun is as coy as is a maide, (18 1 1 
He loketh pitously, but noght he saide. 
But frely yaf he to her conseileres i55(.> 
Yiftes grete, and to her officeres. 
As wolde god I leiser hadde, and tyme, 
By proces al his wowing for to ryme. 
But in this hous if any fals lover be. 
Right as him-self now doth, right so dide 

he, _ 1555 

With feyning and with every sotil dede. 

Ye gete no more of me, but ye wil rede 

Th'original, that telleth al the cas. (191) 

The somme is this, that Jasoun wedded 

was 
Unto this queue, and took of her sub- 

staunce 1560 

Wliat-so him liste, unto his purveyaunce ; 
And vipon her begat he children two, 
And drow his sail, and saw her never-mo. 

A lettre sente she to him certein. 
Which were to long to wryten and to 

sein, 1565 

And him repreveth of his grete untrouthe. 
And preyeth him on her to have som 

routhe. (2cx)) 

And of his children two, she seide him 

this, 
That they be lyke, of alle thing, y-wis. 
To Jasoun, save they covide nat begyle ; 
And preyed god, or hit were longe whyle. 
That she, that had his herte y-raft her fro, 
Moste finden him to her untrewe al-so, 
And that she moste bothe her children 

spille, 1574 

And alle tho that suffreth him his wille. 
And trew to Jasoun was she al her lyf, 
And ever kepte her chast, as for his wyf ; 
No never had she joye at her herte, (211) 
But dyed, for his love, of sorwes smerte. 



38o 



ZU Begenb of (5oo^ (^Domen. 



Part II. The Legend of Medea. 

To Colcos comen is this dxik Jasoun, 
That is of love devourer and dragoun. 1581 
As matere appetyteth forme al-wey, 
And from forme in-to forme hit passen 

may, 
Or as a welle that were botomlees, 
Riglit so can fals Jasoun have no pees. 
For, to desyren, througli his appetyt, 1586 
To doon with gentil wommen his delyt. 
This is his hist and his felicitee. (221) 

Jasoun is romed forth to the citee. 
That wliylom cleped was Jaconitos, 1590 
That was the maister-toun of al Colcos, 
And hath y-told the cause of his coming 
Un-to Oetes, of that contre king. 
Preying him that he moste doon his 

assay 1594 

To gete the flees of gold, if that he may ; 
Of which the king assenteth to his bone, 
And doth him honoiir, as hit is to done. 
So ferforth, that his doghter and his eyr, 
Medea, which that was so wys and fair 
That fairer saw ther never man with ye, 
He made her doon to Jasoun companye 
At mete, and sitte by him in the halle. 
Now was Jasoun a semely man with- 

alle, (236) 

And lyk a lord, and had a greet renoun. 
And of his loke as real as leoun, 1605 

And goodly of his speche, and famulere. 
And coude of love al craft and art plenere 
With-oute boke, with everich observaunce. 
And, as fortune her oghte a foul mes- 

chaunce. 
She wex enamoured upon this man. 1610 
' Jasoun,' qviod she, ' for ought I see or 

can. 
As of this thing the which ye been aboiite, 
Ye han your-self y-put in moche doute. 
For, who-so wol this aventure acheve. 
He may nat wel asterten, as I leve, 1615 
With-outen deeth, but I his helpe be. (249) 
But natheles, hit is my wille,' quod she, 
' To forthren yow, so that ye shal nat dye. 
But turnen, sound, hoom to your Tessalye.' 
' My righte lady,' quod this Jasoun tho, 
' That ye han of my dethe or of my wo 
Any reward, and doon me this honour, 
I wot wel that my might ne my labour 



May nat deserve hit in my lyves day ; 1624 
God thanke yoTv, ther I ne can ne may. 
Your man am I, and lowly you beseche. 
To been my help, with-oute more speche ; 
But certes, for my deeth shal I nat 

spare.' (261) 

Tho gan this Medea to him declare 
The peril of this cas, fro point to point. 
And of his batail, and in what disjoint 
He mote stande, of which no creature. 
Save only she, ne mighte his lyf assure. 
And shortly, to the point right for to go, 
They been accorded ful, betwix hem two. 
That Jasoun shal her wedde, as trewe 

knight ; 1636 

And term y-set, to come sone at night (271)) 
Unto her chambre, and make ther his 

ooth. 
Upon the goddes, that he, for leef ne 

looth, 1639 

Ne sholde her never falsen, night ne day. 
To been her husbond, whyl he liven may. 
As she that from his deeth him saved 

here. 
And her-upon, at night they mette y-fere. 
And doth his ooth, and goth with her to 

bedde. 1644 

And on the morwe, upward he him spedde; 
For she hath taught him how he shal 

nat faile (-^79) 

The flees to winne, and stinten his bataile ; 
And saved him his lyf and his honour ; 
And gat him greet name as a conquerour 
Right through the sleight of her en- 

chantement. 1650 

Now hath Jasoun the flees, and hoom 

is went 
With Medea, and tresor ful gret woon. 
But unwist of her fader is she goon 
To Tessalj', with duk Jasoun her leef, 
That afterward hath broght her to mes- 

cheef. 1655 

For as a traitour he is from her go. 
And with her lafte his yonge children 

two, (29l>) 

And falsly hath betrayed her, alias ! 
And ever in love a cheef traitour he was ; 
And wedded yit the thridde wyf anon, 1660 
That was the doghter of the king Creon. 
This is the meed of loving and guerdoun 
That Medea received of Jasoun 



Tt^i Be^eni of B\iCHtia. 



381 



Right for her trouthe and for her kinde- 

nesse, 
That loved him better than her-self, I 

gesse, 1665 

And lafte her fader and her heritage. 
And of Jasoun this is the vassalage, fsoo) 
That, in his dayes, nas ther noon y-founde 
So fals a lover going on the grounde. 
And therfor in her lettre thixs she 

seyde 1670 

First, whan she of his falsnesse him nm- 

breyde, 
' Why lyked me thy yelow heer to see 
More then the boundes of myn honestee, 



Wliy lyked me thy youtlie and thj' fair- 

nesse, 
And of thy tonge the infinit gracious- 

nesse ? 1675 

O, haddest thou in thy conquest deed 

y-be, 
Ful mikel untrouthe had ther dyed with 

thee!' (310) 

Wei can Ovyde her lettre in vers endyte, 

Wliich were as now to long for me to 

wryte. 

Explicit Legenda Ysiphile et Medee, 
Martirum. 



V. THE LEGEND OF LUCRETIA. 



Incipit Legenda Lucrecie Rome, Martins. 

Now moot I seyn the exiling of kinges 
Of Rome, for hir horrible doinges, 1681 
And of the laste king Tarqiiinius, 
As saith Ovyde and Titus Livius. 
But for that cause telle I nat this storie, 
But ibr to preise and drawen to meniorie 
The verray wyf, the verray trewe Lucresse, 
That, for lier wyf hood and her stedfast- 

nesse, 1687 

Nat only that thise payens her comende, 
But he, that cleped is in our legende (10) 
The grete Austin, hath greet compas- 

sioun 1690 

Of this Lucresse, that starf at Rome toun ; 
And in what wyse, I wol but shortly trete. 
And of this thing I toviche but the grete. 

Whan Ardea beseged was aboute 
With Romains, that ful sterne were and 

stoute, 1695 

Ful longe lay the sege, and litel wroghte. 
So that they were half ydel, as hem 

thoghte; (18) 

And in his pley Tarquinius the yonge 
Gan for to jape, for he was light of tonge. 
And seyde, that ' it was an ydel lyf ; 1 700 
No man did ther no more than his wj-f ; 
And lat us speke of wyves, that is best ; 
Praise every man his owne, as him lest. 
And with our sjieche lat us ese our herte.' 
A knight, that highte Colatyne, up 

sterte, 1705 



And seyde thus, ' nay, for hit is no nede 
To trowen on the word, but on the 

dede. 
I have a wyf,' quod he, ' that, as I trowe, 
Is holden good of alle that ever her 

knowe ; (3o^ 

Go we to-night to Rome, and we shul 

see.' 1710 

Tarquinius answerde, ' that lyketh me.' 

To Rome be they come, and faste hem 

dighte 
To Colatynes hous, and doun they lighte, 
Tarquinius, and eek this Colatyne. 
The husbond knew the estres wel and 

fyue, 1715 

And ijrively into the hous they goon ; 
Nor at the gate porter was ther noon ; 
And at the chambre-dore they abyde. (39) 
Tliis noble wyf sat by her beddes syde 
Dischevele, for no malice she ne thoghte ; 
And softe woUe our book seith that she 

wroghte 1 72 1 

To kepen her fro slouthe and ydelnesse ; 
And bad her servants doon hir businesse, 
And axeth hem, 'what tydings heren ye? 
How seith men of the sege, how shal hit 

be ? 1725 

God wolde the walles weren falle adoun ; 
Myn husbond is so longe out of this toun. 
For which the dreed doth me so sore 

smerte. 
Right as a swerd hit stingeth to myn 

herte (50) 



382 



ZH Begeni of <5oo^ (^ow«n. 



Whan I tliinli on the sege or of that place ; 
God save my lord, I preys him for his 

grace :' — - 1731 

And ther-with-al ful tenderly she weep, 
And of her werk she took no more keep, 
Biit mekely she leet her eyen falle ; 
And thilke semhlant sat her wel with-alle. 
And eek her teres, ful of honestee, 1736 
Embelisshed her wyflj^ cliastitee ; 
Her countenaunce is to her herte digne. 
For they acordeden in dede and signe. (60) 
And with that word her husbond Colatyn, 
Or she of him was war, com sterting in. 
And seide, ' dreed thee noght, for I am 

here ! ' 1 742 

And she anoon up roos, with blisful chere, 
And kiste him, as of wyves is the wone. 
Tarquinins, this proude kinges sone. 
Conceived hath her heavitee and her 

chere, 1746 

Her yelow heer, her shap, and her manere. 
Her hew^, her wordes that she hath com- 

pleyned. 
And hy no crafte her beautee nas nat 

feyned ; (70) 

And caughte to this lady swich desyr, 
That in his herte brende as any fyr 1751 
So woodly, that his wit was al forgeten. 
For wel, thoghte he, she sholde nat be 

geten ; 
And ay the more that he was in dispair. 
The more he coveteth and thoghte her 

fair. 1755 

His blinde lust was al his covetinge. 

A-morwe, whan the brid began to singe, 
Unto the sege he comth ful privily. 
And by himself he walketh sobrely, (80) 
Th'image of her recording alwej' newe ; 
' Thus lay her heer, and thus fresh was 

her hewe ; 1761 

Thus sat, thus spak, thus span ; this was 

her chere, 
Thus fair she was, and this was her 

manere.' 
Al this conceit his herte hath now y-take. 
And, as the see, with tempest al to-shake. 
That, after whan the storm is al ago, 1766 
Yet wol the water quappe a day or two, 
Eight so, thogh that her forme wer 

absent, (89) 

The plesaunce of her forme was present ; 



But natheles, nat plesaunce, but delyt. 
Or an unrightful talent with despyt ; 1771 
' For, maugre her, she shal my lemnian 

be; 
Hap helpeth hardy man alday,' quod he ; 
' Wliat ende that I make, hit shal be so ; ' 
And girt him with his swerde, and gan 

to go ; 1775 

And forth he rit til he to Kome is come, 
And al aloon his wey than hath he nome 
Unto the house of Colatyn ful right. 
Doun was the Sonne, and day hath lost 

his light ; ( 100) 

And in he com un-to a privy halke, 1780 
And in the night ful theefly gan he stalke, 
"Wlian every night was to his reste broght, 
Ne no wight had of tresoun swich a 

thoght. 
Were hit by window or by other gin, 1784 
With swerde y-drawe, shortly he comth in 
Ther as she lay, this noble wyf Lucresse. 
And, as she wook, her bed she felto presse. 
' What beste is that,' quod she, ' that 

weyeth thus ? ' 
' I am the kinges sone, Tarquinius,' (no) 
Quod he, ' but and thou crye, or noise 

make, 1 790 

Or if thou any creature awake. 
By thilke god that formed man on lyve, 
This swerd through-out thyn herte shal 

I ryve.' 
And ther-withal unto her throte he sterte, 
And sette the point al sharp upon her 

herte. 1 795 

No word she spak, she hath no might 

therto. 
Wliat shal she sayn ? her wit is al ago. 
Eight as a wolf that fynt a lomb aloon, 
To whom shal she complej-ne, or make 

moon? (120) 

What ! shal she fighte with an hardy 

knight ? 1800 

W^el wot men that a woman hath no 

might. 
What ! shal she crye, or how shal she 

asterte 
That hath her by the throte, with swerde 

at herte ? 
She axeth grace, and seith al that she can. 
' Ne wolt thou nat,' quod he, this cruel 

man, 1S05 



ZU Begen^ of Bucrefta. 



383 



' As wisly Jupiter my soule save, 
As I shal in the stable slee thy knave, 
And leye him in thy bed, and loude crye. 
That I thee finde in suche avonterye ; (130) 
And thus thou shalt bo deed, and also 

lese 1810 

Thy name, lor thou shalt non other chese.' 

Thise Eomain wy^'es loveden so hir 

name 
At tliilke tyme, and dredden so the shame. 
That, what for fere of slaundre and drede 

ofdeeth, 1814 

She loste botlie at-ones wit and breath. 
And in a swough she lay and wex so 

deed, 
Men miglite smyten of her arm or heed ; 
She feleth no-thing, neither foul ne fair. 
Tarquinius, that art a hinges eyr, (140) 
And sholdcst, as by linage and by right, 
Doon as a lord and as a verray knight. 
Why hastow doon dispyt to chivalrye ? 
Why hastow doon this lady vilanye ? 
Alias ! of thee this was a vileins dede ! 

But now to purpos ; in the story I rede, 
\Vlian he was goon, al this mischaunce is 

falle. 1826' 

This lady sente after her frendes alle. 
Fader, moder, husbond, al y-fere ; (149) 
And al dischevele, with her heres clere. 
In habit swich as women used tho 1830 
Unto the burying of her frendes go, 
She sit in halle with a sorwetul sighte. 
Her frendes axen what her aylen mighte. 
And who was deed? And she sit ay 

wepinge, 
A word for shame ne may she forth out- 

bringe, 1835 

No u]3on hem she dorste nat beholde. 
But atte laste of Tarquiny she hem tolde. 
This rewful cas, and al this thing horrible. 
The wo to tellen hit were impossible, (160) 
That she and alle her frendes made 

atones. 1840 

Al hadde folkes hertes been of stones. 
Hit mighte have maked hem ux^on her 

rewe. 
Her herte was so "wyfly and so trewe. 
She seide, that, for her gilt ne for her 

blame. 
Her husbond sholde nat have the foule 

name, 1845 



That wolde she nat siiffre, by no wey. 
And they answerden alle, upon hir fey. 
That they foryeve hit her, for hit was 

right ; (169) 

Hit was no gilt, hit lay nat in her might ; 
And seiden herensamples nianyoon. 1850 
But al for noght ; for thvis she seide 

anoon, 
' Be as be may,' qtiod she, ' of forgiving, 
I wol nat have no forgift for no-thing.' 
But prively she caiighte forth a knyf, 1854 
And therwith-al she rafte her-selfher lyf ; 
And as she fel adoun, she caste her look. 
And of her clothes yit she hede took ; 
For in her falling .yit she hadde care 
Lest that her feet or swiche thing lay 

bare ; (180) 

So wel she loved clennesse and eek trouthe. 

Of her had al the toun of Rome ronthe, 

And Brutus by her chaste blode hath 

swore 1862 

That Tarquin sholde y-banisht be ther-fore, 
And al his kin ; and let the peple calle, 
And openly the tale he tolde hena alle, 
And openly let carie her on a here 1866 
Through al the toun, that men may see 

and here 
The horrible deed of her oppressioun. 
Ne never was ther king in Rome toun ( 190) 
Sin thilke day ; and she was holden there 
A seint, and ever her day y-hahved dere 
As in hir lawe : and thus endeth Liicresse, 
The noble wyf, as Titus bereth witnesse. 
I tell hit, for she was of love so trowe, 
Ne in her wille she chaunged for no newe. 
And for the stable herte, sad and kinde. 
That in these women men may alday 

finde ; 1877 

Ther as they caste hir herte, ther hit 

dwelleth. 
For wel I wot, that Crist -fhina-selve 

telleth, (200) 

That in Israel, as wyd as is the lond, 1880 
That so gret feith in al the lond he ne 

fond 
As in a woman ; and this is no lye. 
And as of men, loketh which tirannye 
Tliey doon alday ; assay hem who so liste. 
The trewest is ful brotel for to triste. 1885 

Explicit Legenda Lucrecie Rome, Martiris. 



384 



^3^ jSegeni of (Boob (JOowen. 



VI. THE LEGEND OF ARIADNE. 



Incipit Legenda Adriane de Athenes. 

JuGE infernal, Minos, of Crete king. 
Now cometh thy lot, now comestow on 

tlio ring ; 
Nat for thy sake only wryto I this storie. 
But for to clepe agcin nnto memorio 1889 
Of Theseus the greto untroutho of love ; 
For which the goddcs of the heven above 
Ben wrothe, and wreche han take for thy 

sinne. 
Be reed for shame ! now I thy lyf beginne. 
Minos, that was the mighty king of 

Crete, 
That hadde an hundred citees stronge 

and grcte, (10) 1895 

To scole hath sent his sone Androgens, 
To Athenes ; of the whicho hit happed 

thvis, 
That he was slayn, lerning philosophye, 
Eight in that citce, nat but for envyc. 

The grete Minos, of the whiclie I speke, 
His sonos deeth is comen for to wroke ; 
Alcathoe ho bisogeth harde and longe. 
But natheles the walles be so stronge. 
And Nisvis, that was king of that citee, 
So chivalrous, that litel dredeth he ; 1905 
Of Minos or his ost took he no cure, (21) 
Til on a day be (el an aventure. 
That Nisus doghtcr stood ui)on the wal. 
And of the sego saw the manor al. 1909 
So happed hit, that, at a scarmishing, 
She caste her horto upon Minos the king. 
For his beautee and for his chivalrye. 
So sore, that she wende for to dye. 
And, shortly of this procos for to pace, 
She made Minos winnen thilke place, 1915 
So that the citee was al at his wille, (31) 
To saven whom him list, or elles spillo ; 
But wikkedly ho quitte her kindenesse, 
And let her drenche in sorowe and dis- 

tresse, 1919 

Nere that the goddes hadde of her pite ; 
But that tale wore to long as now for me. 

Athenes wan this king Minos also, 
And Alcathoe and other tounes mo : 



And this th'effect, that Minos hath so 

driven 
Hem of Athenes, that they mote him 

yiven (40) 1925 

Fro yore to yere her owno children dere 
For to be slayn, as ye shul after here. 
This Minos hath a monstre, a wikked 

beste. 
That was so cruel that, without areste. 
Whan that a man was broght in his 

presence, 1930 

He woldo him ote, ther helpetli no de- 
fence. 
And every thridde yeer, with-outen doute, 
Tliey casten lot, and, as hit com abouto 
On riche, on pore, ho mosto his sono 

take, (49) 1934 

And of his child ho moste present make 
Unto Minos, to save him or to spille, 
Or Icte his besto devoure him at his 

wille. 
And this hath Minos don, right in dcspyt; 
To wrcko his sono was set al his dolyt, 
And maken hem of Athenes his thral 1940 
Fro yero to yere, whyl that he liven shal ; 
And hoom ho saileth whan this toun is 

wonnc. 
This wikked custom is so longe y-ronne 
Til tliat of Athenes king Egeus 
Mot sende his owne sone, Theseus, 1945 
Sitli that the lot is fallen hina upon, (61) 
To 1)0 devoured, for grace is ther non. 
And forth is lad this woful yonge knight 
Unto the court of king Minos ful right, 
And in a prison, fetered, cast is he 1950 
Til thilke tymo he sholde y-freten be. 

Wcl maystow wepo, woful Theseus, 
That art a kinges sone, and dampned 

thus. 
Mo thinketh this, that thou were depe 

y-holde 11)54 

To whom tliat saved thee fro cares coble ! 
And now, if any woman helpe thee, {71) 
Wcl oughtostow her servant for to be. 
And been her trewe lover yeer by yere ! 
But now to come ageyn to my matere. 



^6« Begenb of ilr:abne. 



385 



The tour, ther as this Theseus is throwe 

Doun in the botom dorko and wonder 

lowe, 196' 

Was joyning iiT the wallo to a foreyno ; 

And hit waa longing to the doghtren 

tweyno 
Of king Minos, that in liir chambres grete 
Dwelten above, toward the maister- 
streto, (80) 1965 

In rnochcl mirthe, in joyo and in solas. 
Not I nat how, hit happed ther, per cag,' 
As Theseus compleyned him V)y nighte, 
The kinges doghter, Adrian that higlite, 
Andeek her sustcr Phodra, herden al 1970 
His conii>loyning, as they stode on tlie wal 
And lokeden upon the }>righte moue ; 
Hem leste nut to go to bedde sono. 
And of his wo they had comiiassioun ; 
A kinges sono to ben in swich prisoun 
And bo devoured, thoughte hem gret 
pitee. (yi) 1976 

Than Adrian spak to her suster free, 
And scydo, ' Phodra, leve svister dere, 
This woful lordes sone may ye nat liere. 
How pitously compleyneth he his kin, 
And eek his pore estat that he is in, 1981 
And giltelcss ? now certos, hit is routhe ! 
And if yc wol assonten, by my troutho. 
He shul bo ]ioIi)cii, how so tliat wc do !' 
Phedra answerde, ' y-wis, me is as wo 
For him as ever I was for any man ; 1986 
And, to his help, the besto reed I can (102) 
Is that wo doon the gayler prively 
To come, and spoke with us hastily. 
And doon this woful man with him to 
come. 1990 

For if he may this monstre overcome. 
Than were ho quit ; ther is noon other 

bote. 
Lat us wel taste him at his herte-rote, 
That, if so be that he a wepen have, 
Wher that ho dar, his lyf to kopo and 
save, (no) if,95 

Fightcn with this fond, and him defende. 
For, in the prison, ther ho shal descendo. 
Ye wite wel, that the beste is in a place 
That nis nat derk, and hath roum eek 

and space 
To welde an ax or swerd or staf or knyf. 
So that, me thinketh, he sholde save his 
lyf ; 2001 



If that he be a man, he shal do so. 
And we shul make him ballos eek also 
Of wexe and towe, that, whan he gajieth 
fasto, 2004 

Into tho bestes throte he shal hem casto 
To slake his hunger and encombre his 
teeth ; (121) 

And right anon, whan that Theseus seeth 
The beste achoked, he shal on him lope 
To sloen him, or they comen more to-hepe. 
This wepen shal the gayler, or that tydc, 
Ful privily within the prison hydo ; 2011 
And, for the hous is crinkled to and fro, 
And hath so queinto wcyes for to go — 
For hit is shapen as the mase is wroght — 
Thcrto have I a remedie in my thoglit. 
That, by a clewo of twyne, as he hath 
goon, (131) 2016 

The same wey he may returne anoon, 
Folwing alwey the threed, as ho liath 

come. 
And, whan that he this bosto hath over- 
come, 
Then may he floen awey out of this dredo, 
And eek the gayler may ho with him 
lode, 202 1 

And him avaunce at hoom in his contree, 
Sin that so greet a lordes sone is ho. 
This is my reed, if that he dar hit take.' 
What sholde I longer sermoun of hit 
make ? 2025 

Tho gayler cometh, and with him Tliosous. 
And whan thise thinges been acorded 
thus, (142) 

Adoun sit Tlieseus upon his knee : — 
' Tho righto lady of my lyf,' quod ho, 
' I, sorweful man, y-dampned to tho decth, 
Fro yow, why! that me lastoth lyf or 
breeth, 2031 

I wol nat twinne, after this aventure, 
But in your servise thus I wol endure, 
That, as a wrecche unknowe, I wol yow 
servo 2034 

For evor-mo, til that myn herfo sterve. 
Forsake I wol at hoom myn heritage, (151) 
And, as I seide, ben of your court a page, 
If that yo vouche-sauf that, in this place, 
Ye graunte me to han so gret a grace 
That I may han nat but my meto and 
drinko ; 2040 

And for my sustenance yit wol I swinke. 



O 



386 



ZU Begen^ of <5oob (^omen. 



Eight as yow list, tliat Minos ne no 

wight — • 
Sin that he saw me never with oyen 

sight— 
Ne no man elles, shal me conne cspyo ; 
So slyly and so wel I shal nie gye, 2045 
And me So wel disfigiire and so lowe, (i6i) 
That in this world ther shal no man me 

knowc, 
To han my lyf, and for to han presence 
Of yow, that doon to me this excellence. 
And to nay fader shal I senden here 2050 
This worthy man, that is now your gay- 

lere, 
And, him to guerdon, that he shal wel be 
Oon of the grettest men of my contree. 
And yif I dorste seyn, my lady bright, 
I am a kinges sone, and eek a knight ; 
As wolde god, yif that hit mighte be (171) 
Ye weren in my contree, alle three. 
And I with yow, to bere yow companye. 
Than shiilde ye seen yif that I ther-of lye ! 
And, if I profre yow in low manere 2060 
To ben your page and serven yow right 

here. 
But I yow serve as lowly in that place, 
I prey to Mars to yive me swiche a grace 
That shames deeth on me ther mote 

falle. 
And deeth and povert to my frendes 

alle ; 2065 

And that my spirit by niglite mote go (181) 
After my deeth, and walke to and fro ; 
That I mote of a traitour have a name, 
For wliich my spirit go, to do me shame ! 
And yif I ever claime other degree, 2070 
But-if ye vouche-sauf to yive hit me, 
As I have seid, of shames deeth I deye ! 
And mercy, lady ! I can nat elles seye !' 

A seemly knight was Theseus to see, 
And yong, but of a twenty yeer and 

three ; 2075 

But who-so hadde y-scyn his counten- 

avmce, (191) 

He wolde have wept, for routhe of his 

penauncc ; 
For which this Adriaue in this manere 
Answerde to his profre and to his chere. 
' A kinges sone, and eek a knight,' 

quod she, 20S0 

' To been my servant in so low degree. 



God sbilde hit, for the shame of women 

alle ! 
And leve me never swich a cas befalle ! 
But sende yow grace and sleighte of 

herte also, 
Yow to defende and knightly sleen your 

fo, 20S5 

And leve herafter that I may yow finde 
To me and to my suster here so kinde, 
That I repente nat to give yow lyf ! (205^ 
Yit were hit better that I were your 

wyf, 
Sin that ye been as gentil born as I, 2090 
And have a reaume, nat bvit faste by. 
Then that I suffred giltles j-ow to sterve, 
Or that I let yow as a page serve ; 
Hit is not profit, as unto your kinrede ; 
But what is that that man nil do for 

drede ? 2095 

And to my suster, sin that hit is so (21:) 
Tliat she mot goon with me, if that I go. 
Or elles suffre deeth as wel as I, 
That ye imto your sone as trewely 2099 
Doon her be wedded at your hoom-coming. 
This is the fynal ende of al this thing ; 
Ye swere hit heer, on al that may be 

sworn.' 
' Ye, lady myn,' quod he, ' or elles torn 
Mote I be with the Minotaur to-morwe ! 
And haveth her-of my herte-blood to 

borwe, (220) 2105 

Yif that ye wile ; if I had knyf or spere, 
I wolde hit leten out, and ther-on swere. 
For than at erst I wot ye wil me leve. 
By Mars, that is the cheef of my bileve, 
So that I mighte liven and nat failo 21 10 
To-morwe for t'achcve my bataile, 
I nolde never fro this place flee, 
Til that ye shuld the verray preve see. 
For now, if that the sooth I shal yow say, 
I have y-loved yow fid many a day, 21 15 
Thogh ye ne wiste hit nat, in my contree. 
And aldermost desyred yow to see (232) 
Of any erthly living creatuie ; 2118 

Upon my trouthe I swere, and yow assure, 
Thise seven yeer I have your servant be ; 
Now have I yow, and also have ye me, 
My dere herte, of Athenes duchesse ! ' 

This lady smyleth at his stedfastnesse, 
And at his hertly wordes, and liis chere, 
And to her suster seide in this manere, 



ZU Begeni of cSnabne. 



387 



Al softely, ' now, suster myn,' quod she, 
' Xow be we duchesses, bothe I and ye. 
And sikered to the regals of Athenes, (243) 
And bothe her-after lylily to be qnenes, 
And saved fro his deeth ti Ivinges sone, 
As ever of gentil women is the wone 2 131 
To save a gentil man, emforth hir might, 
In honest cause, and namely in his right. 
Me thinketh no wight oghte her-of us 

blame, 
Ne beren us ther-for an evel name.' 2135 
And shortly of this matere for to make. 
This Theseus of her hath leve y-take, (252) 
And every point -j-performed was in dede 
As ye have in this covenant herd me rede. 
His wepen, his clew, his thing tliat I have 

said, 2140 

Was by the gayler in the hous y-laid 
Ther as this Minotaur hath his dwelling. 
Right faste by the dore, at his entring. 
And Theseus is lad unto his deeth, 2144 
And forth vin-to this Minotaur he geeth. 
And by the teching of this Adriane (261) 
He overcom this beste, and was his bane ; 
And out he cometh by the clewe again 
Ful prevely, whan he this beste hath 

slain ; 2149 

And by the gayler geton hath a barge, 
And of his wyves tresor gan hit charge. 
And took his wyf, and eek her suster free. 
And eek the gajder, and with hem alle 

three 
Is stole awey out of the lond by nighte. 
And to the contre of Ennopye him 

dighte 2155 

Ther as he had a frend of his knowinge. 
Ther festen they, ther dauncen they and 

singe ; (272) 

And in his armes hath this Adriane, 
That of the beste hath kept him from his 

bane ; 2159 

And gat him ther a newe barge anoon. 
And of his contree-folk a ful gret -woon. 
And taketh his leve, and hoomward sail- 

eth he. 
And in an yle, amid the wilde see, 
Ther as ther dwelte creature noon 
Save wilde bestes, and that ful many 

oon, 2165 

He made his ship a-londe for to sette ; 
And in that yle half a day he lette, (282) 



And seide, that on the lond he moste him 

reste. 
His mariners ban doon right as him 

leste ; 
Anol, for to tellen shortly in this cas, 2170 
Whan Adriane his wyf a-slepe was. 
For that her suster fairer was than she, 
He taketh her in his bond, and forth 

goth he 
To shippe, and as a traitour stal his way 
Whyl that this Adriane a-slepe lay, 2175 
And to his contree-ward he saileth 

blyve — (291) 

A twenty devil way the wind him 

dryve ! — 
And fond his fader drenched in the see. 

Me list no more to speke of him, parde ; 
Thise false lovers, poison be hir bane ! 
But I wol turne again to Adriane 2181 
That is with slepe for werinesse atake. 
Ful sorwefuUy her herte may awake. 
Alias ! for thee my herte hath now 

pite ! 
Eight in the dawening awaketh she, 2185 
And gropeth in tlie bedde, and fond right 

noght. (301) 

' Alias ! ' quod she, ' that ever I was 

vvToght ! 
I am betrayed ! ' and her heer to-rente. 
And to the stronde bar-fot faste she 

wente, 
And cryed, ' Theseus ! myn herte swete ! 
Wher be ye, that I may nat with yow 

mete, 2191 

And mighte thus with bestes been y- 

slain ? ' 
The holwe rokkes answerde her again ; 
No man she saw, and yit shyned the 

mone, 2194 

And bye upon a rokke she wente sone, 
And saw his barge sailing in the see. (311) 
Cold wex her herte, and right thiis seide 

she. 
' Meker than ye finde I the bestes wilde ! ' 
Hadde he nat sinne, that her thus be- 

gylde? 
She cryed, ' O turno again, for ronthe and 

sinne ! 2200 

Thy barge hath nat al his meiny inne ! ' 
Her kerchef on a pole up stikked she, 
Ascaunce that he sholde hit wel y-see, 



O 2 



388 



ZU Bt^irx^ of (Boob (JSJomen. 



And him remembre that sho was behinde, 

And turne again, and on the stronde her 
finde ; (320) 2J05 

But al for noght ; his wej' he is y-goon. 

And doun she fil a-swown iipon a stoon ; 

And up she rist, and kiste, in al her care, 

The steppes of his feet, ther he hath fare. 

And to her beddo right thus slie speketh 
tho : — 2210 

' Thou bed,' quod she, ' that hast recej^ed 
two, 

Thou shalt answere of two, and nat of 
oon ! 

Wher is thy gretter part away y-goon ? 

Alias ! wher shal I, wrecched wight, be- 
come ! 

Por, thogh so be that ship or boot heer 
com.e, 2215 



Hoom to my contree dar I nat for 

drede ; (331) 

I can my-selven in this cas nat rede ! ' 
What shal I telle more her complein- 

ing? 
Hit is so long, hit were an hevy thing. 
In her epistle Naso telleth al ; 2220 

But shortly to the ende I telle shal. 
The goddes have her holpen, for pitee ; 
And, in the signe of Taurvis, men may 

see 
The stones of her coroun shjTie clere. — 

I wol no more speke of this matere ; 
But thus this false lover can begyle 2226 
His trewe love. The devil fhim quyte 

his whyle ! (34.2) 

Explicit Legenda Adriane dc Athenes. 



VII. THE LEGEND OF PHILOMELA. 



Incipit Legenda Philomene. 

Deus dator formarum. 

Tnou yiver of the formes, that hast 

w^roght 
The faire world, and bai-e hit in thy 

thoght 
Eternally, or thoii thy werk began, 2230 
Why madest thou, vinto the slaundre of 

man. 
Or — al be that hit was not thy doing, 
As for that fyn to make swiche a 

thing — 
Why suffrest thou that Tereus was bore. 
That is in love so fals and so forswore. 
That, fro this world iip to the firste 

hevene, 2236 

Corrumpeth, whan that folk his name 

nevene? (10) 

And, as to me, so grisly was his dede. 
That, whan that I his foule story rede, 
Myn eyen wexen foule and sore also ; 2240 
Yit last the venim of so longe ago. 
That hit enfecteth him that wol beholde 
The story of Tereus, of which I tolde. 

Of Trace was he lord, and kin to Marte, 
The cruel god that stant with blody 

darte ; 2245 



And wedded had he, with a blisful chare, 
King Pandiones faire doghtor dere, (20) 
That highte Progne, flour of her contree, 
Thogh Juno list nat at the teste be. 
No Ymeneus, that god of wedding is ; 
But at the feste redy been, y-wis, 2251 
The fuj-ies three, with alle hir mortel 

brond. 
The owle al night aboute the balkes wond, 
That prophet is of wo and of mischaunce. 
This revel, ful of songe and ful of daunce, 
Lasteth a fourtenight, or litel lasse. 2256 
But, shortly of this story for to passe, (30) 
For I am wery of him for to telle. 
Five yeer his wyf and he togeder dwelle. 
Til on a day she gan so sore longe 2260 
To seen her suster, that she saw nat longe, 
That for desyr she niste what to seye. 
But to her husband gan she for to preye. 
For goddes love, that she moste ones 

goon 2264 

Her suster for to seen, and come anoon. 
Or elles, but she moste to her wende, 
She preyde him, that he wolde after her 

sende ; (40) 

And this was, day by day, al her prayere 
With al humblesse of wyf hood, word, and 

chere. 2269 



tr 



Z^t Begenb of {pU^omda. 



389 



This Tereus let make his shippes yare, 
And into Grece him-self is forth y-fare 
Unto his fader in -lawe, and gan him 

preye 
To vouche-sauf that, for a month or 

tweye, 
Tliat Philomene, his wyves snster, mighte 
On Progne his wyf but ones have a 

siglite — 2275 

' And she shal come to yow again anoon. 
Myself with her wol bothe come and 

goon, (50) 

And as myn hertes lyf I wol her kepe.' 
This olde Pandion, this king, gan 

wepe 
For tendernesse of herte, for to leve 2280 
His doghter goon, and for to yive her 

leve ; 
Of al this world he lovede no-thing so ; 
But at the laste leve hath she to go. 
For Philomene, with salte teres eke, 
Gran of her fader grace to beseke 2285 

To seen her snster, that her longeth so ; 
And him embraceth with her armes two. 
And therwith-al so yong and fiiir was she 
That, whan that Tereus saw her beautee, 
And of array that ther was noon her 

liche, (63) 2290 

And yit of bountee was she two so riche, 
He caste his fyry herte upon her so 
That he wol have her, how so that hit go, 
And with his wyles kneled and so preyde, 
Til at the laste Pandion thus seyde : — 
'Now, sone,' quod he, 'that art to me 

so dere, 2296 

I thee betake my yonge doghter here, (70) 
That bereth the key of al my hertes lyf. 
And grete "w^l my doghter and thy wyf. 
And yive her leve somtyme for to pleye. 
That she may seen me ones er I deye.' 
And soothly, he hath mad him riche 

feste, 2302 

And to his folk, the moste and eek the 

leste, 
That with him com; and yaf him yiftes 

grete, 
And him conveyeth through the maister- 

strete 2305 

Of Athenes, and to the see him broghte, 
And turneth hoom ; no malice he ne 

thoghte. (So) 



The ores pulleth forth the vessel faste, 
And into Trace arriveth at the laste, 
And up into a forest he her ledde, 2310 
And to a cave privily him spedde ; 
And, in this derke cave, yif her leste. 
Or leste noght, he bad her for to reste ; 
Of whiche her herte agroos, and sej-de 

thus, 
' Wher is my snster, brother Tereus?' 2315 
And therwith-al she wepte tenderly, 
And quook for fere, jiale and pitously. 
Eight as the lamb that of the wolf is 

biten ; 
Or as the colver, that of the ogle is 

smiten, 
And is out of his clawes forth escaped, 2320 
Yet hit is afered and awhaped 
Lest hit be hent eft-sones, so sat she. 
But utterly hit may non other be. 
By force hath he, this traitour, doon that 

dede, 
That he hath reft her of her mayden- 

hede, 2325 

Maugree her heed, by strengthe and by 

his might. (99) 

Lo ! here a dede of men, and that a right ! 
She cryeth ' suster { ' with ful loud 

stevene. 
And ' fader dere ! ' and ' help me, god in 

hevene ! ' 2329 

Al helpeth nat ; and j^et this false theef 
Hath doon this lady yet a more mischeef. 
For fere lest she sholde his shame crye. 
And doon him openly a vilanye. 
And with his swerd her tong of kerveth 

he, 
And in a castel made her for to be 2335 
Ful privily in prison evermore, 
And kepte her to his usage and his 

store, (110) 

So that she mighte him nevermore asterte. 
O sely Philomene ! wo is tliyn herte ; 
God wreke thee, and sende thee thy 

bone ! 2340 

Now is hit tyme I make an ende sone. 

This Tereus is to his wyf y-come. 
And in his armes hath his wj'f y-nome. 
And pitously he weep, and shook his 

heed, 
And swor her that he fond her suster 

deed ; 2345 



39° 



ZU Begeni of <6oob (^owen. 



For which this sely Progne hatli swich 

wo, (119) 2346 

That ny her soi-weful herte brak a-two ; 
And thus in teres lete I Progne dwelle, 
And of her suster forth I wol yow telle. 
This woful lady lerned had in youthe 
So that slie werken and enbronden ooiithe, 
And weven in her stole the radevore 
As hit of women hath be woned yore. 
And, shortly for to seyn, she hath her 

fille 
Of mete and drink, and clothing at her 

wille, 2355 

And coude eek rede, and wel y-nogh 

endyte, 
But with a penne coude she nat wi-yte ; 
But lettres can she weven to and fro, (131) 
So that, by that the yeer was al a-go, 
She had y- woven in a stamin large 2360 
How she was broght from Athenes in a 

barge. 
And in a cave how that she was broght ; 
And al the thing that Tereus hath wroght. 
She waf hit wel, and wroot the story 

above. 
How she was served for her suster love ; 
And to a knave a ring she yaf anoon, 2366 
Andpraj'ed him,bysignes, fortogoon (140) 
Unto the quene, and beren her thatclooth. 
And by signes swpr him many an 00th, 
She sholde him yeve what she geten 

niighte. 2370 

This knave anoon unto the quene him 

dighte, 



And took hit her, and al the manor tolde. 
And, whan that Progne hath this thing 

beholde, 
No word she spak, for sorwe and eek for 

rage ; 
But feyned her to goon on pilgrimage 2375 
To Bachtis temple ; and, in a litel 

stounde. 
Her dombe suster sitting hath she founde, 
Weping in the castel her aloon. (151) 

Alias ! the wo, the compleint, and the 

moon 
That Progne upon her dombe suster 

makoth ! 2380 

In armes everich of hem other taketh. 
And thus I lete hem in hir sorwe dwelle. 
The remenant is no charge for to 

telle, 
For this is al and som, thus was she 

served, 
That never harm a-gUte ne deserved 23iS5 
Unto this cruel man, that she of wiste. 
Ye may be war of men, yif that yow 

liste. (160) 

For, al be that he wol nat, for his shame, 
Doon so as Tereus, to lese his name, 
Ne serve yow as a mordrour or a knave, 
Ful litel whyle shul ye trewe him have. 
That wol I seyn, al were he now my 

brother, 2392 

But hit so be that he may have non 

other. (166) 

Explicit Legenda Philomene. 



VIII. THE LEGEND OF PHYLLIS. 



Incipit Legenda Phillis, 
By preve as wel as by auctoritee, 
That wikked fruit cometh of a wikked 

tree, 2395 

That may ye fmde, if that it lyketh 

yow. 
But for this ende I speke this as now, 
To telle you of false Demophon. 
In love a falser herde I never non, . 
But-if hit were his fader Theseus. 241x5 



'God, for his grace, fro swich oou kepe 

us ! ' 
Thus may thise women prayen that hit 

here. (9) 

Now to th'effect turne I of my matere. 

Destroyed is of Troye the citee ; 2404 
This Demophon com sailing in the see 
Toward Athenes, to his paleys large ; 
With him com many a ship and many a 

barge 



zu Bt^tm of (p^^m'e. 



391 



Ful of his folk, of which ful many oon 
Is wounded sore, and seek, and wo be- 

goon. 2409 

And they han at the sege longe j--lain. 
Behinde him com a wind and eek a rain 
That shoof so sore, his sail ne mighte 

stonde, (19) 

Him were lever than al the world a-londe, 
So hunteth hini the tempest to and fro. 
So derk hit ^vas, hecoiide nowher go ; 2415 
And with a wawe brosten was his stere. 
His ship was rent so lowe, in swich 

manere, 
That carpenter ne coude hit nat amende. 
The see, by nighte, as any torche breude 
For wood, and posseth him now up now 

doun, 2420 

Til Xeptune hath of him compassioun. 
And Thetis, Choriis, Triton, and they 

alle. 
And maden him upon a lond to falle, (30) 
WTier-of that Phillis lady was and quone, 
Ligurgus doghter, fairer on to sene 2425 
Than is the flour again the brighte Sonne. 
Unnethe is Demophon to londe y-wonne, 
Wayk and eek werj-, and his folk for- 

pyned 
Of werinesse, and also enfamyued ; 2429 
And to the deeth he almost was y-driven. 
His wyse folic to conseil han him yiven 
To seken help and socour of the qi\een. 
And loken what his grace mighte been, (40) 
And makeu in that lond som chevisaunce. 
To kepen him fro wo and fro mischaunce. 
For seek was he, and almost at the deeth ; 
Unnethe mighte he speke or drawe his 



breeth. 



2437 



And lyth in Rodopej'a him for to reste. 
Whan he may walke, him thoughte hit 

was the beste 
Unto the court to seken for socour. 2440 
Men knewe him wel, and diden him 

honour ; 
For at Athenes duk and lord was he. 
As Theseus his fader hadde y-be, (50) 

That in his tyme was of greet renoun, 
No man so greet in al his regiouu ; 2445 
And lyk his fader of face and of stature. 
And fals of love ; hit com him of nature ; 
As doth the fox Renard, the foxes sone. 
Of kinde he coudo his olde faders wone 



Withoute lore, as can a drake swimnie, 
Whan hit is caught and caried to the 

brimme. 245 1 

This honourable Phillis doth him chere, 
Her lyketh wel his port and his manere. 
But for I am agroted heer-biforn (61) 

To wryte of hem that been in love for- 
sworn, 2455 
And eek to haste me in my legcnde. 
Which to performe god me grace sende, 
Therfor I passe shortly in this wyse ; 
Ye han wel herd of Theseiis devyse 
In the betraising of fair Adriane, 2460 
That of her pite kei^te him from his 

bane. 
At shorte wordes, right so Demophon 
The same wey, the same path hath gon (70) 
That dide his false fader Theseus. 
For unto Phillis hath he sworen thus, 2465 
To wedden her, and her his trouthe 

plighte. 
And piked of her al the good he mighte. 
Whan he was hool and sound and hadde 

his reste ; 
And doth with Phillis what so that him 

leste. 
And wel coude I, yif that me leste so, 2470 
Tellen al his doing to and fro. 

He seide, unto his contree moste he 

saile. 
For ther he wolde her wedding apparaile 
As fil to her honour and his also. (81) 

And openly he took his leve tho, 2475 

And hath her sworn, he wolde nat sojorne, 
But in a month he wolde again retorne. 
And in that lond let make his ordinaunce 
As verray lord, and took the obeisaunce 
Wel and hoomly, and let his shippes 

dighte, 2480 

And hoom he goth the nexto wey he 

mighte ; 
For unto Phillis yit ne com he noght. 
And that hath she so harde and sore 

aboglit, (90) 

Alias ! that, as the stories us recorde, 
She was her owne deeth right with a 

corde, 2485 

Whan that she saw that Demophon her 

trayed. 
But to him first she wroot and fastc 

him prayed 



392 



Z^ J^egenb of (Boob (p)ottten. 



He ■wolde come, and her deliver of peyne, 
As I reherse slial a word or tweyne. 
Me list nat voviche-satif onhim to swinke, 
Ne spende on hira a penne fill of inke, 2491 
For fals in love was he, right as his syre ; 
The devil sette hir sonles bothe a-fyre ! 
But of the lettre of Phillis wol I wryte 
A word or tweyne, al-thogh hit he hut 

lyte. (102) 2495 

' Thyn hostesse,' quod she, ' O Demophon, 
Thy Phillis, which that is so wo hegon, 
Of Eodopeye, iipon yow moot compleyne, 
Over the terme set hetwix us tweyne, 
That ye ne holden forward, as ye seyde ; 
Your anker, which ye in our haven 

leyde, 2501 

Highte lis, that ye wolde comen, out of 

dotite. 
Or that the mone ones wente ahoiite. (no) 
But tymes foure the mone hath hid her 

face 
Sin thilke day ye wente fro this place, 2505 
And foure tymes light the world again. 
But for al that, yif I shal soothly sain, 
Yit hath the streem of Sitho nat y-broght 
From Athenes the ship ; yit comth hit 

noght. 
And, yif that ye the terme rekne wolde. 
As I or other trewe lovers sholde, 251 1 
I pleyne not, god wot, beforn my day.' — 
But al her lettre wryten I ne may (120) 
By ordre, for hit were to me a charge ; 
Her lettre was right long and ther-to 

large ; 2515 

But here and Ihcro in ryme I have hit 

laid, 
Thar as me thovighte that she wel hath 

said. — 
She seide, ' thy sailes comen nat again, 
Ne to thy word ther nis no fey certein ; 
But I wot why ye come nat,' quod she ; 
' For I was of my love t o you so free. 252 1 
And of the goddes that ye han forswore, 
Yif that hir vengeance falle on yow ther- 

fore, (130) 

Ye be nat suffisaunt to here the peyne. 
To moche trusted I, wel may I pleyne, 2525 



Upon your linage and ,-\-our faire tonge, 
And on your teres falsly out y-wronge. 
How coude ye wepe so by craft ? ' quod 

she ; 
' May ther swiche teres feyned be ? 
Now certes, yif ye wolde have in memorie, 
Hit oghte be to yow but litel glorie 2531 
To have a sely mayde thus betrayed ! 
To god,' quod she, ' preye I, and ofte have 

prayed, (140) 

That hit be now the grettest prys of alle, 
And moste honour that ever yow shal 

befalle ! 2535 

And whan thyn olde auncestres pesmted 

be. 
In which men may hir worthinesse see. 
Than, preye I god, thou peynted be also. 
That folk may reden, for-by as they go, 
" Lo ! this is he, that with his flaterye 2540 
Betrayed hath and doon her vilanye 
That was his trewe love in thoghte and 

dede ! " 
But sothly, of 00 point yit may they rede, 
That ye ben lykyour fader as in this ; {1^1) 
For he begyled Adriane, y-wis, 2545 

AVith swiche an art and swiche sotelte 
As thou thy-selven hast begyled me. 
As in that point, al-thogh hit be nat fayr, 
Thou folwest him, certein, and art his oyr. 
Bvit sin thus sinfully ye uae begyle, 2550 
My body mote ye seen, within a whyle, 
Eight in the haven of Athenes fletinge, 
With-outen sepulture and biaryinge ; (160) 
Thogh ye ben harder then is any stoon.' 
And, whan this lettre was forth sent 

anoon, 2555 

And knew how brotel and how fals he 

was. 
She for dispeyr foi--dide herself, alias ! 
Swich sorwe hath she, for she besette her 

so. 
Be war, ye women, of your sotil fo, 2559 
Sin yit this day men may ensample see ; 
And trusteth, as in love, no man but 

me. (168) 

Explicit Lcgcnda rhillis. 



Z^t Be^eni of JEf^ptvmn^etva. 



393 



IX. THE LEGEND OF HYPERMNESTRA. 



Incipit Ler/enda Ypermistrc. 

In Greco wliylom weren brethren two, 
Of whiche that oon was called Danao, 
That many a sono hath of his body wonne, 
As swiche false lovers ofte conne. 2565 
Among his sones alle ther was oon 
That aldermost he lovede of everichoon. 
And whan this child was born, this Danao 
Shoop him a name, and called him 

Lino. 
That other brother called was Egiste, 2570 
That was of love as fals as ever him 

liste, (10) 

And many a doghter gat he in his lyvc ; 
Of which he gat npon his righte wyve 
A doghter dere, and dide her for to calle 
Ypermistra, yongest of hem alle ; 2575 
The whiche child, of her nativitee, 
To alle gode thewes born was she, 
As lyked to the goddes, or she was born, 
That of the shefe she sholde be the 

corn ; (18) 

The Wirdes, that we clepen Destinee, 2580 
Hath shapen her that she mot nedes be 
Pitouse, sadde, wyse, and trewo as steel; 
And to this woman hit accordeth weel. 
For, thov^gh that Venus yaf her greet 

beautee. 
With Jupiter corapouned so was she 2585 
That conscience, trouthe, and dreed of 

shame, 
And of her wyf hood for to kepe her name, 
This, thoviglite her, was felicitee as here. 
And rede Mars was, that tyme of the 

yere, 
So feblc, that his malice is him raft, 2590 
Repressed hath Venus his cruel craft ; (30) 
-(-Wliat with Venus and other ojipressioun 
Of houses. Mars his venim is adoun. 
That Ypei-mistra dar nat handle a knj'f 
In malice, thogh she sholde lese her lyf. 
But natheles, as heven gan tho turne, 2596 
To baddo aspectes hath she of Saturne, 

O 



That made her for to deyen in prisoun, 
As I shal after make mencioun. 

To Danao and Egistes also — 2600 

Al-thogh so be that they were brethren 

two, (40) 

For thilke tyme nas spared no linage — 
Hit Ijdied hem to maken mariage 
Betwix Ypermistra and him Lino, 
And casten swiche a day hit shal be so; 2605 
And ful acorded was hit witterly; 
Tho array is wroght, tho tyme is faste by. 
And thus Lino hath of his fadres brother 
The doghter wedded, and eche of hem 

hath other. 
The torches brennen and the lampes 

brighto, 2610 

The sacrifices been ful redy dighte ; (50) 
Th'encens ovit of the fyre reketh sote, 
Tho flour, the leef is rent up by the 

rote 
To maken garlands and corounes hye ; 
Ful is the place of soun of ininstralcye, 
Of songes amorous of mariage, 2616 

As thilke tyme was the pleyn usage. 
And this was in the paleys of Egiste, 
That in his hous was lord, right as him 

liste ; 
And thus tho day they dryven to an 

ende ; 2620 

The frcndes taken love, and boom they 

wende. (60) 

The night is come, tho bryd shal go to 

bedde ; 
Egiste to his chambro faste him spedde, 
And privily ho let his doghter calle. 
\Vlian that tho hous was voided of hem 

alle, 2625 

He loked on his doghter with glad 

chere. 
And to her spak, as ye shul after here. 
' My righte doghter, tresor of myn 

herte ! 
Sin first that day that shapen was my 

sherte, 



394 



Z(><t Bz^<tnt> of <5ool» (Bomen. 



Or by the fatal sustren had my dom, 2630 
So ny myn hcrte never thing me com (70) 
As tliou, myn Ypermistra, doghter 

(Icro ! 
Tak liccd wluit I thy fader sey thoo 

licro, 
And weik after thy wyser evor-mo. 
For alderlirste, doghter, I love thee so 2635 
That al the world to rao nis half so leef ; 
Ne I noldo rede thee to thy mischeef 
For al the godo under the colde mono ; 
And what I mene, hit shal bo seid right 

sone, 
With i>i'i)testacioun, as in this wyse, 2640 
That, but thou do as I shal thee devyse. 
Thou shalt be deed, 1)y him that al hath 

wroght ! (81) 

At shorte wordos, thou n'escapest noglit 
Out of my ijalcys, or that thoa be deed, 
But thou consonte anil werko after my 

reed ; 2645 

Tak this to theo for ful conclusioun.' 

This Ypermistra caste her eyen doun, 
And quook as dootli the leef of aspe 

grono ; 
Deed wox her liewe, and lyk as ash to 

sene, 2649 

And seyde, ' lord and fader, al your wille. 
After my might, god wot, I shal fulfille, 
So hit to me be no confusioun.' (91) 

'I nil,' quod he, 'have noon excepcioun'; 
And out he caughte a knyf, as rasour kene ; 
'Hyd this,' quod he, 'that hit be nat y- 

seno ; 2655 

And, wh;in thyn husbond Is to bedde y-go, 
Whyl that ho slopoth, cut histhrote a-two. 
For in my dremes hit is warned me 
How tliat my nevew shal mj' bane bo. 
But whiche I noot, wherfor I wol be 

siker. ' 2660 

Yif thou sey nay, wo two shul have a 

biker (100) 

As I have soyd, )>y hitn that I liavo 

sworn.' 
This Ypermistra hath ny her wit forlon ; 
And, for to passen harmles of that place. 
She graunted him ; thor was non other 

grace. 26r)5 

And therwith-al a costrel taketh he, 
And seyde, ' horof a draught, or two or 

throe ; 



Yif him to drinke, whan he goth to 

restc. 
And lie shal slope as longo as ever thee 

leste, 
Tlio narcotiks and opies been so stronge : 
And go thy wcy, lest that him thinke 

longe.' (110) 2671 

Out comth the brj-d, and with ful sober 

chero, 
As is of maidens ofto the manere. 
To chambre is broght with revel and with 

songe. 
And shortly, lost this tale be to longe, 2675 
This Lino and she ben sone broght to 

bedde ; 
And every wiglit out at the dore him 

spedde. 
The night is wasted, and he fcl a-slepc ; 
Ful tenderly beginncth she to wepe. 
She rist her up, and drcdfully she 

quaketh, 2680 

As doth the braunche that Zephirus 

shakcth, (120) 

And huslit were alio in Argon that eitee. 
As cold as any frost now woxeth she ; 
For pite by tlie herte her streyneth so, 
And dreed of deeth dotli her so moche wo, 
That thryos doun she fil in swiche a 

were. 2686 

She rist her iip, and stakereth heer and 

there, 
And on her handos lastc lokoth she. 
'Alias ! and shul my handos blody be ? 
I am a maid, and, as by my natiire, 2690 
And by my semblant and by my vesture, 
Myn handos been nat shapen for a knj'f. 
As for to revc no man fr<j his lyf. (132) 
What devil have I with the knyf to do ? 
And shal I have my throte corve a-two ? 
Then shal 1 blede, alhis ! and me be- 

shende ; 2696 

And nodes cost this thing mot have an 

endo ; 
Or he or I mot nodes lese our lyf. 
Now certos,' quod she, ' sin I am his wyf. 
And hath my ieith, yit is it bet for me 
For to be deed in wyfly honesteo (140) 2701 
Than be a traitour living in my shame. 
Be as be may, for ernest or for game. 
He shal awake, and ryse and go his way 
Out at this goter, or that hit be day! ' — 



^^e Be^ent of ^ppertnneefra. 



595 



And weep ful tenderly upon his face, 2706 
And in her armes gan him to embrace, 
And him she roggeth and awaketh softe ; 
And at the window leep he fro the 

lofte 
\Vlian she hath warned him, and doon 

liim bote. 2710 

This Lino swifto was, and light of fotc, 

And from his wyf lie ran a ful good pas. 

This sely woman is so wayk, alias ! (152) 

And helples so, that, or that she fer 

wente. 
Her cruel fader dide her for to hente. 2715 



Alias! Lino! why art thou so unkinde? 
Why ne haddest thou remembred in tliy 

minde 
To taken her, and lad her fortli with 

thee ? 
For, whan she saw that goon awey was he, 
And that she mighte nat so faste go, 2720 
Ne folwen him, she sette her doun right 

the, (i6<^j 

Til she was caught and fetered in prisoun. 

This tale is seid for this conclusioun. . . 

(Unfinhhed .) 



^ 5 



A TREATISE ON THE 
ASTROLABE. 



PEOLOGUS. 



LiTEL Lowis my sone, I have perceived 
wel by certeyne evidences thyn abilite to 
lorno sciencez toncliinge noumbres and 
liroporciovins ; and as wel considere I thy 

5 bisy preyere in special to lerne the Trotis 
of the Astrolabie. Than, for as mechel 
as a philosofre seith, ' he wrappeth him. in 
his frend, that condescendeth to the 
rightful preyers of his frend,' ther-for 

n> have I geven thee a Duffisannt Astrolabie 
as for oure orizonte, compowned after the 
latitude of Oxenford; up-on which, by 
mediacion of this litel tretis, I purpose to 
techo thee a certein nombre of conclu- 

1.1 sions apertening to tlie same instrument. 
I seye a certein of conclusiouns, for three 
causes. The furste cause is tliis : truste wel 
that alia the conclusiouns that lian ben 
foiinde, or elles possibly mighten be 

20 foundo in so noble an instrument as an 
Astrolabie, ben un-knowe perfitly to any 
mortal man in this rogioiin, as I suppose. 
A-nothor cause is this ; that sothly, in any 
tretis of the Astrolabie that I liave seyn, 

25 there ben some conclusions that wolo nat 
in alle thinges performen hir bihestes ; 
and some of hem ben to harde to thy 
tendre age often yeer to conseyve. This 
tretis, divided in fyve parties, wole I shewe 

30 thee under ful lighto rewles and naked 
wordes in English ; for Latin no canstow 



yit but smal, my lytc sonc. But natheles, 
suffyse to thee tliise trewe conclusiou.ns in 
English, as wel as suffyseth tothise noble 
clerkes Grekes thise same conclusiouns in 35 
Greek, and to Arabiens in Arabik, and to 
Jowes in Ebrew, and to the Latin folk i:i 
Latin ; whiche Latin folk han hem furst 
out of othre diverse langages, and writen 
in hir owno tonge, that is to sein, in 40 
Latin. And god wot, that in alio thiso 
langages, and in many mo, han thise 
conclusioxms ben suffisantly lerned and 
taught, and yit by diverse rewles, right as 
diverse pathes leden diverse folk the 45 
righte wey to Rome. Now wol I prey 
meekly every discreet porsone that redetli 
or hereth this litel tretis, to have my 
rewde endyting for excused, and my 
superflviite of wordes, for two causes. The 50 
firste cause is, for that ciirious endyting 
and hard sentence is ful hovy atones for 
swich a child to lerne. And the seconde 
cause is tliis, that sothly me semeth betro 
to wrytcn un-to a child twyes a good 55 
sentence, than he forgete it ones. And 
Lowis, yif so be that I shewe thee in my 
lighte English as trewe conclusiouns 
touching this matere, and naught only as 
trewe but as many and as subtil con- 60 
clusiouns as ben shewed in Latin in any 
commune tretis of the Astrolabie, con mo 



ZH .HefroPaBe : (J>arf i. 



397 



the more thank ; and preye god save the 
king, that is lord of this langage, and alls 

('):; that liim f'ej'th bereth and oheyeth, ever- 
ech in his degree, the more and the lasse. 
But eonsidere wel, that I no nsurpe nat to 
have f'onnde this werk of my labour or of 
myn engyn. I nam hut a lewd com- 

;o pilatour of the labour of olde Astro- 
logiens, and have hit translated in mjTi 
English only for thy doctrine ; and with 
this swerd shal I sleen envye. 

I. The firste partie of this tretis shal 
75 reherse the figures and the memljres of 

thyn Astrolabie, bi-cause that thou shalt 
lian the grettre knowing of thyn owne 
instrument. 

II. Tlie second partie shal teche thee 
t:o werken the verrey practik of the forseide 

conclusiouns, as ferforth and as narwe 
as may bo shewed in .':o smal an instru- 
ment portatif abouto. For wel wot every 
astrologien that smalest iraccions no wol 
85 nat ben shewed in so smal an instrument, 
as in subtil tables calciiled for a cause. 

III. The thriddo partie shal contienen 
diverse tables of longitudes and latitudes 
of sterrcs fixe for the Astrolabie, and 

<^o tables of declinacions of the sonne, and 
tables of longitudes of citeoz and of 
townes ; and as wel for the governance 



of a clokke as for to finde the altitude 
meridian ; and many another notable 
conclusioun, after the kalcndres of the 95 
reverent clerkes, frere I. Somerand frere 
N. Lenne. 

IV. The fertile partie shal ben a theorik 
to declare the moevinge of the celestial 
bodies with the causes. The whiche i<x> 
ferthe partie in special shal shewen a 
table of the verray moeving of the mono 
from houre to houro, every day and in 
every signe, .after thyn almenak ; upon 
which table ther folwith a canon, suffi- 105 
sant to teche as wel the maner of the 
wyrking of that same conclusioun, as to 
knowe in ouro orizonte with which de- 
gree of the zodiac that the mono ariseth 

in any latitude ; and tlie arising of any no 
planete after his latitude fro tlie ecliptik 
IjTie. 

V. The fifte partie shal ben an intro- 
ductorie after thestatutz of oure doctours, 

in which thou maist leme a gret part of 1 15 
the general re wles of theorik in astrologie. 
In which fifte partie shaltow finde tables 
of equacions of houses aftur the latitude 
of Oxcnford ; and tables of dignetes of 
I)lanetes, and other noteful thinges, yif 120 
god wol vouche-sauf and his modur the 
mayde. mo than I behete. &c. 



PAET I. 



Here biginxetii the wesckipcion of the 

AsTltOLABIE. 

1. Thyn Astrolabie hath a ring to 
putten on the thoumbe of thy right 
hand in taking the heiglite of thinges. 
And tak keep, for from hennes-forthward, 

5 I wol clepe the heighte of any thing that 
is taken by thy rewle, the altitude, with- 
oute mo wordes. 

2. This ring renneth in a maner turet, 
fast to the moder of thyn Astrolabie, in 
so rowm a space that hit desturbeth nat 
the instrument to hangen after his righte 

5 centre. 



3. The Moder of thyn Astrolabie is the 
thikkoste plate, iierced with a large hole, 
that ressej^'eth in hir wom})0 the thinne 
plates comi^owned for diverse clymatz, 
and thy riet shapen in manere of a net or 5 
of a webbe of a loppe ; and for the more 
declaracioun, lo here the figure. 

4. This moder is devj^ded on the bak- 
half with a lyne, that cometh dessend- 
inge fro the ring down to the nethereste 
bordure. The whiche lyne, fro the for- 
seide ring un-to the centre of the large 5 
hole amidde, is cleped the south lyne, or 
elles the lyne meridional. And the 
remenant of this lyne do-\vne to the bor- 



398 



ZU ^sitoMt : (j)ad I. 



dure is cleped tho north lyne, or elles the 
u) lyne of midnight. And for the more 
declaracionn, lo here the figure. 

5. Over-tliwart tliis for-seide longe 
lyne, ther crosseth him another lyne of 
the same lengthe from est to west. Of 
the whiche lyne, from a litel croys + in 

.■^ the bordure un-to the centre of the large 
hole, is cleped the Est lyne, or elles the 
l3'ne Orientale ; and the remenant of this 
lyne fro the forseide + un-to the bordure, 
is cleped the West lyne, or the lyne Occi- 
lo dentale. Now hastow here the foure 
(juarters of thin astrolabie, devyded after 
tho foure principals plages or quarters of 
the firmament. And for the more declar- 
aciovin, lo here thy figure. 

6. The est side of thyn Astrolabie is 
cleped the right side, and the west side 
is cleped the left side. Forget nat this, 
litel Lowis. Put the ring of thyn Astro- 

5 labie iipon the thoumbe of thy right 
hand, and thanne wole his right syde be 
toward thy loft syde, and his left syde 
wol be toward thy right syde ; tak this 
rewle general, as wel on the bak as on 
lo the wombe-side. Upon the ende of this 
est lyne, as I first seide, is marked a litel 
+ , wher-as evere-mo generaly is con- 
sidered the entring of the first degree in 
which the sonne aryseth. And for the 

15 more declaracioun, lo here the figure. 

7. Fro this litel + wp to the ende of 
the lyne meridional, imder the ring, 
shaltow finden the bordure devyded with 
90 degrees ; and by that same proporcioun 

5 is every quarter of thin Astrolabie de- 
\-yded. Over the whiche degrees tlier 
ben noumbres of augrim, that devj'den 
tliilke same degrees fro fyve to fyve, as 
sheweth by longe strykes by-twene. Of 
10 whiche longe strykes the space by-twene 
contienith a mile-wey. And every degree 
of the bordure contieneth foure minutes, 
that is to seyn, minutes of an houre. 
And for more declaracioun, lo here the 

15 figure. 

8. Under the compas of thilke degrees 
ben writen the names of the Twelve 
Signes, as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, 
Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, 



Capricomus, Aqviarius, Pisces ; and the 5 
nombres of the degrees of tho signes ben 
writen in aixgrim above, and with longe 
devisiouns, fro fyve to fyve ; devyded fro 
tyme that the signe entreth un-to the 
laste ende. But understond wel, that 10 
thise degrees of signes ben everich of hem 
considered of 60 minutes, and every 
minute of 60 secondes, and so forth in-to 
smale fraccions infinit, as soith Alka- 
bvicius. And ther-for, know wel, tliat 15 
a degree of the bordure contieneth foure 
minutes, and a degree of a signe con- 
tieneth 60 minutes, and have this in 
minde. And for the more declaracioun, 
lo here thy figure. 20 

9. Next this folweth the Cercle of tho 
Dayes, that ben figured in maner of 
degrees, that contienen in noumbre 365 ; 
divyded also with longe strykes fro fyve 
to fyve, and the nombres in augrim 5 
writen under that cercle. And for more 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

10. Next the Cercle of the Dayes, fol- 
weth the Cercle of the names of the 
Monthes ; that is to seyen, Januare, 
Februare, Marcius, Aprile, Mayus, Juin, 
Jiilius, Augustus, Septembre, October, 5 
Novembre, Decembre. The names of 
thise monthes were cleped in Arabiens, 
somme for liir propretees, and some by 
statutz of lordes, some by other lordes of 
Rome. Eek of thise monthes, as lyked lo 
to Julius Cesar and to Cesar Augustus, 
some were compowned of diverse nom- 
bres of dayes, as Juil and August. Thanne 
hath Januare 31 dayes, Februare 28, 
March 31, Aprille 30, May 31, Junius 30, 15 
Julius 31, Augustus 31, September 30, 
Octobre 31, Novembre 30, December 31. 
Natheles, al-thotigh that Julius Cesar 
took 2 dayes out of Feverer and put hem 

in his monetli of Juille, and Augustus 20 
Cesar cleped the moneth of August after 
his name, and ordeyned it of 31 dayes, 
yit truste wel, that the sonne dwelleth 
ther-for nevere the more ne lesse in oon 
signe than in another. 25 

11. Than folwen the names of the 
Halidayes in the Kalender, and next 
heni the lettres of the Abe. on which 



ZU iletvofafie : (part i. 



399 



they fallen. And for the more declara- 
i; ciotin, lo here thy figure. 

12. Next the forseide Cercle of the 
Abe, under the cros-lyne, is marked the 
scale, in maner of two squyres, or elles iu 
manere of laddres, that serveth by hise 

5 12 poyntes and his devisionns of ful 
many a subtil conclusioun. Of this for- 
seide scale, fro the croos-lyne tin-to the 
verre angle, is cleped '[umbra versa, and 
the nether partie is cleped the ■fumb7'a 

lo recta, or elles umbra extensa. And for 
the more declaraciofin, lo here the figure. 

13. Thanne hastow a brood Rewie, 
that hath on either ende a square plate 
perced with a certein holes, some more 
and some lesse, to ressey\'en the stremes 

5 of the Sonne by day, and eek by media- 
cioun of thyn eye, to knowe the altitude 
of stcrres by nighte. And for the more 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

14. Thanne is ther a large P5'n, in 
maner of an extree, that goth thorow 
the hole, that halt the tables of the 
clymates and the riet in the wombe of 

5 the Moder, thorw which Pyii ther goth 
a litel wegge which that is cleped ' the 
hors,' that streyneth alle thise parties to- 
hepe ; this forseide grete Pyn, in maner 
of an extree, is imagined to be the Pol 
ID Artik in thyn Astrolabie. And for the 
more declaracioun, lo here the figure. 

15. The wombe-side of thyn Astrolabie 
is also devyded with a longe croys in 
foure quarters from est to west, fro south 
to north, fro right syde to left syde, as is 

5 the bak-syde. And for the more declara- 
cioun, lo here thy figure. 

16. The bordure of which wombe-side 
is devyded fro the poynt of the est lyne 
un-to the poynt of the south lyne under 
the ring, in 90 degres ; and by that same 

5 proporcioun is every quarter devyded as 
is the bak-syde, that amonteth 360 de- 
grees. And understond wel, that degrees 
of this bordure ben answering and con- 
sentrik to the degrees of the Equinoxial, 

H) that is devyded in the same nombre as 
every othere cercle is in the heye hevene. 
This same bordure is devyded also with 
23 lettres capitals and a smal croys + 



above the south l^me, that sheweth the 
24 houres equals of the clokke ; and, as 15 
I have said, 5 of thise degrees maken 
a mile-wey, and 3 milo-wey maken an 
houre. And every degree of this bordure 
conteneth 4 minutes, and every minut 
60 secoundes ; now have I told thee twyo. 20 
And for the more declaracioun, lo here 
the figure. 

17. The plate under thy riet is des- 
cryved with 3 principal cercles ; of whiche 
the leste is cleped the cercle of Cancer, 
by-cause that the heved of Oancer turneth 
evermor consentrik up-on the same 5 
cercle. In this heved of Cancer is the 
grettest declinacioun northward of the 
Sonne. And ther-for is he cleped the 
Solsticioun of Somer ; whiche declina- 
cioun, aftur Ptholome, is 23 degrees 10 
and 50 minutes, as wel in Cancer as in 
Capricorne. This signe of Cancer is 
cleped the Tropik of Somer, of tropos, 
that is to seyn ' agaynward ;' for thanne 
by-ginneth the Sonne to jiasse fro us- 15 
ward. And for the more declaracioim, 
lo here the figure. 

The middel cercle in wj-dnesse, of thise 
3, is cleped the Cercle Equinoxial ; iip-on 
whiche turneth evermo the liodes of 20 
Aries and Libra. And understond wel, 
that evermo this Cercle Equinoxial turn- 
eth justlj' fro verrey est to verrey west ; 
as I have shewed thee in the spere solide. 
This same cercle is cleped also the Weyere, 25 
equator, of the day ; for whan the sonno 
is in tlie hevedes of Aries and Libra, 
than ben the dayes and the nightes ilyko 
of lengthe in al the world. And ther- 
foro ben thise two signes called the 30 
Equinoxies. And alle that moeveth with- 
in the hevedes of thise Aries and Libra, 
his moeving is cleped north-ward ; and 
alle that moeveth with-oute thise hevedes, 
his moeving is cleped south-ward as fro 35 
the equinoxial. Tak keep of thise lati- 
tudes north and sowth, and forget it nat. 
By this Cercle Equinoxial ben considered 
the 24 houres of the clokke ; for overemo 
the arysing of 15 degrees of the equinoxial 40 
maketh an houre eqiial of the clokke. 
This equinoxial is cleped the girdel of 



400 



ZU ^etvoUh: ^Avt I. 



the flrste moeving, or elles of the angulus 
primi motus vel primi mobilis. And nota, 

45 that flrste moeving is cleped ' moeving ' 
of tlie firsto moevable of the 8 spere, 
whiche moeving is fro est to west, and 
eft agayn in-to est ; also it is clepid 
'girdel' of the first moeving, for it 

50 departeth the firste moevable, that is to 

seyn, the spere, in two ilyke parties, 

evene-distantz fro the poles of this world. 

The wydeste of thise three principal 

cercles is cleped the Cercle of Capricorne, 

55 by-caiise that the heved of Capricorne 
turneth evermo consentrik iip-on the 
same cercle. In the heved of this for- 
seide Caj)ricorne is the grettest declina- 
cioun southward of the sonne, and ther- 

60 for is it clei^ed the Solsticioun of Winter. 
This signe of Capricorne is also cleped 
the Tropik of Winter, for thanne bj'gin- 
neth the sonne to come agayn to us-ward. 
And for the more declaracioun, lo here 

65 thy fignre. 

18. Upon this forseide plate ben com- 
passed certein cercles that highten Al- 
micanteras, of which som of hem semen 
perfit cercles, and somme semen inperfit. 

5 The centre that standith a-middes the 
narwest cercle is cleped the Senith ; and 
the netherest cercle, or the firste cercle, 
is clepid the Orisonte, that is to seyn, 
the cercle that devydeth the two emi- 

10 speries, that is, the partie of the hevene 
a-bove the erthe and the partie be-nethe. 
Thise Almioantoras ben compowned by 
two and two, al-be-it so that on divers 
Astrolabies some Almicanteras ben de- 

15 vyded by oon, and some by two, and 
somme by three, after the quantite of the 
Astrolabie. This forseide senith is im- 
agened to ben the verrey point over the 
crowne of thyn heved ; and also this 

20 senith is the verrey jjool of the orisonte 
in every xegioun. And for the more 
declaracionn, lo here thy figure. 

19. From this senith, as it semeth, thcr 
come a nianer crokede strykes lyke to 
the clawes of a loppe, or elles like to the 
werk of a womanes calle, in kerving over- 

5 thwart the Almikanteras. And thise 
same strykes or divisiouns ben cleped 



Azimiathz. And they devyden the ori- 
sonte of thyn Astrolabie in four and 
twenty devisiouns. And thise Azimutz 
serven to knowe the costcs of the firma- lo 
ment, and to othre conclusiouns, as for 
to knowe the cenith of the sonne and of 
every sterre. And for more declaracioun, 
lo here thy figure. 

20. Next thise azimutz, under the 
Cercle of Cancer, ben ther twelve de- 
visiouns embelif, moche like to the shap 
of the azimutes, that shewen the spaces 
of the houres of planetes ; and for more 5 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

21. The Eiet of thyn Astrolabie with 
thy zodiak, shapen in maner of a net 
or of a loppe-webbe after the olde des- 
cripcioun, which thow mayst tornen up 
and doun as thy-self lyketh, conteneth 5 
certein nombre of sterres fixes, with hir 
longitudes and latitudes determinat ; yif 
so be that the makere have nat erred. 
The names of the sterres ben writen in 
the inargin of the riet ther as they sitte ; k; 
of whiche sterres the smale poynt is 
cleped the Centre. And understond also 
that alle sterres sittinge with-in the 
zodiak of thj'n Astrolabie ben cleped 

' sterres of the north,' for they arysen 15 
by northe the est lyne. And alle the 
remenant fixed, out of the zodiak, ben 
cleped ' sterres of the south ; ' but I sey 
nat that they arysen alle by southe the 
est lyne ; witnesse on Aldeberan and 20 
Algomeysa. Generally understond this 
rewle, that thilke sterres that ben cleped 
sterres of the north arysen rather than 
the degree of hir longitude, and alle the 
sterres of the soiith arysen after the 25 
degree of hir longitude ; this is to seyn, 
sterres fixed in thyn Astrolabie. The 
mesuro of this longitude of sterres is 
taken in the lyne ecliptik of he%'ene, 
under which lyne, whan that the sonne 30 
and the mone ben lyne-right or elles in 
the superfice of this Ij'ne, than is the 
oclips of the sonne or of the mone ; as 
I shal declare, and eek the cause why. 
But sothly the Ecliptik Lyne of thy 35 
zodiak is the outtereste bordure of tliy 
zodiak, ther the degrees ben marked. 



Z^t iletrofafie: {pavt ii. 



401 



TliyZodiak of thyn Astrolabie is shapen 
as a compas ■which that conteneth a large 

40 brede, as .after tlie quantite of tliyn 
Astrolabie ; in ensample tliat the zortiak 
in hovene is imagened to ben a snperfice 
contcning a latitude of twelve degrees, 
■wheras al the remenant of cercles in the 

45 hevene ben imagined verroy lynes with- 
oute eny latitiide. Aniiddes this celestial 
zodiak ys imagined a lyne, ■which that is 
cleped the Ecliptik Lyne, imder ■which 
lyne is cvermo the 'wey of the sonno. 

50 Thus ben tlier six degrees of tlie zodiak 
on that oon side of the lyne, and six 
degrees on that other. This zodialc is 
devidcd in twelve principal devisiouns, 
that departen the twelve signes. And, 

55 for the streitnes of thin Astrolabie, than 
is every smal dovisioun in a signe de- 
partid by two degrees and t-wo ; I mene 
degrees contening sixty minutes. And 
this forseide hcvenissh zodiak is cleped 

60 the Cerclo of the Signes, or the Cercle 
of the Bestes ; for zodia in langage of 
Greek sowneth ' bestes ' in Latin tonge ; 
and in the zodiak ben the twelve signes 
that ban names of bestes ; or elles, for 

65 whan the Sonne cntreth in any of the 
signes, he taketh the propretee of swieh 
bestes ; or elles, for that the sterres that 
ben there fixed ben disposed in signes of 
bestes, or shape like bestes ; or elles, 

70 whan the planetes ben tinder thilke 
signes, they causen tis by hir influence 
operaciouns and eifectes lyk to the opera- 
ciouns of bestes. And understonde also, 
that whan an hot planete cometh in-to 

75 an hot signe, than encressetli his hete ; 



and .■\'if a planete be cold, thanne amen- 
useth liis coldnesse, bj--oause of the hoto 
signe. And by this conclusioun maystow 
take ensample in alle the signes, be they 
moist or drye, or moeblo or fix ; rekening 80 
the qualitee of the planete as I first 
seide. And everich of thise twelve signes 
hath respecte to a certein parcelle of the 
body of a man and hath it in governance ; 
as Aries hath thyn heved, and Tauru.s thy 8 [5 
nekke and thy throte, Gemini thyn 
armholes and thyn armes, and so forth ; 
as shal be shewed more ployn in the fifte 
partie of this tretis. This zodiak, which 
that is part of the eiglite spere, over- 9" 
kerveth tlie cquinoxial ; and he over- 
kerveth him again in cvene parties ; and 
that on half declineth southward, and 
that other nortliward, as plej-nly de- 
clareth the tretis of the spere. And for 95 
more declaracioun, lo here thy fig^ire. 

22. Thanne hastow a label, that is 
schapen l.yk a rewle, save that it is streit 
and hath no plates on either ende witli 
holes ; but, with the smale point of the 
forseide label, shaltow calcule thyne 5 
equaciouns in the bordure of thin Astro- 
labie, as bj' thyn almury. And for the 
more doclaracioiin, lo here thy figure. 

23. Thyn Almury is cleped tlie Denticle 
of Capricorne, or elles the Calculer. This 
same Almury sit fix in the heed of Capri- 
corne, and it serveth of many a neces- 
sarie conclusioun in equaciouns of thinges, 5 
as shal be shewed ; and for the more 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

Here endeth the descrlpcion of the 
Astrolabie. 



PART II. 



Here nyciNNEN the Conclusioks op 

THE AsTKOLAlilE. 

1 . To fynde the degree in which the sonne is 
day by day, after hir cours a-boute. 
Rekene and knowe which is the day 
of thy monthe ; and ley thy rewle uis 
that same day ; and thanne wol the 
vcrray point of thy rewle sittcn in the 



bordure, up-on the degree of thy sonnc. 5 
Ensample as thus ; tlie yeer of cure lord 
1391, the 12 day of March at midday, 
I woldo knowe the degree of the sonne. 
I soughte in the bak-half of myn Astro- 
labie, and fond the cercle of the dayes, 10 
the which I knowe by the names of the 
monthos writen under tlie same cercle. 
Tho leido I my re-wle over this forscido 



4o: 



ZU iletrofaBe: ^avt ii. 



day, and fond the point of my rewle in 
15 the hordnre up-on the iirste degree of 
Aries, a litel with-in the degree ; and 
thus knowe I this conclusioim. Another 
da3', I woldo knowe tlie degree of my 
Sonne, and this was at midday in the 
20 13 day of Decembre ; I fond the day of 
tlie monthe in maner as I seide ; tho 
leide I my rewle tip-on this forseide 13 
daj', and fond the point of my rewle in 
the hordnre tip-on the first degree of 
25 Capricorne, a lite with-in the degree ; 
and than hadde I of this conclnsioun tlie 
ful exioerience. And for the more declar- 
acioun, lo here thy figure. 

2. To knowe the altihtde of the sonne, or 

of othre celestial bodies. 

Put the ring of thyn Astrolabie up-on 

thy right thoumbe, and turne thy lift 

syde agayn the light of the sonne. And 

remeve thy rewle up and doun, til that 

5 the stremes of the sonne shyne thorgh 
bothe holes of thy rewle. Loke thanne 
how many degrees thy rewle is areised 
fro the litel crois up-on thyn est line, and 
tak ther tlie altitude of thy sonne. And 

lo in this same ■\vyse maistow knowe by 
niglite the altitude of the mone, or of 
brighte sterres. This chapitre is so general 
ever in con, that ther nedith no more 
declaracion ; but forget it nat. And for 

15 the more declaraeioun, lo here the figure. 

3. To knowe every tyme of the day by light 
of the Sonne, and every tyme of the night 
by the sterres flxe, and eke to knowe by 
night or by day the degree of any signe 
that assendeth on the Est Orisonte, which 
that is cleped communly the Assendent, 
or elles Oruscupnm. 

Tak the altitude of the sonne whan 
thee list, as I have said ; and set the 
degree of the sonne, in cas that it be 
by-forn the niiddel of the day, among 
5 thyn almikanteras on the est side of thyn 
Astrolabie ; and yif it be after the middel 
of the day, set the degree of thy sonne 
up-on the west side ; tak this maiiere of 
setting for a general rewle, ones for 
10 evere. And whan thou hast set the 



degree of thy sonne up as many almi- 
kanteras of heyghte as was the altitude 
of the Sonne taken by thy rewle, ley over 
thy label, up-on the degree of the sonne ; 
and thanne wol the point of thy label 15 
sitten in the bordure, up-on the verrey 
tyd of the day. Ensample as thvis : tho 
yeer of oure lord 1391, the 12 day of 
March, I wold knowe the tyd of the day. 
I took the altitude of my sonne, and 2a 
fond that it was 25 degrees and 30 of 
minutes of heyghte in the bordure on the 
bak-syde. Tho turnede I myn Astrola- 
bie, and by-cause that it was by-forn 
midday, I turnede my riet, and sette the 2^ 
degree of the sonne, that is to seyii, the 
1 degree of Aries, on the right syde of 
myn Astrolabie, up-on that 25 degrees 
and 30 of minutes of heyghte among myn 
almikanteras ; tho leide I my label up-on 3" 
the degree of my sonne, and fond the 
poynte of my label in the bordure, up-on 
a capital lettre that is cleped an X ; tho 
rekened I alle the capitalles lettres fro 
the lyne of midnight un-to this forseide 35 
lettre X, and fond that it was 9 of the 
clokke of the day. Tho loked I down 
up-on the est orisonte, and fond there 
the 20 degree of Geminis assending ; 
which that I tok for myn assendent. 4'^ 
And in this wyse hadde I the experience 
for ever-mo in which maner I sholdo 
knowe the tyd of the day, and eek myn 
assendent. Tho wolde I wite the same 
night folwing the hour of the night, and 45 
wroughte in this wyse. Among an heep 
of sterris fixe, it lyked me for to talio the 
altitude of the feire white sterre that is 
cleped Alhabor; and fond hir sitting on 
the west side of the lyne of midday, 50 
-|i8 degres of heighte taken by my rewle 
on the bak-syde. Tho sette I tho centre 
of this Alhabor ui>on f i8 degrees among 
myn almikanteras, up-on the west syde ; 
by-cause that she was founden on the 55 
west sj'de. Tho leide I my label over 
the degree of the sonne that was de- 
scended under the weste orisonte, and 
rikened alle the lettres capitals fro the 
lyne of midday un-to the point of my C>o 
label in the bordure ; and fond that it 



ZU MettoiaU : (Part ii. 



403 



was passed fS of the clokke the space of 
■f 2 degrees. Tho loked I doun up-on ruyn 
est orisonte, and fond ther f-'i degrees of 

('5 Libra assending, whom I tok for myn 
assendent ; and thus lerned I to knowe 
ones for ever in which manere I shukl 
come to the houre of the night and to 
myn assendent ; as verreyly as may be 

70 taken by so smal an instrument. But 
natlieles, in general, wolde I warne thee 
for evere, ne niak thee nevere bokl to 
liave take a just ascendent by thyn 
Astrolabie, or elles to have set jvistly 

75 a clokke, whan any celestial body by 
which that thow wenest governe thilke 
thinges ben ney the south lyne ; lor trvist 
wel, whan that the Sonne is ney the 
meridional lyne, the degree of the Sonne 

<So renneth so longe consentrik up-on the 
almikanteras, that sothly thou shalt erre 
fro the just assendent. The same con- 
clusioun sey I by the centre of any sterre 
fix by night ; and more-over, by experi- 

85 ence, I wot wel that in oure orisonte, 
from II of the clokke vm-to oon of the 
clokke, in taking of a just assendent in 
a portatif Astrolabie, hit is to hard to 
knowe. T mene, from 11 of the clokke 

i^o biforn the lioiire of noon til oon of the 
clokke next folwing. And for the more 
declaracion, lo here thy iigure. 

4. Special declaracion of the assendent. 

The assendent sothly, as wel in alle 
nativitez as in questiouns and elecciouns 
of tymes, is a thing which that thise 
astrologiens gretly observen ; wher-fore 

5 me semeth convenient, sin that I speke 
of the assendent, to make of it special 
declaracioun. The assendent sothly, to 
take it at the largeste, is thilke degree 
that assendeth at any of thise forseide 

10 tymes upon the est orisonte ; and there- 
for, j-if that any planet assende at that 
same tyme in thilke for-seide ■[ degree of 
his longitude, men sejii that thilke 
planete is in lioroscopo. But sothlj-, the 

15 hous of the assendent, that is to seyn, 
the firste hous or the est angle, is a thing 
more brood and large. For after the 
statutz of astrologiens, what celestial body 



that is 5 degres above thilk degree that 
assendeth, or with-in that notimbre, that 20 
is to seyn, nere the degree that assendeth, 
yit rikne they thilke planet in the as- 
sendent. And what planete that is under 
thilke degree that assendith the space 
of •|-25 degrees, yit seyn they that thilke 25 
planete is lyk to him that is in the hous 
of the assendent ; but sothly, yif he passe 
the bondes of thise forseide spaces, above 
or bynethe, they seyn that tho planete is 
failling fro the assendent. Yit sein thise 3u 
astrologiens, that the assendent, and eke 
the lord of the assendent, may be shapen 
for to be fortunat or infortunat, as thiis : 
a fortunat assendent clepen they whan 
that no wikkid planete, as Saturne or 35 
Mars, or elles the Tail of the Dragoun, 
is in the hoiis of the assendent, ne that 
no wikked xslanete have non aspecte of 
enemite up-on the assendent ; but they 
wol caste that they have a fortunat 40 
planete in hir assendent and yit in his 
felicitee, and than sey they that it is wel. 
Forther-over, they seyn that the infor- 
tuning of an assendent is the contrarie 
of thise forseide thinges The lord of 45 
the assendent. sey they, that he is for- 
tunat, whan he is in good place fro the 
assendent as in angle ; or in a succeflent, 
where-as he is in his dignitee and con- 
forted with frendly aspectes of planetes 50 
and wel resceived, and eek that he may 
seen the assendent, and that he be nat 
retrograd ne combust, ne joigned with 
no shrcwe in the same signe ; ne that he 
be nat in his descencioun. ne joigned with ^S 
no planete in his discenciouu, ne have 
up-on him non aspecte infortunat ; and 
than sey they that he is wel. Natheles, 
thise ben observauncez of judicial matiere 
and rytes of isayens, in which my spirit 60 
ne hath no feith, ne no knowing of hir 
horoscopiun ; for they seyn that every 
signe is departed in 3 evene parties by 
10 degrees, and thilke porcioun they clepe 
a Face. And al-thogh that a planete 65 
have a latitude fro the ecliptik, yit sey 
some folk, so that the planete aryse in 
that same signe witli any degree of the 
forseide face in which his longitude is 



404 



Z^i ^QtvoMi : (part ii. 



70 reknecl, that yit is the planete in horo- 
scopo, be it in nativite or in eleccioun, &c. 
And for the more declaracioun, lo here 
the figure. 

5. To knowe the verrey equacioiin of the 

degree of the sonne, yif so he that it falle 

by-twixe thyn Almikanteras. 

For as moche as the almikanteras in 

thyn Astrolabie been compouned by two 

and two, where-as some ahiiikanteras in 

sondry Astrolabies ben compouned by 

5 con and oon, or elles by two and two, 

it is necessarie to thy lerning to teclie 

thee first to knowe and worke with thyn 

owne instru.ment. VVlier-for, whan that 

the degree of tliy Sonne falletli by-twixe 

10 two almilianteras, or elles yif thyn almi- 
kanteras ben graven with over gret 
a point of a compas, (for bothe tliiso 
thinges may causen errour as wel in 
knowing of the tyd of the day as of the 

15 verrey assendent), thou most werken 
in this wyse. Set the degree of thy 
Sonne up-on the heyer almikanteras 
of bothe, and waite wel wher as thin 
almury toucheth the bordure, and set 

20 ther a prikke of inke. Set doun 
agayn the degree of thy Sonne up-on 
the nethere almikanteras of bothe, and 
set ther another prikke. Remewe thanne 
thyn almury in the bordvire evene amid- 

25 dcs bothe prikkes, and this wol lede 
justly the degree of thy sonne to sitte 
by-twixe bothe almikanteras in his right 
place. Ley thanne thy label over the 
degree of thy sonne ; and find in the 

30 bordure the verrey tyde of the day or of 
the night. And as verreyly shaltow 
finde iip-on thyn est orisonte thyn assen- 
dent. And for more declaracioun, lo 
here thy figure, 

6. To knowe the spring of the dawing and 

the cnde of the evening, the ivhich hen 

callsd the two crepusculis : 

Set the nadir of thy sonne up-on 18 

degrees of heighte among thyn almilian- 

teras on the west syde, and ley thy label 

on the degree of thy sonne, and thanne 

5 shal the poynt of thy label schewe the 

spring of day. Also set the nadir of thy 



Sonne up-on 18 degrees of heighte a-mong 
thyn almikanteras on the est side, and 
ley over thy label up-on the degree of the 
Sonne, and with the point of thy label 10 
find in the bordure the ende of the 
evening, that is, verre.y night. The nadir 
of the sonne is thilke degree that is 
opposit to the degree of the sonne, in the 
seventhe signe, as thus : every degree 15 
of Aries by ordre is nadir to every degree 
of Libra by ordre ; and Taurus to Scor- 
pion ; Gemini to Sagittare ; Cancer to 
Capricorne ; Leo to Aquarie ; Virgo to 
Pisces ; and yif any degree in thy zodiak 2u 
be dirk, his nadir shal declare bim. And 
for the more declaracioun, lo here tliy 
figure. 

7. To knowe the arch of the day, that some 
folk callen the day artificial, from the 
Sonne arysing til hit go to reste. 

Set the degree of thy sonne up-on thyn 
est orisonte, and ley thy label on the 
degree of the sonne, and at the poynt 
of thy label in the bordure set a prikke. 
Turn thanne thy riot aboute til tlie 5 
degree of the sonne sit up-on the west 
orisonte, and ley thy label up-on the 
same degree of the sonne, and at the 
point of thy label set a-nother prikke. 
Rekne thanne the quantitoe of tyme in 10 
the bordure by-twixe bothe prikkes, and 
tak ther thyn ark of the day. The reme- 
nant of the bordure under the orisonte is 
the ark of the night. Thus maistow 
rekne bothe arches, or every porcion, 15 
of whether that thee lyketh. Artd by 
this manere of wyrking maistow see how 
longe that any sterre fix dwelleth a-bove 
the ortlie, fro tyme that he ryseth til he 
go to reste. But the day natural, tliat 20 
is to seyn 24 hovires, is the revolucioun of 
the equinoxial with as moche partie of 
the zodiak as the sonne of his propre 
moevinge passeth in the mene whyle. 
And for the more declaracioun, lo here 25 
thy figure. 

8. To turn the houres in-equales in honres 

equales. 
Knowe the nombre of the degrees in 
the houres in-equales, and departe hem 



ZU cHetvofaBe : ^avt ii. 



4C5 



by 15, and tak ther thyn lioures equales. 
And for the more declaraciovin, lo here 
5 thy figure. 

9. To knoice the quantitee of the day vul- 

gare, that is to seyen, from spriiuj of the 

day tin-to verrey night. 

Know the quantitee of thy crepusculis, 

as I have taught in the chapitre bi-forn, 

and adde hem to the arch of thy day 

artificial ; and tak tlier the space of alle 

5 the hole day vulgar, un-to verrey night. 

The same manere maystow worko, to 

knowe the quantitee of the vulgar night. 

And for the more declaracioun, lo here 

the figure. 

10. To knoice the quantite of houres 
inequales by day. 
Understond wel, that thise houi'es in- 
equales ben cleped houres of planetes, 
and understond wel that som-tyme ben 
they lengero by day than by night, and 

5 som-tyme the contrarie. But understond 
wel, that evermo, generaly, the hour in- 
equal of the day with the houre in-equal 
of the night contenen 30 degrees of the 
bordure, whiche bordure is ever-mo 

10 answering to the degrees of the (jqui- 
noxial ; whcr-for departe the arch of the 
day artificial in 12, and tak ther the 
quantitee of the houre in-equal by day. 
And yif tliow abate the quantitee of the 

15 houre in-equal by daye out of 30, than 
shal the remenant that leveth performe 
the houre inequal by night. And for 
the more declaracioun, lo here the figure. 

11. To knowe the quantite of houres equales. 

The quantitee of houres equales, that 

is to sej'n, the houres of the clokke, ben 

departed by 15 degrees al-redy in the 

bordure of thyn Astrolabie, as wel by 

5 night as by day, generaly for evere. 

What nedeth more declaracioun ? Wher- 

for, whan thee list to know how manye 

houres of the clokke ben passed, or any 

part of any of thise houres that ben 

lu passed, or elles how raany houres or 

partie of houres ben to come, fro swich 

a tyme to swich a tyme, by day or by 

nighte, kno-wc the degree of thy sonne. 



and lej' thy label on it ; turne thy riet 
aboute joyntly with thy label, and with 1$ 
the point of it rekne in the bordure fro 
the Sonne aryse mi-to the same place 
ther thou desirest, by day as by nighte. 
This conclusioun wol I declare in the 
laste chapitre of the 4 partie of this tretis 20 
so openly, that ther shal lakke no wordc 
that nedeth to the declaracioun. And 
for the more declaracioun, lo here the 
figure. 

12. Special declaracioun of the houres 
of planetes. 

Understond wel, that evere-mo, fro the 
arysing of the sonne til it go to reste, the 
nadir of the sonne shal shewe the houre 
of the planete, and fro that tyme I'orwai d 
al the night til the sonne aryse ; than 5 
shal the verrey degree of the sonne shewe 
the houre of the planete. Ensample as 
thus. The 13 day of March fil up-on a 
Saterday per aventure, and, at the aris- 
ing of the Sonne, I fond the secounde ik 
degree of Aries sitting up-on mj'n est 
orisonte, al-be-it that it was but lite ; 
than fond I the 2 degree of Libra, nadir 
of my Sonne, dessending on my west 
orisonte, up-on which west orisonte every 15 
day generally, at the sonne ariste, entreth 
the houre of any planete, after which 
planete the day bereth his name ; and 
endeth in the nexte stryk of the plate 
under the forseide west orisonte ; antl 20 
evere, as the sonne climbeth uppere and 
uppere, so goth his nadir dounere and 
dounere, teching by swich strykes the 
houres of planetes by ordre as they sittcn 
iu the hevene. The first houre inequal 25 
of every Satterday is to Saturne ; and 
the secounde, to Jupiter ; the 3, to Mars ; 
the 4, to the Sonne ; the 5, to Venus ; the 
6, to Mercurius ; the 7, to the Mone ; and 
thanne agayn, the 8 is to Saturne ; the 9, 30 
to Jupiter; the lo, to Mars; the 11, to 
the Sonne ; the 12, to Venus ; and now 
is my Sonne gon to reste as for that 
Setterday. Thanne sheweth the verrey 
degree of the sonne the houre of Mercuric 35 
entring under my west orisonte at eve ; 
and next him succedeth the Mone ; and so 



4o6 



ZU cSsff ofaBe : ^Mt ii. 



forth hy ordre, planete after planete, in 
hotire after houre, al the night longe til the 

40 Sonne aryse. Now ryseth the sonne that 
Sonday by the niorwe ; and the nadir of 
the Sonne, np-on the west orizonte, 
sheweth me the entring of the honre of 
the forseide sonne. And in this maner 

45 succedeth planete nnder planete, fro 
Saturne nn-to the Mone, and fro the 
Mone up a-gayn to Saturne, houre after 
houre generaly. And thus knowe I this 
conclusioun. And for the more declara- 

50 cioun, lo here the figure. 

13. To Tcnowe the altitude of the sonne in 
middes of the day, that is clei^ed the 
altitude meridian. 

Set the degree of the sonne up-on the 
lyne meridional, and rikene how many 
degrees of almikanteras ben by-twixe 
thyn est orisonte and the degree of the 
5 Sonne. And tak ther thyn altitude 
meridian ; this is to seyne, the heyest of 
the Sonne as for that day. So maystow 
knowe in the same lyne, the heyest 
cours that <any sterre fix climbeth by 
10 night ; this is to seyn, that whan any 
sterre fix is passed the lyne meridional, 
than by-ginneth it to descende, and so 
doth the Sonne. And for the more 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

14. To knoioe the degree of the sonne by 
thy riet, for a maner curiositee, dc. 

Sek bysily with thy rewle the heyest 
of the Sonne in midde of the day ; turne 
thanne thyn Astrolabie, and with a 
prikke of ink marke the nombre of that 
5 same altitiide in the lyne meridional. 
Turne thanne thy riet aboiite til thou 
fynde a degree of thy zodiak acording 
with the prikke, this is to seyn, sittinge 
on the prikke ; and in sooth, thou shalt 

JO finde but two degrees in al the zodiak 
of tliat condieioun ; and yit thilke two 
degrees ben in diverse signes ; tlian 
maistow lightly by the sesoun of the yere 
knowe the signe in whiche that is the 

J5 Sonne. And for the more declaracioun, 
lo here thy figure. 



1.5. To knrAC which day is lyk to ivhich day 
as of lengthe, dc. 
Loke whiche degrees ben y-lyke fer fro 
the hevedes of Cancer and Capricorn ; 
and lok, whan the sonne is in any of 
thilke degrees, than ben the dayes y-lyke 
of lengthe. This is to seyn, that as long 5 
is that day in that monthe, as was swich 
a day in swich a month ; ther varieth 
but lite. Also, yif thou take two daj'es 
naturaly in the yeer y-lyke fer fro eyther 
pointe of the equinoxial in the opposit 10 
parties, than as long is the day artificial 
of that on day as is the night of that 
othere, and the contrarie. And for the 
more declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

16. This chapitre is a maner declaracioun 

to conclusiouns that folwen, 
Understond wel that thy zodiak is 
departid in two halfe cercles, as fro the 
heved of Capricorne un-to the heved of 
Cancer ; and agaynward fro the heved of 
Cancer un-to the heved of Capricorne. 5 
The heved of Cajaricorne is the lowest 
point, wher-as the sonne goth in winter ; 
and the heved of Cancer is the heyest 
point, in whiche the sonne goth in somer. 
And ther-for understond wel, that any 10 
two degrees that ben y-lyke fer fro any 
of thise two hevedes, truste wel that 
thilke two degrees ben of y-lyke decli- 
nacioun, be it southward or northward ; 
and the dayes of hem ben y-lyke of 15 
lengthe, and the nightes also ; and the 
shadwes y-lyke, and the altitudes y-lyke 
at midday for evere. And for more 
declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

17. To knowe the verrey degree of any 
maner sterre straunge or unstraunge after 
his longitude, though he he indeterminat 
in thyn Astrolahie ; sothly to the trowlhe, 
thus he shal be knoive. 

Tak the altitude of this sterre whan he 
is on the est side of the lyne meridional, 
as ney as thou mayst gesse ; and tak 
an assendent a-non right by som maner 
sterre fix which that thou knowest ; and 5 
for-get nat the altitude of the firste sterre, 
ne thyn assendent. And whan that this 
is don, espye diligently whan this same 



ZU ^BtYoiah : {pavt ii. 



40: 



firste sterre passetli any-thing tlie soath 

10 westward, and hath him a-non right in 
the same norimbre of altitude on the 
west side of this lyne meridional as he 
was caught on the est side ; and tak 
a newe assendent a-non right by soni 

15 rnaner sterre fixe which that thou know- 
cst ; and for-get nat this secounde as- 
sendent. And whan that this is don, 
rikne thanne how manye degrees ben 
by-twixe the firste assendent and the 

20 seconde assendent, and rikne wel the 
middel degree by-twene bothe assendentes, 
and set thilke middel degree up-on thin 
est orisonte ; and waite thanne what 
degree that sit iip-on the lyne rneri- 

25 dioual, and tak ther the verrey degree 
of the ecliptik in which the sterre stond- 
eth for the tyme. For in the ecliptik 
is the longitude of a celestial bodj' 
rekened, evene fro the heved of Aries 

30 un-to the ende of Pisces. And his latittide 
is rikned after the quantitee of his decli- 
uacion, north or south to-warde the 
poles of this world ; as thus. Yif it be 
of the Sonne or of any fix sterre, rekene 

35 his latitude or his declinacioun fro the 
equinoxial cercle ; and yif it be of a 
planete, rekne than the quantitee of his 
latitude fro the ecliptik lyne. Al-be-it 
so that fro the equinoxial may the decli- 

40 nacion or the latitude of any body celes- 
tial be rikned, after the site north or 
south, and after the quantitee of his de- 
clinacion. And right so may the latitude 
or the declinacion of any body celestial, 

45 save only of the sonne, after his site 
north or south, and after the quantitee 
of his declinacioun, be rekned fro the 
ecliptik lyne ; fro which lyne alle planetes 
soni tyme declynen north or south, save 

50 only the for-seide sonne. And for the 
more declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

18. To knowe the degrees of the longitudes 
offixesterresafter that they hen deter- 
minat in thin Astrolabie, yif so be that 
they ben treivly set. 

Set the centre of the sterre up-on the 
lyne meridional, and tak keep of thy 
zodiak, and loke what degree of anj' signe 



that sit on the same lyne meridional at 
that same tyme, and tak the degree in 5 
which the sterre standeth ; and witli 
that same degree comth that same sterre 
un-to that same lyne fro the orisonte. 
And for more declaracioun, lo here thy 
figure. 10 

19. 2'o Tcnoiceivith ichich degree of the zodiak 
any sterre fixe in thyn Astrolabie aryseth 
%ip-on the est orisonte, al-thogh his dwell- 
ing be in a-nother signe. 

Set the centre of the sterre up-on the 
est orisonte, and loke what degree of any 
signe that sit vip-on the same orisonte at 
that same tyme. And understond wel, 
that with that same degree aryseth that 5 
same sterre ; and this merveyllous arysing 
with a strange degree in another signe 
is by-cause that the latitude of the sterre 
fix is either north or south fro the equi- 
noxial. But sothly, the latitudes of i" 
planetes ben comunly rekned fro the 
ecliptik, bi-cause that non of hem de- 
clineth but fewe degrees out fro the brede 
of the zodiak. And tak good keep of 
this chapitre of arysing of the celestial 15 
bodies ; tor truste ^vel, that neyther mone 
ne sterre as in oure embelif orisonte 
aryseth with that same degree of his 
longitude, save in 00 cas ; and that is, 
whan they have no latitude fro the 20 
ecliptik lyne. But natheles, som tyme 
is everiche of thise planetes under the 
same lyne. And for more declaracioun, 
lo here thy figure. 

20. To knoive the declinacioun of any degree 
in the zodiak fro the equinoxial cercle, dc. 

Set the degree of any signe up-on the 
lyne meridional, and rikne his altitude 
in alniikanteras fro the est orizonte uj) 
to the same degree set in the forseide 
lyne, and set ther a prikke. Turne up 5 
thanne thy riet, and set the heved of 
Aries or Libra in the same meridional 
lyne, and set ther a-nother prikke. And 
whan that this is don, considere the 
altitudes of hem bothe ; for sothly the 10 
difference of thilke altitudes is the decli- 
nacion of thilke degree fro the equinoxial. 
And j'if so be that thilke degree be north- 



4cy 



ZU JteitrofaBe: (pad ii. 



ward fro the cquinoxial, than is his 
15 declinacion north ; yif it be southward, 
than is it south. And for the more 
declaracioiin, lo here tliy figure. 

21. To kmnce for what latitude in any 
regioun tha almikanteras of any table 
hen compouned. 

lUkne how nianye degrees of almikan- 
teras, in tlie meridional lyne, be fro the 
cercle equinox ial un-to the senith ; or 
elles fro the pool artik un-to the north 
5 orisonte ; and for so gret a latitude or for 
so smal a latitude is the table compouned. 
And for more declaracion, lo here thy 
figure. 

22. To Jcnoive in special the latitude of 
oure countray, I mene after the latitude 
of Oxenford^ and the heighte of oure pol. 
Understond wel, that as fer is the heved 

of Aries or Libra in tlie equinoxial from 
oure orisonte as is the senitli from the pole 
artil: ; and as hey is the pol artik fro the 
5 orisonte, as the equinoxial is fer fro the 
senith. I prove it thus by the latitude 
of Oxenford. Understond wel, that the 
heyghto of oure pool artilc fro oure north 
orisonte is 51 degrees and 50 minutes ; 

10 than is the senith from oure pool artik 
38 degrees and 10 minutes ; than is the 
cquinoxial from oure senitli 51 degrees 
and 50 minutes ; than is oure south 
orisonte from oure equinoxial 38 degrees 

15 and u) minutes. Understond wel this 
rekning. Also for-get nat tliat the senith 
is 90 degrees of heyghte fro the orisonte, 
and oure eqiiinoxial is 90 degrees from 
oure pool artik. Also this shorte rewle 

ao is sotli, that the latitude of any place in 
a regioun is the distance fro the senith 
vinto the equinoxial. And for more 
declaraciotin, lo here thy figure. 

23. To prove evidently the latitude of any 
jjlace in a regioun, by the preve of the 
heyghte of the pol artilc in that same 
place. 

In some winters niglit, whan the fir- 

niament isclero and thikke-sterred, waite 

a tyme til that any sterre fix sit lyne-right 

perpendiculer over the pol artik, and 

5 clepe that sterre A. And wayte a-nother 



sterre that sit lyne-right under A, and 
under the pol, and clepe that sterre F. 
And understond wel, that P is nat con- 
sidered but only to declare that A sit 
evene overe the pool. Tak thanne a-non 
i-ight the altitude of A from the orisonte, 
and forget it nat. Lat A and F go farwel 
til agayns the dawening a gret wliyle ; 
and come thanne agayn, and abyd til 
that A is evene under the pol and under 
F ; for sothly, than wol F sitte over the 
pool, and A wol sitte under the pool. 
Tak than elt-sones the altitude of A froni 
the orisonte, and note as wel his secounde 
altitude as his firste altitude ; and whan 
that tliis is don, riline how manye degrees 
that the firste altitude of A excedeth 
his seconde altitude, and tak half thilke 
porcioun that is exceded, and adde it to 
his seconde altitude ; and tak tlier the 
elevacioun of thy pool, and eke the 
latitude of thy regioun. For thise two 
ben of a nombre ; this is to seyn, as 
many degrees as thy pool is elevat, so 
michel is the latitu.do of the regiovm. 
Ensample as thus : par aventure, the 
altitude of A in the evening is 56 degrees 
of heyghte. Than wol his seconde altitude 
or the dawing be 48 ; that is 8 lasse than 
56, that was his firste altitiide at even. ; 
Take tiianno the half of 8, and adde it to 
48, that was his seconde altitude, and 
than hastow 52. Now hastow the heyghto 
of thy pol, and the latitude of the regioun. 
But understond wel, that to prove this ■ 
conclusioun and many a-nother iair con- 
clusioun, thovi most have a plomet hang- 
ing on a lyne heyer tlian thin heved 
on a perche ; and thilke lyne mot 
hange evene perpendiculer by-twixe the 
pool and thyn eye ; and thanne shaltow 
seen yif A sitte evene over the pool and 
over F at evene ; and also yif F sitte 
evene over the pool and over A or day. 
And for more declaracion, lo hero thy , 
figure. 

24. Another conclusioun to prove the heyghte 
of the pool artik fro the orisonte. 

Tak any sterre fixe that nevere dis- 
sendeth under the orisonte in thilke 



ZH ile^toPafie : (pavt ii. 



4C9 



regioun, and considere his heyest altitude 
and his lowest altititde fro the orisonte ; 
5 and make a nomhre of hotho thise alti- 
tudes. Tak thanne and abate half that 
nombro, and tak ther the clevacioun of 
the pel artik in that same regioun. And 
for more declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

25. A-nother conclusioun to prove the 
latitude of the regioun, Ac. 

Understond wel that the latitude of 
any place in a regioiin is verreyly the 
space by-twixe the senith of hem that 
dwellen there and the equinoxial cerkle, 
5 north or southe, taking the mesure in 
the meridional lyne, as sheweth in the 
almikanteras of thyn Astrolabie. And 
thilke space is as moche as the pool artik 
is bey in the same place fro the orisonte. 
lo And than is the depressioun of the pol 
antartik, that is to seyn, than is the pol 
antartik by-nethe the orisonte, the same 
quantite of space, neither more lie lasse. 
Thanne, yif thow desire to knowe tliis 
15 latitude of the regioun, tak the altitude 
of the Sonne in the middel of the day, 
■whan the sonne is in the hevedes of 
Aries or of Libra ; (for thanne moeveth 
the Sonne in the lyne eqtiinoxial) ; and 
20 abate the nombre of that same sonnes 
altitude out of 90, and thanne is tlio 
remenaunt of the noumbre that levoth 
the latitude of the regioun. As tlius : 
I suppose that the sonne is thilke day 
25 at noon 38 degrees and 10 minutes of 
heyghte. Abate thanne thise degrees and 
minutes out of 90; so leveth there 51 
degrees and 50 minutes, the latitude. 
I soy nat this but for ensample ; for wel 
30 I wot the latitude of Oxenforde is certein 
minutes lasse, as I miglite prove. Now 
yif so be that thee semeth to long a tary- 
inge, to abyde til that the sonne be in 
the hevedes of Aries or of Libra, thanne 
35 waite whan the sonne is in any other 
degree of the zodiak, and considere the 
degree of his declinacion fro the equi- 
noxial lyne ; and yif it so be that the 
sonnes declinacion be northward fro the 
40 equinoxial, abate thanne fro the sonnes 
altitude at noon the nombre of his de- 



clinacion, and thanne hastow the heyghte 
of the hevedes of Aries and Libra. As 
thus : my sonne is, par aventure, in the 
■j-firste degree of Leoun, ■\^?, degrees and 45 
10 minutes of heyghte at noon and his 
declinacion is almost f 20 degrees north- 
ward fro the equinoxial ; abate thanne 
thilke ■J-20 degrees of declinacion out 
of tlie altitude at noon, than leveth thee 50 
38 degrees and odde minutes ; lo ther the 
heved of Aries or Libra, and thyn equi- 
noxial in that regioun. Also yif so be 
that the sonnes declinacioun be south- 
ward fro the equinoxial, adde thanne 55 
thilke declinacion to the altitude of the 
sonne at noon ; and tak ther the hevedes 
of Aries and Libra, and thyn equinoxial. 
Abate thanne the lieyghto of the equi- 
noxial oixt of 90 degrees, and thanne 60 
leveth there the distans of the polo, 51 
degrees and 50 minutes, of that regioun 
fro the equinoxial. Or elles, yif thee 
lest, take the heyest altitude fro the 
equinoxial of any sterre fix that thou 65 
knowest, and tak his nethere elongacioun 
lengthing fro the same equinoxial lyne, 
and wirke in the maner forseid. And 
for more declaracion, lo here thy figure. 

26. Declaracioun of the assensioun of 
signes, dx. 

The excellence of the spere solide, 
amonges other noble conclvisiouns, shew- 
eth manifesto the diverse assenciouns 
of signes in diverse places, as wel in tlie 
righte cercle as in the embelif cercle. 5 
Thise auotoiirs wryten that thilke signe 
is eleped of right ascensioun, with wh ich 
more part of the cercle equinoxial and 
lasse part of the zodiak ascendeth ; and 
thilke signe asseiideth embelif, with 10 
whiche lasse part of the equinoxial and 
more part of the zodiak assendetli. 
Ferther-over they seyn, that in thilke 
cuntrey where as the senith of hem that 
dwellen there is in the equinoxial lyne, 15 
and her orisonte passing by the poles 
of this worlde, thilke folke hanthis right 
cercle and the right orisonte ; and evere- 
mo the arch of the day and the arch of the 
night is ther y-lilce long, and the sonne 20 



410 



ZU ileftofafie: (j)arf ii. 



twyes ever:v' yeer passinge tliorow the 
senitli of her heved ; and two someres 
and two winteres in a yeer han this 
forseide poeple. And the almikanteras 

25 in her Astrolabies ben streighte as a lyne, 
so as sheweth in this figure. The iitilite 
to knowe the assenciouns in the righte 
cercle is this : truste wel that by naedia- 
cioun of tliilke assenciouns thise astro- 

30 logiens, by hir tables and hir instrii- 
mentz, knowen verreyly tlie assencioun 
of every degree and minut in al the zodiak, 
as shal be shewed. And 7iota, that this 
forseid righte orisonte, that is cleped 

35 orison rectum, divydeth the eqninoxial 
in-to riglit angles ; and the embelif ori- 
sonte, wher-as the pol is enhaused np-on 
the orisonte, overkerveth the eqninoxial 
in embelif angles, as sheweth in the figure. 

40 And for the more declaracionn, lo here 
the figure. 

27. litis is the concliisioun to knowe tlie 
assenciouns of signes in the right cercle, 
that is, circiilus directus, &c. 

Set the heved of what signe thee liste 
to knowe his assending in the right cercle 
xip-on the IjTie meridional ; and waite 
wher thyn almury toucheth the bordure, 

5 and set ther a prikke. Turne thanne thy 
riet westward til that the ende of the 
forseide signe sitte up-on the meridional 
lyne ; and eft-sones waite wher thyn 
almury toucheth the bordure, and set 

10 ther another prikke. Kikne thanne the 
nombre of degrees in the bordure by- 
twixe bothe prikkes, and tak the assen- 
cioun of the signe in the right cercle. 
And thus maystow wyrke with every 

15 porcioun of thy zodiak, &c. And for the 
more declaracionn, lo here thy figure. 

28. To knoive the assencions 0/ signes in the 
cmheJif cercle in every regiuun, I mene, 
in circnlo obliqtio. 

Set the heved of the signe which as 
theo list to knowe his ascensioun up-on 
the est orisonte, and waite wher thyn 
almixry toiicheth the bordure, and set 
S ther a priltke. Tiirne thanne thy riet 
upward til that the ende of the same 



signe sitte tii>on the est orisonte, and 
waite eft-sones wher as thjoi almury 
toucheth the bordure, and set ther 
a-nother prikke. Eikne thanne the 10 
noumbre of degrees in the bordure by- 
twixo hothe prikkes, and tak ther the 
assencioun of the signe in the embelif 
cercle. And understond wel, that alle 
signes in thy zodiak, fro the heved of 15 
Aries vinto the ende of Virgo, ben cleped 
signes of the north fro the eqninoxial ; 
and these signes arysen by-twixe the 
verrey est and the verrey north in oure 
orisonte generaly for evere. And alle 20 
signes fro the heved of Libra un-to the 
ende of Pisces ben cleped signes of the 
south fro the eqninoxial ; and thise signes 
arysen ever-mo by-twixe the verrey est 
and the verrey south in oure orisonte. 25 
Also every signe by-twixe the heved of 
Capricorne nn-to the ende of Geminis 
aryseth on oure orisonte in lasse than two 
hoiires equales ; and thise same signes, 
fro the heved of Caisricorne vin-to the 3" 
ende of Geminis, ben cleped ' tortnos 
signes ' or ' croked signes,' for they arisen 
embelif on oure orisonte ; and thise cro- 
kede signes ben obedient to the signes 
that ben of right assencioun. The signes 35 
of right assencioun ben fro the heved of 
Cancer to the fende of Sagittare ; and 
thise signes arysen more iipright, and they 
ben called eke sovereyn signes ; and 
everich of hem aryseth in more space 40 
than in two houres. Of which signes, 
Gemini obeyeth to Cancer ; and Taurus 
to Leo; Aries to Virgo ; Pisces to Libra ; 
Aquarius to Scorpioun ; and Capricorne 
to Sagittare. And thus ever-mo two 45 
signes, that ben y-lyke fer fro the heved 
of Capricorne, obeyen evericli of hem til 
other. And for more declaracionn, lo 
here the figure. 

29. To knoioe justly the foure quarters of 
the world, as est, ivest, north, and sowth. 

Take the altitude of thy sonne whan 
thee list, and note wel the quarter of the 
world in which the sonne is for the tyme 
by the azimutz. Turne thanne thyn 
Astrolabie, and set the degree of the 5 



ZU il0frofa6c: ^arf ii. 



411 



Sonne in the almikanteras of his altitude, 
on thilke side that the sonne stant, as is 
the manere in taking of houres ; and ley 
thy label on the degree of the sonne, and 

10 rikene how many degrees of the bordnre 
ben by-twixe the lyne meridional and the 
point of thy label ; and note wel that 
nounibre. Turno thanne a-gayn thyn 
Astrolabie, and set the jioint of thy gret 

15 rewle, ther thou takest thyno altitudes, 
up-on as many degrees in his bordure fro 
his meridional as was the i^oint of thy 
label fro the lyne meridional on the 
wombe-syde. Tak thanne thyn Astro- 

■H) labie with bothe handes sadly and slely, 
and lat the sonne shyne thorow bothe 
holes of thy rewle ; and sleyly, in thilke 
shyninge, lat thyn Astrolabie couch adoun 
evene up-on a smothe grond, and thanne 

25 wol the verrey lyne meridional of thyn 
Astrolabie lye evene south, and the est 
Ijnie wole Ij'e est, and the west lyne west, 
and north lyne north, so that thou werke 
softly and avisely in the couching ; and 

30 thus hastow the 4 quarters of the firma- 
ment. And for the more declaracioun, 
lo here the figure. 

30. To knowe the altitude of planetes fro 

the wey of the sonne, whether so they be 

north or south fro the forseide ivey. 

Lok whan that a planete is in the lyne 

meridional, yif that hir altitude be of the 

same heyghte that is the degree of the 

Sonne for that day, and than is the planete 

1; in the verrey wey of tlie sonne, and hath 

no latitude. And yif the altitude of the 

planete be heyere than the degree of the 

sonne, than is the planete north fro the 

^vBy of the sonne swich a quantite of lati- 

10 tude as sheweth by thyn almikanteras. 

And jdf the altitude of the planete be lasse 

than the degree of the sonne, thanne is 

the planete south fro the wey of the sonne 

swich a quantite of latitude as sheweth 

i:; by thyn almikanteras. This is to seyn, 

fro the wey wher-as the sonne wente 

thilke day, but nat from the wey of the 

sonne in every place of the zodiak. And 

for the more declaracioun, lo here the 

20 figure. 



31. To knowe the senith of the arysing of 
the Sonne, this is to seyn, the i>artic of the 
orisonte in ichich that the sonne aryseth. 

Thou most first considere that the 
Sonne aryseth nat al-wey verrey est, biit 
some tyme by north the est, and som 
tyme by southe the est. Sothly, the sonne 
aryseth never-mo verrey est in oure ori- 5 
sonte, but he be in the heved of Aries or 
Libra. Now is thyn orisonte departed in 
24. parties by thy azimutz, in significacion 
of 24 partiez of the world ; al-be-it so 
that shipmen rikne thilke partiez in 32. 10 
Thanne is ther no more but waite in 
which aziniut that thy sonne entreth at 
his arysing ; and take ther the senith of 
the arysing of the sonne. The manere of 
the devisioun of thyn Astrolabie is this ; 15 
I mene, as in this cas. First is it devided 
in 4 plages principals with the lyne that 
goth from est to west, and than with 
a-n other lyne that goth fro south to north. 
Than is it devided in smale partiez of 20 
azimutz, as est, and est by southe, whereas 
isthefirste azinnit above the est lyne ; and 
so forth, fro partie to partie, til that thou 
come agayn vin-to the est lyne. Thus 
maistow understond also the senith of 25 
any sterre, in which partie he ryseth, 
&c. And for the more declaracion, lo 
here the figure. 

32. To knoive in which partie of the firma- 

ment is the conjunccioun. 

Considere the tyme of the conjunccion 
by thy kalender, as thus ; lok how many 
houres thilke conjvinccion is fro the mid- 
day of the day precedent, as sheweth by 
the canoun of thy kalender. Kikne 5 
thanne thilke nombre of houres in the 
bordure of thjTi Astrolabie, as thou art 
wont to do in knowing of the houres of 
the day or of the night ; and ley thy label 
over the degree of the Sonne ; and thanne i<) 
wol the point of thy label sitte up-on the 
hour of the conjunccion. Loke thanne in 
which azimut the degree of thy sonne 
sitteth, and in that partie of the firma- 
ment is the conjunccioun. And for the 15 
more declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 



412 



ZU <H0trofa6e : (pad ii. 



33. To knoioe the senith of the altitude of 

the Sonne, d-c. 

This is no more to seyn but any tyme 

of the day tak the altitude of the soune ; 

and by the azimut in which he stondeth, 

maystou seen in which partie of the iir- 

5 mament he is. And in the same wyse 
maystou seen, by the night, of any sterre, 
whether the sterre sitte est or west or 
north, or any partie by-twene, after the 
name of the azimut in which is the sterre. 

lo And for the more deolaraciouu, lo here 
the figure. 

34. To knotve sothly the degree of the 
longitude of the mone, or of any planete 
that hath no latitude for the tyme fro the 
ediptik lyne. 

Tak the altitude of the mone, and 
rikne thyn altitude vip among thyne al- 
mikanteras on which syde that the mone 
stande ; and set there a prikke. Tak 
5 thenne anon-right, up-on the niones syde, 
the altitude of any sterre fix which that 
thovi knowest, and set his centre up-on 
his altitude among thyn almikanteras 
ther the sterre is founde. Waite thanne 

lo which degree of the zodiak toucheth the 
prikke of the altitude of the mone, and 
tak ther the degree in which the mone 
standeth. This conclusioun is verrey 
sooth, yif the sterres in thyn Astrolabie 

15 stonden after the trowthe : of comune, 
tretis of Astrolabie ne make non excep- 
cioun whether the mone have latitude, or 
non ; ne on whether syde of the mone the 
altitude of the sterre fix be taken. And 

20 nota, that yif the mone shewe himself by 
light of day, than niaystow wyrke this 
same conclusioun by the sonne, as wel as 
by the fix sterre. And for the more de- 
claracioun, lo here thy figure. 

35. This is the workinge of the conclusioun, 
to knowe yif that any planete he directe 
or retrograde. 

Tak the altitude of any sterre that is 

cleped a planete, and note it wel. And 

tak eek anon the altitude of any sterre 

fix that thou knowest, and note it wel 

5 also. Come thanne agayn the thridde or 



the ferthe night next folwing ; for thanne 
shallow aperceyve wel the moeving of 
a planete, whether so he moeve forth ward 
or bakward. Awaite wel thanne whan 
that thy sterre fix is in the same altitude 10 
that she was whan thou toke hir firste 
altitude ; and tak than eftsones the alti- 
tude of the forseide planete, and note it 
wel. For trust wel, 3uf so be that the 
planete be on the right syde of the meri- 15 
dional lyne, so that his seconde altitude 
be lasse than his firste altitude was, 
thanne is the planete directe. And yif 
he be on the west syde in that condicion. 
thanne is he retrograd. And yif so be 20 
that this planete be up-on the est sj-de 
whan his altitude is taken, so that his 
secounde altitude be more than his firste 
altitude, thanne is he retrograde, and yif 
he be on the west syde, than is he directe. 25 
But the contrarie of thise parties is of the 
cours of the mone ; for sothly, the mone 
moeveth the contrarie from othere plan- 
etes as in hir episicle, but in non other 
manere. And for the more declaracioun. M'' 
lo here thy figvire. 

36. The conclusiouns of equaciouns oj 
houses, after the Astrolabie, &c. 

Set the by-ginning of the degree that 
assendeth up-on the ende of the 8 lioure 
inequal ; thanne wol the by-ginning of 
the 2 hous sitte up-on the lyne of mid- 
night. Remeve thanne the degree that 5 
assendeth, and set him on the ende of the 
10 hour inequal ; and thanne wol the 
byginning of the 3 hous sitte up-on the 
midnight lyne. Bring up agayn the same 
degree that assendeth first, and set him i" 
up-on the orisonte ; and thanne wol the 
beginning of the 4 hous sitte up-on the 
lyne of midnight. Tak thanne the nadir 
of tlie degree that first assendeth, and 
set him on the ende of the 2 houre 15 
inequal ; and thanne wol the beginning 
of the 5 hous sitte up-on the lyne of mid- 
night ; set thanne the nadir of the assen- 
dent on the ende of the 4 houre, than wol 
the beginning of the 6 house sitte on the 20 
midnight lyne. The beginning of the 
7 hous is nadir of the assendent, and 



Z^i ile^rofafie : {part il. 



413 



the beginning of the 8 hous is nadir of 
the J ; and the beginning of the 9 hons is 

25 nadir of tlie 3 ; and the beginning of tlie 
10 lious is tlie nadir of the 4 ; and the be- 
ginning of the II hous is nadir of the 5 ; 
and tlie beginning of the 12 hous is nadir 
of the 6. And for the more declaracion, 

30 lo here the figure. 

;!7. A-nother manere of eqnaciouns of 
houses by the Astrolabie. 

Tak thyn assendent, and thanne liastow 
thy 4 angles ; for wel thou wost that the 
opposit of thj-n assendent, that is to seyn, 
thy beginning of the 7 hous, sit up-on the 
5 west orizonte ; and the beginning of the 
10 hous sit up-on the lyiio meridional ; 
and his opposifc up-on the lyne of mid- 
night. Thanne ley thy label over the 
degree that assendeth, and reline fro the 
10 point of thy label alle the degrees in the 
!)ordure, til thou come to the meridional 
lyne ; and departe alle thilke degrees in 

3 evene parties, and take the evene 
equacion of 3 ; for ley thy label over 

15 evericli of 3 parties, and than niaistow 
see by thy label in which degree of the 
zodiak [is] the beginning of evericli of 
thise same houses fro the assendent : 
that is to seyn, the beginning of the 

20 12 house next above thyn assendent ; and 
thanne the beginning of the 1 1 house ; 
and thanne the 10, up-on the meridional 
lyne ; as I first seide. The same wyse 
wirke thou fro the assendent doun to the 

25 Ijaie of midnight ; and thanne thus 
hastow other 3 houses, that is to sey-a, 
the beginning of the 2, and the 3, and the 

4 houses ; thanne is the nadir of thise 
3 houses the beginning of the 3 houses 

30 that folwen. And for the more declara- 
cioun, lo here thy figure. 

3S. To Jinde the lyne merydional to dwelle 
fix in any certein place. 

Tak a rond plate of metal ; for warping, 
the brodere the bettre ; and make ther- 
upon a just compas, a lite with-in the 
Iiordure ; and ley this ronde plate up-on 
5 an evene grond, or on an evene ston, or 
on an evene stok fix in the gronde ; and 



ley it even by a level. And in centre of 
the compas stike an evene pin or a wyr 
upright ; the smallere the betere. Set 
thy pin by a plom-rewle evene upright ; 10 
and let this pin be no lengere than 
a quarter of the diametre of thy compas, 
fro the centre. And waite bisilj' aboute 
10 or II of the clokke ; and whan the 
Sonne shynetli, whan the shadwe of the 15 
pin entreth any-thing with-in the cercle 
of thy plate an heer-mele, and mark ther 
a ijrikke with iiike. Abyde thanne stille 
waiting on the Sonne after i of the clokke, 
til that the schadwe of the wyr or of the 20 
pin passe ony-thing out of the cercle of 
the compas, be it never so lyte ; and set 
ther a-nother prikke of inke. Take than 
a compas, and mesure evene the middel 
by-twixe bothe prikkes ; and set ther a 25 
prikke. Take thanne a rewle, and draw 
a stryke, evene a-lyne fro the pin un-to 
the middel prikke ; and tak ther thy lyne 
meridional for evere-mo, as in that same 
place. And yif thow drawe a cros-lyne 30 
over-thwart the compas, justly over tlie 
lyne meridional, than hastow est and 
west and south ; and, par consequence, 
than the nadir of the south lyne is the 
north lyne. And for more declaracioun, 35 
lo here thy figure. 

39. Descripcion of the meridional lyne., of 
longitudes, and latitudes of citees and 
townes from on to a-nother of clymatz. 
This lyne meridional is but a maner 
descripcion of lyne imagined, that passeth 
upon the poles of this world and by the 
senith of oure heved. And hit is y-cleped 
the lyne meridional ; for in what place 5 
that any maner man is at any tyme of 
the yeer, whan that the Sonne by moeving 
of the firmament conieth to his verrey 
meridian place, than ishit verrey midday, 
that we clepen oure noon, as to thilke 10 
man ; and therfore is it cleped the lyne 
of midday. And nota, for evermo, of 
2 citees or of 2 tounes, of whiche that o 
toun aprocheth more toward the est than 
doth that other toun, truste wel that 15 
thilke tounes han diverse meridians, 
Nota also, that the arch of the equinoxial, 



414 



ZU JSictvoiaU : (pari ii. 



that is conteyned or bounded by-twixe the 
2 meridians, is cleped the longitude of 

20 the toun. And yif so be that two tounes 
have y-lyke meridian, or oon meridian, 
than is the distance of hem bothe y-lyke 
i'er fro the est ; and the contrarie. And 
in this manere they chaunge nat her 

J5 meridian, but sothly they chaungen her 
almikanteras ; for the cnliausing of the 
pool and the distance of the sonne. Tlie 
longitude of a clymat is a lyne imagined 
fro est to west, y-lyke distant by-twene 

30 them alle. The latitude of a clymat is a 
lyne imagined from north to soiith the 
space of the erthe, fro the byginning of 
the firste clymat unto the verrey ende of 
the same climat, evene directe agayns 

.',5 the pole artik. Thus seyn some auctours ; 
and somme of hem seyn that yif men 
clepen the latitude, thay mene tlie arch 
meridian tliat is contiened or intercept 
by-twixe the senith and the equinoxiaL 

40 Thanne soy they that the distaunce fro 
the equinoxial unto the ende of a clymat, 
evene agayns the pole artyk, is the lati- 
tude of a clymat for sothe. And for 
more declaracioun, lo here thy figure. 

40. To knowe ivith loMcli degree of the 
zocliak that any planets assendith on the 
orisonte, ichether so that his latitude be 
north or south. 

Know^e by thyn almenak the degree of 
the ecliptik of any signe in which that 
the planete is rekned for to be, and that 
is cleped the degree of his longitude; and 

5 knowe also the degree of his latitude fro 
the ecliptik, north or south. And by 
tliise samples folwmge in special, may- 
stow wirke "f for sothe in every signe of 
the zodiak. The degree of the longitude, 

10 par aventure, of Venus or of another 
planete, was 6 of Capricorne, and the 
latitiide of him was northward 2 degrees 
fro the ecliptik lyne. I tok a subtil com- 
pas, and cleped that oon poynt of my 

15 compas A, and that other poynt F. Than 
tok I the point of A, and set it in tlie 
ecliptik lyne evene in my zodiak, in tlio 
degi'ee of the longitude of Veniis, that is 
to seyn, in the 6 degree of Capricorne ; 



and thanne sette I the point of F upward 20 
in the same signe, bycause that the lati- 
tude was north, up-on the latitude of 
Venus, that is to seyn, in the 6 degree fro 
the heved of Capricorne ; and thus have 
I 2 degrees by-twixe my two prikkes. 25 
Than leide I doun softely my compas, 
and sette the degree of the longitude 
uj)-on the orisonte ; tho tok I and wexede 
my label in maner of a peyre tables to 
resceyve distinctly the xirilikes of my 30 
compas. Tho tok I this forseide label, 
and leide it fix over the degree of my 
longitude ; tho tok I up my compas, and 
sette the point of A in the wex on my 
label, as evene as I coude gesse over the .^5 
ecliptik lyne, in the ende of the longi- 
tude ; and sette the point of F endlang 
in my label iip-on the space of tlie lati- 
tude, inwarde and over the zodiak, tliat 
is to seyn, north-ward fro the ecliptik. 411 
Than leide I doun my compas, and lokede 
wel in the wey upon the prikke of A and 
of F ; tho turned I my riet til that the 
prikke of F sat up-on the orisonte ; than 
saw I wel that the body of Venus, in hir 45 
latitude of 2 degrees septentrionalis, 
assended, in the ende of the 6 degree, 
in the heved of Capricorne. And nota, 
that in the same maner maistow wirke 
with any latitude septentrional in alle 50 
signes ; but sothly the latitude meridional 
of a planete in Capricorne may not be 
take, by-caiise of the litel space by-twixe 
the ecHptik and the bordure of the Astro- 
labie ; but sothly, in alle other signes it 55 
may. 

Also the degree, par aventure, of Jupi- 
ter or of a-nother planete, was in the 
first degree of Pisces in longitude, and 
his latitude was 3 degrees meridional ; 60 
tho tok I the point of A, and sette it in 
the firste degree of Pisces on the ecliptik, 
and thanne sette I the point of F doun- 
ward in the same signe, by-cause that the 
latitude was south 3 degrees, that is to 65 
seyn, fro the heved of Pisces ; and thus 
have I 3 degrees by-twixe bothe prikkes ; 
thanne sette I the degree of the longitude 
up-on the orisonte. Tho tok I my label, 
and leide it fix upon the degree of the 70 



ZU cHefvofaBe: ^avt ii. 



41, 



longitude ; tho sette I the point of A on 
my label, evene over the ecliptik lyne, in 
the ende evene of the degree of the longi- 
tude, and sette the point of F endlang in 

75 my label the space -f-of 3 degrees of the 
latitude fro the zodiak, this is to seyn, 
southward fro the ecliptik, toward the 
bordure ; and turned my riet til the 
prikke of F sat up-on the orisonte ; 

^o thanne saw I wel that the body of 
Jupiter, in his latitude of 3 degrees 
meridional, ascended with 14 degrees of 
Pisces in lioroscopo. And in this maner 
maistow wirke with any latitude meri- 

cS5 dional, as I first seide, save in Capricorne. 
And yif thou wolt pleye this craft with 



the arysing of the mone, loke thou rekno 
wel hir cours houre by houre ; for she ne 
dwelleth nat in a degree of hir longitude 
but a litel whjde, as thou wel knowest ; 0^ 
but natheles, yif thou rekne hir verreye 
moeving by thy tables houre after lioiire, 
fthou shalt do wel y-now. 

Explicit tractatus de C'onchisionihvs Ast)'o- 
labii, compilatus per Galfriditm Chau- 
ciers ad Filium sitnm Lodewicum, 
scolarem ttinc temporis O.ronie, ac sub 
tutela illius nobilissimi p)^>^ilosophi Ma- 
(jistri N. Strode, etc. 



SUPPLEMENTARY PROPOSITIONS. 



41. Umbra Recta. 

Yif it so be that thou wilt werke by 
umbra recta, and thou may come to the 
has of the toure, in this maner thou 
schalt werke. Tak the altitude of the 
5 tour by bothe holes, so that thy rewle 
ligge even in a poyiit. Ensample as 
thus : I see him. thorw at the poynt of 4 ; 
than mete I the space be-tween me and 
the tour, and I finde it 20 feet ; than 

10 be-holde I how 4 is to 12, right so is the 
space betwixe thee and the tour to the 
altitude of the tour. For 4 is the thridde 
part of 12, so is the space be-tween thee 
and the tour the thridde part of the 

15 altitude of the tour ; than thryes 20 feet 
is the heyghte of the tour, with adding of 
thyn owne persone to thyn eye. And 
this rewle is so genei'al in umbra recta, 
fro the poynt of oon to 12. And yif thy 

20 rewle falle upon 5, than is 5 12-partj'es of 
tho hoyght the space be-tween thee and 
the toure ; with adding of thyn owne 
heyglit. 

42. Umbra Versa. 
Another maner of werkinge, by vmbra 

versa. Yif so be that thou may nat come 



to the has of the tour, I see him thorw 
the nombre of i ; I sette ther a prik]?e at 
my fote ; than go I neer to the tour, and 5 
I see him thorw at the poynt of 2, and 
there I sette a-nothor prikke ; and I • 
beholde how i hatli him to 12, and ther 
finde I that it hath him twelfe sythes ; 
than beholde I how 2 hath him to 12, and 10 
thou shalt finde it sexe sythes; thaii thou 
shalt finde that as 12 above 6 is the 
numbre of 6, right so is the space 
between thy two prikkes the space of 6 
tymes thyn altitude. And note, that at 15 
the ferste altitude of 1, thou settest a 
prikke ; and afterward, whan thou seest 
him at 2, ther thou settest an-other 
prilvke ; than thou findest between two 
prikkys 60 feet ; than thou shalt finde 20 
that 10 is the 6-party of 60. And then is 
10 feet the altitude of the tour. For 
other poyntis, yif it fille in umbra versa, 
as thus : I sette caas it fill iipon '^2, and 
at the secunde upon -1-3 ; than schalt thou 25 
finde that 2 is 6 partyes of 12 ; and 3 is 4 
partyes of 12 ; than passe th 6 4, by 
nombre of 2 ; so is the space between two 
prikkes twyes the heyghte of the tour. 
And yif the difFerens were thryes, than 30 



4i6 



ZU MeixohU: (pavt ll. 



sliuUle it be three tymes ; and thns mayst 
thou werke fro 2 to jj ; and yif it be 4, 4 
tymes ; or 5, 5 tjines ; et sic de ceteris. . 

43. Umbra Recto. 

An-other maner of wyrking be nmbra 
recta. Yif it so be that thou mayst nat 
come to the baas of the tour, in this 
maner thou schalt werke. Sette thy rewle 

5 upon I till thou see the altitude, and 
sette at thy foot a prikke. Than sette 
thy rewle upon 2, and beholde what is 
the dilferense bo-tween i and 2, and thou 
shalt iinde that it is i. Than mete the 

u) space be-tween two prikkes, and that is 
the 12 partie of the altittide of the tovir. 
And yif ther were 2, it were the 6 partye ; 
and j'if ther were 3, the 4 partye ; et sic 
deinceps. And note, yif it were 5, it were 

15 the 5 party of 12 ; and 7, 7 party of 12 ; 
and note, at the altitude of thy conclu- 
sioun, adde the stature of thyn heyghte 
to thyn eye. 



44. Another maner conclusion.^ to knotve the 
inene mote and the argumentis of any 
planete. To knoto the mene mote and 
the argumentis of every planete fro yere 
to yere, from day to day., from houre 
to houre, and from smale fraccionis 
infinifi'. 

In this maner shalt thou worohe : 
consider thy rote first, the whiche is 
made the beginning of the tables fro the 
yere of ouro lord 1307, and entere hit in-to 

5 thy slate for the laste meridie of Decem- 
ber ; and than consider the yere of oure 
lord, what is the date, and be-hold 
whether thy date be more or lasse than 
the yere 1397. And yf hit so be that hit 

10 be more, loke how many yeres hit passeth, 
and with so many entere into thy tables 
in the first lyne ther-as is writen anni 
cullecti et erpansi. And loke where the 
same jilanet is writen in the hede of thy 

15 table, and than loke what thoii findest in 
directe of the same yere of oure lord 
whiche is passid, bo hit 8, or 9, or lo, or 



what nombre that evere it be, til the 
tyme that thou come to 20, or 40, or 60. 
And that thou findest in directe "I wrjte 2i> 
in thy slate under thy rote, and adde hit 
to-geder, and that is thy mene mote, for 
the laste meridian of the December, for 
the same yere whiche that thou hast 
purposed. And if hit so be that hit i)asse 25 
2(1, consider wel that fro i to 20 ben anni 
expansi, and fro 20 to 3000 ben anni collecti ; 
and if thy nombere passe 20, than take 
that thou findest in directe of 20, and if 
hit be more, as 6 or 18, than take that 30 
thou findest in directe there-of, that is to 
sayen, signes, degrees, minutes, and se- 
coundes, and adde to-gedere un-to thy 
rote ; and thus to make rotes. And note, 
that if hit so be that the yere of oiire lord 35 
be -j-lasse than the rote, which is the yere 
of ou.re lord 1397, than shalt thoii wryte 
in the same wyse furst thy rote in thy 
slate, and after entere in-to thy table in 
the same yere that be lasse, as I taught 40 
be-fore ; and than consider how many 
signes, degrees, minutes, and secoundes 
thyn entringe conteyneth. And so be 
that ther be 2 entrees, than adde hem 
togeder, and after with-drawe hem from 45 
the rote, the yere of oure lord 1397; and 
the residue that levetli is thy mene mote 
fro the laste meridie of December, the 
whiche thou hast purposed ; and if hit so 
be that thou wolt weten thy mene mote 50 
for any day, or for any fracoioun of day, 
in this maner thou shalt worche. Make 
thy rote fro the laste day of Decembere in 
the maner as I have taught, and after- 
ward behold how many nionethes, dayes, 55 
and houres ben passid from the meridie 
of Decembere, and with that entere with 
the laste moneth that is ful passed, and 
take that thou findest in directe of him, 
and wryte hit in thy slate ; and entere 60 
with as mony dayes as be more, and wryte 
that thou findest in directe of the same 
planete that thou wordiest for ; and in 
the same wyse in the table of houres, for 
houres that ben passed, and adde alle 65 
these to thy rote ; and the residue is the 
mene mote for the same day and the 
same houre. 



ZU SetvohU: {pavt II. 



417 



4"). Another manere to knowe tlie mene 
mote. 

Wliaii thou wolt make the mene mote 
of eny planete to be by Arsechieles tables, 
take tliy rote, the whiche is for the yere 
of otire lord 1397 ; and if so be that thy 
5 yere be passid the date, wryte that date, 
and than ^v^yte the nombere of the yeres. 
Than with-drawe the yeres out of the 
yeres that ben passed that rote. En- 
sampul as thus : the yere of cure lord 

10 1400, fl wolde witen, precise, my rote ; 
than wroot I furst 1400. And iinder that 
nombere I wrote a 1397 ; than withdrow 
I the laste nombere out of that, and than 
fond I the residiie was 3 yere ; I wiste 

15 that 3 yere was passed fro the rote, the 
whiche was writen in my tables. Than 
after-ward soghte I in my tables the annis 
coUectis . et ex])ansis, and amonge myn 
expanse yeres fond I 3 yeer. Than tok 

20 I alle the signes, degrees, and minutes, 
that I fond directe under the same 
planete that I wroghte for, and wroot so 
many signes, degrees, and minutes in my 
slate, and after-ward added I to signes, 

25 degrees, minutes, and secoundes, the 
whiche I fond in my rote the yere of oure 
lord 1397 ; and kepte the residue ; and 
than had I the mene mote for the laste 
day of Decembere. And if thou woldest 

30 wete the mene mote of any planete in 
March, Aprile, or May, other in any other 
tyme or moneth of the yere, loke how 
many monethes and da,yes ben passed 
from the laste day of Decembere, the yere 

35 of oure lord 1400 ; and so with monethes 
and dayes entere in-to thy table ther 
thou findest thy mene mote y-writen in 
monethes and dayes, and take alle the 
signes, degrees, minutes, and secoundes 

40 that thou findest y-write in directe of thy 
monethes, and adde to signes, degrees, 
minutes, and secoundes that thou findest 
with thy rote the yere of oure lord 1400, 
and the residue that leveth is the mene 

45 mote for that same day. And note, if hit 
so be that thou woldest wete the mene 
mote in any yere that is lasse than thy 



rote, with-drawe the nom.bere of so many 
yeres as hit is lasse than the yere of oure 
lord a 1397, and kepe the residxie ; and so 50 
many yeres, monethes, and dayes entere 
in-to thy tabelis of thy mene mote. And 
take alle the signes, degrees, and minxites, 
and secoundes, that thou findest in 
directe of alle the yeres, monethes, and 55 
dayes, and wryte hem in thy slate ; and 
above thilke nombere wryte the signes, 
degrees, minutes, and secoundes, the 
whiche thou findest with thy rote the 
yere of oure lord a 1397 ; and with-drawe 60 
alle the nethere signes and degrees fro 
the signes and degrees, minutes, and 
secoundes of other signes with thy rote ; 
and thy residue that leveth is thy mene 
mote for that day. (>s 

46. For to knowe at lohat houre of the day, 
or of the night, shal be flode or ebbe . 

First wite thou certeinly, how that 
haven stondeth, that thou list to werke 
for ; that is to say in whiche place of the 
firmament the mone being, maketh fulle 
see. Than awayte thou redily in what 5 
degree of the zodiak that the mone at 
that tyme is inne. Bringe furth than 
the labelle, and set the point therof in 
that same cost that the mone maketh 
flode, and set thou there the degree of 10 
the mone according with the egge of the 
label. Than afterward awayte where is 
than the degree of the Sonne, at that 
tyme. Eemeve thou than the label fro 
the mone, and bringe and sette it justly 15 
U-pon the degree of the sonne. And the 
IDoint of the label shal than declare to 
thee, at what houre of the day or of the 
night shal be flode. And there also 
maist thou wite by the same point of the 20 
label, whether it be, at that same tyme, 
flode or ebbe, or half flode, or quarter 
flode, or ebbe, or half or quarter ebbe ; or 
ellis at what houre it was last, or shal 
be next by night or by day, thou than 25 
shalt esely knowe, &c. Furthermore, if 
it so be that thovi happe to worke for this 
matere aboute the tyrne of the conjunc- 
cioun, bringe furthe the degree of the 



* Per}i<ips not genuine. 
P 



4i8 



Z^t ileirofaBe : (parf ii. 



30 mone ■witli the labelle to that coste as it 
is before seyd. Bi\t than thou shalt 
understoinle that thou may not hringe 
ftirthe the label fro the degree of the 
mone as thou dide before ; for-why the 

.^5 Sonne is than in the same degree with 
the mone. And so thou may at that 
tyme by the point of the labelle un- 
remeved knowe the hotire of the flode or 
of the ebbe, as it is before seyd, &c. And 

40 evermore as thou findest the mone passe 



fro the Sonne, so remeve thou the labelle 
than fro the degree of the mone, and 
bringe it to the degree of the sonne. 
And worke thou than as thou dide beiore, 
&c. Or elles knowe thou what houre it 45 
is that thou art inne, by thyn instru- 
ment. Than bringe thou furth fro 
thennes the labelle and ley it upon the 
degree of the mone, and therby may 
thou wite also whan it was flode, or whan 50 
it wol be next, be it night or day ; &c. 



THE CANTERBURY TALES. 



GKOUP A. THE PROLOGUE. 



Here biginneth the Book of the Tales of Caunterbury. 



WiiAN that Aprille with his shonres sote 
The droglite of Marche hath perced to 

the rote, 
And bathed every veyiie in swich licour, 
Of which vertu engendred is the flour ; 
Whan Zephirns eek with his swete breeth 5 
Inspired hath in every liolt and heeth 
The tendre croj)pes, and tlie yonge sonne 
Hath in tlie Earn his halfe cours y-ronne, 
And smale tbwies maken melodye, 
That slepen al the night with open ye, 10 
(S<> priketh hem nature in liir curages) : 
Than longen folk to goon on pilgrimages 
(And palmers for to seken stratinge 

strondes) 
To feme halwes, couthe in sondry londes ; 
And specially, from every shires ende 15 
Of Engelond, to Caunterbnry they wende, 
The holy blisful martir for to seke, 
That hem hath holpen, whan that they 

were seke. 
Bifel that, in that seson on a day. 
In Sonthwerk at the Tabard as I lay 20 
Eedy to wenden on my pilgrimage 
To Caunterbury with ful devout corage, 
At night was come in-to that hostelrj-e 
Wei nyne and twenty in a companye, 
Of sondry folk, by aventure y-falle 25 

In felawshipe, and pilgrims were they alle. 
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde ,• 
The chambres and the stables weren wj'de, 
And wel we weren esed atte beste. 
And shortly, whan the sonne was to reste, 



So hadde I spoken with hem everichon, 31 
That I was of hir felawshipe anon. 
And made forward erly for to ryse. 
To take our wey, ther as I yow devyse. 
But natheles, whyl I have tym.e and 

space, 35' 

Er that I ferther in this tale pace. 
Me thinketh it acordaunt to resoun, 
T(j telle yow al the condicioun 
Of ech of hem, so as it semed me, 
And whiche they weren, and of what 

degree ; 40 

And eek in what array that they were 

inne : 
And at a knight than wol I first biginne. 
A Knight ther was, and that a worthy 

man. Knight. 

That fro the tyme that he first bigan 
To ryden out, he loved chivalrye, 4,^ 

Troutlie and honour, fredoni and cur- 

teisye. 
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre. 
And therto hadde he riden (no man 

ferre) 
As wel in Cristendom as hethenesse. 
And ever honoured for his worth inesse. 50 
At Alisaundre he was, whan it was 

wonne ; , 
Yvd ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne 
Aboven alle naciouns in Pruce. 
In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Euce, 
No Cristen man so ofte of his degree. 55 
In Gernade at the sege eek hadde he bo 



420 



A. Z^t Cprofo^uc. 



[t. 57-142. 



Of Algezir, and riden iu Belmarye. 

At Lyeys was he, and at Satalye, 

Whan they were wonne ; and in the 

Grete See 
At many a noble aryve hadde he be. 60 
At naortal batailles hadde he been iiftene, 
And f'oiighten for our feith at Tramissene 
In listes thryes, and ay slayn his fo. 
This like worthy knight had been also 
Somtyme ■with the lord of Palatye, 6$ 

Ageyn another hethen in Turkye : 
And evermore he hadde a sovereyu prys. 
And though that he were worthj% he was 

wys, 
And of his port as meke as is a mayde. 
He never yet no vileinye ne sayde .70 

In al his Ij'f, un-to no maner wiglit. 
He was a verray ijarflt gentil knight. 
But for to tellen yow of his array, 
His hors were gode, but he was nat gay. 
Of fustian he wered a gipoun 75 

Al bisniotered with his habergeoun ; 
For he was late y-come from his ^■iage, 
And wente for to doon his isilgrimage. 
With him ther was his sone, a yong 

Squyer, Squyer. 

A lo\-j-ere, and a lusty liacheler, 80 

With lokkes crulle, as they were leyd in 

presse. 
Of twenty yeer of age he was, T gesse. 
Of his stature he was of evene lengthe, 
And wonderly deliver, and greet of 

strengthe. 
And he had been somtyme in ehivachye, 85 
In Flaundres, in Artoys, and Picardye, 
And born him wel, as of so litel space, 
In hope to stonden in his lady grace. 
Embrouded was he, as it were a mede 
Al ful of fresshe floures, whyte and rede. 90 
Singinge he was, or fioytinge, al the day ; 
He was as fresh as is the month of May. 
Short was his goune, with sieves longe 

and wy-de. 
Wel coude he sitte on hors, and faire ryde. 
He coude souges make and wel endyte, 95 
Juste and eek daunce, and wel purtreye 

and WTyte. 
So hote he lovede, that by nightertale 
He sleep naraorethan dooth a nightingale. 
Ciirteys he was, lowly, and servisable. 
And carf biforn his fader at the table, loo 



A Yemax hadde he, and servaunts namo 
At that tyme, for him liste ryde so ; 
And he was clad in cote and hood of 

grene : Yeman, 

A sheef of pecok-arwes brighte and 

kene 
Under his belt he bar ful thriftily ; 105 
(Wel coude he dresse his takel yemanly : 
His arwes drouped noght with fetheres 

lowe), 
And iu his hand he bar a mighty bowe. 
A not-heed hadde he, vdth a broun visage. 
Of wode-craft wel coude he al the usage. 1 10 
Upon his arm he bar a gay bracer. 
And by his syde a swerd and a bokeler. 
And on that other syde a gay daggere, 
Harneised wel, and sharp as point of 

spere ; 
A Cristofre on his brest of silver shene. 1 15 
An horn he bar, the bawdrik was of 

grene ; 
A forster was he, soothly, as I gesse. 

Ther was also a Nonne, a Pkioresse, 
That of hir smyling was ful simple and 

coy ; Prioresse. 

Hir gretteste ooth was but bj' se.^nit 

Loy ; 120 

And she was cleped m.adame Eglentyne. 
Ful wel she song the service di-vyne, 
Entuned in hir nose ful semely ; 
And Fi'ensh she spak fill faire and fetisly. 
After the scole of Stratford atte Bowe, 125 
For Freush of Paris was to hir unknowe. 
At mete wel y-taught was she with-alle ; 
She leet no morsel from hir lippes falle, 
Ne wette hir fingres in hir sarice depe. 
Wel coude she carie a morsel, and wel 

kepe, 130 

That no drope ne fille up-on hir brest. 
In curteisye was set ful muche hir lest. 
Hir over lippe wyped she so clene, 
That in hir coppe was no ferthiug sene 
Of grece, whan she dronken hadde hir 

draught e. 135 

Ful semely after hir mete she raughte, 
And sikerly she was of greet disport. 
And ful plesaunt, and amiable of port, 
And pejTied hir to countrefete chere 
Of coiirt, and been estatlich of manere, 140 
And to ben holden digne of reverence. 
But, for to speken of hir conscience, 



T- 143 



— 222.J 



A. ZU O^rofo^ue. 



421 



She was so charitable and so pitous, 
She wolde wepe, if that she sawe a mous 
Caught in a trappe, if it were deed or 

bledde. i45 

Of smale houndes had she, that she fedde 
With rosted flesh, or milk and wastel- 

breed. 
But sore weep she if oon of hem were 

deed, 
Or if men smoot it with a yerde smerte : 
And al was conscience and tendre herte. 
Fill semely hir wimpel pinched was ; 151 
Hir nose tretys ; hir eyen greye as glas ; 
Hir mouth ful smal, and ther-to soite and 

reed ; 
But sikerly she hadde a fair forheed ; 
It was almost a spanne brood, I trowe ; 155 
For, hardily, she was nat uudergrowe. 
Ful fetis was hir cloke, as I was war. 
Of smal coral aboute hir arm she bar 
A iseii-e of bedes, gauded al with grene ; 
And ther-on heng a Lroche of gold ful 

shene, 160 

On which ther was first write a crownetl A, 
And after, Aintr)' vincit umnia. Nonne. 

Another Noxxe with hir hadde she, 
That was hir chaxieleyne, aud Phi:estes 

THUEE. 3 Preestes. 

A Monk ther was, a fair for the maistrye. 

An out-rydere, that lovede venerye ; 166 

A manly man, to been an abbot able. 

Ful many a deyntee hors hadde he in 

stable : Monk. 

And, whan he rood, men mighte his 

brydel here 
Ginglen in a whistling wind as clere, 170 
And eek as loude as dooth the chapel- 
belle 
Ther as this lord was keper of the celle. 
The reule of seint Maure or of seint 

Beneit, 
By-cause that it was old and som-del 

streit. 
This ilke monk leet olde thingespace, 175 
And held after the newe world the 

space. 
He yaf nat of that text a pulled hen, 
That seith, that hunters been luit holy 

men ; 
Ne that a monk, whan he is cloisterlees. 
Is lykned tU a fish that is waterlees ; if-'o 



This is to seyn, a monk out of his cloistre. 
But thilke text held he nat worth an 

oistre ; 
And I seyde, his opinioun was good. 
What sholde he stiidie, and make him- 

selven wood, 
Upon a book in cloistre alwey to poure, 185 
Or swinken with his handes, and laboure, 
As Austin bit ? How shal the world be 

served ? 
Lat Aiistin have his swink to him reserved, 
Therfbre he was a x^ricasour aright ; 
Grehoundes he hadde, as swifte as fowel 
in flight ; 190 

Of priking and of hunting for the hare 
Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he 

spare. 
I seigh his sieves purfiled at the hond 
With grys, and that the fyneste of a lond ; 
And, for to festne his hood under his 
chin, 195 

He hadde of gold y-wroght a curious pin : 
A love-knotte in the gretter ende ther was. 
His heed wa# balled, that shoon as any 

glas, 
And eek his face, as he had been anoint. 
He was a lord ful fat and in good point ; .'ou 
His eyen stepe, and rollinge in his heed, 
That stemed as a forneys of a lead ; 
His botes souple, his hors in greet estat. 
Now certeinly he was a fair prelat ; 
He was nat pale as a for-jiyned goost. ;.'()5 
A fat swan loved he best of any roost. 
His i^alfrey was as broun as is a berye. 
A Fkkre ther was, a wantown and a 
merye, Frere. 

A Limitour, a ful solempne man. 209 

In alle the ordres foure is noon that can 
So muche of daliaunce and fair langage. 
He hadde maad ful many a mariage 
Of yonge wonimen, at his owne cost. 
Un-to his ordre he was a noble post. 
Ful wel bUoved and famiilier was he 215 
With frankeleyns over-al in his contree, 
And eek with worthy wonimen of the 

toiiu : 
For he had power of confessioun, 
As seyde him-self, more tlian a curat, 
For of his ordre he was licentiat. 220 

Ful swetely herde he confessioun. 
And plesaunt was his absolucioun ; 



422 



A. Z^i (pvok^ut. 



[t. 22.S-306. 



He was an esy man to yeve penannce 
Ther as he wiste to lian a good pitaimce ; 
For \\nto a povi'e ordre for to yive 225 
Is signe that a man is wel y-shrive. 
For if he yaf, he dorste make avaiint, 
He wiste that a man was repentaimt. 
For many a man so hard is of his herte, 
He may nat wepe al-thogh him sore 
smerte. 230 

Therfore, in stede of wepingand preyeres, 
Men naoot yeve silver to tlie jjovre freres. 
His tipet was ay farsed fnl of knyves 
And pinnes, f<ir to yeven faire wj'ves. 
And eerteinly he hadde a mery note ; 235 
AVel coude he singe and pleyeu on a rote. 
Of yeddinges he bar utterly the prys. 
His nekke wlij't was as the flonr-de-lys ; 
Ther-to he strong was as a championn. 
He knew the tavernes wel in every toiin, 
And everich hostiler and tappestere 241 
Bet than a lazar or a beggestere ; 
For iTU-to swich a worthy man as he 
Acorded nat, as by his faciiltee, 244 

To have with seke lazars aqpeyntaunce. 
It is nat honest, it may nat avaunce 
For to delen with no swich poraille, 
But al with riche and sellers of vitaille. 
And over-al, ther as profit sholde aryse, 
Curteys he was, and lowly of ser\-j-se. 250 
Ther nas no man no-wher so vertuons. 
He was the beste beggere in his lions ; 
■f-And yaf a certeyn ferme for the 

graiint ; 252 b 

f Noon of his bretheren cam ther in his 

hannt ; 252 c 

For tliogh a widwe hadde noght a sho, 
So plesaunt was his ' In principio,' 
Yet wolde he have a ferthing, er he 

wente. 255 

His pnrolias was wel bettre than his rente. 
And rage he coude, as it wei'e right a 

whelpe. 
In love-dayes ther coude he muchel 

helpe. (260) 

Vm- there he was nat lyk a cloisterer, 
AVith a thredbar cope, as is a povre 

scoler, 260 

But he was lyk a maister or a pope. 
Of double worsted was his semi-cope. 
That rounded as a belle out of the presse. 
Somwhat he lipsed, for his wantownesse, 



To make his English swete np-on his 

ti)nge ; 265 

And in his harping, whan that he had 

songe, 
His eyen twinkled in his heed aright, 
As doon the sterres in the frosty 

night. (270) 

This worthy limitour was cleped Huberd. 

A Makciiant was ther with a forked 

herd, Marchant. 

In niottelee, and hye on horse he sat, 2-1 
Up-on his heed a Flaundrish bever hat ; 
His botes clasped faire and fetisly. 
His resons he spak ful solempnely, 274 
Souninge alvvay th'encrees of his winning. 
He wolde the see were kept for any thing 
Bitwixe Middelbiirgh and Orewelle. 
Wel coude he in eschaunge sheeldes 

selle. (280) 

This worthy man fill wel his wit liisette ; 
Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette. 
So estatly was he of his governaunce, 281 
M'ith his bargaynes, and with his chevi- 

saunee. 
For sothe he was a worthy man with-alle. 
But sooth to sejm, I noot how men him 

calle. Clerk. 

A Clekk ther was of Oxenford also. 
That un-to logik hadde longe y-go. 286 
As lene was his hors as is a rake, 
And he nas nat right fat, I undertake ; (290) 
But loked holwe, and ther-to soberly. 
Ful thredljar was his overest courtepy ; 290 
For he had geten him yet no benefj-ce, 
Ne was so worldly for to have offyce. 
For him was lever have at his beddes 

heed 
Twenty bokes, clad in blak or reed, 
Of Aristotle and his philosophye, 295 

Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautr-\-e. 
But al be that he was a philosophre, 
Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre ; (.^cxi) 
But al that he mighte of his freendes 

hente, 
On bokes and on lerninge he it spente, ^<x> 
And bisily gan for the soules preye 
Of hem that yaf him wher-with to scoleye. 
Of stiidie took he most cure and most 

hede. 
Noght o word spak he more than was 

nede, 



T. 307-386.] 



A. 



ZU (pvoio^Mi. 



And that was seyd in forme and rever- 
ence, ,^05 
And short and quik, and ful of hy 

sentence. 
Souninge in moral vertu was his speche, 
And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly 
teche. ManofLawe. (310) 

A Sergeant of the Lawe, war and "wys, 
That often hadde been at the par\'ys, 310 
Tlier was also, ful riclie of excellence. 
Discreet he was, and of greet reverence : 
He semed swich, his wordes weren so 

wyse. 
Justyce he was ful often in assyse, 314 
By patente, and by pleyn commissioun ; 
For his science, and for his heigh re- 
noun 
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon. 
So greet a purchasour was no-wher 
noon. {320) 

Al was fee simple to him in effect, 
His pvirchasing mighte nat been infect. 320 
No-wher so bisy a man as he ther nas. 
And yet he semed bisier than he was. 
In termes hadde he caas and domes alle. 
That from the tyme of king William were 

falle. 
Therto he coude endyte, and make a 
tiling, 325 

Ther coude no wight pinclie at his 

wryting ; 
And every statut coude he ple.yn by rote. 
He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote (330) 
Girt with a eeint of silk, with barres 

smale ; 
Of his array telle I no lenger tale. 330 

A Fkankeleyn was in his companye ; 
Whji; was his herd, as is the dayesye. 
Of his complexioun he was sang^vyn. 
Wei loved he liy the morwe a soj) in 
wyu. Frankeleyn. 

Tf> liven in delyt was ever his wone, 335 
For he was Epicurus owne sone, 
That heeld opinioun, that pleyn delyt 
AVas verraUy felicitee parfyt. (340) 

An honsholdere, and that a greet, was he ; 
Seint Julian he was in his contree. 340 
His breed, his ale, was alwey after oon ; 
A bettre envyned man was no-wher noon. 
Witli-oute bake mete was never his hous. 
Of fish and flesh, and that so plentevons, 



It snewed in his hows of mete and 

drinke, 345 

Of alle dejnitees that men cotide thinke. 
After the sondry sesons of the yeer, (349) 
So chaunged he his mete and his soper. 
Ful many a fat part rich hadde he in 

mewe. 
And many a breem and many a luce in 

stewe. 351 ) 

Wo was his cook, biit-if his sauce were 
Poynaunt and sharp, and redy al his gere. 
His table dormant in his halle alway 
Stood redy covered al the longe day. 
At sessioims ther was he lord and sire ; 355 
Ful ofte tyme he was knight of the shire. 
An aulas and a gipser al of silk (359) 

Heng at his girdel, whyt as morne milk. 
A shirreve hadde he been, and a countour ; 
Was no-wher such a worthy vavasour. 360 
An Habekdassher and a Carpkxter, 

Haberdassher. Carpenter. 
A Webbe, a Dyere, and a Tapicer, 

Webbe. Dyere. Tapicer. 
Were with us eek, clothed in o liveree. 
Of a solempne and greet fraternitee. 364 
Ful fresh and newe hir gere apyked was ; 
Hir knyves were y-chaped noght with 

bras, 
But al with silver, wroght ful clene and 

weel, (369) 

Hir girdles and hir pouches every-tleel. 
Wei semed ech of hem a fair burgeys. 
To sitten in a yeldhalle on a deys. 370 
Everich, for the wisdom that he can, 
Was shaply for to been an alderman. 
For catel hadde they y-nogh and rente. 
And eek hir wj'\-es wolde it wel assente ; 
And elles certein were they to blame. 375 
It is ful fair to been y-clept ' ma dame,' 
And goon to vigilyes al bifore. 
And have a mantel royalliche y-bore. (380) 
A Cook they hadde with hem for the 

nones. Cook. 

To boille the chiknes with the mary- 

bones, 380 

Andpoudre-marchant tart, and galingale. 
AVel coude he knowe a draughte of 

London ale. 
He coude roste, and sethe, and broille, 

and frye, 
Maken mortreux, ami wel bake a pj-e. 



424 



A. ZU ^rofo^ue. 



[t. 387-462. 



But greet harm was it, as it thought e 
me, 3f^5 

That on his shine a mormal hadde he ; 
For blankmanger, that made he with the 
beste. (389) 

A Shipman was ther, woning fer by 
weste : Shipman. 

For alight I woot, he was of Dcrtemouthe. 
He rood up-on a rouncy, as he couthe, 390 
In a gowue of falding to the knee. 
A daggere hanging on a laas hadde he 
Aboute his nekke under his arm adoun. 
The hote somer had naaad his hewe al 

broun ; 
And, certeinly, he was a good felawe. .^95 
Ful many a draughte of wyn had he 

y-drawe 
From Bnrdetix-ward, whyl that the chap- 
man sleep. 
Of nyce conscience tooli he no keep. (4(xi) 
If that he faught, and hadde the hyer 

hond. 
By water he sente ]iem hoom to every 
lond. 400 

But of his craft to rekene wel his tydes. 
His stremes and his daungers him bisydes, 
His herberwe and his mone, his lode- 
menage, 
Ther nas noon swich from Hulle to 

Cartage. 
Hardy he was, and wys to undertake ; 405 
With many a tempest hadde his herd 

been shake. 
He knew wel alle the haveiies, as they 
were, (409) 

From Gootlond to the cape of Finistere, 
And every cryke in Britayne and in 
Spajnie ; 409 

His barge y-cleped was the Maudelayne. 

With us ther was a Docxouu of Piiisvk, 
In al this world ne was ther noon him 
lyk Doctour. 

To speke of ijhisik and of surgerye ; 
For he was groiinded in astronomye. 
He kepte his pacient a ful greet del 415 
In lioures, by his magik naturel. 
Wel coude he fortuuen the ascendent 
Of his images for his pacient. (420) 

He knew the cause of everich maladye. 
Were it of hoot or cold, or moiste, or 
tlrye, 420 



And where engendred, and of what 

humoiir ; 
He was a verrey pariit practisour. 
The cause y-knowe, and of his harm the 

rote. 
Anon he yaf the seke man his bote. 
Ful redy hadde he his apothecaries, 425 
To sende him drogges and his letuaries, 
For ech of hem made other for to 

wiune ; 
Hir frendschipe nas nat newe to biginne. 
Wel knew he th'olde Esculapius, (43') 
And Deiscorides, and eek Eufus, 430 

Old Ypocras, Haly, and Galien ; 
Serapion, Razis, and Avicen ; 
Averrois, Damascien, and Constantyn ; 
Bernard, and Gatesden, and Gilbertyn. 
Of his diete mesurable was he, 435 

For it was of no superfluitee. 
But of greet norissing and digestible. 
His studie was but lit el on the bible. (440) 
In sangwin and in pers he clad was al, 
Lyned with taffata and with sendal ; 440 
And yet he was but esy of dispence ; 
He kepte that he wan in pestilence. 
For gold in phisik is a cordial, 
Therfore he lovede gold in special. 444 
A good Wyf was ther of bisyde Bathe, 
But she was som-del deef, and that was 
scathe. Wyf of Bathe. 

Of clooth-making she hadde swiche an 
haunt, (459) 

She passed hem of Ypres and of Gaunt. 
In al the parisshe wj-f ne was ther 

noon 
That to th' offring bifore hir sholde 
goon ; 450 

And if ther dide, certeyn, so wrooth was 

she. 
That she was oiit of alle charitee. 
Hir coverchiefs ful fyne were of ground ; 
' I dorste swere they weyeden ten pound 
That on a Sonday were upon hir heed. 455 
Hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed, 
Ful streite y-teyd, and shoos ful moiste 

and newe. 
Bold was hir face, and fair, and reed of 
hewe. (460) 

She was a worthy womman al hir lyve, 
Housbondes at chirche-dore she hadde 



T. 463-544.] 



A. ZU (f>vofogue. 



425 



Withouten other conipanye in youtlie ; 
But therof nedeth nat to speke as noiithe. 
And tliryes hadde she been at Jerusalem ; 
She hadde passed many a stratinge 
streem ; 464 

At Rome she hadde been, and at Boloigne, 
In G-alice at seint Janie, and at Coloigne. 
She coude muche of wandring by the 

weye : 
Gat-tothed was she, soothly for to seye. 
Up-on an amblere esily she sat, (4"i) 

Y-winipled wel, and on hir heed an hat 
As brood as is a bokeler or a targe ; 471 
A foot-mantel aboute hir hipes large, 
And on hir feet a paire of spores sharpe. 
In felawscliip wel coude she laiighe and 

cari^e. 
Of remedyes of love she knew per- 
chaunce, 475 

For she coude of that art the olde daunce. 
Persoun. 
A good man was ther of religioun. 
And was a povre Persoun of a toun ; (480) 
But riche he was of holy thoght and werk. 
He was also a lerned man, a clerk, 480 
That Cristes gospel trewely wolde preche; 
His parisshens devoutly wolde he teche. 
Benigne he was, and wonder diligent. 
And in adversitee ful pacient ; 
And swich he was y-preved ofte sythes. 
Ful lootli were him to cursen for his 
tj-thes, 486 

But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute, 
Un-to his povre parisshens aboute (490) 
Of his offring, and eek of his substaunce. 
He coude in litel thing han suffisaunce. 
Wyd was his parisshe, and houses fer 
a-sonder, 491 



But he ne lafte nat, for reyii ne thonder, f God loved he best with al his hole hei-te 

In siknes nor in meschief, to visyte At 

The ferreste in his parisshe, muche and 
lyte, 

Up-on his feet, and in his hand a staf. 495 

This noble ensample to his sheep he yaf, 

That first he wroghte, and afterward he 
x^ taughte ; 

Out of the gospel he tho wordes caughte ; 

And this figure he added eek ther-to, (501) 
' That if gold ru.ste, what slial iren do ? 500 

For if a preest be foul, on whom we truste, 

N'o wonder is a lewed man to riiste ; 



And shame it is, if a preest take keep, 
A shiten shepherde and a clene sheep. 
Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, 
By his clennesse, how that his sheej) 
shold live. 506 

He sette nat his benefice to hyre. 
And leet his sheep encombred in the 
myre, (510) 

And ran to London, un-to seynt Poules, 
To seken him a chaunterie for soules, 510 
Or with a bretherhed to been withholde ; 
But dwelte at hoom, and kei)te wel his 

folde. 
So that the wolf ne made it nat miscarie ; 
He was a shepherde and no mercenarie. 
And though he holy were, and vertu.ous. 
He was to sinful man nat despitous, 516 
Xe of his speche daungerous ne digne, 
But in his teching discreet and benigne. 
To drawen folk to lieven by fairnesse (521) 
By good ensample, was his bisinesse : 520 
Bu.t it were any persone obstinat, 
Wliat-so he were, of heigh or lowe estat, 
Him wolde he snibben sharidy for the 

nones. 
A bettre preest, I trowe that nowher 

noon is. 

He waj-ted after no pompe and reverence, 

Ne maked him a spyced conscience, 526 

But Cristes lore, and his apostles twelve. 

He taughte, an<l first he folwed it him- 

selve. (5,^0) 

With him ther was a Plowman, was his 

brother. Plowman. 

That hadde y-lad of dong tul many a 

fother, 5^0 

A trewe swinker and a good was he, 

^irivinge in pees and parfit charitee. 



alle tymes, thogh him gamed or 

smerte. 
And thanue his neighebour right as him- 

selve. 5,^5 

He wolde thresshe, and ther-to dyke and 

delve. 
For Cristes sake, for every povre wight, 
Withoiiten hyre, if it lay in his might. 
His tj-thes payed he ful faire and wel, (541) 
Bothe of his propre swink and his catol. 
In a tabard he rood upon a niere. 54 1 

Ther was also a Eeve and a Millere, 



426 



A. Z^t (pvoio^xii. 



[t. 545-620. 



A Somnour and a Pardoner also, 

A Maunciple, and my-self; ther were 

namo. 
The Mii.IjEr was a stout carl, for the 

nones, Miller. 

Fnl big he was of braun, and eek of 

bones ; 546 

That proved wel, for over-al ther he cam, 
At wrastling he wolde have alwey the 

ram. (550) 

He was short-shohlred, brood, a thiklte 

knan-e, 
Ther nas no dore that he nolde heve of 

harre, 550 

Or breke it, at a renning, with his heed. 
His herd as any sowe or fox was reed. 
And ther-to brood, as though it were 

a spade. 
Up-on the cop right of his nose he hade 
A werte, and ther-on stood a tuft of heres, 
Eeed as the bristles of a sowes eres ; 556 
His nose-thirles blake were and wyde. 
A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde ; 
His niotith as greet was as a greet forneys. 
He was a janglere and a goliardeys, 560 
And that was most of sinne and har- 

lotryes. (563) 

Wel coude he stelen corn, and tollen 

thryes ; 
And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, 

pardee. 
A whyt cote and a blew hood wered he. 
A baggepj'pe wel coude he blowe and 

sowne, 565 

And ther-with-al he broghte lis out of 

towne. Maunciple. 

A ge-ntil Maunciple was ther of a temple. 

Of which achatoiirs mighte take exemple 

For to be wyse in bying of vitaille (571) 

For whether that he payde, or took by 

taille, 570 

Algate he wayted so in his achat. 
That he was ay biforn and in good stat. 
Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace. 
That swich a lewed niannes wit shal pace 
The wisdom of an heep of lerned men ? 575 
Of maistres hadde he mo than thryes 

ten. 
That were of lawe expert and curious ; 
Of which ther were a doseyn in that 

hous 



Worthy to been stiwardes of rente and 

lond (581) 

Of any lord that is in Engelond, 580 

To make liim live by his propre good, 
In honour dettelees, bvit he were wood. 
Or live as scarsly as him list desire ; 
And able for to helpen al a shire 
In any cas that mighte falle or happe ; 5S5 
And yit this jnaunciple sette hir aller 

cappe. Reve. 

The Eeve was a sclendre colerik man. 
His herd was shave as ny as ever he 

can. (590) 

His heer was by his eres round y-shorn. 
His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn. 
Ful longe were his legges, and ful lene, 
Y-lyk a staf, ther was no calf y-sene. 
Wel coude he kepe a gerner and a binue; 
Ther was noon auditour coude on him 

winne. 
Wel wiste he, by the droghte, and by the 

reyn, 595 

The yelding of his seed, and of his 

greyn. 
His lordes sheep, his neet, his dayerye. 
His swyn, his hors, his stoor, and his 

pultrye, (600) 

Was hooUj- in this reves governing, 599 
And by his covenaunt yaf the rekening, 
Siu that his lord was twenty yeer of age ; 
Ther coude no man bringe him in 

arrerage. 
Ther nas baillif, ne herde, ne other hyne. 
That he ne knew his sleighte and his 

covyne ; 604 

They were adrad of him, as of the deeth. 
His woning was ful fair up-on an heeth, 
With grene trees shadwed was his place. 
He coude bettre than his lord purchace. 
Ful riche he was astored prively, (611) 
His lord wel coude he plesen subtilly, 610 
To yeve and lene him of his owne good. 
And have a thank, and yet a cote and 

hood. 
In j-outhe he lerned hadde a good mister ; 
He was a wel good wrighte, a carpenter. 
This reve sat up-on a ful good stot, 615 
That was al pomely grej', and highte 

Scot. 
A long surcote of jiers uj)-on he hade. 
And bj' his syde he bar a rusty blade. (620) 



T. 621—696.] 



A. ■^^e (Iprofogue. 



427 



Of Nortlifolk was this reve, of -whicli I 

telle, 619 

Bisycle a toun men clepen Baldeswelle. 
Tialcked he was, as is a frere, aboute, 
And ever he rood the hindreste of onr 

route. 
A SoMNOCK was ther with iis in that 

place, Somnour. 

That hadde a fyr-reed cherubinnes face, 
For sawcefleem he was, with ej'en nai"we. 
As hoot he was, and lecherous, as a 

sparwe ; 626 

With scaIIedbrowesblake,and piled heid ; 
Of his \'isage children were aferd. (630) 
Ther nas quik-silver, litarge, ne brim- 

stoon, 
Boras, ceruce, ne oille of tartre noon, 630 
Ne oynement that wolde dense and 

l,yte, 
That him mighte helpen of his whelkes 

whyte, 
Nor of the knobbes sittinge on his chekes. 
Wei loved he garleek, oj-nons, and eek 

lekes, 
And for to drinken strong wyn, reed as 

blood. ()35 

Than wolde he speke, and crye as he 

were wood. 
Aud whan that he wel dronken hadde the 

■wyn., (639) 

Than wolde he speke no word but Latyn. 
A fewe termes hadde he, two or three, 
That he had lerned out of soni decree ; 640 
No wonder is, he herde it al the day ; 
And eek ye knowen wel, how that a jay 
Can clepen 'Watte,' as well as can the 

pope. 
But who-so coude in other thing him 

grope, 644 

Thanne hadde he spent al his philosophye ; 
Ay ' Questio quid iuris ' wolde he crye. 
He was a gentil harlot and a kinde ; (649) 
A bettre felawe sholde men noght finde. 
He wolde suffre, for a quart of wjm, 
A good felawe to have his coucubjTi 650 
A twelf-month, and excuse him atte fulle : 
Ful prively a finch eek coude he pulle. 
And if he fond o-wher a good felawe, 
He wolde techen him to have non awe. 
In swich cas, of the erchedeknes curs, 655 
But-if a mannes soiile were in his purs ; 



For in his purs he sholde y-punisshed be. 
' Purs is the erchedeknes helle,' seyde 

he. (660) 

But wel I woot he lyed right in dede ; 
Of cursing oghte ech gUty man him 

drede — 661) 

For curs wol slee, right as assoilling 
V saveth — 

And also war him of a significavit. 
In daunger hadde he at his owne gyse 
The yonge girles of the diocyse, 
And knew hir counseil, and was al hir 

reed. 665 

A gerland hadde he set up-on his heed. 
As greet as it \Vere for an ale-stake ; 
A bokeler hadde he niaad him of a cake. 
With him ther rood a gentil Pakdoxer 
Of Eouncival, his freend and his compeer. 
That streight was comen fro the court of 

Rome. Pardoner. 

Ful loude he song, ' Com hider, love, to 

me.' (670) 672 

This somnour bar to him a stif burdoun. 
Was never trompe of half so greet a soun. 
This pardoner hadde heer as j'elow as 

wex, 675 

But smothe it heng, as dooth a strike of 

flex; 
By ounces henge his lokkes that he hadde, 
And ther-with he his shuldres over- 

spradde ; (680) 

But thinne it lay, by colpons oon and 

oon ; 
But hood, for jolitee, ne wered he noon. 
For it was trussed up in his walet. 68 1 
Him thoughte, he rood al of the newe jet ; 
Dischevele, save his cappe, he rood al 

bare. 
Swiche glaringe eyen hadde he jvs an 

hare. 
A vernicle hadde he sowed on his cappe. 
His walet lay bifom him in his lappe, 686 
Bret-ful of pardoun come fro^ Eome al 

hoot. (689) 

A voys he hadde as smal as hath a goot. 
No berd hadde he, ne never sholde have, 
As smothe it was as it were late y-shave ; 
I trowe he were a gelding or a mare. 691 
Biit of his craft, fro Berwik into Ware, 
Ne was ther swich another pardoner. 
For in his male he hadde a pilwe-beer, 

5 



428 



A. ZU Cprofogue. 



[t. 697-774. 



Which that, he seycle, was our lady 

veyl : 695 

He seycle, he hadde a gobet of the seyl 
That seynt Peter hadde, whan that he 

wente (^99) 

Up-on the see, til Jesii Crist liim hente. 
He hadde a croys of latouu, fill of stones, 
And in a glas lie hadde pigges bones. 700 
But with thise relikes, whau that ho 

fond 
A povre person dwelling up-on lond, 
Up-ou a day he gat him more moueye 
Than that the person gat in monthes 

tweye. 
And thus, with feyned flaterye and japes. 
He made the person and the peple his 

apes, 706 

But trewely to tellen, atte laste, (""9) 

He was in chirelie a noble ecclesiaste. 
Wei coude he rede a lessouu or a storie, 
But alderbest he song an oifertorie ; 710 
For wel he wiste, whan that song was 

songe. 
He nioste preche, and wel aft'yle his 

tonge. 
To winne silver, as he ful wel coude ; 
Therefore he song so nieriely and loude. 

Now have I told you shortly, in a clause, 
Th'estat, th'array, the nombre, and eek the 

cause 716 

"VMiy that assembled was this companye 
In Southwerk, at this gentil hostelrye, 
That highte the Tabard, faste by the 

Belle. {/.'i) 

But now is tyme to yow for to telle 7J0 
How that we baren us that ilke night, 
"Wlian we were in that hostelrye alight. 
And after wol I telle of our viage. 
And al the remenaiint of our inlgrimage. 
But first I pray yow, of your curteisye, 725 
That ye n'arette it nat my vileinye, 
Thogh that I pleynly speke in this 

matere, (729) 

To telle yow hir wordes and hir ohere ; 
Ne thogh I spelce hir wordes properly. 
For this ye knowen al-so wel as I, 730 

Who-so slial telle a tale after a man, 
He moot reherce, as ny as ever he can, 
Everich a word, if it be in his charge, 
Al speke he never so rudeliche and 

large ; 



Or elles he moot telle his tale nntrewe, 735 
Or feyne thing, or iinde wordes newe. 
He may nat spare, al-thogh he were his 

brother ; (739) 

He moot as wel seye o word as another. 
Crist spak him-self ful brode in holj' 

writ. 
And wel ye woot, no vileinye is it. 740 
Eek Plato seith, who-so that can him 

■ rede. 
The wordes mote be cosin to the dede. 
Also I prey yow to foryeve it me, 
Al'have I nat set folic in hir degree 
Here in this tale, as that they sholde 

stonde ; 745 

My wit is short, ye may wel understonde. 
Greet chere made our hoste iis everichon, 
And to the soper sette us anon ; (750) 

And served us with vitaille at the beste. 
Strong was the wyn, and wel to drinke 

vis leste. 750 

A semely man our hoste was witli-alle 
For to han been a marshal in an halle ; 
A large man he was with eyeu stepe, 
A fairer burgeys is ther noon in Cliepe : 
Bold of his speche, and wys, and wel 

y-taught, 7J>5 

And of manliod him lakkede right naught. 
Eek tlierto he was right a mery man. 
And after soper pleyen he bigan, (760) 
And spak of niirthe amoiiges othere 

thinges, 
Whan that we hadde maad our reken- 

inges ; 7C>o 

Andsej'de thus : ' Now, lordinges, trewely, 
Ye been to me right welcome hertely : 
For by my troutlie, it that I slial nat 

lye, 
I ne saugh this yeer so mery a companye 
At ones in this herberwe as is now. 7(15 
Fayn wolde I doou yow mirthe, wiste 

I how. 
And of a mirthe I am right now bithoght, 
To doon yow ese, and it slial coste 

noght, {770) 

Ye goon to Caiinterburj' ; God yow 

spede, 
The blisful martir qiiyte j'ow your 

mede. 770 

And wel I woot, as ye goon by the weye, 
Ye shapen yow to talen ami to pleye ; 



T. 775-846.] 



ZU (profogue. 



429 



For trewely, confort ne mirthe is noon 
To ryde by the weye doumb as a stoon ; 
And therlore wol I maken yow disport, 
As I seyde erst, and doon yow som con- 
fort. 776 
And if yow lyketh alle, by oon assent, 
Now for to stonden at my jugement, (780) 
And for to werken as I shal yow seye, 
To-morwe, whan ye ryden by the weye, 
Now, by my fader soule, that is deed, 781 
But ye be merye, I wol yeve yow myn 

heed. 
Hokl lip your bond, withouten more 

speche.' 
Our counseil was nat longe for to 

seche ; 
Us thoughte it was noght worth to make 

it wys, 785 

And graunted liim withouten more 

avys. 
And bad him seye his verdit, as him 

leste. 
' Lordinges,' quod he, ' now herkneth 

for the beste ; (790) 

But tak it not, I prey yow, in desdeyn ; 
This is the poynt, to speken short and 

jileyn, 790 

Tliat ecli of yow, to shorte with your 

weye. 
In this viage, shal telle tales tweye. 
To Caunterbury-ward, I mene it so. 
And hom-ward he shal tellen othere 

two. 
Of aventures that whylom han bifalle. 795 
And which of yow that bereth him best 

of alle, 
That is to seyn, that telleth in this cas 
Tales of best sentence and most solas, (800) 
Shal have a soper at ovir aller cost 
Here in this place, sitting by this post, 
Whan that we come agayn fro Catinter- 

bury. 801 

And for to make yow the more mery, 
I wol my-selven gladly with yow ryde. 
Eight at myn owne cost, and be your 

gyde. 
And who-so wol my jugement withseye 
Shal paye al that we spenden by the 

weye. ^06 

And if ye vouche-sauf that it be so, 
Tel me anon, with-outen wordes mo, (810) 



And I wol erly shape me therfore.' 

This thing was graunted, and our othes 

swore 810 

With ful glad herte, and preyden him 

also 
That he wold voiiche-savif for to do so, 
And that he wolde been our governour, 
And of our tales juge and reportour. 
And sette a soper at a certeyn prys ; 815 
And we wold reuled been at his devys. 
In heigh and lowe ; and thus, by oon 

assent. 
We been acorded to his jtigement. (820) 
And ther-up-on the wyn was fet anon ; 
We dronken, and to reste wente echon, 
With-outen any lenger taryinge. 821 

A-morwe, whan that day bigan to springe. 
Up roos our host, and was our aller 

cok, 
And gadrede ns togidre, alle in a flok, 
And forth we riden, a litel more than 

pas, 825 

Un-to the watering of seint Thomas. 
And there oiir host bigan his hors areste, 
And seyde ; ' Lordinges, herkneth, if yow 

leste. (8,:?o) 

Ye woot yoiir forward, and I it yow re- 

corde. 
If even-song and morwe-song acorde, 830 
Lat see now who shal telle the firste 

tale. 
As ever mote I drinke wyn or ale, 
Who-so be rebel to my jugement 
Shal paye for al that by the weye is 

spent. 
Now draweth cut, er that we ferrer 

twinne ; 835 

He which that hath the shortest shal 

biginne. 
Sire knight,' quod he, ' my maister and 

my lord, (839) 

Now draweth cut, for that is myn acord. 
Cometh neer,' quod he, ' my lady prior- 

esse ; 
And ye, sir clerk, lat lie your shamfast- 

nesse, 840 

Ne studieth noght ; ley honil to, every 

man.' 
Anon to drawen every wight bigan, 
And shortly for to tellen, as it was, 
Wei'e it V>y aventiire, or sort, or cas. 



43° 



A. ZU %ni^(>U6 Zak. 



[t. 847-S90. 



Tlie sotlie is this, the cut fil to the knight, 
Of which ful hlythe and glad was every 

wight ; 846 

And telle he moste his tale, as was resoun, 
By forward and hy composiciotin, (850) 
As ye han herd ; what nedeth wordes mo? 
And whan this gode man saugh it 

was so, 850 

As he that wys was and obedient 
To kepe his forward hy his free assent. 



He sej^de : ' Sin I shal lieginne the 

game. 
What, welcome be the out, a Goddes 

name ! 
Now lat us ryde, and herkneth what I 

seye.' 855 

And with that word we riden forth our 

weye ; (858) 

And lie bigan with right a mery chore 
His tale anon, and seyde in this manere. 



Here endeth the prolog of this book; and here biginneth the first tale, 
■which is the Knightes Tale. 



THE KNIGHTES TALE. 



lamqve domos patrias, Scitliice post aspera gentis 
Prelia, laungero, <{c. [Statiiis, Theh. xii. 519.] 



WiiTLOM, as olde stories tellen lis, 
Ther was a duli that highte Theseiis ; Sfx) 
Of Athenes he was lord and governour, 
And in his tjTne swich a conquerour. 
That gretter was ther noon under the 

sonno. 
Ful many a riche oontree hadde he 

wonne ; 864 

What with his wisdom and his chivalrye, 
He conquered al the regne of Femenye, 
That whylom was y-cleped Scithia ; 
And weddede the queue Ipolita, (10) 

And broghte hir hoom with him in his 

coutree S69 

With muchel glorie and greet solempnitee, 
And eek hir yonge suster Emelye. 
And thus with victorie and with melodye 



Lete I this noble duk to Athenes 

ryde, 
And al his hoost, in armes, him bis.yde. 

And certes, if it nere to long to here, 8-5 
I wolde han told yow fully the manere, 
How wonnen was the regne of Femenye 
By Theseus, and by his chivalrye ; (20) 
And of the grete bataille for the nones 
Bitwixen Athenes and Amazones ; 880 
And how asseged was Ipolita, 
The faire hardy queue of Scithia ; 
And of the feste that was at hir weddinge, 
And of the tempest at hir hoom-cominge ; 
But al that thing I moot as now forbere. 
I have, God woot, a large feeld to ere, 886 
And wayke been the oxen in my plough. 
The remenant of the tale is long y-nougli. 



T. S91-972.] 



A. ZU 'B.ni^9,U6 Zak. 



43' 



I wol nat letten eek noon of this route ; 
Lat every felawe telle his tale aboute, 890 
And lat see now who shal the soper 

winne ; (33) 

And ther I lefte, I wol ageyii biginne. 

This duk, of whom I make mencioun, 
■Ulien he was come almost nnto the 

toun, 
In al his wele and in his moste pryde, 895 
He was war, as he caste his eye asyde, 
WHier that ther kneled in the hye weye 
A comisanye of ladies, tweye and tweye, 
Ech after other, clad in clothes blake ; (41) 
But swich a cry and swich a wo they 

make, 900 

That in tliis world nis creature livinge, 
Tliat herde swich another weymentinge ; 
And of this cry tliey nolde never stenten. 
Til they the reynes of his brydel henten. 
' What folic ben ye, that at myn hoom- 

cominge 905 

Perturben so my feste with cryinge ? ' 
Quod Theseus, ' have ye so greet envye 
Of myn honour, that thiis compleyne and 

crye ? (50) 

Or who hath yow misboden, or offended ? 
And telleth me if it may been amended ; 
And why that ye ben clothed thus in 

blak?' 911 

The eldest lady of hem alle spak. 
When she hadde swowned with a deedly 

chere. 
That it was routhe for to seen and here, 
And seyde : ' Lord, to whom Fortune hath 

yiven 915 

Victorie, and as a conquerour to liven, 
Noght greveth us yowr glorie and your 

honour; 
But we biseken mercy and socour. (60) 
Have mercy on our wo and our distresse. 
Som drope of pitee, thurgh thy gentil- 

esse, Q20 

Up-on us wrecched wommen lat thou falle. 
For certes, lord, ther nis noon of iis alle. 
That she nath been a duchesse or a queue ; 
Now be we caitifs, as it is wel sene : 
Tlianked be Fortune, and hir false wheel. 
That noon estat assureth to be weel. 926 
And certes, lord, t'abyden your presence. 
Here in the temple of the goddesse 

Clemence (70) 



We han ben waytinge al tliis fourtenight ; 

Now help us, lord, sith it is in thy might. 

I wrecche, which that wepe and waille 

thus, 931 

Was whylom wyf to king Capaneus, 
Tliat starf at Thebes, cursed be that day ! 
And alle we, that been in this array, 
And maken al this lamentacioun, 935 

We losten alle our housbondes at that 

toun, 
Wliyl that the sege ther-aboute lay. 
And yet now th'olde Creon, weylaway ! 
The lord is now of Thebes the citee, (81) 
Fulfild of ire and of iniquitee, 940 

He, for despyt, and for his tirannye, 
To do the dede bodyes vileinye. 
Of alle oiir lordes, whiche that ben slawe, 
Hath alle the bodyes on an heep y-drawe. 
And wol nat suftren hem, by noon assent. 
Neither to been y-buried nor y-brent, 946 
But maketh houndes ete hem in despj-t.' 
And with that word, with-outen more 

respj-t, (90) 

They fiUen gruf, and cryden pitously, 
' Have on us wrecched wommen som 

mercy, 950 

And lat our sorwe sinken in thyn herte.' 
This gentil diik doun from his courser 

sterte 
With herte pitous, whan he herde hem 

speke. 
Him thoughte that his herte wolde breke. 
Whan he saugh hem so pitous and so 

mat, 955 

That whylom weren of so greet estat. 
And in his amies he hem alle up hente. 
And hem conforteth in ful good entente ; 
And swoor his ooth, as he was trewe 

knight, (loi) 

He wolde doon so ferforthly his might 960 
Up-on the tyraunt Creon hem to wreke, 
That al tlie peple of Grece sholde speke 
How Creon was of Theseus y-served. 
As he that hadde his deeth ful wel de- 
served. 964 
And right anoon, with-outen more abood. 
His baner he desplayeth, and forth rood 
To Thebes-ward, and al his host bisyde ; 
No neer Athenes wolde he go ne ryde, 
Ne take his ese fully half a day, (m) 
But onward on his wey that night he lay; 



432 



A. Z9>t Untg6^e0 Zak. 



[t. 973-1052. 



And sente anoon Ipolita the quene, 971 
And Emelye liir yonge suster shene, 
Un-to the toiiu of Athenes to dwelle ; 
And forth he rit ; ther nis namore to 

telle. 
The rede statue of Mars, with spere 

and targe, 975 

So shyneth in his whyte baner large, 
That alle the feeldes gliteren np and doun ; 
And by his baner born is his penoiin (120) 
Of gold fnl riche, in which ther was 

y-bete 
The Minotaiir, which that he slough in 

Crete. 980 

Thus rit this duk, thus rit this conquerour, 
And in his host of chivalrye the flour. 
Til that he cam to Thebes, and alighte 
Faire in a feeld, ther as he thoghte fighte. 
But shortly for to speken of this thing, 985 
With Creon, which that was of Thebes 

king, 
He taught, and slough him manly as 

a knight - 
In i)leyn bataille, and putte the folk to 

flight ; (130) 

And l)y assaut he wan the citee after. 
And rente adoun bothe wal, and sparre, 

and rafter ; 990 

And to the ladyes he restored agayn 
The bones of hir housbondes that were 

slayn, 
To doon obseqxiies, as was tho the gyse. 
But it were al to long for to devyse 994 
The grete clamour and the waymentinge 
That the ladyes made at the brenninge 
Of the bodyes, and the grete honour 
That Theseiis, the noble conquerour, (140) 
Doth to the ladyes, whau they from him 

wente ; 999 

But shortly for to telle is myn entente. 
Whan that this worthy duk, this Theseus, 
Hath Creon slayn, and wonne Thebes 

thiis, 
Stille in that feold he took al night his 

reste. 
And dide with al the contree as him 

leste. 1004 

To ransake in the tas of bodyes dede. 
Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede, 
The piloiTrs diden bisinesse and cure. 
After the bataille and disconfitnre. (150) 



And so bifel, that in the tas they founde, 
Thurgh-girt with many a grevous blody 

wounde, loio 

Two yonge knightes ligging by and by, 
Bothe in oon amies, wroght ful richely, 
Of whiche two, Arcita hight that oon, 
And that other knight hight Palamon. 
Niit fully quike, ne fully dede they were, 
But by hir cote-armures, .and byhirgere. 
The herivudes knewe hem best in special. 
As they that weren of the blood royal (160) 
Of Thebes, and of sustren two y-liorn. 
Out of the tas the pilours han hem torn. 
And han hem caried softe un-to the 

tente 1021 

Of Thesevis, and he ful sone hem sente 
To Athenes, to dwellen in prisoun 
Perpetuclly, he nolde no raunsoun. 
And whan this worthy duk hath thus 

y-don, 1025 

He took his host, and hoom he rood anon 
With l.iurer crowned as a conquerour ; 
And there he liveth, in joye and in 

honour, (170) 

Terme of his lyf; what nedeth wordes 

mo? 
And in a toiir, in angwish and in wo, 1030 
Dwellen this Pal.amoun and eek Arcite, 
For evermore, ther may no gold hem 

quyte. 
This passeth yeer by yeer, and day liy 

day, 
Til it HI ones, in a morwe of May, 
That Emelye, that fairer was to sene 1035 
Thiin is the lilie upon his stalke grene. 
And fressher than the May with floures 

newe — (179) 

For with the rose colour stroof hir hewe, 
I noot which was the fairer of hem two — 
Er it were day, as was hir wone to do, 
She was arisen, and al redy dight ; 1041 
For May wol have no slogardye a-night. 
The sesoun priketh every gentil herte, 
And maketh him oiit of his sleep to sterte, 
And seith, ' Arys, and do thyn obser- 

vavmce.' (187) 1045 

This maked Emelye have remembraunce 
To doon honour to May, and for to ryse. 
Y-clothed was she fresh, for to devyse ; 
Hir yelow heer was broyded in a tresse, 
Bihinde hir bak, a, yerde long, I gesse. 



T. 1053-1 13c.] 



A. ZU ICntg^fee Zak, 



433 



And in the gardin, at the sonne up-riste, 
She walketh up and donn, and as hir 

liste 
She gadereth floures, party whj^e and 

rede, 
To make a sotil gerland for hir hede, 
And as an aungel hevenly she song. 1055 
The grete tour, that was so thikke and 

strong, 
Which of the castel was the chief don- 

geoun, (199) 

(Ther-as the knightes weren in prisoun, 
Of whiche I tolde yow, and tellen shal) 
Was evene joynant to the gardin-wal, lofw 
Ther as this Emelye hadde hir pleyinge. 
Bright was the Sonne, and cleer that 

morweninge, 
And Palanion, this woful prisoner, 
As was his wone, liy leve of his gayler, 
AVas risen, and ronied in a chambre on 

heigh, 1065 

In which he al the noble citee seigh. 
And eek the gardin, ful of braunches 

grene, (209) 

Ther-as this fresshe Emelye the shene 
Was in hir walk, and romed up and 

donn. 1069 

This sorweful prisoner, this Palamoun, 
Goth in the chambre, roming to and fro. 
And to him-self compleyning of his wo ; 
That he was born, ful ofte he seyde, ' alas ! ' 
And so bifel, by aventure or cas. 
That thvirgh a window, thikke of many 

a barre 1075 

Of yren greet, and square as any sparre. 
He caste his eye upon Emelya, 
And ther-with-al he bleynte, and cryde 

'a!' (220) 

As though he stongen were un-to the 

herte. 1079 

And with that cry Arcite anon up-sterte. 
And seyde, 'Cosin myn, what eyleth 

thee, 
That art so pale and deedly on to see ? 
Why crydestow? who hath thee doon 

offence ? 
For Goddes love, tak al in pacienee 1084 
Our prisoun, for it may non other be ; 
Fortune hath yeven us this adversitee. 
Som wikke aspect or disposicioun 
Of Saturne, by sum constellacioun, (230) 



Hath yeven us this, al-though we hadde 

it sworn ; 
So stood the heven whan that we were 

born ; loijo 

We moste endure it : this is the short and 

pleyn.' 
This Palamon answerde, and seyde 

ageyn, 
' Cosyn, for sothe, of tliis opinioun 
Thou hast a veyn imaginacioun. 
This prison caused me nat for to crye. 1095 
But I was hurt right now thurgh-out 

myn ye 
In-to myn herte, that wol my bane be. 
The fairnesse of that lady that I see (240) 
Yond in the gardin romen to and fro. 
Is cause of al my crying and my wo. i io<j 
I noot wher she be womman or goddesse ; 
But Venus is it, soothly, as I gesse.' 
And ther-with-al on knees donn he fil, 
And seyde : ' Venvis, if it be thy wil 
Yow in this gardin thus to transfigure 1 105 
Bifore me, sorwefnl wreeche creature. 
Out of this prisoun help that we may 

scapen. 
And if so be my destinee be shapen (250) 
By eterne word to dyen in pi-isoun. 
Of our linage have som compassioun, 1 1 10 
That is so lowe y-broght by tirannye.' 
And with that word Arcite gan espye 
Wher-as this lady romed to and fro. 
And with that sighte hir beautee hurte 

him so, 1114 

That, if that Palamon was wounded sore, 
Arcite is hurt as muche as he, or more. 
And with a sigh he seyde pitously : (259) 
' The fresshe beautee sleeth me sodeynly 
Of hir that rometh in the yonder place ; 
And, but I have hir mercy and hir grace, 
That I may seen hir atte leeste weye, 1121 
I nam but deed ; ther nis namore to seye.' 
This Palamon, whan he tho wordes 

herde, 
Dispitously he loked, and answerde : 
' Wliether seistow this in ernest or in 

pley?' 1125 

'Nay,' quod Arcite, 'in ernest, by my 

fey! 
God help me so, me list ful y\-ele pleye.' 
This Palamon gan knitte his browes 

tweye : (270) 



434 



A. ZU 1Cnt30te0 ^afe. 



[t. 1131-1216. 



' It nere,' qiiod he, ' to thee no greet 

honour 
For to be fals, ne for to be traytonr 1130 
To me, that am thy cosin and thy brother 
Y-sworn fill depe, and ech of us til other. 
That never, for to dyen in the peyne. 
Til that the death departe shal lis tweync. 
Neither of ns in love to hindren other, 1 135 
Ne in non other cas, my leve brother ; 
But that thou sholdesttrewelyforthrenme 
In every cas, and I shal forthrenthee. (280) 
This was thynooth, and mj-nalso, certeyn ; 
I wot right wel, thou darstit natwithseyn. 
Thus artow of my eounseil, out of doute. 
And now thou woldest falsly been aboute 
To love my lady, whom I love and serve, 
And ever shal, til that myn herte sterve. 
Now certes, fals Arcite, thoii shalt nat so. 
I loved hir first, and tolde thee my wo 1 146 
As to my counseil, and my brother sworn 
To forthre me, as I have told biforn. (290) 
For which thou art y-bounden as a knight 
To helpen me, if it lay in thy might, 1150 
Or elles artow fals, I darwel seyn.' 

This Arcite ful proudly spak ageyn, 
'Thou shalt,' quod he, 'be rather fals 

than I ; 
But thou art fals, I telle thee utterly ; 
ForparamoM7-Iloved hir first erthow. 1155 
"Wliat wiltow seyn ? thou wistest nat yet 

now 
Wliether she be a womman or goddesse ! 
Thj-n is affeccioun of holinesse, (300) 

And myn is love, as to a creature ; 
For which I tolde thee myn. aventure 1 160 
As to my cosin, and my brother sworn. 
I pose, that thou lovedest hir biforn ; 
Wostow nat wel the olde clerkes sawe. 
That " who shal yeve a lover any lawe? " 
Love is a gretter lawe, by my pan, 1165 
Than may be yeve to any erthly man. 
And therefore positif lawe and swich 

decree 
Is broke al-day for love, in ech degree. (310) 
A man moot neiles love, maugree his heed. 
He may nat fleen it, thogli he sholde be 

deed, 1 1 70 

Al be she mayde, or widwe, or elles wyf. 
And eek it is nat lykly, al thy lyf. 
To stonden in hir grace ; namore shal I ; 
For wel thou woost thy-selven, verraily. 



That thou and I be dampned to prisoun 
Perpetuelly ; us gayneth no raunsoun. 
We stryve as dide the houndes for the 

boon, 1 1 77 

They foughte al day, and yet hir part was 

noon ; (320) 

Ther cam a kyte, whyl that they were 

wrothe. 
And bar awey the boon bitwixe hem 

bothe. 1 1 80 

And therfore, at the kinges court, my 

brother, 
Ech man for him-self, ther is non other. 
Love if thee list ; for I love and ay shal ; 
And soothly, leve brother, this is al. 
Here in this prisoun mote we endure, 1185 
And everich of us take his aventure.' 
Greet was the stryf and long bitwixe 

hem tweye. 
If that I hadde leyser for to seye ; (330) 
Bvit to th'eflfect. It happed on a day, 
(To telle it j-ow as shortly as I may) 1190 
A worthy duk that highte Perotheus, 
That felawe was un-to duk Theseus 
Sin thilke day that they were children 

lyte. 
Was come to Atlienes, his felawe to visyte. 
And for to pleye, as he was wont to do. 
For in this world he loved no man so : 1 196 
And he loved him as tendrely ageyn. 
So wel thej' loved, as olde Ijokes seyn, (340) 
That whan that con was deed, sothly to 

telle. 
His felawe wente and soghte him doun in 

helle ; 1200 

But of that story list me nat to wryte. 
Duk Perotheus loved wel Arcite, 
And hadde him knowe at Thebes yeer by 

yere ; 
And f;\'nally, at requeste and preyere 1204 
Of Perotheus, with-oute any raunsoun, 
Duk Theseiis him leet out of prisoun. 
Freely to goon, wher that him liste over-al, 
In swich a gj'se, as I you tellen shal. (350) 
This was the forward, pleynly for t'en- 

dj'te, 
Bitwixen Theseus and huii Arcite : 12 10 
That if so were, that Arcite were y-fouude 
Ever in his Ij'f, bj' day or night or stounde 
In an J- contree of this Theseus, 
And he were caught, it was acorded thus, 



T. 12 1'; 



304-] 



A. 



ZH ICm^^tee Zak. 



435 



That with a swerd he sholde lese his 

heed ; 121S 

Ther uas uon other remedye ne reed, 
But taketh his leve, and horn ward he him 

spedde ; (359) 

Let him be war, his nekke lyth to wedde ! 

How greet a sorwe suftreth now Arcite ! 

The deeth he feleth thurgh his herte 

smyte ; 1220 

He wepeth, wayleth, cryeth pitously ; 
To sleen him-self he waytetli privel;\'. 
He seyde, ' Alias that day that I was l)om ! 
Now is my prison worse than biforn ; 
Xow is me shape eternally to dwelle 1225 
Noght in purgatorie, but in helle. 
Alias ! that ever knew I Perotheus ! 
For eUes hadilo I dwelled with Theseus 
Y-fetered in his prisoun ever-mo. (371) 
Than hadde I been in blisse, and nat in wo. 
Onlj- the siglite of hir, whom that I serve, 
Though that I never hir grace may deserve, 
Wolde han suffised right y-nough for me. 
O dere cosin Palamon,' quod he, 
' ThjTi is the victorie of this aventure, 1235 
Ful blisfully in prison maistow dure ; 
In prison ? certes naj-, but in paradys ! 
Wei hath fortune y-turned thee the dys, 
That hast the sighte of hir, and I th'ab- 

sence. (381) 1239 

For possible is, sin thou hast hir presence, 
And art a knight, a worthy and an able. 
That by som cas, sin fortune is chaunge- 

able. 
Thou m.ayst to thy desyr som-tyme atteyne. 
But I, that am exyled, and bareyne 
Of alle grace, and in so greet despeir, 1245 
That ther nis erthe, water, fjT, ne eir, 
Ne creature, that of hem maked is. 
That may me helpe or doon contort in this: 
Wei oughte I sterve in wanhope and dis- 

tresse ; (391) 

Farwel my Ij^, my lust, and my gladnesse ! 
Alias, why plejTien folk so in commune 
Of i)urveyaunce of God, or of fortune. 
That yeveth hem ful ofte in many a gyse 
Wei bettre than they can hem-self devyse ? 
Som man dcsyretli lor to han richesse, 1255 
That cause is of his mordro or greet sik- 

nesse. 
And som man wolde out of his prison fayn. 
That in his hous is of his meynee slayn. 



Infinite harnies been in this matere ; (401) 
We witen nat what thing we preyen here. 
We faren as he that dronke is as a 

mous ; 1261 

A dronke man wot wel he hath an hous, 
Buthe nootwhich the righte weyisthider ; 
And to a dronke man the wey is slider. 
And certes, in this world so faren we ; 
We seken faste after felicitee, 1266 

But we goon wrong ful often, trewely. 
Thus may we seyen alle, and namely I, (410) 
Tliat wende and hadde a greet opinioun, 
That, if I mighte escapen from prisoun, 
Than hadde I been in joye and perfit 

hele, 1271 

Ther now I am exyled fro my wele. 
Sin that I may nat seen yow, Emelye, 
I nam but deed ; ther nis no remedye.' 

Up-on that other syde Palamon, 1275 
Wlian that he wiste Arcite was agon, 
Swieh sorwe he maketh, that the grete 

tour 
Resouneth of his youling and clamour. 
The pure fettres on his shines grete (421) 
Weren of his bittre salte teres wete. 1280 
' Alias ! ' quod he, ' Arcita, cosin myn, 
Of al our stryf, God woot, the fruyt is thyu. 
Thow walkest now in Tliebes at thy large. 
And of my wo thou yevest litel charge. 
Thou mayst, sin thou hast wisdom and 

manhede, 1285 

Assemblen alle the folk of our kinrede, 
And make a werre so sharp on this citee. 
That by som aventure, or som tretee. 
Thou mayst have hir to lady and to wyf, 
For whom that I fmot nedes lese my Ij-f. 
For, as by wey of possibilitee, (433) 1291 
Sith thou art at thj' large, of prison free. 
And art a lord, greet is thyn avauntage, 
More than is myn, that sterve here in a 

cage. 1294 

For I mot wepe and wayle, whyl I live. 
With al the wo that prison may me yive. 
And eek with jieyne that love me yiveth 

also, (439) 

That doiibleth al my torment and my wo.' 
Tlier-with the fyr of jelousye up-sterte 
With-inne his brest, and honte him by 

the herte 1300 

So woodl5', that he lyk was to Inholde 
The box-tree, or the asslien dede and colde. 



436 



A. 



ZU l^ni^^ttQ Zak. 



[t. 1305-1388. 



Tho seyde he ; '0 cruel goddes, that 

govei'ne 
This world with landing of yonr word 

eterne, 
And wryten in the table of atliamavint 1305 
Yovir pai'lement, and yonr eterne grannt, 
What is mankinde more nn-to yow holde 
Than is the sheep, that rouketh in the 

folde ? (450) 

For slayn is man right as another beste, 
And dwelleth eek in prison and areste, 
And hath siknesse, and greet adversitee. 
And ofte tymes giltelees, pardee ! 131^ 
Wliat governaunce is in this prescience, 
That giltelees tormenteth innocence ? 
And yet encreseth this al my penai^nce. 
That man is boiinden to his observaiTnce, 
For Goddes sake, to letten of his wille, 
Ther as a beest may al his hist fnlfille. (460) 
And whan a beest is deed, he hath no 

peyue ; 
But man after his deetli moot wepe and 

pleyne, 1320 

Though in this world he have care and avo: 
With-outen doute it may stonden so. 
Th' answere of this I lete to divynis. 
But wel I woot, that in this world gret 

pjTne is. 
Alias ! I see a serpent or a theef, 1325 

That many a trewe man hath doon mes- 

cheef, 
Goon at his large, and wher him list may 

tnrne. (469J 

But I mot been in prison thurgh Saturne, 
And eekthurgh Juno, jalousand eekwood, 
That liath destroyed wel ny al the blood 
Of Thebes, with his waste walles wyde. 
And Venus sleeth me on that other syde 
For jelousye, and fere of him Arcite.' 
Now wol I stinte of Palamon a Ij^te, 
And lete him in his prison stille dwelle, 
And of Arcita forth I wol yow telle. 1336 
The somer jiasseth, and the nightes 

longe (4-9) 

Encresen double wyse the peynes stronge 
Botlie of the lovere and the prisoner. 
I noot which hath the wofu.llere mester. 
For shortly for to sejai, this Palamoun 
Pei-petuelly is dampned to prisoun, 134J 
In cheynes and in fettres to ben deed ; 
And Arcite is exyled upon his heed 



For ever-mo as out of that contree, 1345 
Ne never-mo he shal his lady see. 

Yow loveres axe I now this questioun, 
Who hath the worse, Arcite or Palamoun ? 
That oon may seen his lady day by day, 
Biit in prison he moot dwelle alway. 1350 
That other wher him list may ryde or go, 
But seen his lady shal he never-mo. (494) 
Now demetli as yow liste, ye that can. 
For I wol telle forth as I bigan. 
Explicit prima Pars. 
Sequitur pars secunda. 

Whan that Arcite to Thebes comen was, 
Ful ofte a day he swelte and seyde ' alias,' 
For seen his lady shal he never-mo. 1357 
And shortly to concluden al his wo, (500) 
So muche sorwe had never creature 
That is, or shal, whyl that the world may 

dure. 1360 

His sleep, his mete, his di-ink is him biralt, 
That lene he wex, and drye as is a shaft. 
His eyeu holwe, and grisly to biholde ; 
His liewe falwe, and pale as asslien colde, 
And solitarie he was, and everallone, 1365 
And wailling al the night, making his 

mone. 
And if he lierde song or instrument. 
Then wolde he wepe, he miglite nat be 

stent; (510) 

So feble eek were his spirits, and so 

lowe, 1369 

And chaunged so,tliat no man coude knowe 
His speche nor his vois, though men it 

herde. 
And in his gere, for al the world lie ferde 
Nat oonly lyk the loveres maladye 
Of Hereos, but rather lyk manye 
Engendred of humour maleneol.yk, 13-5 
Biforen, in his ceUe fantastyk. 
And shortly, turned was al up-so-doun 
Bothe habit and eek disposicioun (5J0) 
Of him, this woful lovere daun Arcite. 

What sholde I al-day of his wo endyte ? 
Whan he endured hadde a j^eer or two 
This cruel torment, and this peyne and wo, 
At Thebes, in his contree, as I seyde, 
Up-on a night, in sleep as he him leyde. 
Him thoughte how that the winged g<id 

Mercurie 13.S5 

Biforn him stood, and bad him to be murye. 



T. 13S9-I47S.] 



A. Z^i 'Kni^^ke Zak. 



437 



His slepy yerde in honcl he bar uj)riglite ; 
An hat he werede iip-on hisheres brighte. 
Arrayed was this god (as he took keep) 
As he was whan that Ai'gus took his sleep ; 
Aud seyde him thus : ' T' Ath(5iies shaltou 
wende ; {5ii) 1391 

Ther is thee shapen of tliy wo an ende.' 
And with that word Arcite wook and sterte. 
' Now trewely, how sore tliat me smerte,' 
Quod he, ' t' Athenes riglit now wol I fare ; 
Ne for the drede of deeth shal I nat spare 
To see my lady, that I love and serve ; 
In hir presence I recche nat to sterve.' (540) 
And with that word he caughte a greet 
miroiir, 1399 

Aud saugh that chaunged was al his coloiir. 
And saugh his visage al in another Idnde. 
And right anoon it ran him in his minde. 
That, sith his face was so disfigured 
Of maladye, the which he hadde endured, 
He mighte wel, if that he bar him lowe. 
Live in Athenes ever-more unknowe, 1406 
And seen his lady wel ny day by day. 
And right anon he chaunged his array. 
And cladde him as a povre laborer, (551) 
And al allone, save oonly a squyer, 1410 
That knew his x^rivetee and al his cas, 
Which was disgysed povrely, as he was, 
T' Athenes is he goon the nexte way. 
And to the court he wente up-on a day, 
And at the gate he profreth his servyse. 
To drugge and drawe, what so men wol 
devyse. 14 16 

And shortly of this matere for to seyn, 
He fil in office with a chamberleyn, (560) 
The which that dwelling was with Emelye ; 
For he was wys, and coude soon aspye 1420 
Of every servaunt, which that serveth 

here. 
Wel coude he hewen wode, and water here. 
For he was yong and mighty for the nones. 
And ther-to he was strong and big of bones 
To doon that any wight can him (.levyse. 
A yeer or two he was in this servyse. 
Page of the chambre of Emelye the brighte ; 
And ' Philostrate ' he seide that he highte. 
But half so wel biloved a man as he (571) 
Ne was ther never in court, of his degree ; 
He was so gentil of condieioun, 1431 

That thurghout al the court was his re- 
noun. 



They seyden, that it were a charitee 
That Theseus wolde enhauncen his degi'ee, 
And putten him in worshipful servyse, 
Ther as he mights his vertu excercyse. 
And thus, with-inue a whyle, his name is 

sprouge 1437 

Bothe of his dedes, and his goode tonge. 
That Theseus hath taken him so neer (581) 
That of his chambre he made him a squyer, 
And yaf liini gold to mayntene his degree ; 
And eek men broghte him out of his 

contree 
From yeer to yeer, ful prively, his rente ; 
But honestly and slyly he it spente. 
That no man wondred how that he it 

hadde. 1445 

And three yeer in this wyse his lyf he 

ladde, 
And bar him so in pees and eek in werre, 
Ther nas no man that Theseus liath derre. 
And in this blisse lete I now Arcite, (591) 
And speke I wol of Palamon a lyte. 1450 
In derknesse and horrible and strong 

prisoun 
This seven yeer hath seten Palamoun, 
Forpyned, what for wo and for distresse • 
Who feleth double soor and hevinesse 
But Palamon ? that love destreyneth so, 
That wood out of his wit he gooth for wo ; 
And eek therto he is a jjrisoner 1457 

Perpetuelly, noglit oonly for a yeer. (6iw) 
Who coude ryme in English jjroprely 
His martirdom? for sothe, it am nat I ; 
Therefore I passe as lightly as I may. 

It fel that in the seventhe yeer, in May, 
Tlie thridile night, (as olde Isokes sejni. 
That al this storie tellen more pleyn,) 
Were it by aventure or destinee, 1465 

(As, whan a thing is shapen, it shal be.) 
That, sone after the midnight, Palamoun, 
By helping of a freend, brak his prisoun. 
And fleeth the citee, faste as he may go ; 
For he had yive his gayler drinke so 1470 
Of a clarree, maad of a certeyn wyn, (613) 
With nercotikes and opie of Thebes fyn. 
That al tliat night, thogh that men wolde 

him shake, 
The gayler sleep, he mighte nat awake ; 
And thus he fleeth as faste as ever he 

may. 1475 

The night was short, and taste by the (h\y, 



438 



A. ZU Untg^fce Cafe. 



[t. 1479-I568. 



That nedes-oosfc he moste him-selven hyde, 
And til a grove, faste ther besyde, (620) 
With dretlful foot than stalketh Pala- 

moun. 
For shortly, this was his opinioun, 1480 
That in that grove he wolde him hyde al 

day. 
And in the night than wolde he take his 

way 
To Thebes-ward, his treendes for to preye 
On Thesetis to helpe him to werreye ; 
And shortly, onther he wolde lese his lyf, 
Or winnen Emelye nn-to his wyf ; i486 
This is th'effect and his entente pleyn. 

Xow wol I torne un-to Arcite ageyn, (630) 
That litel wiste how ny that was his 

care, 
Til that fortune hail broght him in the 

snare. 1490 

The bisy larke, messager of day, 
Salul'th in hir song the morwe gray ; 
And fyry Phebus ryseth up so brighte, 
That al the orient laugheth of the lighte. 
And with his strenies dryeth in the greves 
The silver dropes, hanging on the leves. 
And Arcite, that is in the court royal 
With Theseus, his squyer principal, (640) 
Is risen, and loketh on the myrie day. 
And, for to doon his observaimce to May, 
Remembring on the poynt of his desyr, 
He on a courser, stertiug as the fyr, 1502 
Is riden in-to the feeldes, him to pleye, 
Out of the court, were it a myle or tweye ; 
ASid to the grove, of which that I yow 

tolde, 1505 

By aventure, his wey he gan to holde. 
To maken him a gerland of the greves. 
Were it of wodebinde or hawethorn-leves. 
And loiide he song agejoi the Sonne shene : 
' May, with alle thy floures and thy grene, 
Wel-come be thou, faire fresshe May, 1511 
I hope that I som grene gete niay. ' (654) 
And from his courser, with a lusty herte, 
In-to the grove ful hastily he sterte, 
And in a path he rometh up and doun, 
Ther-as, by aventure, this Palamoun 1516 
Was in a bush, that no raan mighte him 

see, 
For sore afered of his deeth was he. (660) 
No-thing ne Imew he that it was Arcite : 
God wot he wolde have trowed it ful lyte. 



Biit sooth is seyd, gon sithen many yeres, 
That ' feeld hath eyen, and the wode hath 

eres.' 1522 

It is ful fair a man to here him evene. 
For al-day meteth men at unset stevene. 
Ful litel woot Arcite of his felawe, 1525 
That was so ny to herknen al his sawe. 
For in the bush he sitteth now ful stille. 

Whan that Arcite had romed al his fille. 
And songeu al the roundel lustily, (671) 
In-to a studie he fil sodeynly, 1530 

As doon thise loveres in hir queynte geres. 
Now in the croppe, now doun in the breres, 
Now up, now dou.n, as boket in a welle. 
Right as the Friday, soothly for to telle, 
Now it shyneth, now it reyneth faste, 1535 
Right so can gery Venus overcaste 
The hertes of hir folk ; right as hir day 
Is gerful, right so chaungeth she array. 
Selde is the Friday al the wyke y-lyke. 
Whan that Arcite had songe, he gan to 

syke, (682) 1540 

And sette him doun with-outenany more : 
' Alas ! ' quod he, ' that day that I was bore ! 
How longe, Juno, thurgh thy crueltee, 
Woltow werreyen Thebes the citee ? 
Alias ! y-broght is to confusioun 1545 

The blood royal of Cadme and Amphioun ; 
Of Cadmixs, which that was the firste 

man (689) 

That Thebes biilte, or first the toun bigan, 
And of the citee first was crouned king. 
Of his linage am I, and his of-spring 1550 
By verray ligne, as of the stok royal ; 
And now I am so caitif and so thral. 
That he, that is my mortal enemy, 
I serve him as his squyer povrely. 1554 
And yet doth Juno me wel more shame. 
For I dar noght biknowe myn owne name ; 
But ther-as I was wont to highte Arcite, 
Now highte I Philostrate, noght worth a 

myte. (700) 

Alias ! thou felle Mars, alias ! Juno, 1559 
Thus hath your ire our kinrede al fordo. 
Save only me, and wrecched Palamoun, 
That Theseus martyreth in prisoun. 
And over al this, to sleen me titterly. 
Love hath his fyi'y dart so brenningly 
Y-stiked thurgh my trewe careful herte. 
That shapen was my deeth erst than my 

slierte. 1566 



T. 1 569-1 646.] 



A. e^e %ni^^H0 Zak. 



439 



Ye sleen me with your eyen, Emelye ; 
Ye been the cause wherfbr that I dye. (710) 
Of al the remenant of myn other care 
Ne sette I nat the mountaunce of a tare, 
So that I coude don aught to your ple- 

saunce ! ' 1571 

And with that word he fil doun in a 

traunce 
A longe tyme ; and after he up-sterte. 
This Palamoun, that thoughte that 

thurgh his herte (716) 1574 

He felte a cold swerd sodeynliche glyde, 
For ire he quook, no lenger wolde he hyde. 
And whan that he had herd Arcites tale, 
As he were wood, with face deed and pale. 
He sterte him up out of the huskes thikke, 
And seyde : ' Arcite, false traitour wikke, 
Xow artow hent, that lovest my lady so. 
For whom that I have al this peyne and 

wo, 1582 

And art my blood, and to my counseil 

sworn, 
As I ful ofte have told thee heer-bifom, 
And hast by-japed here duk Theseus, 1585 
And falsly chaunged hast thy name thus ; 
I wol be deed, or elles thou shalt dye. 
Thou shalt nat love rny lady Emelye, (730) 
But I wol love hir only, and namo ; 
For I am Palamoun, tby mortal fo. i5</j 
And though that I no wepne have in this 

place, 
But out of prison am astert by grace, 
I clrede noght that outher thou shalt dye. 
Or thou ne shalt nat loven Emelye. 
Chees which thou wilt, for thou shalt nat 

asterte.' 1595 

This Arcite, with ful despitous herte. 
Whan he him knew, and hadde his tale 

herd, 
As tiers as leoun, pulled out a swerd, (740) 
And seyde thus : ' by God that sit above, 
Nere it that thou art sik, and wood for love. 
And eek that thou no wejine hast in this 

lilaoe, 1601 

Thou sholdest never out of this grove pace, 
Tliat thou ne sholdest dyen of myn hond. 
For I defye the seurtee and the bond 
Which that thou seyst that I have maad 

to thee. 1605 

What, verray fool, think wel that love is 

free, (748) 



And I wol love hir, maugre al thy might ! 
But, for as mitche thou art a worthy knight, 
And wilnest to darreyne hir by batayle, 
Have heer my trouthe, to-morwe I wol 

nat fayle, 1610 

With-outen witing of any other wight. 
That here I wol be foumleu as a knight. 
And bringen hameys right y-nough for 

thee ; 
And chees the beste, and leve the worste 

for me. 
And mete and drinke this night wol I 

bringe 1615 

Y-nough for thee, and clothes for thy 

beddinge. (758) 

And, if so Vje that thou my lady winne. 
And slee me in this wode tlier I am inne, 
Tliou mayst wel have thy lady, as for me.' 
This Palamon answerde : ' I g^raunte it 

thee.' 1620 

And thus they been departed til a-morwe, 
When ech of hem had leyd his feith to 

borwe. 
O Cupide, out of alle charitee ! 
O regne, that wolt no felawe have with 

thee! 
Ful sooth is seyd, that love ne lordshipe 
Wol noght, his thankes, have no felawe- 

shipe ; 1626 

Wel finden that Arcite and Palamoun. 
Arcite is riden anon un-to the toun, (770) 
And on the morwe, er it were dayes 

Ught, 
Ful prively two hameys hath he dight, 1630 
Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne 
The bataille in the feeld bitwix hem 

tweyne. 
And on his hors, allone as he was born. 
He carieth al this hameys him bifom ; 
And in the grove, at tyme and i)la,ce y-set, 
This Arcite and this Palamon ben met. 
Tho chaungen gan the c<^lour in hir face ; 
Right as the hunter in the regne of Trace, 
That stondeth at the gappe with a spere. 
Whan hunted is the leoun or the here. 
And hereth him come russhing in the 

greves, C783; 1641 

And breketh bothe bowes and the leves, 
And thinketh, ' heer cometh my mortel 

enemy, 
With-oute faile, he moot be deed, or I ; 



440 



A. ZU Untg^tee Zdk. 



[t. 1647-1732. 



For outlier I mot sleen hini at tlie gappe, 
Or he mot sleeu me, if that mie mishappe :' 
So ferdeu they, in chaunging of hir 

hewe, 1647 

As fer as everich of liem. other knewe. (790) 
Tiler nas no good day, ne no saluing ; 
But streiglit, witli-outen word or rehersing, 
Everieli of liein lialp for to arnien otlier, 
As freendly as he were his owiie brother ; 
And after tliat, witli sharpe spares stronge 
Tliey foynen ecli at otlier wonder longe. 
Tlion mightest wene that this Palamoun 
111 his fighting were a wood leoun, 1656 
And as a crnel tygre was Arcite : 
As wilde bores goniie they to sniyte, (800; 
That frothen wliyte as fooni for ire 

wood. 
I'p to the ancle foghte they in hir blood. 
And in this wyse I lete hem fighting dwelle; 
And forth I wol of Theseus yow telle. 

The destinee, niinistre general, 
Tliat execnteth in the world over-al 
The purveyaunce, that God hath seyn 

biforn, 1665 

So strong it is, that, thougli the world 

had sworn 
The contrarie of a thing, by ye or nay, 
Yet somtyme it shal fallen on a day (810) 
That falleth nat eft with-iiine a tliousautl 

yere. 
For certeinly, our appetj-ies here, i()7o 
Be it of werre, or pees, or hate, or love, 
Al is this reuled by the sighte above. 
This iiiene I now by mighty Theseus, 
That for to honten is so desirous. 
And namely at the grete liert in May, 1675 
That in his bed. ther daweth him no 

day. 
That he nis clad, and redy for to ryde 
With hunte and horn, and houndes him 

bisyde. (820) 

For in his hunting hath he swich delji;, 
That it is al his joye and appetyt 1680 
To been him-self the grete hertes bane ; 
For after Mars he serveth now Diane. 

Cleer was the day, as I have told er this, 
And Tlieseus, with alle joye and blis, 
"With his Ipolita, the fayre queue, 1685 
And Enielye, clothed al in grene. 
On hunting be they riden royally. 
And to the grove, tliat stood ful faste by, 



In which ther was an liert, as men him 

tolde, (8,?i) 

Duk Theseus the streighte wey hath 

holde. i()(>j 

And to thelauiide he rydeth him fnl right, 
For tliider was the hert wont have his 

flight. 
And over a brook, and so forth on his weye. 
This duk wol hail a cours at him, or tweye. 
With houndes, swiche as that him list 

coniaunde. 1695 

And whan this duk was come uii-to tlie 

lauiide, 
Under the sonne he loketh, and anon 
He was war of Arcite and Palamon, (840) 
That foughteii brenie, as it were bores two ; 
Thebrigliteswerdeswenten to and fro 1700 
So hidously, that with the leeste strook 
It seemed as it wolde felle an 00k ; 
But what they were, no-thing he ne woot. 
This duk his courser with his spores 

snioot, 
And at a stert he was bitwix hem two, 1705 
And i)ullod out a swerd and cryed, 'ho ! 
Namore, up pe,>aie of lesing of your heed. 
By mighty Mars, he shal anon be deed, (850) 
That smyteth any strook, that I may seen! 
But telleth me what mister men ye been, 
That been so hardy for to figliteii here 1711 
With-outen juge or other officere. 
As it were in a listes royally ? ' 

This Paliimon answerde hastily 
Ami seyde : ' sire, what iiedeth wordes 

mo? 1 715 

We have the deeth deserved botlie two. 
Two woful wrecches been we, two eay- 

tj's-es, (859) 

That been encombred of our owiie lyves ; 
And as thou art a rightful lord and juge, 
Ne yeve us neither mercy ne refuge, 1720 
But slee me first, for seynte charitee ; 
But slee my felawe eek as wel as me. 
Or slee him first ; for, though thou knowe 

it lyte. 
This is tliy mortal fo, this is Arcite, 1724 
That fro thy lond is banished on his heed. 
For which he hath deserved to be deed. 
Foi- this is he that cam un-to thy gate, 
Andseyde, that he highte Philostrate. (870) 
Thus hath he japed thee ful many a yeer. 
And thou has maked him thy chief squyer : 



T. 1733" 



-iSi6.] 



A. ZU ICtttg^tee Zak. 



441 



And this is lie that loveth Emelye. 173 r 
For sith the day is come that I shal dye, 
I make pleynly my confessiouii, 
That I am thilke woftil Palamoun, 
That hath thy prison broken wikkedly. 
I am. thy mortal fo, and it am I 1736 

That loveth so hote Emelye the brighte, 
That I wol dye present in hir sighte. (880) 
Tlierfore I axe deetli and my ju^vyse ; 
Bnt slee my felawe in the same wyse, 1740 
Por bothe han we deserved to be slayn.' 

This worthy duk answerde anon agajii, 
And seyde, ' Tliis is a short conclusioun : 
Youre owne mouth, by yonr confessionn, 
Hath danipned you, and I wol it recorde, 
It nedeth noght to pjaie yow with the 

corde. 1746 

Ye shul be deed, by mighty Mars the 

rede ! ' 
The quene anon, for verray womman- 

hede, (890) 

Gan for to wepe, and so dide Emelye, 
And alle the ladies in the companye. 1750 
Gret pitee was it, as it thoughte hem alle. 
That ever swich a chaunce sholde falle ; 
For gentil men they were, of greet estat, 
And no-thing Ijut for love was this debat ; 
And sawe hir blody woundes wyde and 

sore; 1755 

And alle cryden, bothe lasse and more, 
' Have mercy, lord, up-on us wommen 

alle!' 
And on hir bare knees adoun they falle. 
And wolde have kist his feet ther-as he 

stood, (901) 

Til at the laste aslaked was his mood ; 1760 
For pitee renneth sone in gentil herte. 
And though he first for ire quook and 

sterte. 
He hath considered shortly, in a clause. 
The trespas of hem bothe, and eek the 

cause : 
And al-though that his ire hir gilt 

accused, (907) 1765 

Yet in his reson he hem bothe excused ; 
As thus : he thoghte wel, that everj' man 
Wi>l helpe him-self in love, if that he can. 
And eek delivere hina-self out of prisoun ; 
And eek his herte had compassioun 1770 
Of wommen, for they wepen ever in oon ; 
And in his gentil herte he thoghte anoon, 



And softe uu-to himself he seyde : ' fy 
Up-on a lord that wol have no mercy, 
Bnt been a leoun, bothe in word and 

dede, 1775 

To hem that been in rejientaunce and 

drede 
As wel as to a proiid despitous man (919) 
That wol maynteyne that he first bigan ! 
That lord hath litel of discrecioun, 
That in swich cas can no divisioun, 1780 
But weyeth pryde and humblesse alter 

oon.' 
And shortly, whan his ire is thus agoon, 
He gan to loken up with eyen lighte. 
And spak thise same wordes al on 

higlite : — 
' The god of love, a ! benedicite, 1785 

How mighty and how greet a lord is he ! 
Ayeins his might ther gayneth none 

obstacles, 
He may be cleped a god for his miracles ; 
For he can niaken at his owne gyse (931) 
Of everich herte, as that hini list devyse. 
Lo heer, this Arcite and this Palamoun, 
That qtiitly weren out of my prisoun, 1792 
And mighte han lived in Thebes royallj', 
Andwiten I am hir mortal enemy, 
And that hir deeth Ij-th in my might 

also ; 1 795 

And yet hath love, maugree hir eyen two, 
Y-broglit hem hider bothe for to dye ! 
Now loketh, is nat that an heigh folye ? 
Wlio may been a fool, but-if helove? (941) 
Bihold, for Goddes sake that sit above, iSoo 
Se how they blede ! be they noght wel 

arrayed ? 
Thus hath hir lord, the god of love, 

y-payed 
Hir wages and hir fees for hir servyse ! 
And yet they wenen for to been ful -wyse 
That serven love, for aught that may 

bifalle! 1805 

But this is yet the beste game of alle. 
That she, for whom they han this jolitee, 
Can hem ther-for as muche thank as me ; 
She woot namore of al this hote fare, (951) 
By God, than woot a cokkow or an hare ! 
But al mot been assayed, hoot and cold ; 
A man mot been a fool, or yong or old ; 
I woot it by my-self ful yore agoon : 1813 
For in my tyme a servant was I oon. 



442 



A. 



ZU ICnt^e^ee Zdt, 



[t. iSij- 



190C. 



And tlierfore, sin I knowe of loves peyne, 
And woot how sore it can a man distreyiie, 
As he that hath ben canght ofte in his h^s, 
I yow foryeve al hoolly this trespas, (960) 
Atreqnesteof the quenethat kneleth here, 
And eek of Emelye, my suster dere. 1820 
And ye shiil bothe anon un-to me swere, 
That never-mo ye shul my contree dere, 
Ne make werre np-on me night ne day, 
Biit been my freendes in al that ye may ; 
I yow foryeve this trespas every del.' 1.S25 
And they him swore his axing fayre and 

wel. 
And himof lordshipeand of mercy preyde, 
And he hem gi-an.nteth grace, and thiis he 

seyde : (97") 

' To spake of royal linage and richesse, 

Though that she were a quene or a prin- 

cesse, 1830 

Ech of yow bothe is worthy, dontelees, 
To wedden whan tjnne is, biit nathelees 
I speke as for my suster Emelye, 
For whom ye have this stryf and jelousye; 
Ye wootyour-self, she may not wedden two 
At ones, though ye tighten ever-mo : 1836 
That oon of yow, al be him looth or leef, 
Ho moot go pypen in an ivy-leef ; (980) 
This is to seyn, she may nat now lian 

bothe, 
Al be ye never so jelous,ne so wrothe. 1840 
And for-thy I yow putte in this degree, 
That ech of yow shal have his destinee 
As him is shape ; and herkneth in what 

W3'se ; 
Lo, heer your ende of that I shal devyse. 
My wil is this, for plat conclusioun, 1845 
With-oiiten any replicacioun, 
If that yow lyketh, tak it for the beste. 
That everich' of yow shal gon wher him 

leste (990) 

Erely, with-otiten raimson or daunger ; 
And this day tifty wykes, fer ne ner, 1850 
Everich of yow shal bringe an hundred 

knightes. 
Armed for listes up at alle rightes, 
Al redy to darreyne hir hy bataille. 
Anil this bihote I yow, with-outeu faille, 
I'p-on my trouthe, and as I am a knight. 
That whether of yow bothe that hath 

might, (998) 1856 

This is to seyn. that whether he or thou 



May with his hundred, as I spak of now, 
Rleen his contrarie, or o\it of listes dryve. 
Him shal I yeve Emelya to wyve, i860 
To whoni that fortune yeveth so fair a 

grace. 
The listes shal I maken in this place, 
And Clod so wisly on my soule rewe, 
As I shal even jiige been and trewe. 1864 
Ye shul uon other ende with me maken. 
That oon of yow ne shal be deed or taken. 
And if yow thinketh this is wel y-sayd, 
Seyeth your avys, and holdeth yow apayd. 
This is yoiir ende and your conclusioiin.' 
'Wlio loketh lightly now but Palamoun? 
Who springeth up for joye but Arcite? 1871 
"Who couthe telle, or who couthe it endyte, 
The joye that is maked in the place 
Whan Theseus hath doon so fair a grace? 
But doun on knees wente every maner 
wight, 1875 

And thanked him with al her herte and 

might. 
And namely the Thebans ofte sythe. 
And thus with good hope and with herte 
blythe (lo-'o) 

They take hir leve, and hom-ward gonne 

they ryde 
To Thebes, with his olde walles wyde. 1880 
Explicit secunda pars. 
Sequitur pars tercia. 
I trowe men wolde deme it necligence. 
If I foryete to tellen the dispence 
Of Theseus, that goth so bisily 
To maken vip the listes royally ; 
That swich a noble theatre as it was, 1885 
I dar wel seyn that in this world ther 

nas. 
The circuit a myle was aboute, (1029; 

Walled of stoon, and diched alwith-oute. 
Round was the sliap, in maner of compas, 
Ful of degrees, the heighte of sixty pas, 1890 
That, whan a man was set on o degree. 
He letted nat his felawe for to see. 

Est-ward ther stood a gate of marbel 
whyt, 
West-ward, right swich another in the 
opposit. 1894 

And shortly to concluden, swich a place 
Was nooiT in erthe, as in so litel space ; 
For in the lond ther nas no crafty man, 
That geometrie or ars-metrik can, (1040) 



T. 1901 — 1982.] 



A. 



ZU l^ni^^ke Zak. 



443 



Ne purtreyour, ne kerver of images, 
That TliesevTS ne yaf him mete and wages 
The theatre for to maken and de'i'yse. 1901 
And for to doou his ryte and sacrifyse, 
He est-ward hatli, up-on the gate above, 
In worship of Venus, goddesse of love, 
Don make an anter and an oratorie ; 1905 
And west-ward, in the minde and in 

memorie 
Of Mars, he maked hatli right swich 

another, 
That coste largely of gold a f other. (1050) 
And north-ward, in a touret on the wal, 
Of alabastre whyt and reed coral 1910 
An oratorie riche for to see, 
In worship of Dyane of chastitee, 
Hath Thesevis don wroght in noble wyse. 

But yet hadde I foryeten to devyse 
The noble kerving, and the portreitures. 
The shap, the countenaunce, and the 

figures, 1 916 

That weren in thise oratories three. 
First in the temple of Venus maystow 

see (1060) 

Wroght on the wal, ful pitous to biholde, 
The broken slepes, and the sykes colde ; 
The sacred teres, and the waymenting ; 
The fyry strokes of the desiring, 1922 

That loves servaunts in this lyf enduren ; 
The othes, that hir covenants assuren ; 
Plesaunce and hope, desyr, fool-hardi- 

nesse, 1925 

Beautee and yoitthe, bauderie, richesse, 
Charmes and force, lesinges, flaterye. 
Dispense, bisynesse, and jelousye, (1070) 
That wered of yelwe goldes a gerland, 
And a cokkow sitting on hir hand ; 1930 
Festes, instruments, caroles, daunces. 
Lust and array, and alle the ciroum- 

staunces 
Of love, whiche that I rekne and rekne 

shal, 
By ordre weren peynted on the wal, 1934 
And mo than I can make of mencioun. 
For soothly, al the mount of Citheroun, 
Ther Venus hath hir principal dwelling. 
Was shewed on the wal in portreying, 
With al the gardin, and the lustinesse. 
Nat was forj'eten the porter Ydelnesse, 
Ne Narcisus the faire of yore agon, 194 1 
Ne yet the folye of king Salamon, (1084) 



Ne yet the grete strengtlie of Hercules — 
Th'enchaunteme'nts of Medea and Circes^ 
Ne of Turnus, with the hardy tiers corage. 
The riche Cresus, caytif in servage. 1946 
Thus may ye seen that wisdom ne 

richesse, 
Beaiitee ne sleighte, strengthe, ne hardi- 

nesse, (1090) 

Ne may with Venus holde champartye ; 
For as hir list the world than may she 

gye. 1950 

Lo, alle thise folk so caught were in 

hir las. 
Til they for wo ful ofte seyde ' alias ! ' 
Suffyceth heer ensamples oon or two, 
And though I coude rekne a thousand mo. 
The statiie of Venus, glorious for to see. 
Was naked fleting in the large see, 1956 
And fro the navele doun all covered 

was 
With wawes grene, and liriglite as any 

glas. (iioo) 

A citole in hir right hand hadde she. 
And on hir heed, ful semely for to see, i960 
A rose gerland, fresh and wel smellinge ; 
Above hir heed hir dowves flikeringe. 
Biforn hir stood hir sone Cupido, 
Up-on his shnldres winges hadde lie two ; 
And blind he was, as it is ofte sene ; 1965 
A bowe he bar and arwes brighte and 

kene. 
Why sholde I noght as wel eek telle 

yow al 
The portreitu.re, that was iip-on the wal 
"\^'ith-inne the temple of mighty Mars the 

rede? (mi) 

Al i^eynted was the wal, in lengthe and 

brede, 1970 

Lyk to the estres of the grisly place. 
That liighte the grete temple of Mars in 

Trace, 
In thilke colde frosty regioun, 
Ther-as Mars hath his sovereyn mansioun. 
First on the wal was peynted a foreste. 
In which ther dwelleth neither man ne 

beste, 1976 

With knotty knarry bareyn trees olde 
Of stul>bes sharpe and hidous to biholde ; 
In which ther ran a rumbel and a swough. 
As though a storm sholde bresten every 

bough : 1980 



444 



A. Z^i %ni^^k6 ZaU. 



[t. I9S3-2066. 



And downward from an hille, nnder a 

bente, (112.V) 1981 

Tlier stood the temple of Mars arnii- 

potente, 
Wroght al of Irarned steel, of which 

thentree 
Was long and streit, and gastly for to see. 
And ther-out cam a rage and such a vese, 
That it made al the gates for to rese. 1986 
The northren light in at the dores shoon, 
For windowe on the wal ne was ther noon, 
Thurgh which men mighten any light 
discerne. ("3') 

The dores were alle of adamant eterne, 
Y-clenched overthwart and endelong 1991 
With iren tough ; and, for to make it 

strong, 
Every piler, the temple to sustene. 
Was tonne-greet, of iren bright and shene. 
Ther saugli I first the derke imagining 
Of felonye, and al the compassing ; 1996 
The crnel ire, reed as any glede ; (1139) 
The pykepnrs, and eek the pale drede ; 
The smyler with the knyf nnder the cloke ; 
The shepne lirenniug with the blake 
smoke ; 2000 

The treson of the mordring in the bedde ; 
■ The open werre, with woundes al bi- 

bledde ; 
Contek, with blody knj-f and sharp 

manace ; 
Al ful of chirking was that sory place. 
The sleere of him-self yet sanghlther, 2005 
His herte-lilood hath bathed al his heer; 
The nayl y-driven in the shode a-night ; 
The colde deeth, with mouth gaping i^p- 
right. (1150) 

Amiddes of the temple sat mesehaunce, 
With disconfort and sory contenaunce. 
Yet satigh I woodnesse laiighing in his 
rage ; 201 1 

Armed eompleint, out-hees, and fiers 

outrage. 
The carej-ne in the bush, with throte 

y-corve : 
A thousand slayn, and uat of qualm 
y-storve ; 2014 

The tiraunt, with the prey by force y-ratt; 
The toun destroyed, ther was no-thing laft. 
Yet saiighlbrent theshii:)peshoppesteres; 
The hnnte strangled with the wilde beres : 



The sowe freten the child right in the 
cradel ; (ii6i) 

The cook y-scalded, for al his longe ladel. 
Noght was foryeten by th' infortune of 
Marte ; 202: 

The carter over-riden with his carte, 
Under the wheel ful lowe he lay adoun. 
Ther were also, of Martes divisioun. 
The harbour, and the bocher, and the 
smith 2025 

That forgeth sharpe swerdes on his stith. 
And al above, depeynted in a tour, {1169) 
Saw I conquest sittinge in greet honour. 
With the sharpe swerde over his heed 
Hanginge by a sotil twynes threed. 2030 
Depeynted was the slaughtre of Julius, 
Of grete Nero, and of Antonius ; 
Al be that thilke tyme they were iinborn, 
Yet was hir deeth depeynted ther-biforn, 
By nianasinge of Mars, right by figure ; 
So was it shewed in that portreiture 
As is depeynted in the sterres above, (1179) 
Who shal be slayn or elles deed for love. 
Suflfyceth oon ensample in stories olde, 
I may not rekne hem alle, thogh I wolde. 
The statue of Mars up-on a carte stood, 
Arnied, and loked grim as he were wood ; 
And over his heed ther shynen two figures 
Of sterres, that been cleped in scriptures, 
That oon Puella, that other Eubeus. 2045 
This god of armes was arrayed thus : — 
A wolf ther stood biforn him at his feet 
Witheyen rede, and of a man he eet ; (1190) 
With sotil pencel was depeynt this storie, 
In redoutinge of Mars and of his glorie. 

Now to the temple of Diane the chaste 
As shortly as I can I wol me haste, 2052 
To telle yow al the descripcioun. 
DepejTited been the walles up and doun 
Of hunting and of shamfast chastitee. 2055 
Ther saugh I how woful Calistopee, (1198) 
Whan that Diane agreved was with here, 
Was turned from a womman til a here, 
And after was she niaad the lode-sterre ; 
Thus was it peynt, I can say yow no 
ferre ; 2060 

Hir sone is eek a sterre, as men may see. 
Ther saugh I Dane, y-turned til a tree, 
I mene nat the goddesse Diane, 
But Penneiis doughter, which that highte 
Dane. 2064 



T. 2067—2144. 



A. ZU %ni^^UB Zak. 



445 



Ther saugh I Attheon an liert y-maked, 
For vengeaunce that lie saugh Diane al 

naked ; 
I sangh how that his houndes have him 

caught, 
And freten him, for that they kuewe him 

naught. (1210) 

Yet iJejTited was a litel forther-moor. 
How Atthalaute hunted the wilde boor, 
And Meleagre, and many another mo, 2071 
For which Diane wroghte him care and wo. 
Ther saugh I many another wonder storie. 
The whiche me list nat drawen to 

memorie. 2074 

This goddesse on an hert fnl hye seet, 
"With smale houndes al aboute hir feet ; 
And undernethe hir feet she hadde a 

mone, (1219) 

Wexing it was, and sholde wauie sone. 
In gaude grene hir statue clothed was, 
With bowe in honde, and arwes in a cas. 
Hir eyen caste she ful lowe adoun, 2081 
Ther Phito hath his derke regiouu. 
A womnian travailinge was hir biforn. 
But, for hir child so longe was unborn, 
Ful i^itously Liicyna gan she calle, 2085 
And seyde, ' help, for thou maj'st best of 

alle.' 
Wei couthe he peynten Ij-fly that it 

wroghte, (1229) 

With many a florin he the hewes boglite. 

Now been thise listes maad, and 

Theseus, 
That at his grete cost arrayed thus 2090 
The temples and the theatre every del, 
AYlian it was doon, him lyked wonder 

wel. 
But stinte I wol of Theseus a Ij-te, 
And speke of Palamon and of Arcite. 

The day approchetli of hir retourninge, 
That everich sholde an hvindred knightes 

1)ringe, 2096 

The bataille to darreyne, as I yow tolde ; 
And til Athenes, hir covenant for to holde, 
Hath everich of hem broght an hundred 

knightes (1241) 

Wel armed for the werre at alle rightes. 
And sikerly, ther trowed many a man 2101 
That never, sithen that the world bigan, 
As for to speke of knighthod of hir hond, 
As fer as God hath maked see or lond. 



Xas, of so fewe, so noble a conipanyo. 211)5 
For every wight that lovede chivalrye. 
And wolde, his thankes, hau a passant 

name. 
Hath xireyed that he niighte ben of that 

game; (1250) 

And wel was him, that ther-to chosen was. 
For if ther fi lie to-morwe swich a cas, 2 no 
Ye knowen wel, that every lusty knight. 
That loveth paramours, and hath his 

might. 
Were it in Engelond, or elles-where. 
They wolde, hir thankes, wilnen to be 

there. 
To fighte for a ladj-, ben' cite ! 2 115 

It were a lusty sighte for to see. 

And right so ferden they with Palamon. 
With him ther wenten knightes many 

oon ; (1260) 

Som wol ben armed in an liabergeoun, 
In a brest-plat and in a light gipoun ; 2120 
And somme woln have a peyre plates 

large ; 
And somme woln have a Pruce sheld, or a 

targe ; 
Somme woln ben armed on hir legges weel, 
And have an ax, and somme a mace of 

steel. 2124 

Ther nis no newe gyse, that it nas old. 
Armed were they, as I have you told, 
Everich after his opinioixn. 

Ther maistow seen coming with Pala- 

moun (1270) 

Ligurge him-self, the grete king of Trace ; 
Blak was his herd, and manlj- was his 

face. 
The cercles of his eyen in his heed, 2131 
They gloweden bitwise yelow and reed • 
And lyk a griffon loked he aboute, 
AVith kempe heres on his browes stoute ; 
His limes grete, his braunes harde and 

stronge, 2135 

His shuldi'es brode, his amies rounde and 

longe. 
And as the gyse was in his contree, 
Ful hye up-ou a char of gold stood he, 
With foure whyte Ijoles in the trays. (1281) 
In-stede of cote-armure over his harnays, 
With nayles yelwe and brighte as any 

gold, 2141 

He hadde a beres skin, col-blak, for-old. 



446 



A. ZU 'Rnt56fe6 Zak. 



L'r. 2145-2232 



Hislongeheerwaskembcl biliinde his bak, 
As any ravenes fetlier it shoon for-blak : 
A wretlie of gold arm-greet, of huge 

wighte, -'45 

Upon his heed, set fnl of stones brighte. 
Of fyne rubies and of dyamaiints. 
Aboute his char ther wenteu whyte 

alaunts, (1-90) 

Twenty and mo, as grete as auy steer. 
To hunten at the leoun or the deer, 2150 
And folwed him, with mosel faste 

j'-boi\nde, 
Colers of goltl, and torets I'yled rounde. 
An hundred lordes liadde he in his route 
Armed ful wel, with hertes sterne and 

stoute. 
With Arcita, in stories as men linde, 2155 
Tlie grete Emetreus, the king of Inde, 
Up-on a stede bay, trapped in steel, 
Covered in cloth of gold diapred weel, (1300) 
Cana ryding lyk the god of armes. Mars. 
His cote-armiTre was of cloth of Tai-s, 2160 
Couched with perles whyte and rounde 

and grete. 
His sadel was of brend gold newe y-bete ; 
A mantelet upon his shuldre hanginge 
Bret-ful of rubies rede, as fyr sparklinge. 
His crispe heer lyk ringes wasy-ronne, 2165 
And that was yelow, and glitered as the 

Sonne. 
Hisnose was heigh, his eyen bright citiyn. 
His lippes rounde, his colour was sangwyu, 
A fewe fraknes in his face y-spreynd, (13 11) 
Betwixen yelow and somdel blak y-nieynd, 
And as a leoun he his loking caste. 2171 
Of fyve and twenty yeer his age I caste. 
His herd was wel bigonne for to springe ; 
His voys was as a trompe thvinderinge. 
Up-on his heed he wered of laurer grene 
A gerland fresh and lusty for to sene. 2176 
Up-on his hand he bar, for his deduyt. 
An egle tame, as eny lilie whyt. (1320) 
An hundred lordes hadde he with him 

there, 
Al armed, saiif hir heddes, in al hir gere, 
Ful richely in alle maner thinges. 2181 
Per trusteth wel, that dukes, erles, kinges. 
Were gadered in this noble companye, 
Por love and for encrees of chivalrye. 
Aboute this king ther ran on every jsart 
Ful many a tame leoun and lepai-t. 21 86 



And in this wyse thise lordes, alle and 

some, 
Ben on the Sonday to the citee come (1330) 
Aboute pryme, and in the toun alight. 
This Theseus, this duk, this worthy 

knight, 2iyo 

Whan he had broght hem in-to his citee, 
And inned hem, everich in his degree. 
He festeth hem, and dooth so greet labour 
To esen hem, and doon hem al honour, 
That yet men weneth that no mannes wit 
Of noon estat ne coude amenden it. 2196 
The minstralcye, the service at the teste, 
The grete yiftes to the moste and leste. 
The riche array of Theseus paleys, (1341) 
Ne who sat first ne last iip-on the deys, 
What ladies fairest 1 jeen or best daunsinge. 
Or which of hem can daiincen best and 

singe, 2202 

Xe who most felingly speketh of love : 
What havikes sitten on the perche above. 
What hovmdes liggen on the floor adoun : 
Of al this make I now no mencioun ; 2206 
But al th'effect, that thinketh me the 

beste ; 
Now comth the poynt, and herkneth if 

yow leste. (1350) 

The Sonday night, er day bigan to 

springe, 
Wlien Palamiin the lar]i.e herde singe, 22 10 
Although it nere nat day by hovires two. 
Yet song the larke, and Palamon also. 
With holy herte, and with an heigh corage 
He roos, to wenden on his pilgrimage 
Un-to the blisful Citherea benigne, 2215 
I mene Ventis, honurable and digne. 
And in hir houre he walketh forth a pas 
Un-to the listes, ther hir temple was, (1360) 
And doun he kneleth, and with humble 

chere 2219 

And herte soor, he seyde as ye shul here. 

Faireste of faire, o latly mjoi, Venus, 
Doughter to Jove and spouse of Vulcanus, 
Thou glader of the mount of Citheroun, 
For thilke love thou haddest to Adoun, 
Have pitee of my bittre teres smerte, 2225 
And talc myn humble preyer at thyn herte. 
Alias ! I ne have no langage to telle (1369) 
Th'etfectes ne the torments of najm helle ; 
Myn herte may myne harmes nat biwreye; 
I am so confus, that 1 can noght seye. 2230 



T. 2233-2318.] 



A. ZU Kntg^^ea Zak. 



447 



But mercy, lady bright, that knowest weel 
My thought, and seest what harmes that 

I feel, 
Considere al this, and rewe vip-ou my 

sore. 
As wisly as I shal for evermore, 2234 

Emforth my might, thy trewe servant be. 
And holden werre alwey with chastitee ; 
That make I myn avow, so ye me heli^e. 
I kepe noght of armes for to yeljie, (1380) 
Ne I ne axe nat to-morwe to have victorie, 
Ne renoim in this cas, ne veyne gloria 2240 
Of pris of armes blowen np and doun, 
But I wolde have fully possessioun 
Of Emelye, and dye in thy servyse ; 
Find thou the maner how, and in what 

wyse. 
I reeche nat, biit it may bettre he, 2245 
To have victorie of hem, or they of me, 
So that I have my lady in myne armes. 
For though so be that Mars is god of 
armes, (1390) 

Your vertu is so greet in hevene above. 
That, if yow list, I shal wel have my love. 
Thy temple wol I worshipe evermo, 2251 
And on thyn auter, wher I ryde or go, 
I wol don sacrifice, and fyres bete. 
And if ye wol nat so, my lady swete, 2254 
Than preye I thee, to-morwe with a spere 
That Arcita me thurgh the herte here. 
Thanne rekke I noght, whan I have lost 
mylyf, (1399) 

Though that Arcita winne hir to his wyf. 
This is th'effect and ende of my preyere, 
Yif me my love, thou blisful lady dere.' 

Wlian th'orisoun was doon of Palamon, 
His sacrifice he dide, and that anon 2262 
Ful pitously, with alle circumstaunces, 
Al telle I noght as now his observaimces. 
But atte laste the statue of Venus shook. 
And made a signe, wher-by that he took 
That his preyere accepted was that day. 
For thogh the signe shewed a delay, (1410) 
Yet wiste he wel that graunted was his 

bone ; 
And with glad herte he wente him hoom 
ful sone. 2270 

The thriddehoure inequal that Palamon 
Bigau to Venus temple for to goon, 
Up rocs the sonne, and up roos Emelye, 
And to the temple of Diane gan hye. 



Hir maydens, that she thider with hir 
ladde, 2275 

Ful redily with hem the fyr they hadde. 
Th'encens, the clothes, and the remenant 

al 
That to the sacrifyce longen shal ; (1420) 
The homes fuUe of meth, as was the gyse ; 
Ther lakked noght to doon hir sacrifyse. 
Smoking the temple, ful of clothes faire, 
This Emelye, with herte debonaire, 2282 
Hir body wessh with water of a welle ; 
But how she dide hir ryte I dar nat telle. 
But it be any thing in general ; 22S5 

And yet it were a game to heren al ; 
To him that meneth wel, it were no 

charge : 
But it is good a man ben at his large. ( 1430) 
Hir brighte heer was kempt, untressed al ; 
A coroune of a grene ook cerial 2290 

Up-on hir heed was set ful fair and mete. 
Two fyres on the auter gan she bete, 
And dide hir thinges, as men may biholde 
In Stace of Thebes, and thise bokes olde. 
Whan kindled was the fyr, with pitous 
chere ,295 

Un-to Diane she spak, as ye may here. 

' O chaste goddesse of the wodes grene. 

To whom bothe heven and erthc and see 

is sene, (1440) 

Qiiene of the regne of Pluto derk and 

lowe, 

Goddesse of maydens, that myn herte hast 

knowe 23W 

Ful many a yeer, and woost what I desire, 

As keep me fro thy vengeaunce and thyn 

ire, 
That Attheon aboughte cruelly. 
Chaste goddesse, wel wostow that I 
Desire to been a mayden al my lyf, 2305 
Ne never wol I be no love ne wyf. 
I am, thou woost, yet of thy companye, 
A mayde, and love hunting and venerye. 
And for to walken in the wodes wilde. 
And noght to been a wyf, and be with 
childe. (1452) 2310 

Noght wol I knowe companye of man. 
Now help me, lady, sith ye may and can. 
For tho thre formes that thou hast in thee. 
And Palamon, that hath swich love to me, 
And eek Arcite, that loveth me so sore. 
This grace I preye thee with-oute more, 



448 



A. Zh %ni^i>U6 Zak, 



[T. 



2319-2404. 



As sende love and pees bitwixe hem two ; 
And fro me turne awey liir liertes so, (1460) 
That al hir hote love, and hir desyr. 
And al hir bisy torment, and hir fyr 2320 
Be quej-nt, or turned in another place ; 
And if so be thou wolt not do me grace, 
Or if my destinee be shapen so. 
That I shal nedes have oon of hem two, 
As sende me him that most desireth me. 
Bihold, goddesse of clene chastitee, 2326 
The bittre teres that on my chekes falle. 
Sin thou are mayde, and keper of us alle, 
My niaydenhede thou kepe aud wel 

conserve, (147O 

And whyl I live a mayde, I wol thee 

serve.' 2330 

The tyres brenne up-on the ai^ter clere, 
'\Mij-l Emelye was thus in hir preyere ; 
BiT.t sodeinly she saugh a sighte queynte, 
For right anon oon of the fyres qiieynte. 
And quiked agayn, and after that anon 
That other fyr was queynt, and al agon ; 
And as it queynte, it made a whistelinge. 
As doon thise wete brondes in hir bren- 

ninge, (1480) 

And at the brondes ende out-ran anoon 
As it were blody dropes many oon ; 2340 
For which so sore agast was Emelye, 
That she was wel ny mad, and gan to crye, 
For she ne wiste what it signifyed ; 
But only for the fere thus hath she cryed. 
And weep, that it was pitee for to here. 
And ther-with-al Diane gan appere, 2346 
Witli bowe in hond, right as an hunter- 

esse. 
And seyde : ' Doghter, stint thyn hevi- 

nesse. (1490) 

Among the goddes hye it is affermed, 
And by eterne word ^vrite and confermed. 
Thou shalt ben wedded im-to oon of tho 
Tliat han for thee so muchel care and wo ; 
But iin-to which of hem I may uat telle. 
Farwel, tor I ne may no lenger dwelle. 
The fyres which that on myn auter 

brenne 2355 

Shul thee declaren, er that thou go henne, 
Thyn aveuture of love, as in this cas.' 
And with that word, the arwes in the cas 
Of the goddesse clateren faste and ringe. 
And forth she wente, and made a vanissh- 

inge ; (1502) 2360 



For which this Emelye astoned was, 

And seyde, ' ^-^Tiat amounteth this, alias ! 

I putte me in thy proteccioun, 

Diane, and in thy disposicioun.' 

And hoom she gooth anon the nexte 

weye. 2365 

This is th'effect, ther is namore to seye. 

The nexte houre of Mars fblwinge this, 
Arcite iin-to the temi)le walked is (1510) 
Of flerse Mars, to doon his sacrifyse. 
With alle the rytes of his payen wj^se. 2370 
With pitous herte and heigh devocioun. 
Eight thus to Mars he seyde his orisoun : 
' O stronge god, that in the regues colde 
Of Trace honoured art, and lord y-holde, 
And hast in every regue and every lond 
Of armes al the brydel in thyn hond, 2376 
And hem fortunest as thee list devyse. 
Accept of me my pitous sacrifyse. (1520) 
If so be that my youthe may deserve. 
And that my might be worthy for to 

serve 2380 

Thy godhede, that I may been oon of 

thyne. 
Than preye I thee to rewe up-on my pyne. 
For thilke peyne, and thilke hote fyr. 
In which thou whylom brendest for desyr, 
"WTian that thou usedest the grete beautee 
Of faj-re yonge fresshe Venus free, 2386 
And haddest hir in armes at thy wille, 
Al-though thee ones on a tyme misfille 
Whan Vulcanus had caught thee in his 

las, (1531) 

And fond thee ligging by his wyf, alias ! 
For thilke sorwe that was in thyn herte. 
Have routhe as wel up-on my peynes 

smerte. 2392 

I am yong and unkonning, as thou west. 
And, as I trowe, with love offended 

most. 
That ever was any lyves creature ; 2395 
For she, that dooth me al this wo endure, 
Ne recoheth never wher I sinke or flete 
And wel I woot, er she me mercy hete, 
I moot with strengthe winne hir in the 

place ; (1541) 

And wel I woot, withouten help or grace 
Of thee, ne may my strengthe noght 

availle. 2401 

Thau help me, lord, to-morwe in my 

bataille, 



T. 2405-2488.] 



A. Z^i %ni^^U6 Zcik. 



449 



For thiike fyr that whylom brente thee, 
As wel as thiike fyr now brenneth me ; 
And do that I to-morwe have victorie. 2405 
My-n be the travaille, and thyn be the 

gloria ! 
Thy soverein temple wol I most honouren 
Of any place, and alwey most labouren 
In thy plesaunce and in thy craftes 
stronge, (1551) 

And in thy temple I wol my baner honge, 
And alle the armes of my companye ; 241 1 
And evere-mo, un-to that day I dye, 
Eterne fyr I wol biforn thee finde. 
And eek to this avow I wol me binde : 
My herd, myn heer that hongeth long 
adoun, 2415 

That never yet ne felte offensioun 
Of rasour nor of shere, I wol thee yive. 
And been thy trewe servant whyl I live. 
Xow lord, have routhe up-on my sorwes 
sore, (1561) 

Yif me fvictorie, I aske thee namore.' 2420 
The preyere stinte of Arcita the stronge. 
The ringes on the temple-dore that honge. 
And eek the dores, clatereden fnl faste, 
Of which Arcita som-what him agaste. 
The fyres brende iip-on the auter brighte 
That it gan al the temple for to lighte ; 
And swete smel the ground anon up-yaf. 
And Arcita anon his hand up-haf, (i=;7o) 
And more encens in-to the fyr he caste. 
With othere rytes mo ; and atte laste 24:^0 
The statue of Mars bigan his hauberk 

ringe. 
And with that soun he herde a murmur- 

inge 
Ful lowe and dim, that sayde thus, 

' Victorie ' : 
For which he yaf to Mars honour and 

glorie. 
And thus with joye, and hope wel to fare, 
Arcito anon im-to his inne is fare, 2436 
As fayn as fowel is of the brighte sonne. 
And right anon swich stryf ther is bi- 

For thdke graunting, in the hevene above, 
Bitwixe Venus, the goddosse of love, 2440 
And Mars, the sterne god armipotente. 
That Jupiter was bisy it to stente ; 
Til that the pale Saturnus the eolde. 
That knew so manye of aventures olde 



Fond in his olde experience an art, 2445 
That he ful sone hath plesed every part. 
As sooth is sayd, elde hath greet avantage ; 
In elde is bothe wisdom and l^sage ; (1S90) 
Men may the olde at-renne, and noght 

at-rede. 
Saturne anon, to stinten stryf and drede, 
Al be it that it is agayn his kynde, 2451 
Of al this stryf he gan remedie fynde. 

' My dere doghter Venus,' quod Saturne, 
' My cours, tliat hath so ^^■yde for to turne. 
Hath more power than wot any man. 245^ 
Myn is the drenching in the see so wan"; 
Myn is the prison in the derke coto • 
Myn is the strangling and hanging by the 

The murmure, and the cherles rebelling, 
The groyning, and the pryvee empoyson- 
^"^S : ' 2460 

I do vengeance and pleyn correccioun 
Whyl I dwelle in the signe of the Leoun. 
Myn is the mine of the hye halles. 
The falling of the toures and of the waUes 
Up-on the mynour or the carpenter. 2465 
I slow Sampsoun in shaking tlie piler ; 
And myne be the maladyes colde. 
The derke tresons, and the castes olde ; 
My lokingis the fader of pestilence. (i6m) 
Now weep namore, I shal doon diligence 
That Palamon, that is thyn owne knight, 
Shal have his lady, as thou hast him hight! 
Though Mars shal helpe his knight, yet 

nathelees 
Bitwixe yow ther moot be som tyme pees, 
Al be ye noght of o complexioun, 2475 
That causeth al day swich divisioun. 
I am thin ayel, redy at thy wille ; 
V^eep thou namore, I wol thy lust ful- 
fills. ' (1(5^0) 
Now wol I stinten of the goddes above, 
Of Mars, and of Venus, goddesse of love. 
And teUe yow, as plej-nly as I can, 2481 
The grete effect, for which that I bigan. 
Explicit tercia pars. 
Sequitur pars quarta. 
Greet was the feste in Athenes that day, 
And eek the lusty seson of that May 
Made every wight to been in swich 
plesaunce, ^^g- 
That al that Monday justen they and 
daunce. 



450 



A. ZU %ni^^k6 Zcik. 



[t. 24S9-2562. 



And spenden it in Venus heigh servyse. 
Bi^t by the cause that they shokle ryso 
Erly, for to seen the grete fight, (1631) 
Unto hir reste wente they at night. 2490 
And on the morwe, whan that day gan 

springe, 
Of hors and harneys, noyse and clateringe 
Ther was in hostelryes al ahoute ; 
And to the paleys rood tlier manj' a 

route 
Of lordes, up-on stedes and palfreys. 2495 
Ther maystow seen devysing of herneys 
So uncouth and so riche, and wroght so 

weel 
Of goldsmithrie, of Ijrowding, and of 

steel; (i^Ho) 

The sheeldes brighte, testers, and trap- 

pures ; 
Gold-hewen helmes, hauberks, cote-ar- 

mures ; 2500 

Lordes in paraments on hir covirseres, 
Knightes of retenue, and eek squyercs 
Nailinge the spores, and helmes bokelinge, 
Gigginge of sheeldes, with layueres la- 

cingo ; 
Ther as need is, they weren no-thing ydel ; 
The foray stedes on the golden brydel 2506 
Guawinge, and faste the armurers also 
With fyle and hanier prikinge to and 

fro; (1050) 

Yemen on fote, and comitirines many oon 
With shorte staves, thikke as they may 

goon ; 2510 

Pypes, trompes, nakers, clariounes. 
That in the batalUo blowen blody sounes ; 
The paleys ful of peples up and doun, 
Heer three, ther ten, holding hir ques- 

tioiin, 
Divyninge of thise Theban knightes two. 
Somme scyden thus, somme seyde it shal 

be so ; 2516 

Somme helden with him with the blake 

berd, 
Somme with the balled, somme with the 

thikkc-herd ; (i66o) 

Somme sayde, he loked grim and he 

wolde fighto ; 
Ho hath a sparth of twenty pound of 

wighte. 2520 

Thus was the hallo ftil of divj-ninge, 
Longe after that the sonne gau to springe. 



The grete Theseus, that of his sleep 

awaked 
With minstralcye and noyse that was 

maked. 
Hold yet the chambre of his paleys riche. 
Til that the Thebane knightes, bothe y- 

liche 2526 

Honoured, were into the paleys fet. 
Duk Theseus was at a window set, (1670) 
Arrayed right as he were a god in trone. 
The peple preesseth thider-ward ful sone 
Him for to seen, and doon heigh reverence, 
And eek to herkne his hest and his 

sentence. 
An heraud on a scaffold made an ho, 
Til al the noyse of peple was y-do ; 
And whan he saugh the peple of noyse al 

stille, 2535 

Tho showed he the mighty dukes wille. 

' The lord hath of his heigh discrecioun 
Considered, that it were destruccioun (i68o) 
To gentil blood, to fighten in the g.yse 
Of mortal bataille now in this empryse ; 
Wherfore, to shapen that they shul not 

dye, 254 1 

He wol his firste purpos modifyo. 
No man therfor, up peyne of los of lyf, 
No nianer shot, ne poUax, ne short knyf 
Into the listes sendo, or thider bringe ; 2545 
Ne short swerd for to stoke, with poynt 

bytinge. 
No man ne drawe, ne berc it by his syde. 
Ne no man shal un-to his folawe ryde ( i6go) 
But o cours, with a sharp y-grounde spere ; 
Foyne, if him list, on fote, him-self to 

were. 2550 

And he that is at meschief, shal bo take, 
And noght slayn, biit be broght uu-to the 

stake 
That shal ben ordeyned on either syde ; 
But thider he shal by force, and ther 

abyde. 
And if so falle, the chieftayn be take 2555 
On either syde, or elles slee his make, 
No longer shal the turneyinge laste. 
God spede yow ; goth forth, and ley on 

faste. (1700) 

With long swerd and with maces fight 

your fille. 
Goth now your wey ; this is the lordes 

wille.' 2560 



T. 2563-2640.] 



A. ZU %rxi^^U& Zak. 



451 



The voys of peple toiichede the hcvene, 
So loude cryden they with meiy stevene : 
' God save swich a lord, that is so good, 
He wilneth no destruccioi^n of blood ! ' 
Up goon the trompes and the melodye. 2565 
And to the listes rit the companye 
By ordinavince, thurgh-out the citee large. 
Hanged with cloth of gold, and nat with 

sarge. (1710) 

Ftil lyk a lord this noble duk gan rydp, 
Thiso two Thebanes up-on either syde ; 2570 
And aiter rood the qiiene, and Emelye, 
And after that another companye 
Of oon and other, after hir degree. 
And thus they passen thvirgh-out the 

citee. 
And to the listes come they by tyme. 2575 
It n;is not of the day yet fully pryme. 
Whan sot was Theseus ful riche and hye, 
Ipolita the quene and Emelye, (1720) 

And other ladies in degrees aboute. 
Un-to the seetos preesseth al the route. 2580 
And west-ward, thixrgh the gates under 

Marte, 
Arcite, and eek the hundred of his parte. 
With baner reed is entred right anon ; 
And in that selve moment Palamon 
Is under Venus, est-ward in the place, 2565 
With baner whyt, and hardy chere and 

face. 
In al the world, to seken up and doun. 
So even with-outen variacioun, (1730) 

Ther nere swiehe companyes tweye. 
For ther nas noon so wys that coiide 

seye, 2590 

That any hadde of other avauntago 
Of worthinesse, no of estaat, ne age. 
So even were they chosen, for to gesse. 
And in two renges faire they hem dresse. 
Whan that hir names rad were everi- 

choon, 2595 

That in hir nombre gyle were ther noon, 
Tho were the gates shet, and cryed was 

loude : 
'Do now your devoir, yonge knightes 

proude!' (1740) 

The heraudes lefte lur i^riking tip and 

doun ; 2599 

Now ringen trompes loude and clarioun ; 
Ther is namore to seyn, but west and est 
In goon the speres ful sadly in arest ; 



In goth the sharpe spore in-to the syde. 
Ther seen men who can juste, and who 

can ryde ; 
Ther shiveren shaftes up-on sheeldes 

thikke ; 2605 

He feleth thurgh the herte-spoon the 

prikke. 
Up springen speres twenty foot on highte ; 
Out goon the swei'des as the silver 

brighte. (i75") 

The helmes they to-hewen and to-shredc ; 
Out brest the blood, with sterna stremes 

rede. 2610 

With mighty maces the bones they to- 

breste. 
He thurgh the thikkeste of the throng 

gan threste. 
Ther stomblen stedes stronge, and doun 

goth al. 
He roUeth under foot as dooth a bal. 2614 
He foyneth on his feet with his tronchoun, 
And he him hurtleth with his hors adoun. 
He thurgh the body is hurt, and sitheu 

y-take, 
Maugree his heed, aud broght un-to the 

stake, (1760) 

As forward was, right ther he moste 

abyde ; 
Another lad is on that other syde. 2620 
And som tyme dooth hein Theseus to reste. 
Hem to refrosshe, and drinken if hem 

leste. 
Ful ofte a-day han thise Thebanes two 
Togidre y-met, and wroght his felawe wo ; 
Unhorsed hath ech other of hem tweye. 
Ther nas no tygre in the vale of Galgo- 

pheye, 2626 

Whan that hir whelp is stole, whan it is 

lyte. 
So cruel on the hunte, as is Arcite (1770) 
For jelous herte iipon this Palamoun : 
Ne in Belm.arye ther nis so fel leoun, 2630 
That hunted is, or for his hunger wood, 
Ne of his praye desireth so the blood, 
As Palamon to sleen his fo Arcite. 
Tlie jelous strokes on hir helmes byte ; 
Out renneth blood on both hir sydes 

rede. 2635 

Som tynie an ende ther is of every dede ; 
For er the sonne un-to the reste wente, 
The stronge king Emetreus gan hente 



Q 2 



45: 



^^t 1vmg3^e0 Zak. 



[t. 2641-2726. 



This Palamon, as lie faught with Arcite, 
And made his swerd depe in his flesh to 
byte; (178-') 2640 

And by the force of twenty is he take 
Ihiyolden, and y-drawe iinto the stake. 
And in the rescous of this Palamoun 
The stronge king Ligurge is born adoun ; 
And king Emetretis, for al his strengthe, 
Is born out of his sadel a swerdes lengthe, 
So hitte him Palamon er he were take ; 
But al for noght, he was broght to the 
stake. (1790) 

His hardy herte mighte him helpe naught ; 
He moste abyde, whan that he was caught 
By force, and eek by composicioun. 2651 
Who sorweth now but wofiil Palamoun, 
That moot namore goon agayn to fighte ? 
And whan that Theseus had seyn this 
sighte, 2654 

Un-to the folk that foghten thus echoon 
He cryde, ' Ho ! namore, for it is doon ! 
I wol be trewe juge, and no partye. 
Arcite of Thebes shal have Emelye, (1800) 
That by his fortune hath hir faire y- 

wonnc.' 
Anon ther is a noyse of peple bigonne 2660 
For joye of this, so loude and heigh with- 

alle, 
It semed that the listes sholtle falle. 

What can now faire Veniis doon above ? 
What seith she now? what dooth this 

queue of love ? 
But wepeth so, for wanting of hir wille. 
Til that hir teres in the listes fille ; 2666 
She seyde : ' I am ashamed, doutelees.' 
Satiirnus seyde : ' Doghter, hold thy pees. 
Mars hath his wille, his knight hath al 
his bone, (1811) 

And, by myn heed, thou shalt ben esed 
sone.' 2670 

The trompes, with the loude minstral- 
cye, 
The heraudes, that ful loude yolle and 

crye. 
Been in hir wele for joye of daun Arcite. 
But herkneth me, and stinteth now a 

lyte. 
Which a miracle ther bifel anon. 2675 

This fierse Arcite hath of his hebn y-don, 
And on a courser, for to shewe his face, 
He priketh endelong the large place, (1820) 



Loking iTpward up-on this Emelye ; 2679 
And she agayn him caste a freendlich ye. 
fFor wommen, as to speken in comune. 
They folwen al the favour of fortune) ; 
And she was al his chere, as in his herte. 
Out of the ground a furie infernal sterte, 
From Pluto sent, at requeste of Saturne, 
For which his hors for fere gan to turne, 
And leep asyde, and foundred as he leep ; 
And, er that Arcite may taken keep, (1830) 
He pighte him on the pomel of his heed, 
That in the place he lay as he were 
deed, 2690 

His brest to-brosten with his sadel-bowe. 
As blak he lay as any cole or crowe, 
So was the blood y-ronnen in his face. 
Anon he was y-born out of the place 
With herte soor, to Theseus paleys. 2695 
Tho was he corven out of his barneys. 
And in a bed y-brought ful faire and 

blyve. 
For he was yet in memorie and alj^e, ( 1 840) 
And alway crying after Emelye. 

Duk Theseus, with al his companye, 2700 
Is comen hoom to Athenes his citee. 
With alle blisse and greet solempnitce. 
Al be it that this aventiire was falle, 
He nolde noght disconforten hem alle. 
Men seyde eek, that Arcite shal nat dye; 
He shal ben heled of his maladye. 2706 
And of another thing they w^ere as fayn, 
That of hem alle was tlier noon y-slayn, 
Al were they sore y-hvirt, and namely oon, 
That with a spere was thirled his brest- 
boon. (1852) 2710 

To othere woundes, and to broken armes. 
Some hadden salves, and some hadden 

ch armes ; 
Fermacies of herbes, and eok save 
They dronken, for they wolde hir limes 

have. 
For which this noble duk, as he wel can, 
Conforteth and honoureth eveiy man, 2716 
And made revel al the longe night, 
Un-to the strauuge lordes, as was right. 
Ne ther was holden no disconfitinge, (1861) 
But as a justes or a tourneyinge ; 2720 
For soothly ther was no disconfittire, 
For falling nis nat but an aventure ; 
Ne to be lad with fors un-to the stake 
Unyolden, and with twenty knightes take. 



T. 2727-2816.] 



A. ZU %ni^^kQ Zak, 



453 



O persone allone, ■with-outen mo, 2725 

And haried forth by arme, foot, and to. 
And eek his stede driven forthwith staves, 
With footmen, bothe yemen and eek 

knaves, (1870) 

It nas aretted him no vileinye,. 2729 

Ther may no man clepen it cowardye. 

For which anon duk Thesens leet crye, 
To stinten alle rancour and envye, 
Tlie gree as wel of o syde as of other. 
And either syde y-lyk, as otlieres brother ; 
And yaf hem yiftes after hir deg^-ee, 2735 
And fnlly heeld a feste dayes three ; 
And conveyed the kinges worthily 
Out of his toun a joiirnee largely. (i88o) 
And hoom wente every man the righte 

way. 
Ther was namore, but '^ far wel, have good 

day ! ' 2740 

Of this bataille I wol namore endyte. 
But speke of Palamon and of Arcite. 
Swelleth the brest of Arcite, and the 

sore 
Encreesseth at his herte more and more. 
The clothei-ed blood, for any lechecraft, 
Corrupteth, and is in his bouk y-laft, 2746 
That neither veyne-blood, ne vontusinge, 
Ne drinke of herbes may ben his helpinge. 
The vertu expulsif, or animal, (1891) 

Fro thilke vertu cleped natural 2750 

Ne may the venim voyden, ne expelle. 
The pypes of his longes gonne to swelle, 
And every lacerte in his brest adoun 
Is shent with venim and corrupcioun. 
Him gayneth neither, for to gete his lyf, 
Vomyt upward, ne dounward laxatif ; 2756 
Al is to-brosten thilke regioun. 
Nature hath now no dominacioun. (191x3) 
And certeinly, ther nature wol nat wirche, 
Far-wel, phisyk ! go ber the man to 

chirche ! 2760 

This al and som, that Arcita mot dye, 
For which he sendeth after Emelye, 
And Palamon, that was his cosin dere ; 
Than seyde he thus, as ye shul after 

here. 
' Naught may the woful spirit in myn 

herte 2765 

Declare o poynt of aUe my sorwes smerte 
To yow, my lady, that I love most ; 
But I biquethe the service of my gost ( 1910) 



To yow aboven every creature. 
Sin that my lyf may no lenger dure. 2770 
Alias, the wo ! alias, the peynes stronge, 
That I for yow have suffred, and so longe ! 
Alias, the deeth ! alias, myn Emelye ! 
Alias, departing of our companye ! 2774 
Alias, myn hertes quene ! alias, my wyf ! 
Myn hertes lady, endere of my lyf ! 
What is this world ? what asketli men to 

have ? 
Now with his love, now in his colde grave 
Allone, with-outen any companye. (1921) 
Far-wel, my swete fo ! myn Emelye ! 2780 
And softe tak me in your amies tweye. 
For love of God, and herkneth what I seye. 

I have heer with my cosin Palamon 
Had stryf and rancovir, many a day agon, 
For love of yow, and for my jelousye. 2785 
And Jvipiter so wis my soule gye, 
To speken of a servant proprely, 
With alle circumstaunces trewely, (i()3o) 
That is to seyn, trouthe, honour, and 

kniglithede, 
Wisdom, hiimblesse, estaat, and heigh 
kinrede, 27<)o 

Fredom, and al that longeth to that art. 
So Jupiter have of my soule part, 
As in this world right now ne knowe I non 
So worthy to ben loved as Palamon, 2794 
That servcth yow, and wol don al his lyf. 
And if that ever ye shul been a wyf, 
Foryet nat Palamon, the gentil man.' (1939) 
And with that word his speche faille gan. 
For from his feet up to his brest was come 
The cold of deeth, that hadde him over- 
come. 2800 
And yet more-over, in his amies two 
The vital strengthe is lost, and al ago. 
Only the intellect, with-outen more. 
That dwelled in his herte syk and sore, 
Gan faillen, when the herte felto deeth. 
Dusked his eyen two, and failled breeth. 
But on his lady yet caste he his ye ; (1949) 
His lasto word was, ' mercy, Emelye ! ' 
His spirit chaunged hous, and wente ther, 
As I cam never, I can nat tellen wher. 2810 
Therfor I stinte, I nam no divinistre ; 
Of soulcs finde I nat in this registre, 
Ne me ne list thilke opiniouns to telle 
Of hem, though that they wryten wher 
they dwelle. 



454 



A. Z^t %ni^^H6 Zak. 



[t. 2817-2902. 



Arcito is cold, tlier Mars his soule gye ; 
Now wol I spoken fortli of Emelye. 2816 
Sliriglite Emelye, andhowleth Palamon, 
And Tliesens his suster took anon (i960) 
Svvowninge, and bar hir fro the corps away. 
What helpeth it to tarien forth the daj-, 
To tellen how she weep, bothe eve and 

niorwo ■? 282 1 

For in swicli cas wonxnien have swich 

sorwe. 
Whan tliat hir honsbonds been from hem 

ago, 
That for the more part they sorwen so. 
Or elles fallen in swich maladye, 2S25 

That at the laste certeinly they dye. 

Infinite been the sorwes and the teres 
Of olde folk, and folk of tendre yeres, (1970) 
In al the toxin, for deeth of this Theban ; 
For him ther wepeth bothe child and 

man ; 2830 

>So greet a wepijig was ther noon, certayn, 
Whan Ector was y-broght, al fresh y-slayn, 
To Troye ; alias ! the pitee that was ther, 
Cracching of chekes, rending eek of lieer. 
' Why woldestow be deed,' thise wommen 

crye, 2835 

' And haddest gold y-nongh, and Emelye '? ' 
No man mighte gladen Thesens, 
Savinge his olde fader Egeiis, (1980) 

That knew this worldes transmiitacioun, 
As he had seyn it chaungen up and doim, 
.Toye .after wo, and wo after gladnesse : 
And shewed hem ensamples and lyknesse. 
' Eight as ther deyed never man,' quod 

he, 2843 

' That he ne livede in erthe in som degree, 
Ilight so ther livede never man,' he seyde, 
' In al this world, that som tyme he ne 

deyde. (1988) 2846 

Tliis world nis but athurghfarefulof wo. 
And we ben j^ilgrimes, passinge to and fro ; 
Deeth is an onde of every worldly sore,' 
And over al this yet seyde he mnchel more 
To this effect, ful wysly to enhorte 2851 
The peple, that they sholde hem reconforte. 

Duk Theseus, with al his bisy cure. 
Caste now wher that the sepulture 
Of good Arcite may best y-maked be, 2855 
And eek most honurable in his degree. 
And at the laste he took conclusioun, (1999) 
That ther as first Arcite and Palamoun 



Hadden for love the bataille hem bitwene, 
That in that selve grove, swote and grene, 
Ther ashe hadde his amorous desires, 2S61 
His compleynt, and for love his hote fires, 
He wolde make a fyr, in which th'office 
Funeral he mighte al accomplice ; 
And leet comaunde anon to hakke and 

hewe (2007) 2865 

The okes olde, and leye hem on a rewe 
In colpons wel arr.ayed for to brenne ; 
His officers with swifte feet they renne 
And ryde anon at his comaundement. 
And after this, Theseus hath y-sent 2870 
After .a bere, and it al over-spradde 
With cloth of gold, the richest that he 

hadde. 
And of the same suj'te he cladde Arcite ; 
Upon his hondes hadde he gloves whyte; 
Eek on his heed a croune of lanrer 

grene, 2875 

And in his hond a swerd ful bright and 

kene. (2018) 

He leyde him b.are the visage on the bere, 
Therwith he weep that pitee was to here. 
And for the peple sholde seen him alle. 
Whan it was d.ay, he broghte him to the 

halle, 2Sf-\) 

That roreth of the crying and the soun. 

Tho cani this woful Theban Palamoun, 
With flotery herd, and ruggy asshy heres, 
In clothes blake, y-dropped al with teres ; 
And, passing othere of weping, Emelye, 
The rewfulleste of al the companye. 2886 
In as muche as the service sholde be 
The more noble and richc in his degree, 
Duk Thesens leet forth three stedes bringe. 
That trapped were in steel al gliteringe. 
And covered with the armes of daun 

Arcite. (2033) 2891 

Up-on thise stedes, that weren grete and 

whj'te, 
Ther seten folk, of which oonbarhissheeld, 
Another his spere up in his hondes heeld ; 
The thridde bar with him his bowe Tur- 
keys, 2895 
Of brend gold was the cas, and eek the 

barneys ; (2038) 

And riden forth a pas with sorweful chere 
Toward the grove, as ye shiil after here. 
The nobleste of the Grekes that ther were 
Upon hir shuldres carieden the bere, 2900 



T. 2903-2984.] 



A. 



ZH ICnt'g^fee Zak. 



45' 



With slakke pas, and eyen rede and wete, 
Thurgh-out the citee, hythenaaister-strete, 
That sprad was al with blak, and wonder 

hye 
Eight of the same is al the strete y-wxye. 
Up-on the right hond wente old Egeus, 2905 
And on that other syde duk Theseus, 
With vessels in hir hand of gold ful fyn, 
Al ful of hony, milli, and blood, and wyn ; 
Eek Palamon, with fvil greet companye ; 
And after that cam woful Emelye, 2910 
With fyr in honde, as was that tyme the 

gyse, (2053) 

To do th'office of funeral serN'yse. 

Heigh labour, and f ulgreet apparaillinge 
Was at the service and the fyr-makinge, 
That with his grenc top the he ven ranghte. 
And twenty fadnie of brede the amies 

straughte ; 2916 

This is to sejTi, the bowes were so brode. 
Of stree first ther was leyd ful many a 

lode. (2060) 

But how the fyr was maked up on highte. 
And eek the names how the trees highte, 
As ook, flrre, birch, asp, alder, holm, 

popler, 2921 

Wilow, elm, jilane, ash, box, chasteyn, 

lind, laurer, 
Mapul, thorn, l)eeeh, hasel, ew, whippel- 

tree. 
How they weren feld, shal nat lie told for 

me ; 
Ne how the goddes ronnen ui> and doun, 
Disherited of hir habitacioun, 2926 

In which they woneden in reste and pees, 
Nymphes, Famines, and Amadrides ; (2070) 
Ne how the bestes and the briddes alle 
Fledden for fere, whan the wode was falle ; 
Ne how the ground agast was of the light. 
That was nat wont to seen the sonne bright ; 
Ne how the fyr was couched first with stree. 
And than with drye stokkes cloven a three, 
And than with grene wode and spycerye. 
And than with cloth of gold and with 

perrye, 2936 

And gerlandes hanging with ful many 

a flour. 
The mirre, th'encens, with al so greet 

odour ; 
Ne how Arcite lay among al this, (2081) 
Ne what richesse abonte his body is ; 2940 



Ne how that Emelye, as was the gyse, 

Putte in the fyr of funeral servyse ; 

Ne how she swowned whan men made the 

Ne what she spak, ne what was hir desyr ; 
No what jeweles men in the fyr tho caste, 
Wlian that the fyr was greet and brente 

faste ; 2946 

Ne how som caste hir sheeld, and sora hir 

spere. 
And of hir vestLments, whiehe that they 

■were, (2090) 

And cuppes ful of wj-n, and milk, and 

blood, 
Into the fjT, that brente as it were wood ; 
No how the Grekes with an huge rovite 
Thryes riden al the fyr aboute 2952 

Up-on the left hand, with a loud shoutinge, 
And thryes with hir speres clateringe ; 
And thryes how the ladies gonne crye ; 2955 
Ne how that lad was hom-ward Emelye ; 
Ne how Arcite is brent to asshen colde ; 
Ne how that liche- wake was y-holde (2100) 
Al thilke night, ne how the Grekes pleye 
The wake-pleyes, ne kepe I nat to seye ; 2960 
AVho wrastleth best naked, with oOIe 

enoynt, 
Ne who that bar him best, in no disjoynt. 
I wol nat tellen eek how that they goon 
Hoom til Athenes, whan the pley is doon ; 
But shortly to the poynt than wol I wende, 
And maken of my longe tale an ende. 2966 
By processe and by lengthe of certoyn 

yeres 
Al stinted is the moorning and the teres. 
Of Grekes, by oon general assent, (21 11) 
Than semed me ther was a parlement 2970 
At Athenes, up-on certeyn poynt sand eas; 
Among the whiehe poynts y-spoken was 
To have with certeyn contrees alliaunce, 
And have fully of Thebans obeisaunce. 
For which this noble Theseus anon 2975 
Leet senden after gentil Palamon, 
Unwist of liini what was the cause and 

why; 
Btit in his blake clothes sorwefully (2120) 
He cam at his comaundemente in hye. 
Tho sente Theseus for Emelye. 29fo 

Whan they were set, and hvist was al the 

place. 
And Theseiis abiden hadde a space 



456 



A. Z^t %m^^UQ Zak. 



[t. 2985-3068. 



Er any word cam from liis wyse brest, 
His eyen sette he ther as was liis lest, 
And with a sad visage he syked stille, 2985 
And alter that right thus he seyde his wille. 
' The firste moevere of the cause above, 
Whan he first made the faire cheyne of 

love, (2130) 

Greet was th'eff'cct, and heigh was his 

entente ; 
Wei wiste he why, and what ther-of ho 

mente ; 2990 

For witli that faire cheyne of love he bond 
The fyr, the eyr, the water, and the 

lond 
In certeyn boundes, that they may nat flee ; 
That same prince and that moevere,' quod 

he, 
' Hath stablissed, in this wrecched world 

adoun, 2995 

Certeyne dayes and duracioun 
To al that is engendred in this place, (2139) 
Over the whicho day they niay nat pace, 
Al mowe they yet tho dayes wel abregge ; 
Ther needeth nou auctoritee allegge, 3000 
For it is preved by experience, 
But that me list declaren my sentence. 
Than may men by this ordre wel discerne. 
That thilke moevere stable is and eterne. 
Wel may man knowe, but it be a fool, 3005 
That every part deryveth from his hool. 
For nature hath nat take his beginning 
Of no party ne cantel of a thing, (2150) 
But of a thing that parfit is and stable. 
Descending so, til it be corrumpable. 3010 
And therfore, of his wyse piirveyaunce. 
He hath so wel biset his ordinaunce. 
That speces of thinges and progressiouns 
Shullen enduren by successiouns. 
And nat eterne be, with-oute lye : 3015 
This maistow vinderstonde and seen at ye. 
' Lo the 00k, that hath so long a noris- 

shinge 

From tyme that it first biginneth springe, 

Andhathsolongalyf,aswe may see, (2161) 

Yet at the laste wasted is the tree. 3020 

' Considereth eek, how that the harde 

stoon 
lender our feet, on which we trede and 

goon, 
Yit wasteth it, as it Ij-th Ijy the weye. 
The brode river somtynie wexeth dreye. 



The grete tounes see we wane and wende. 
Than may ye see that al this thing hath 

cnde. 3026 

' Of man and womnaan seen we wel also. 

That nedeth, in oon of thise ternies two, 

This is to seyn, in youthe or elles age, (2 1 7 1 ) 

He moot ben deed, the king as shal a 

page ; 3030 

Som in his bed, som in the depe see, 
Som in the large feeld, as men may se ; 
Ther helpeth noght, al goth that ilke weye. 
Tlianue may I seyn that al this thing moot 

deye. 3034 

What maketh this btit Jupiter the king"? 
The which is prince and cause of alle thing. 
Converting al un-to his propre welle. 
From which it is deryved, sooth to telle. 
And here-agayns no creature on lyve (2181) 
Of no degree availleth for to stry ve. 3040 
' Thanne is it wisdom, as it thinketh me, 
To maken vertu of necessitee. 
And take it wel, that we may nat eschue, 
And namely that to us alle is due. 
And who-so griiccheth ought, he dooth 

folye, 3"45 

And rebel is to him that al may gye. 
And certeinly a man hath most honour 
To dyen in his excellence and flour, (2190) 
Whan he is siker of his gode name ; 
Than hath he doon his freend, ne him, no 

shame. 3050 

And gladder oghte his freend ben of his 

deeth. 
Whan with honour up-yolden is his breeth. 
Than whan his name apalled is for age ; 
For al forgeten is his vasselage. 
Than is it best, as for a worthy fame, 3055 
To dyen whan that he is best of name. 
The contrai'ie of al this is wilfulnesse. 
Why grucchen we? why have we hevi- 

nesse, (2200) 

That good Arcite, of chivalrye flour 
Departed is, with duetce and honour, 3060 
Out of this foulo prison of this lyf? 
Why grucchen heer his cosin andhis wyf 
Of his wel-fare that loved hem so weel? 
Can he hem thank ? nay, God wot, never 

a deel. 
That bothe his soule and eek hem-self 

offende, 3065 

And yet they mowe hir lustes nat amende. 



T. .',069—3128.] 



ZU (nXiffer'0 (JJrofoguc. 



457 



' What may I conclude of this longe serie, 
But, after wo, I rode us to be merie, (2210) 
And thiinkcn J upiter of al his grace ? 
And, or tliat we dejiarten froni this 

place, 31)70 

I redo that we make, of sorwes two, 
O parfyt joye, lasting over-mo ; 
And loketh now, whcr most sorwe is lier- 

inne, 
Ther wol we first amcndon and biginne. 

' Suster,' quod he, ' this is my fulle assent. 
With altli'avysheerofmyparlement, 3076 
That gentil Palamon, your owno knight, 
That servetli yow with wille, hei-te, and 

might, (2221)) 

And over liath doon, sin that yo first him 

knewe, 3079 

That ye sh 111, of your grace, up-on him re we. 
And taken him for housbonde and lor 

lord : 
Leon me j-onr liond, for this is our acord. 
Lat see now of your wommanly jpitee. 
He is a kinges brother sone, pardee ; 
And, tliough ho were apovro bachelor, 3085 
Sin he hath served yow so many a yeer, 



And had for yow so greet adversitee, 

It moste been considered, Icvoth me ; (2230) 

For gentil mercy oghto to jiasscn right.' 

Than soyde lie thus to Palamon ful right ; 
' I trowo thcr nodeth litol sormoning 3091 
To make yow asscntc to this thing. 
Com neer, and tak your lady l)y the bond.' 
liitwixon hcni was maad anon the bond, 
That highte nuitrimoine or inariage, 3095 
By al the counseil and the baronage. 
And thus with alle blisso and melodyo 
Hath Palamon y-wedded Emolye. (2240) 
And God, that al this wyde world hath 

wroght. 
Sonde him his love, that hath it dere 

a-boght. 3100 

For now is Palamon in alio wele. 
Living in blisso, in richosse, and in hele ; 
And Emolye him loveth so tcndrely. 
And he hir servoth al-so gontilly. 
That never was ther no word hem bitwene 
Of jelousyo, or any other tone. 3106 

Thus cndeth Palamon and Emelye ; 
And God save al this faire companye ! — 

Amen. (2250) 



Here is ended the Knightes Tale. 



THE MILLER'S PROLOGUE. 



Here folwen the wordes bitweae the Host and the Millere. 



Whan that tlie Kniglit had thus his talo 

y-told, 
In al the route nas ther yong no old 3110 
That he no soyde it was a noble storie. 
And worthy for to drawen to momorie ; 
Arid namely the gontils everichoon. 
Our Hoste lough and swoor, ' so moot I goon. 
This gooth aright ; unbokelodisthemale ; 
Lat see now who shal telle another tale : 
For trewoly, the game is wel bigonne. 3 117 
Nowtolloth ye, sir Monk, if that j'o conne. 



Siimwhat, to quytc witli the Knightes 
tale.' (11) 

The Miller, that ior-dronkou was al 
pale, 3 121) 

So that unnctho up-on his hors ho sat, 
Ho nolde avalen neither hood jio liat, 
No abydo no man for his curtcisye. 
But in Pilates vols ho gan to cryo. 
And swoor by armes and by Ijlood and 
bones, 3 1 25 

' I can a iioblo talo for the nones. 



y 3 



458 



A. ZU Q)Xtffer'0 ^rofo^ue. [t. 3129-31S6. 



With which I wol now qvtyte the Knightes 

tale.' 
Ovir Hoste saugh that ho was dronke of 

ale, (20) 

Andseyde : 'abyd, Robin, inylevc brother, 

Som bettre man shal telle us first another : 

Abyd, and lat iis wcrken thriftily.' 3131 

' By goddes soul,' quod he, ' that wol 

nat I ; 
For I wol spoke, or elles go my wey.' 
Our Hoste answerde : ' tel on, a dovol 

wey ! 
Thou art a fool, thy wit is overcome.' 3 135 
' Now horkueth,' quod the Miller, 'alle 

and some ! 
But iirst I make a protestacioun 
That I am dronke, I knowe it by my 

soun ; (31)) 

And thcrfore, if that I misspeke or seye, 
Wyto it the ale of Soiithwork, I yow 

preye; 3140 

For I wol telle a legende and a lyf 
Botha of a Carpenter, and of his wyf. 
How that a clerk hath set the wrightes 

capiie,' 
The Bo vo answordo and seyde, ' stint thy 

clappo, 
Lat be thy lowed dronken harloti"ye. 3145 
It is a sinne and eek a greet folj'e 
To apeiren any man, or him diflfame. 
And eek to bringen wyves in swich 

fame. (40) 

Thou mayst y-nogli of othero thinges 

seyn.' 
This dronken Miller spakfulsoneageyn, 
And seyde, 'love brother Osewold, 3151 
Who hath no wyf, ho is no cokewold. 
But I soy nat therfore that thou art oon ; 
Ther been ful gode wyves many oon. 



•j-And ever a thousand gode ayeyns oon 

badde, 3i55 

■|That knowestow wcl thy-self, bnt-if thou 

madde. 
Why artow angry with my tale now ? 
I have a wyf, pardee, as well as thou, (50) 
Yet nolde I, for the oxen in my plogh, 
Taken vip-on me more than y-nogh, 3160 
As demon of my-self that I were oon ; 
I wol beleve wel that I am noon. 
An housbond shal nat been inquisitif 
Of goddes privetee, nor of his wyf. 
So he may finde goddes fbyson there, 3165 
Of the remenant nedeth nat enijjuere.' 
What sholde I more seyn, but this 

Millore 
He nolde his wordes for no man forbore, (60) 
But tolde his cherles tale in his mauere ; 
Me thinketh that I shal reherce it here. 3 1 70 
And ther-fore every gentil wight I 

preye. 
For goddes love, demeth nat that I seye 
Of evel entente, but that I moot reherce 
Hir tales alle, be they bettre or worse. 
Or elles falsen som of nay matere. 3 1 75 
And therfore, who-so list it nat y-hore, 
Turne over the leef, and chesc another 

tale; {69) 

For he shal findo y-nowe, groto and smale, 
Of storial thing that touchoth gontillesse, 
And eek moralitee and holinesso ; 3180 
Blameth nat me if that ye chesc amis. 
The Miller is a cherl, ye knowe wel 

this ; 
So was the Kevo, and othero many mo. 
And harlotrye they tolden bothe two. 
Avyseth yow and putte me out of blame ; 
And eek men shal nat make ernest of 

game. (78) 31S6 



Here endeth the prologe. 



T. 3187-3260.] 



A. -e^e (r»ltffere0 Zak. 



459 



THE MILLERES TALE. 



Here biglnneth the Millere his tale. 



WiiYLOM ther was dwellinge at Oxenford 
A riche gnof, that gestes heeld to bord, 
And of his craft he was a Carpenter. 
With him ther was dwellinge a povre 
scoler, 3190 

Had lerned art, but al his fantasye 
Was turned for to lerne astrologye, 
And coude a certeyn of conclusiouns 
To demen by interrogaciouns, ■, 
If that men axed him in certein houres, 3 1 95 
Whan that men sholde have droghte or 
elles shoures, (10) 

Or if men axed him what sholde bifalle 
Of every thing, I may nat rokene hem alle. 

This clerk was eloped hende Nicholas ; 
Of derne love he coude and of solas ; 3200 
And ther-to he was sleigh and ful privee, 
And lyk a mayden meke for to see. 
A chambre hadde he in that hostelrye 
Allone, with-outen any companye, 
Fulfetislyy-dight with herbes swote ; 3205 
And he him-self as swete as is the rote (20) 
Of licorys, or any cetewale. 
His Almageste and bokes grete and smale, 
His astrelabie, longinge for his art, 
His augrim-stones layen faire a-part 3210 
On shelves couched at his beddes heed : 
His presse y-covered with a falding reed. 
And al above ther lay a gay sautrye, 
On which he made a nightes melodye 
So swetely, that al the chambre rong ; 3215 
And Anijelus ad vinjinevi he song ; (30; 
And after that he song the kinges note ; 
Ful often blessed was his mery throte. 
And thus this swete clerk his tymespento 
After his freendes finding and his rente. 

This Carpenter had wedded newe a wyf 
Which that he lovede more than his lyf ; 
Of eightetene yeer she was of age. 
Jalou.s he was, and heeld hir narwe in cage, 

*4 



For she was wildo and yong, and he was 

old, (39) 3225 

And demed him-self ben lyk a cokewold. 
He knew nat Catoun, for his wit was rude. 
That bad man sholde wedde his similitude. 
Men sholde wedden after hir estaat, 
For youthe andeldeisoftenatdebaat. 3230 
But sith that he was fallen in the snare, 
He moste endure, as other folk, his care. 

Fair was this yonge wyf, and ther-with-al 
As any wesele hir body gent and smal. 
A ceynt she werede barred al of silk, 3235 
A barmclooth eek as whyt as morne milk 
Up-on hir lendos, ful of many a gore. (51) 
Whyt was hir snxok andbroudedalbifbre 
And eek biliindo, on hir color aboute, 
Of col-blak silk, with-inne and eek with- 

oute. 3240 

The tapes of hir whyte voluper 
Were of the same su3^e of hir coler ; 
Hir filet brood of silk, and set ful hye : 
And sikerly she hadde a likerous ye. 3244 
Ful smale y-pulled were hir browes two, 
And tho were bent, and blako as any 

sloo. (Co) 

She was ful more blisful on to see 
Than is the newc pei'e-jpnette tree ; 3248 
And softer than the woUe is of a wether. 
And by hir girdel heeng a purs of lether 
Tasseld with silk, and perled with latoun. 
In al this world, to seken vip and doun, 
There nis no man so wys, that coude 

thenche 
So gay a popelote, or swich a wenche. 3254 
Fvil brigliter was the shyning of hir howe 
Than in the tour tho noble y-forged newe. 
But of hir song, it was as loude and yernc 
As any swalwe sittinge on a berne. (72) 
Ther-to she coude skippe and make game. 
As any kide or calf fulwinge his dame. 3260 

5 



460 



A. ZU QUiffene Zak. 



[t. 3251-335?. 



Hir month was swete as bragot or tlio 

iiici'th, 
Or honl of apples Icyd in hey or iHictli. 
Winsiiiffc slio was, iis is a jol y colt, 
Lr)ng aH a inast, and upright as a holt. 
A hn)och sho haar np-on h ir lowc color, 3265 
As brood as is tho bos of a boclcr. (So) 

Hir slices wcro laced on hir loffgos hyo ; 
She was a prymorolo, a pigges-nyo 
For any lord to loggon in his bodde, 
Or yet ibr any good yoman to woddo. 3270 

Now slro, and elt sire, so bifel tho cas, 
Tliat on a day this hondo Nicliolas 
Kil with this yongo wyf to rage and pleyo, 
Wil.^■l tliat hir lionsbond was at Osonoyo, 
As (dorUes ))on fnl subtile and Inl queynte ; 
And prively lio cangbtc' liirby tlio (pioynto, 
And seydo, 'y-wis, but if ich have my 
willo, (9') 3277 

For doino love of thoo, lomman, I spille.' 
And hoeld hir hardo by tho hanncho-bones, 
And seyde, ' lemman, love mo al at-ones, 
Or I wol dyon, also god mo save ! ' 3281 
And she sprong as a colt doth in tho trave, 
And with Jiir heed sho wryed iastc aw(\v, 
And.sc^ydo, ' I wolnat ]<issc tlioc, by my fey, 
Why, lat bo,' (plod sho, ' lat bo, Nicholas, 
Or I wol eryo out "harrow" and "alias." 
Do wey yoixr handcs for your curtcisyo ! ' 

Tliis Nicholas gan mercy for to cryo, 

And si)ak so fairo, and profrcd hir so fasto, 

That sho hir lovo him grauntcd atto 

last(!, (>o4) 329" 

And swoiir hir ooth, Iiy seint Thomas of 

Kent, 
Tliat sb(! wol boon at his comandemont, 
Wliaii tliat she may hir loysor wol espye. 
' Myii housbond is so fnl of jalousyo, 
That ))ntyo wayto wolandbeon x>rivoe, 3295 
1 woot right wel I nam Init tloed,' quod she. 
' Yo inosto been ful dome, as in this cas.' 
' Nay thcr-of care thco noght,' quod 
Nicholas, (112) 

'A clerk had litherly bisot his whyle, 
iJut-if he condo a carpenter bigylo.' 3300 
And llins they been acordod and y-sworn 
To wayt(i a tynic, as I have told biforn. 
Whan Nicholas had doon thus ovorydeel. 
And thakkod hir aboute tho londos wool. 
Ho kist liir swote, and takoth his sautryo. 
And pleyoth faste, and niakoth melodyo. 



Tlian fil it thus, that to the parisli- 
chircho, (121) 

Cristes owno werkes for to wirclie, 
This godo wyf wento on an haliday ; 
Hir forheedslioon as bright as any day, 3310 
So was it wasslien whan slio loot hir work. 
Now was Iher of that chircho a parish- 
cleric, 
Tho which that was y-clopod Absolon. 
Crul was his heor, and as tho gold it shoon, 
And strouted as a fanno large and brode ; 
Ful stroight and oven lay his joly shode. 
His rodo was roed, his cyongroyo as goos ; 
With Powles window corven on his shoos, 
In hoses redo ho wento fetisly. (133) 

Y-clad he was ful snial and proprcly, 3320 
Al in a kirtel of a light waidiot ; 
Ful fairo and thikke boon the poyntes set. 
And ther-up-on he hadde a gay surplys 
As whyt as is tho blosme up-on the I'ys. 
A mery child ho was, so god mo save, 3325 
Wol coudo ho laten blood and cliiype and 
shave, {'■i") 

Andmalceachartrooflondoracqiiil.'umce. 
In t\v(>nty manere coude ho trippe and 

daunce 
After tho scolo of Oxenfordo tlio. 
And with hisleggos castcn to and fro, 3330 
And pleyen songos on a small rubiblo ; 
Thor-to he song som-tymo a loud quinible ; 
And as wel coudo ho pleyo on his gitorno. 
In al tho toun nas browhous no taverne 
That ho no visited with his solas, 3335 
Ther an 3' gaylard tappestoro was. ('5") 
Butsooth tosoyn,lie wassoindol squaynious 
Of farting, and of spocho danngcrous. 

This Absolon, that jolif was and gay, 
Gooth with a sencer on tho haliday, 3340 
Sonsingo tho wyvos of tlie parish fasto ; 
And many a lovely look on hom ho caste, 
And namely on this carxicntores wyf. 
To loke on hir him thoughto a mery lyf, 
She was so propre and sweto and likerons. 
I dar wol scyn, if sho had heenamous, (160) 
And he a cat, ho wolde hir hente anon. 

This parish-clerk, this joly Absolon, 
Hath in his herto swich a love-Ion ginge, 
That of no wyf no toolc ho noon ofFringo ; 
For curtoisyo, ho seydo, ho wolde noon. 
Tho mono, whan it was night, ful brighte 
shoon, 3,35- 



T. 3353-3434-] 



A. Z^t (nitfferea Zak. 



.((.I 



And Absolon his giterno liath y-takc, 
For paramours, he thoghto for to wake. 
Ami forth ho goothjolil'undamfirous, 3.^55 
Til he cam to the carpentcros hous (170) 
A litel after eokkcs haddo y-crowo ; 
And dressed him up by a shot-windowe 
That was up-on tlio carpenteres wal. 
He singeth in his vois gentil and smal, 
' Now, dcro lady, if thy wille be, 336 [ 

I preye yow that ye wol rewe on me,' 
Ful wel acordaunt to his giterningc. 
This carpenter awook, and herdo him 

singe, 
And spak nn-to his wyf, and soyih^ 

anon, 3365 

' WHiat ! Alison ! herestow nat Absolon 
That chaunteth thus under our boures 

wal?' (i8i) 

And she answerdo liir housbond ther- 

with-al, 
' Yis, god wot, John, I hero it evcry-dcl.' 
This passeth forth ; wliat wol ye bet 

than wel '/ 3370 

Fro day to day tJiis joly Absolon 
So wowelli hir, tliat him is wo bigon. 
He waketh al the night and al the day ; 
He kempte hise lokkes brode, and made 

him gay ; 3374 

Ho woweth hir by menes and brocage. 
And swoor ho woldo been liir ownc 

pag"; (190) 

He singfth, brokkingo as a nightingale ; 
He sento hir piment, meeth, antl spyceil 

ale, 
And wafres, pyping bote out of the glede ; 
And f<jr she was of toune, ho profred 

medo. 3380 

For som folk wol lien wonnen for richesse. 
And som for strokes, and som for gcntil- 

lesse. 
Somtymo, to shewe liis liglitnesso and 

maistrye. 
Ho pleyeth Horodes on a scaffold bye. 
IJut what availleth him as in this ca«? 3385 
She lovcth so tliis hendo Nicholas, (200) 
That Alisolon may blown the Inikkos horn ; 
Ho ne bail(b_i for his laliour but a scorn ; 
And thus she maketh Absolon hir ape, 
And al his ern(!st turncth til a jape. 3390 
Ful sootli is this proverbe, it is no lye. 
Men seyn right tlius, ' alwcy the nyo sJyo 



Maketh the ferre leve to bo looth.' 

For though that Absolon bo wood or 

wrooth, ^^(,.|. 

liy-causo that ho fer was from hir sighte, 
This nyo Nicholas stood inhislighte. (210) 
Now here thee wel, thou hendo Nicho- 
las ! 
For Absolon may waillo and singe ' alUis.' 
And so l)ifel it on a Saterday, 
This carpenter was goon til Osoiuiy; 3.HX) 
And liende Nicholas and Alisoun 
Acorded been to this conclusioun, 
That Nlcliolas shal shaijon him a wyli; 
This sely jalous housl)ond to l)ig3lc ; 
And if so be th(! game wente ariglit, 3405 
She sholdo slepen in his arm al night. 
For this was his desyr and hir also. {221) 
And right anon, with-outen wordes mo. 
This Nicholas no lenger woldo tario, 
But doth ful softo un-to his chamliro 

cario 34,,, 

Bothe mete and drinlio for a (hiy or 

tweye, 
And to hir housbonde bad hir foi- to scj'e, 
If tliat lie axed after Nicholas, 
She sholde seye she ni.ste whcr.! ho was, 
Of al that day she saugh him nat with yg ; 
She trowed that he was in maladye, (230) 
For, for no cry, hir niaydo couilo him 

calle; 34,7 

He noldo an.swere, for no-thing that 

mighte falle. 
This passeth forth al thilko Saterday, 
That Nicholas stillo in his ohambro lay, 
And eet and sleep, or dido what h'm 

leste, ^4 J I 

Til Sonday, that the sonne gooth to rcstc. 

This sely carpenter hatli greet morveylo 

Of Nicholas, or what thing mighte liim 

eyle, 3424 

And seydo, ' I am adrad, by seint Thomas, 
It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas. (240) 
God shilde that he deyde sodeynly ! 
This world is now ful tikcl, sikerly ; 
I saugh to-day a cors y-born to chircho 
That now, on Moncbiy last, I saugli him 

wire ho. 3430 

Go up,' f|U()d he un-to his knave anoon, 
' Clepe at his dore, or knokke with a stoon, 
Loke how it is, anil tcl mo boldcly.' 
This knave gooth him uji ful fturdily. 



462 



ZH QUiffem ZckU. 



[t. 3435-35 K^'- 



And at tlie cliambre-ilore, wliyl that lie 

stood, 3435 

He cryde and knokked as that he were 

wood : — ■ (^50) 

'What! how! what do ye, maister 

Nicholay ? 
How may ye slepen al the longe day ? ' 

But al for noglit, he herde nat a word ; 
An hole he fond, ful lowe up-on a bord, 
Ther as the cat was wont in for to 

crepe; 3441 

And at that hole he looked in ful depe. 
And at the laste he hadde of him asighte. 
This Nicholas sat gaping ever up-righte. 
As he had kyked on the newe mone. 3445 
Adoun he gooth, and tolde his maister 

sone (260) 

In what array he saugh this ilke man. 
This carpenter to hlessen him bigan. 
And seyde, ' help us, seinte Prideswyde ! 
A man woot litel what him shal bityde. 
This inan is falle, with his astromye, 3451 
In som woodnesse or in som agonye ; 
I thoghte ay wel how that it sholde be ! 
Men sholde nat knowe of goddes privetee. 
Ye, blessed be alwey a lewed man, 3455 
That noght but only his bileve can ! (270) 
So ferde another clerk with astromye ; 
He walked in the feeldes for to jirye 
Up-on the sterres, what ther sholde bifalle. 
Til he was in a marle-pit y-falle ; 3460 
He saugh nat that. But yet, by seint 

Thomas, 
Me rewetli sore of heude Nicholas. 
He shal be rated of his studying, 
If that I may, by Jesus, hevene king ! 

Get me a staf, that I may underspore, 
Wliyl that thou, Robin, hevest up the 

dore. (280) 3466 

He shal out of his studying, as I gesse ' — 
And to the chambre-dore he gan him 

dresse. 
His knave was a strong carl for the nones. 
And by the haspe he haf it iip atones ; 
In-to the floor the dore ill anon. 3471 

This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon, 
And ever gaped upward in-to the eir. 
This carpenter wende he were in despeir. 
And hente him by the sholdres mightily, 
And shook him harde, and cryde spit- 

ously, (290) 3476 



' \\^lat ! Nicholay ! what, how ! what ' 

loke adoun ! 
Awake, and thenk on Cristes passioun ; 
I crouohe thee from elves and fro wightes ! ' 
Ther-with the night-spel seyde he anon- 

rightes 3480 

On foure halves of the hous aboute. 
And on the threshfold of the dore with- 

oute : — • 
' Jesu Crist, and seynt Benedight, 
Blesse this hous froni every wikked 

wight. 
For nightes verye, the white pater- 
noster ! — 3485 
Where wentesto^v, seynt Petres soster?' 
And atte laste this hende Nicholas (301) 
Gan for to syke sore, and seyde, ' alias ! 
Shal al the world be lost eftsones now ? ' 
This carpenter answerde, 'what 

seystow ? 3490 

'V^^lat ! thenk on god, as we don, men 

that swinke.' 
This Nicholas answerde, ' fecche me 

drinke ; 
And after wol I speke in privetee 
Of certeyn thing that toucheth me and 

thee ; 3494 

I wol telle it non other man, certeyn. ' 
This carpenter goth doun, and comth 

ageyn, (310) 

And broghte of mighty ale a large qviart ; 
And whan that ech of hem had dronke 

his part. 
This Nicholas his dore faste shette, 3499 
And doun the carpenter by him he sette. 
He seyde, ' John, myn hoste lief and 

dere, 
Thou shalt up-on thy trouthe swere me 

here, 
That to no wight thou shalt this conseil 

wreye ; 
For it is Cristes conseil that I seye, 3504 
And if thou telle it inan, thoii are forlore ; 
For this vengaunce thou shalt han thei'- 

fore, (320) 

That if thoii wreye me, thou shalt be 

wood ! ' 
' Nay, Crist forbede it, for his holy blood !' 
Quod tho this sely man, 'I nam no labbe, 
Ne, though I seye, I nam nat lief to 

gabbe. 3510 



T. ?,5 1 1-3584-] 



A. tU (Tiliffetee Zak. 



463 



Sey wliat thou wolt, I shal it never telle 
To child ne -wyf, by him that harwed 

hello." 
' Now John,' quod Nicholas, ' I wol nat 

lye; 
I have y-fonnde in myn astrologj'e, 
As I have loked in the mone bright, 3515 
Tliat now, a Monday next, at quarter- 
night, (330) 
Shal falle a reyn and that so wilde and 

wood, 
That half so greet was never Noes flood. 
This world,' he seyde, 'in lasse than in 

an hour 
Shal al be dreynt, so hidous is the shour; 
Thus shal mankynde drenche and lese 

hirlyf.' 3521 

This carpenteranswerde, ' alias, my wyf ! 

And shal she drenche ? alias ! myn Ali- 

soun ! ' 
For sorwe of this he fil almost adoun. 
And seyde, ' is ther no remedie in this 

cas ? ' 35-5 

' Why, yis, for gode,' quod hende 

Nicholas, (340) 

' If thou wolt werken after lore and reed ; 
Thou mayst nat werken after thyn owene 

heed. 
For thus seitli Salomon, that was ful 

trewe, 
" Werk al by conseil, and thou shalt nat 

rewe." 3530 

And if thou werken wolt by good conseil, 
I undertake, with-outen mast and seyl. 
Yet shal I saven hir and thee and me. 
Hastow nat herd how saved was Noe, 
WTian that our lord had warned him 

biforn 3535 

That al the world with water sholde be 

lorn ? ' (350) 

' Yis,' quod this carpenter, ' ful yore 

ago.' 
' Hastow nat herd,' quod Nicholas, 'also 
The sorwe of Noe with his felawshipe, 3539 
Er that he mighte gete his wyf to shipe ? 
Him had be lever, I dar wel undertake. 
At thilke tyme, than alle hise wetheres 

blake. 
That she hadde had a ship hir-self allone. 
And ther-fore. wostou what is best to 

done ? 3544 



This asketh haste, and of an hastif thing 
Men may nat preche or maken tarying. 

Anon go gete us faste in-to this in (361) 
A kneding-trogh, or elles a kimelin. 
For eoh of us, but loke that they be 

large. 
In whiche 'we mow^e swimme as in a barge, 
And han ther-inne vitaille suffisant 3551 
Bvit for a day ; fy on the remenant ! 
The water shal aslake and goon away 
Aboute pryme up-on the nexte day. 
But Robin may nat wite of this, thy 

knave, (369) 3555 

Ne eek thy mayde Gille I may nat save ; 
Axe nat why, for though thou aske me, 
I wol nat tellen goddes privetee. 
Suffiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde. 
To han as greet a grace as Noe hadde. 3560 
Thy wyf shal I wel saven, out of doute. 
Go now thy wey, and speed thee heer- 

aboute. 
But whan thou hast, for hir and thee 

and me, 
Y-geten us thise kneding-tiibbes three, 
Than shaltow hange hem in the roof ful 

hye, 3565 

That no man of our purveyaimce spye. 
And whan thou thus hast doon as I have 

seyd, (381) 

And hast our vitaille faire in hem y-leyd. 
And eek an ax, to smyte the corde atwo 
When that the water comth, that we 

may go, 3570 

And broke an hole an heigh, vip-on the 

gable. 
Unto the gardin-ward, over the stable. 
That we may frely passen forth our way 
Wlian that the grete shour is goon away — 
Thau shaltow swimme as myrie, I vinder- 

take, 35;5 

As doth the whyte doke after hir drake. 
Than wol I clepe, "how! Alison! how! 

John ! (391) 

Be myrie, for the flood wol passe anon." 
And thou wolt seyn, " hayl, maister 

Nicholay ! 
Good morwe, I se thee wel, for it is day." 
And than shul we be lordes al our lyf 3581 
Of al the world, as Noe and his wyf. 

But of o thyng I warne thee ful right. 
Be wel avysed, on that ilke night 3584 



464 



ZU (nitffe«0 Z^k. 



[t. 35S5-366S. 



That we ben entred in-to shippes bord, 
That noon of iis ne speke nat a word, (400) 
Ne clepe, ne crye, but been in his preyere ; 
For it is goddes owne lies^e dere. 

Thy wyf and thou mote hango fer 

a-twinne, 
For that bitwixe yow shal be no sinnc 
No more in looking than ther shal in 

dede ; 3591 

This ordinance is seyd, go, god thee spede! 
Tomorwe at night, whan men bon alle 

aslepe, 
In-to OUT kneding-tubbes wol wo crepe, 
And sitten ther, abyding goddes grace. 
Go now thy wey, I have no longer space 
To make of this no lenger sermoning. (411) 
Men scyn thus, " send the wyse, and sey 

no-thing ; " 3598 

Thou art so wys, it nedeth thee nat teche ; 
Go, save our lyf, and that I thee biseche.' 
This sely carpenter goth forth his wey. 
Ful ofte he seith ' alias ' and ' weylawey,' 
And to his wyf he tolde his privetee ; 
And she was war, and knew it bet than 

he, (418) 3604 

What al this queynte cast was for to seye. 
But nathelees she ferde as she wolde deye, 
And scydo, ' alias ! go forth thy wey anon, 
Help us to scape, or we ben lost eclion ; 
I am thy trewo verray wedded 'wyf ; 
Go, dere spouse, and help to save our 

lyf.' 3610 

Lo ! which a greet thyng is affecciou.u ! 
Men may dye of imaginacioun, 
So depe may impressioun be take. 
This soly carpenter biginneth quake; 3614 
Him thinketh verraily that he may see 
Noes flood come walwing as the sec (430) 
To drenchen Alisoun, his liony dere. 
He wepeth, weyleth, naaketh sory chere. 
He syketh with ful many a sory swogh. 
He gooth and getetli him a kneding-trogh, 
And after that atubbe and a kimelin, 3621 
And prively he sente heni to his in. 
And heng hem in the roof in privetee. 
His owne hand he made laddres three, 
To climben by the ronges and the stalkes 
Un-to the tubbes hanginge in the bailees. 
And hem vitaillcd, bothe trogh and tubbe. 
With breed and chese, and good ale in 
a jubbe, (442) 362S 



Suffysinge right y-nogh as for a day. 
But er that he had maad al this arraj% 
He sente his knave, and cck his wcncho 

also, 3631 

Up-on his nede to London for to go. 
And on the Monday, whan it drow to 

night, 
He shette liis dore with-outo candol-light. 
And dressed al thing as it sholde be. 3635 
And shortly, iip they clomben alle three ; 
They sitten stilie wel a furlong-way. (451) 
' Now, Pater-noster, clom ! ' seyde Nicho- 

lay. 
And ' clom,' quod John, and ' clom,' seyde 

Alisoun. 
This carpenter seyde his devocioun, 3640 
And stille he sit, and biddeth his preyere, 
Awaytinge on the reyn, if he it here. 
The dede sleep, for wery bisinesse, 
Fil on this carpenter right, as I gesse, 
Aboute corfew-tyme, or litel more ; 3645 
For travail of his goost he groneth 

sore, (460) 

And eft he routeth, for his hoed mislay. 
Doun of the laddre stalketh Nicholay, 
And Alisoiin, ful softe adoun she spedde ; 
With-outen wordes mo, they goon to 

beddo 3650 

Ther-as the carpenter is wont to lye. 
Ther Tvas the revel and the melodye ; 
And thus lyth Alison and Nicholas, 
In bisinesse of mirthe and of solas, 3654 
Til that the belle of laudes gan to ringe, 
And freres in the chauncel gonne singe. 
This parish-clerk, this amorous Ab- 

solon, (471) 

That is for love alwey so wo bigon, 
Up-on the Monday was at Oseneye 
With companye, him to disporte and 

pleye, 3660 

And axed up-on cas a cloisterer 
Ful prively after John the carpenter ; 
And he drough him a-part out of the 

chirche, 
And seyde, ' I noot, I saugh him liere nat 

wirche 
Sin Saterday ; I trow that he be went 36(15 
For timber, ther our abbot hath him 

sent ; (480) 

For he is wont for timber for to go. 
And dwellen at the grange a day or two ; 



T. 3669-3742.] 



A. ZU (nitfferee Zak. 



465 



Or elles he is at his hous, certeyn ; 3C169 
Wher that he be, I can nat sothly seyn.' 

This Absolon ful joly was and light, 
And thoghte, ' now is tyme wake al night ; 
For sikiiiy I saugli liiin nat stiringo 3673 
Aboutc his dore sin day bigan to springe. 
.So moot I thryve, I shal, at cokkes crowe. 
Fill prively knokken at his windowe (490) 
That stant ful lowe iTp-on his boures wal. 
To Alison now wol I tellen al 
My love-longing, for yet I shal nat 

niisso 
That at the leste wey I shalhir kisse. 3680 
Som maner confort shal I have, parfay. 
My mouth hath icched al this longe 

day ; 
That is a signo of kissing atte leste. 
Al night me mette eek, I was at 
Therfor I wol gon slepe 

tweye, 
And al the nip'^ ■- 

pleye ' 
Wl-,r ' - 

- lover ^1 • -5 
..til art:--- ;;i,b point-devys. 
...i greyn and lycorys, 
• ete, er he had kembd his 
:. 369' 

.ler his tonge a trewe love he beer, 
For ther-by wende he to ben gracious. 
He rometh to the carpenteres hous, 
And stiUc he stant under tlie shot- 
windowe ; (509) 3695 

Un-to his brest it raughtc, it was so lowc ; 
And softe he cogheth with a semi-soun — 
' What do ye, hony-comb, swete Alisoun ? 
My faire brid, my swete cinamome, 
Awaketh, lemman myn, and speketh to 
me ! 3700 

Wei litel thenken ye up-on my wo. 
That for your love I swete ther I go. 
No wonder is thogh that I swelte and 

swete ; 
I moorue as doth a lamb after the tete. 
Y-wis, lemman, I have swich love-long- 
inge, 3705 

That lyk a turtel trewe is my moorningc ; 
I may nat ete na more than a mayde:' (521) 
' Go fro the window, Jakke fool,' she 
sayde. 



' As help me god, it wol nat be " com ba 
me," 3709 

I lo^•o another, and elles I were to blame, 
Wei bet than tnee, by Jesu, Absolon ! 
Go forth thy wey, or I wol caste a ston. 
And lat me slepe, a twenty devel wey ! ' 

'Alias,' quod Absolon, 'and weylawey! 
That trewe love was ever so yvel biset ! 
Than kisse me, sin it may be no bet, (530) 
For .Jesus love and for the love of me.' 

' Wiltow than go thy wey ther-with ? ' 
quod she. 

'Ye, certes ' od this Ab- 

soloi" 

' '^' , quod she, 

37-"' 
^ ae stillo, 
. shalt laughen al 

,i.on doun sette him on his 

otiS, 

.id sej-de, ' I am a lord at alle degrees ; 

For after this I hope ther cometh more ! 

Lemman, thy grace, and swete brid, thjni 

ore!' (540)3726 

The window she iTndoth, and that in 

haste, 

' Have do,' quod she, 'com of, and speed 

thee faste. 
Lest that our neighebores thee espye.' 
This Absolon gan wype his mouth ful 
tlrye ; 3730 

*Derk was the night as pich, or as the cole, 
I And at the window out she putte hir hole, 
/ And Absolon, him fil no bet ne wers. 
But with his mouth he kiste hir naked 

ers 

Ful savourlj', er he was war of this. 3735 

Abak he sterte, and thoghte it wa.s 

amis, {55*V 

For wel he Mustc a womman hath no 

herd ; 
He felte a thing al rough and long y-herd, 
And seyde, ' fy ! alias ! what have I do ? ' 
' Tehee ! ' quod she, and clapte the 
j window to ; 374" 

lAnd Absolon goth forth a sory pas. 
I 'A berd, abcrd ! ' quod hende Nicholas, 
I By goddes corpus^ this g<ith iniva and 
weel ! ' 
This selj' Absoloii herde every deel, 3744 



466 



A. ZU Qlltfferes Zak, 



[t. 3743-3820. 



And on liis lippe lie gan for anger byte ; 

And to him-self he seyde, ' I slial thee 
qnyte ! ' (560) 

"Who rubbeth now, who froteth now his 
lippes 

With dust, with sond, with straw, witli 
clooth, with chii^pes, 

But Absolon, that seitli ful ofte, ' alias ! 

My soule bitake I un-to Sathanas, 3750 

But me wer lever than al this toun,' 
quod he, 

' Of this despyt awroken for to be ! 

Alias ! ' quod he, ' alias ! I ne hadde y- 
bleynt ! ' 

His hote love was cold and al y-queynt ; 

For fro that tyme that he had kiste hir 
ers, 3755 

Of paramours he sette nat a kers, (570) 

For he was heled of his maladye ; 

Ful ofte paramours he gan deffye. 

And weep as dooth a child that is y-bete. 

A softe paas he wente over the strete 3760 

Un-til a smith men oleped daun Gerveys, 

That in his forge smithed ijlough-harneys ; 

He sharpeth shaar and culter bisily. 

This Absolon knokketh al esily. 

And seyde, ' undo, Gerveys, and that 
anon.' 3765 

' ^Vliat, who artow ? ' 'It am I, Ab- 
solon.' (580) 

' What, Absolon ! for Cristes swete tree. 

Why ryse ye so rathe, ey, bcn'cite ! 

What eyleth yow ? som gay gerl, god it 
woot, 3669 

Hath broght yow thus up-on the viritoot ; 

By sejait Note, ye woot wel what I mene.' 
This Absolon ne roghte nat a bene 

Of al his pley, no word agayn he yaf ; 

He hadde more tow on his distaf 

Than Gerveys knew, and seyde, 'freend 
so dere, (589) 3775 

That hote ciUter in the chimenee here, 

As lene it me, I have ther-with to done, 

And I wol bringe it thee agayn ful sone. ' 
Gerveys answerde, ' certes, were it gold. 

Or in a poke nobles alle untold, 3780 

Thou sholdest have, as I am trewe smith ; 

Ey, Cristes foo ! what wol ye do ther- 
with ? ' 
' Ther-of,' quod Absolon, ' be as be may ; 

I shal wel telle it thee to-morwe day ' — 



And caiighte the culter by the colde 

stele. 3785 

Ful softe out at the dore he gan to stele. 
And wente un-to the carpenteres wal. (601) 
He cogbeth first, and knokketh tlier- 

with-al 
Upon the windowe, right as he dide er. 

This Alison answerde, ' Who is ther 3790 

That knokketh so ? I warante it a theef.' 

'Why, nay,' qiTod he, 'god woot, my 

swete leef, 
I am thyn. Absolon, my dereling ! 
Of gold,' quod he, ' I have thee broght 

a ring : 
My moder yaf it me, so god me save, 3795 
Ful fyn it is, and ther-to wel y-grave ; (610) 
This wol I yeve thee, if thou me kisse ! ' 

This Nicholas was risen for to pisse. 
And thoghto he wolde amenden al the 

J'lpe, 3799 

He sholde kisse his ers er that he scape. 
And up the windu'wp dide he hastily, 
And out his ers he putteth prively 
Over the biittok, to the hauiiche-bon ; 
And ther-with spak this clerk,, this 

Absolon, 
' Spek, swete brid, I noot nat wher thor, 

art.' 3805 

This Nicholas anon leet flee a fart, (620) 
As greet as it had been a thonder-dent. 
That with the strook he was alniost 

y-blent ; 
And he Tvas redy with his iren hoot. 
And Nicholas amidde the ers he smoot. 
Of gooth the skin an hande-brede 

aboute, 3811 

The hote culter brende so his toute. 
And for the smert he wende for to dye. 
As he were wood, for wo he gan to crye — 
' Help ! water ! water ! help, for goddes 

herte !' 3815 

Tliis carpenter out of his slomber sterte, 

And herde oon cryen ' water ' as he were 

wood, (631) 

And thoghte, ' Alias ! now comtli Nowelis 

flood ! ' 
He sit him up with-outen wordes mo, 3819 
And with his ax he smoot the corde a-two. 
And doun goth al ; he fond neither to 

selle, 
Ne breed ne ale, til he cam to the selle 



T. 3S21-38S0.] 



ZU (Heet?e'0 (profogue. 



467 



Up-on the floor ; and ther aswowne lie lay. 

Up sterte hir Alison, and Nieholay, 
And cryden ' out ' and ' harrow ' in the 

strete. (639) 3825 

The neighebores, bothe smale and grete, 
In ronnen, for to gauren on this man, 
That yet aswowne he lay, bothe pale and 

wan ; 
For with the fal he brosten hadde his 

arm ; 
But stonde he moste un-to his owne 

harm. 3830 

For whan he spak, he was anon bore 

doun 
With hende Nicholas and Alisoun. 
They tolden every man that he was 

wood, 
He was agast so of ' Now61is flood ' 
Thurgh fantasye, that of his vanitee 3835 
He hadde 3^-boght him kneding-tubbes 

three. (650) 



And hadde hem hanged in the roof above ; 
And that he preyed hem, for goddeslove, 
To sitten in the roof, j)ar companye. 3839 

The folk gan laughen at his fantasye ; 
In-to the roof they kyken and they gape, 
And turned al his harm nn-to a jape. 
For what so that this carpenter answerde. 
It was for noght, no man his resonlierde ; 
With otlies grete he was so sworn adoun, 
That lie was liolden wood in al the toun ; 
For every clerk anon-right heeld with 

other. (661) 3847 

They seyde, ' the man is wood, my leve 

brother ; ' 
And every wight gan laughen of this stryf. 
Thus swyv-ed was the carpenteres wyf, 
For al his keping and his jalousye ; 3851 
And Absolon hath kist hir nether ye ; 
And Nicholas is scalded in the tonte. 
This tale is doon, and god save al the 

route ! (668) 3854 



Here endeth the Millere his tale 



THE REEVE'S PROLOGUE. 



The prologe of the Reves tale. 



Whan folk had laughen at this nyce cas 
Of Absolon and hende Nicholas, 3856 

Diverse folk diversely they seyde ; 
But, for the more part, they louglie and 

pleyde, 
Ne at this tale I saugh no man him greve, 
But it were only Osewold the Reve, 3860 
By-cause he was of carpenteres craft. 
A litel ire is in his herte y-laft. 
He gan to grucche and blamed it a lyte. 
' So thee'k,' quod he, ' ful wel coude 

I yow quyte (10) 

With blering of a proud milleres ye, 3865 
If that me liste speke of ribaudye. 
But ik am old, me list not pley for age ; 
Gras-tyme is doon, my fodder is now 

forage, 



This whyte top wryteth myne olde yeres, 
Myn herte is al-so mowled as myne heres, 
But-if I fare as dooth an ojjen-ers ; 3871 
That ilke fruit is ever leng the wers, 
Til it be roten in muUok or in stree. 
We olde men, I drede, so fare we ; (20) 
Til we be roten, can we nat be rype ; 3875 
We hoppen ay, whyl that the world wol 

pype. 

For in oure wil ther stiketh ever a nayl, 
To have an lioor heed and a grene tayl, 
As hath a leek ; for thogh our might be 

goon, 
Our wil desireth folie ever in oon. 3881* 
For whan we may nat doon, than wol we 

speke ; 
Yet in our asshen olde is fyr y-reke. 



468 



A. ZU (Hevec Cafe. 



[t. 388 



1-3944. 



Foiire glcdes lian \vc, wliiclio I shal 

devyse, 
Avawnting, lyin;^, anger, coveityse ; (30) 
Thise foure sparkles longen un-to eklo. 
Owr olde lemes mowe wel been iinweldo, 
But wil no shal nat faillen, that is sooth. 
And yet ik have alwey a coltes tooth, 3888 
As many a year as it is passed hcnno 
Sin that my tappe of lyf Ligan to renne. 
For sikorly, -whan I was bore, anon 3S91 
Poeth drogh the tappe of lyf and leet it 

gon; 
And ever sith hath so the tappe y-ronno, 
Til that almost al empty is the tonne. (40) 
The streem of lyf now droppeth on the 

chimbe ; 3S95 

The sely tonge may wel ringe and chimbe 

Of wrecchednesse that passed is ful yore ; 

With oldo folk, save dotage, is namore.' 

Whan that onr host hadde herd this 

sermon iiig, 
lie gan to spcke as lordly as a king ; 3900 



He seide, 'what amonnteth al this wit? 
What shul we speke alday of holy writ ? 
The devel made a reve for to preche, 
And of a souter a shipman or a leche. (50) 
Sey forth thy tale, andtarie nat the tyme, 
Lo, Depeford ! and it is half-way pryme. 
Lo, Grenowich, thcr many a shrewo is 

inne ; 3907 

It were al tyme thy talc to biginne.' 

' Now, sires,'quod thisOsewoldtheKeve, 
' I pray yow alle that ye nat yow grove, 
Thogh I answere and somdol scttc his 

howve ; 3911 

For Icvcful is with force force of-showve. 
This dronke millere hath y-told us heer, 
How that bigyled was a carpenteer, (60) 
.Peraventure in scorn, for I am con. 3915 
And, by yoitr leve, I shal hini (]nyte anoon ; 
Eight in his cherles termes wol I speke. 
I pray to god his nekko mote broke ; 
He can wel in myn ye seen a stalke, 3911) 
But in his owne he can nat seen a balke. 



THE REVES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Reves tale. 



At Trnmpington, nat fer fro Cantebrigge, 
Ther goth a brook and over that a brigge, 
Up-on the wh iohe brook ther stant a melle ; 
And this is verray soth that I yow telle. 
A Miller was ther dwelling many a day ; 
As eny pecok ho was prond and gay. 3926 
Pypen ho coude and fisshe, and nettes 

bete. 
And turne coppes, and wel wrastle and 

shete ; 
And by his belt he baar a long panade. 
And of a swerd ful trenchant was the 

blade. 3930 

A joly popper baar he in his pouche ; (11) 
Ther was no man for peril dorste him 

tonche. 



A ShefFcld thwitel baar ho in his hose ; 
Round was his face, and camuso was his 

nose. 
As piled as an apo was his skulle. 3935 
He was a market-beter atte ftille. 
Ther dorste no wight hand up-on him 

legge, 
That ho ne swoor he sholde anon abeggo. 
A theef he was for sothe of corn and mole. 
And that a sly, and iisaunt for to stele. 
His name was hoten deynous Simkin. (21) 
A wyf he hadde, y-comen of noble kin : 
The person of the toun hir fader was. 
With hir he yaf ftil many a panne of bras, 
For that Simkin sholde in his blood allye. 
She was y-fostred in a nonneryc ; 3946 



'A'- 3945-4028.] 



A. ZU (Hevee Zak, 



469 



For Simkin wolde no "wyf, as he sayde, 
But she were wel y-noiissed and a niayde, 
To saven his estaat of yomanrye. 3949 
And she was proud, and pert as is a pye. 
A ful fair sighte was it on horn two ; (31) 
On haly-dayes biforn hir wolde he go 
With liis tipet bounden about his heed, 
And she cam after in a gyto of reed ; 
And Simkin hadde hoseu of the same. 
Ther dorste no wight clepen hir but 

'dame.' 3956 

\Vas noon so hardy that wente by the 

weye 
That with hir dorste rage or ones pleye, 
Jiut-if he wolde be slayji of Simkin 3959 
With panade, or with knyf, or boydekin. 
For jalous folk ben perilous evermo, (41) 
Algate they wolde hir wyves wendcn so. 
And eek, for she was somdel smoterlich, 
She was as digne as water in a dieh ; 
And ful of liokcr and of bisemare. 3965 
Hir thouglite that a lady sholde hir 

spare. 
What for hir kinrede and hir nortelrye 
That she had lerned in the nonnerye. 

A doghter hadde they bitwixe hem two 
Of twenty yeer, with-outen any mo, 3970 
Savings a child that was of half-year age ; 
In cradel it lay and was a propre page. 
This wenehe thikke and wel y-growen 

was, (53) 

W'itli camuse nose and yen greye as glas ; 
With buttokes brode and brestes rounde 

and hye, 3975 

Cut right fair was hir heer, I wol nat lye. 
The person of the toun, for she was feir, 
In purpos was to makon hir his heir 
Bothe of his catel a-nd his messuage, 3979 
And straunge he made it of hir mariage. 
His purpos was for to bistowe hir hye (61) 
In-to som worthy blood of aunoetrye : 
For holy chirchos good nifjot been dc- 

spended 
On holy chirches blood, that is descended. 
Therfore he wolde his holy blood honouro, 
Though that he holy chirche sholde de- 

voure. 3986 

Gret soken hath this miller, out of doute, 

With whete and malt of al the land aboutc ; 

And nameliche ther was a greet colleggc, 

Men clepen the Soler-halle at Cantebreggo, 



Ther was hir whete and eek hir malt 

y-grounde. (71) 3991 

And on a day it happed, in a stounde, 
Sik lay the maunciple on a maladye ; 
Men wenden wisly that he sholde dye. 
For which this miller stal botho mele and 

corn 3995 

An hundred tyme more than biforn ; 
Foi' ther-biforn he stal l^ut curteisly, 
But now he was a theef outrageously, 
For which the wardeyn chidde and made 

fare. (79) 

Butther-of settethe miller nat a tare ; 4000 
He craketh boost, and swoor it was nat so. 
Than were ther yonge po vre clerkes two, 
That dwelten in this halle, of which I seye. 
Testif they were, and lusty for to pleye. 
And, only for hir mirtho and revelrye, 
Up-on the wardeyn bisily they crye, 4006 
To yove hem leve but a litel stounde 
To goon to niille and seen hir corn y- 

groundo ; 
And hardily, they dorste leye hir nekke. 
The miller shold nat stele hem half a 

pekke (90) 4ou> 

Of corn by sleighte, no by force hem reve ; 
And at the laste the wardeyn yaf hem leve. 
John hight that oon, and Aleyn hight 

that other ; 
Of o toun were they born, that highto 

Strother, 4<>i4 

Fer in the north, I can nat telle where. 

This Aleyn maketh redy al his gere, 
And on an hors the sak he caste anon. 
Forth goth Aleyn the clerk, and also .John, 
With good swerd and with bokeler by hir 

•syde. (99) 4019 

John knew the wey, hem nededo no gyde, 
And at the mille the sak adoun he layth. 
Aleyn spak first, ' al hayl, Symond, y-fayth; 
How fares thy faire doghter and thy wyf?' 
' Aleyn ! welcome,' quod Simkin, ' by my 

And John also, how now, what do ye heer?' 
'Symond,' qviod John, 'by god, nede 

has na peer ; 4026 

Him boos serve liim-selvo that has na 

swayn, 
Or dies he is a fool, as clerkes sayn. 
Our manciple, I hope he wil bo deed, 402<) 
Swa werkes ay the wanges in his heed. 



470 



A. ZU (Kepee Zak, 



[T. 



4029-4IC4. 



And forthy is I come, iind eek Alayn, (in) 
To grinde onr corn and carie it liam agayn; 
I pray yow spede us lietlien tliat ye 

may.' 
' It slial be doon,' quod Sinikin, ' by my 

fay ; 4034 

What wol ye doon whyl that it is in liande ? ' 

' By god, right by the hoper wil I stande,' 

Quod John, ' and se how that the corn 

gas in ; 
Yet saugh I never, by my fader kin, 4038 
How that the hoper wagges til and fra.' 

Aleyn answerde, ' John, and wiltow swa, 
Than wil I be bynethe, by my croun, (121) 
And se how that the mele falles doun 
In-to tlie trough ; that sal be my disport. 
For John, in faith, I may been of your 

sort ; 
I is as ille a miller as are ye.' 4045 

This miller smyled of hir nycetee, 
And thoghte, ' al this uis doon but for a 

wyle ; 
They wene that no man may hem bigyle ; 
But, by my thrift, yet shal I blere hir ye 
For al the sleiglite in hir philosoijhye. 4050 
The more queynte crekes that they make, 
The more wol I stele whan I take. (13-;) 
In stede of flour, yet wol I yeve hem 

bren. 
"The gretteste clerkes been noght the 

wysest men," 
As whylom to the wolf thus spak the 

mare ; 4055 

Of al hir art I cotinte noght a tare.' 

Out at the dore he gooth ful prively. 
Whan that he saugh his tyme, softely ; 
He loketh up and doixn til he hath founde 
The clerkes hors, ther as it stood y-bounde 
Bihinde the mille, under a leveael; 4061 
And to the hors he gooth him faire and 

wel ; (142) 

He strepeth of the brydel right anon. 
And whan the hors was loos, he ginneth 

gon 
Toward the fen, ther wilde mares renne. 
Forth with wehee, thurgh thikke and 

thurgh thenne. 4066 

This miller gooth agayn, no word he 

seyde, 
But dooth his note, and with the clerkes 

pleyde, 



Til that hir corn was faire and wel y- 

grounde. 
And whan the mele is sakked and y- 

bounde, (150) 4070 

This John goth out and fynt his hors away, 
And gan to crye ' harrow ' and ' weylaway ! 
Our hors is lorn ! Alayn, tor goddes banes, 
Step on thy feet, com out, man, al at anes ! 
Alias, our wardeyn has his palfrey lorn.' 
This Aleyn al forgat, bothe mele and corn, 
Al was out of his mynde his housbondrye. 
' What ? whilk way is he geen ? ' he gan 

to crye. 
The wyf cam leping inward with a ren. 
She seyde, ' alias ! your hors goth to the 

fen (160) 4080 

With wilde mares, as faste as he may go. 
Unthank come on his hand that bond 

him so, 
And ho that bettre sholde han knit the 

reyne.' 
' Alias,' quod John, ' Aleyn, for Cristes 

peyne, 
Lay dovin thy s werd, and I wil myn alswa ; 
I is ful wight, god waat, as is a raa ; 4086 
By goddes herte he sal nat scape us bathe. 
Why nadstow pit the capul in the lathe ? 
Il-hayl, by god, Aleyn, thou is a fonne ! ' 
This sely clerkes hau ful faste y-ronne 
To-ward the fen, bothe Aleyn and eek 

John. (171) 4091 

And whan the miller saugh that they 

were gon. 
He half a busshel of hir flour hath take, 
And bad his w^yf go knede it in a cake. 
He seyde, ' I trowe the clerkes were aferd ; 
Yet can a miller make a clerkes herd 4096 
For al his art ; now lat hem goon hir weye. 
Lo wher they goon, ye, lat the children 

pleye ; 
They gete him nat so lightly, by my croun I' 
Thise sely clerkes rennon up and doun 
With ' keep, keep, stand, stand, jossa, 

warderere, (181) 4101 

Ga whistle thou, and I shal kepo him 

here ! ' 
But shortly, til that it was verray night. 
They coude nat, though they do al hir 

iniglit, 4104 

Hir oapul cacche, he ran alwey so faste, 
Til in a dioh they caughte him atte laste. 



T. 4105— 4188.] 



A. ZU ($iivi& Zak. 



471 



Wery and weet, as beste is in the reyn, 
Comth sely John, and with him comtli 

Aleyn. 
'Alias,' quod John, 'the day tliat I was 

born ! 
Now are we drive til hething and til 

scorn. (19") 4110 

Our corn is stole, men wil us foles calle, 
Bathe the wardeyn and our felawes alle. 
And namely the miller ; weylaway ! ' 
Thus pleyneth John as he goth by the 

way 
Toward the mille, and Bayard in his hond. 
The miUer sitting by the fyr he fond, 4116 
For it was night, and forther mights they 

noght ; 
But, for the love of god, tliey him bisoght 
Of herberwe and of ose, as for hir peny. 

The miller seyde agajm, ' if ther be eny, 
Swich as it is, yet shal ye have yoiu- part. 
Myn hous is streit, but ye han lerned art ; 
Ye coune by argumentes make a place 
A myle brood of twenty foot of space. (204) 
Lat see now if this place may suffyse, 4125 
Or make it roum with speche, as is youre 

gyse.' 
' Now, Symond,' seyde John, ' by seint 

Cutberd, 
Ay is thou mery, and this is faire answerd. 
I have herd seyd, man sal taa of twa. 

thinges 4129 

Slykashe fyndes, or taa slyk as he bringes. 
But specially, I pray thee, hoste dere, (211) 
Get us som mete and drinke, and make 

us chere. 
And we wil jjayen trewely atte fulle. 
With empty hand men may na haukes 

tulle ; 
Lo here our silver, redyfor tospende.' 4135 
This miller in-to toun his doghter sende 
For ale and breed, and rosted hem a goos. 
And bond hir hors, it sholde nat gon loos ; 
And in his owne chambre hem made a 

bed (219) 4139 

With shetes and with chalons faire y-spred, 
Noght from his owne bed ten foot or twelve. 
His doghter hadde a bed, al by hir-selve. 
Eight in the same chambre, by and by ; 
It mighte be no bet, and cause why, 4144 
Ther was no rounaer herberwe in the place. 
They soupen and they si^eke, hem to solace, 



And drinken ever strong ale atte beste. 
Aboute midnight -wente they to reste. 
Wei hath this miller vernisshed his 

heed ; 
Ful pale he was for-dronken, and nat 

reed. 4150 

He yexeth, and he speketh thurgh the 

nose (231) 

As he were on the quakke, or on the 

pose. 
To bedde he gooth, and with him goth 

his wyf. 
As any jay she light was and jolyf. 
So was hir joly whistle wel y-wet. 4155 
The cradel at hir beddes feet is set. 
To rokken, and to yeve the child to souke. 
And whan that dronken al was in the 

crouke. 
To bedde went the doghter right anon ; 
To bedde gooth Aleyn and also John ; 4160 
Ther nas na more, hem nedede no dwale. 
This miller hath so wisly bibbed ale, (242; 
That as an hors he snorteth in his sleep, 
Ne of his tayl bihinde he took no keep. 
His wyf bar him a burdon, a ful strong. 
Men mighte hir routing here two furlong ; 
The wenche rou.teth eek jMr companye. 

Aleyn the clerk, that herd this melodye. 
He looked John, and seyde, ' slepestow ? 
Herdestow ever slyk a sang er now? 4170 
Lo, whilk a compline is y-mel hem alle ! 
A wilde fyr iip-on thair bodyes falle ! (252) 
Wlia herknod ever slyk a ferly thing? 
Ye, they sal have the flour of il ending. 
This lange night ther tydes me na reste ; 
But yet, na fors ; al sal be for the beste. 
For John,' seyde he, ' als ever moot I 

tliryve. 
If that I maj^, yon wenche wil I swyve. 
Som esement has la we y-shapeu us ; 4179 
For John, ther is a lawe that says thus. 
That gif a man in a point be y-greved, (261} 
That in another ho sal be releved. 
Our corn is stohi, shortly, it is na nay. 
And we han had an il fit al this day. 
And sin I sal have neen amendement, 41S5 
Agayn my los I wil have esement. 
By goddes saule, it sal neen other be ! ' 

This John answerde, 'Alayn, avysethee, 
Tlie miller is a perilous man,' he seyde, 
' And gif that ho out of his sleep abreyde 



472 



A. Z(>t (Bepee Zak. 



[t. 4189-^268. 



He mighte doon vis bathe a vileinye.' (271) 
Aleyn answerde, ' I cotint liim nat a 

flye;' 4192 

And lip lie rist, and liy the wenche he 

crepte. 
Tliis wenche lay upright, and ftiste slepte, 
Til he so ny was, or she mighte espye, 4195 
That it had been to late for to crye, 
And shortly for to seyn, they were at on ; 
Now pley, Alejai ! for I wol speke of John. 
This John lyth stille a furlong-wcy or 

two, 
And to hini-self he maketh routhe and 

wo : (280) 4200 

' Alias ! ' quod he, ' this is a wikked jape ; 
Now may I seyn that I is hut an ape. 
Yet has my felawe som-what for his harm ; 
He has the niilleris doghter in his arm. 
He auntred him, and has his nedes sped. 
And I lye as a draf-sek in my bed ; 4206 
And when this jape is tald another day, 
I sal been halde a daf, a cokenay ! 
I wil aryse, and auntre it, by my fayth ! 
'' Unhardy is unsely," thus men sajiih.' 
And xtp he roos and softely he wente (291) 
Un-to the eradel, and in his hand it liente. 
And baar it softe xm-to his beddes feet. 

Sone after this the wyf hir routing lect. 
And gan awake, and wente hir out to 

pisse, 4215 

And cam agayn, and gan hir eradel misse, 
And groped heer and ther, but she fond 

noon. 
' Alias ! ' quod she, ' I hadde almost mis- 
goon ; 
1 hadde almost gon to the clerkes bed. 
Ey, hen' cite ! thanne hadde I foule y-sped : ' 
And forth she gooth til she the eradel 

fond. (301) 4221 

She gropeth alwey forther with hir bond, 
And fond the bed, and thoghte noght but 

good, 
By-cause that the eradel by it stood, 4224 
And niste wher she was, for it was derk ; 
But faire and wel she creep in to the clerk. 
And lyth ful stille, and wolde han caught 

a sleep. 
With-inne a whyl this John the clerk vip 

leep, 4228 

And on this gode wyf he leytli on sore. 
So mery a fit ne hadde she nat ful yore ; 



He priketh harde and depe as be ^vore 

mad. (311) 

This joly lyf han thise two clerkes lad 
Til that the thridde cok bigan to singe. 

Aleyn Avex wery in the daweninge, 4234 
For he had swonken al the longe night ; 
And seyde, ' far wel, Malin, swete wight ! 
The day is come, I may no lenger byde ; 
But evermo, wher so I go or ryde, 
I is thyn awen clerk, swa have I seel ! ' 
' Now dere lemman,' quod she, ' go, far 

weel ! (320) 4240 

But er thoii go, o tiling I wol thee telle. 
Whan that thou wendest homward by 

the melle, 
Right at the entree of the dore bihinde. 
Thou shalt a cake of half a busshel finde 
That was y-maked of thyn owne mele. 
Which that I heelp my fader for to stele. 
And, gode lemman, god thee save and 

kepe ! ' 4247 

And ^^'ith that word almost she gan to 

wepe. 
Aleyn up-rist, and thoughte, ' er that 

it dawe, 
I wol go crepen in by my felawe ; 4250 
And fond the eradel with his hand anon, 
' By god,' thoghte he, ' al -svrang I have 

misgon ; (J32) 

Myn heed is toty of my swink to-night. 
That maketh me that I go nat aright. 4254 
I woot wel by the eradel, I have misgo, 
Pleer lyth the miller and his wyf also.' 
And forth he goth, a twenty devcl way, 
Un-to the bed ther-as the miller lay. 
He wendehave cropen by his felawe John ; 
And by the miller in he creep anon, 4260 
And caiighte hym b3' the nekke, and softe 

he spak : (341) 

He seyde, ' thou, John, thou swynos-heed, 

awak 
For Cristes saule, and heer a noble game. 
For 113' that lord that called is seint 

Jame, 

As I have tliryes, in this shoits night, 4265 

Swy ved the milleres doghter bolt-upright, 

Whyl thow hast as a coward been agast.' 

' Ye, false harlot,' quod the miller, 

'hast? 
A ! false traitour ! false clerk ! ' quod he, 
' Thou shalt bo deed, by goddes dignitee ! 



T. 4269-4322,] 



A. ZU (K^vee ZaU, 



473 



Who dorste be so bold to disparage (351) 
My doghter, that is come of swicli linage ? ' 
And by the throte-boUe he caughte Alayn. 
And he hente hym despitously agayn, 
And on the nose he smoot him with his 

fest. 4^75 

Doun ran the blody streem up-on hisbrest ; 
And in the floor, with nose and mouth 

to-broke, 
They walwe as doon two pigges in a poke. 
And np they goon, and doun agaya anon, 
Til that the miller sporned at a stoon, 4280 
And doun he til bakward up-ou his \\'yf) 
That wiste no-thing of this nyce stryf ; 
For she was falle aslepe a lyte wight (363) 
With Jolm the clerk, that waked hadde 

al night. 
And with the fal, oiit of hir sleep she 

breyde— 4-'85 

' Help, holy croys of Bromeholm,' she 

seyde, 
' In mamts tuas ! lord, to thee I calle ! 
Awak, Syniond ! the feend is on us falle, 
Myn herte is broken, help, I nam but 

deed ; 
There lyth oon up my wombe and up 

myn h^ed ; 4290 

Help, Simkin, for the false clerkes fighte.' 

This John sterte up as faste as ever he 

mighte, (372) 

And graspeth by the walles to and fro. 
To fiude a staf ; and she sterte up also. 
And knew the estres bet tlian dide this 

John, 4295 

And by the wal a staf she fond anon, 



And saugh a litel shimering of a light, 
For at an hole in shoon the mone bright ; 
And by that light she saugh hem bothe 

two, 
But sikerly she niste who was who, 43ot> 
But as she saugh a whyt thing in hir ye. 
And whan she gan the whyte thing espye. 
She wende the clerk hadde wered a volu- 

peer. (383) 

And with the staf she drough ay neer and 

neer, 43( )4 

And wende han hit this Aleyn at the fuUe, 
And smoot the miller on the pyled skuUe, 
That doun he gooth and cryde, ' harrow ! 

I dye ! ' 
Thise clerkes bete him weel and lete liini 

lye; 
And greythen hem, and toke hir hors anon. 
And eek hir mele, and on hir wey they 

gon. (390) 4310 

And at the mille yet they toke hir cake 
Of half a busshel flour, ful wel y-bake. 
Thus is tlie proude miller wel y-bete. 
And hath y-lost the grinding of the wliete, 
And payed for the soper every-deel 4315 
Of Aleyn and of John, that bette him weel. 
His wyf is swyved, and his doghter als ; 
Lo, swich it is a miller to be fals ! 
And therfore this proverbe is seyd ful 

sooth, 43") 

' Him thar nat wene wel that yvel dooth ; 
A gylour shal him-self bigyled be.' (401 j 
And God, that sitteth heighe in magestee, 
Save al this companye grete and smale ! 
Thus have I quit the miller in my tale. 



Here is ended the Reves tale. 



474 



A. tU ^ooR'0 (profo^ue. 



[t. 4323-437<>- 



THE COOK'S PROLOGUE. 



The prologe of the Cokes tale. 



The Cook of London, whyl the Reve spak, 
For joye, him thoiighte, he clawed him 

on the bak, 43^6 

' Ha ! ha ! ' quod ho, ' for Cristes passioun, 
This miller hadde a sharp conclusioun 
UiJon his argument of herbergage ! 
Wei seyde Salomon in his langage, 4330 
" No bringe nat every man in-to thj n 

hoiis;" 
Tor herberwing by nighte is periloiis. 
Wcl oghte a man avysed for to be (9) 

Whom that he broghte in-to his privetee. 
I pray to god, so yeve me sorwe and care, 
If ever, sith I highte Hogge of Ware, 4336 
Herde I a miller bettre y-set a-werk. 
He hadde a japo of malice in the derk. 
15i^t god forbede that wo stinten here ; 
And therfore, if ye vouche-sauf to here 
A tale of m.e, that am a povro man, 4341 
I wol yow^ telle as w^el as ever I can 
A litel japo that fil in our citee.' 

Our host answerde, and seide, 'Igraunte 

it thee ; {20) 4344 



Now telle on, Roger, loke that it be good ; 
For many a pastee hastow laten blood, 
And many a Jakko of Dover hastow sold 
That hath been twyes hoot and twycs cold. 
Of many a pilgrim hastow Cristes curs, 
For of thy persly yet they faro the wors. 
That they lian eten with thy stubbel-goos ; 
For in thj"- shoppe is many a flye loos. (28) 
Now telle on, gentil Roger, by thy name. 
But yet I pray thee, be nat wrooth for game, 
A man may seye ful sooth in game and 
pley.' 4,'55 

' Tho\i seist ful sooth,' quod Roger, ' by 
my fey, 
But " sooth plej', quaad pley," as the Flem- 
ing seith ; (33) 
And ther-fore, Herry Bailly, by thy leith. 
Be thou nat wrooth, er we departen heer, 
Though that uiy tale bo of an hostileer. 
But nathelees I wol nat telle it yit, 4361 
But cr we parte, j'-wis, thovi shalt be quit. ' 
And ther-with-al he lough and made chore, 
And seydo his tale, as yo shul alter here. 



Thus endeth the Prologe of the Cokes tale. 



THE COKES TALE. 



Hear bigynneth the Cokes tale. 



A Prentis whylom dwelled in our citee. 
And of a craft of vitaillers was he ; 4366 
Gaillard he was as goldfinch in the shawe, 
Broun as a borie, a propre short felawe, 
With lokkes blake, y-kempt ful fetisly. 
Dauncen he coude so wel and jolily, 4370 
That he was cleped Perkin Revelour. 
He was as ful of love and paramour 



As is the liyve ful of hony swote ; 

Wel was the wenche with hinr mighte 

mete. (10) 

At eveiy brydale woldo he singe and 

lioi'Pe, 4375 

Ho loved bet the tavern than the shoppe. 
For whan ther any ryding was in Chepe, 
Out of the shoppe thider woldo he lope. 



T. 4377-4432.] B. Jttfrobucfton to (^<xn of Ban?'0 (profogue. 475 



Til that lie liadde al the sighte y-seyn, 
And daunced wel, he wolde iiat come 

ageyn. 43S0 

And gadered hini a meinee of his sort 
To lioppe and singe, and maken swicli 

disport. 
And ther they setten steven for to mete 
To pleyen at the dys in swich a strete. (20) 
For in the tonne nas ther no jjrentys, 4385 
That fairer coude caste a paire of dys 
Than Porkin coude, and ther-to he was free 
Of his dispense, in place of privetee. 
That fond his maister wel in his chaffare ; 
For often tyme he fond his box ful bare. 
For sikerly a prentis reveloiir, 4391 

That hanntetli dys, ri( t, or paramoiir, 
His maister shal it in his shoppe abye, 
Al have he no part of the minstralcye ; (30) 
For thetto and riot, they ben convertible, 
Al conne he pleye on giterne or ribible. 
Revel and troiithe, as in a low degree. 
They lieen ful wrothe al day, as men may 

see. 
This joly prentis with his maister bood. 
Til he were ny out of his prentishood, 4400 
Al were he snibbed bothe erly and late, 
And sonltJ^T^e lad with revel to Newgate ; 
But atte laste his maister him bithoghte. 



Up-on a daj-, whan he his paper soghte, (40) 
Of a proverbe that seitli th!s same word, 
' Wel bet is roten appel out of hord 44o() 
Than that it rotie al the remenaunt.' 
So fareth it by a riotous ser vaunt ; 
It is wel las30 harm to leto him pace. 
Than he shende alio the servants in the 
place. 44n> 

Therfore his maister yaf him acquitance. 
And bad him go with sorwe and with 

meschanee ; 
And thus this joly prentis hadde his 

leve. 
Now lat him riote al the night or leve. (50 1 
And for ther is no theef with-oute a 
louke, 4415 

That helpoth him to wasten and to souke 
Of that he brybe can or borwe may. 
Anon he sente his bed and his array 
Un-to a compeer of his owne sort. 
That lovede dys and revel and disport, 4420 
And hadde a wyf that heeld for count- 
enance (571 
A shopiie, and swyved for hir sustenance. 



Of this Cokes tale maked Chaucer 
na more. 



GEOUP B. 

INTRODUCTION TO THE MAN OF 
LAW'S PROLOGUE. 



The wordes of the Hoost to the conipanye. 



Our Hoste sey wel that the brighte sonne 
Th'ark of his artificial day had ronne 
The fourthe part, and half an houre, and 

more ; 
And though he were not depe expert in 

lore, 
He wiste it was the eightetethe day 5 
Cf April, that is messager to May ; 



And sey wel that the shadwe of every tree 
Was as in lengthe the same quantitee 
That was the body erect that caused it. 
And therfor by the shadwe he took his wit 
That Phebus, which that shoon so clere 

and brighte, 1 1 

Degrees was fyvo and fouity clombe on 

highte : 



476 B. ^ntvo^uctxorx to (TlXan of Baw'e (pvofogue. [t. 4433-45^0. 



And for that day, as in that latitude, 
It was ten of the clokke, he gan conclude. 
And sodeynly he plighte his hors aboute. 
' Lordinges,'quod he, 'I warne yow, al 
this route, ' '" 

The fourthe party of this day is goon ; 
Now, for the love of god and of seint 

John, 
Leseth no tyme, as ferforth as ye may ; 
Lordinges, the tyme wasteth night and 
day, -o 

And steleth from us, what prively slepinge. 
And what thvirgh necligence in our 

wakinge, 
As dooth the streem, that turneth never 

agayn, 
Descemlingfro the montaigne in-to playn. 
Wei can Senek, and many a philosophre 25 
Biwailen tyme, more than gold in cofre. 
" For los of catel may recovered he. 
But los of tyme shendeth us," quod he. 
It wol nat come agayn, with-outen drede, 
Na more than wol Malkins maydenhede, 
"Whan she hath lost it in hir wantownesse ; 
Lat us nat moulen thus in ydelnessc. 32 
Sir man of lawe,' quod he, 'so have ye 

blls, 
Tel us a tale anon, as forward is ; 
Ye been submitted thurgh your free 
assent 35 

To stonde in this cas at my jugement. 
Acquiteth yow, and holdeth yovir biheste, 
Than have ye doon your devoir atte leste.' 
'Hoste,' quod he, ' dexmrdieux ich as- 
sente, 
To breke forward is not myn entente. 40 
Biheste is dette, and I wol holde fajni 
Al my biheste ; I can no better seyn. 
For swich lawe as man yeveth another 

wight, 
He sholde him-selven usen it l)y right ; 44 
Thus wol our text ; but natheles certeyn 
I can right now no thrifty tale seyn, 
f But Chaucer, though he can but lewedly 
On metres and on ryming craftily. 
Hath seyd hem in swich English as he can 
Of olde tyme, as knoweth many a man. 50 
And if he have not seyd hem, leve brother. 
In o book, he hath seyd hem in another. 
For he hath told of loveres up and doun 
Mo than Ovyde made of mencioun 



In his Epistelles, that heen ful olde. 55 
What sholde I teUen hem, sin they ben 

tolde •? 
In youthe he made of Ceys and Alcion, 
Ami sithen hath he spoke of everlchon, 
Thise noble wyves and thise loveres eke. 
Who-so that wol his large volume sekeoo 
Cleped the Seintes Legende of Cupyde, 
Ther may he seen the large woundes wyde 
Of Lucresse, and of Babilan Tisbee ; 
The swerd of Dido for the false Enee ; 
The tree of Phillis for hir Demophon ; 65 
The pleinte of Dianire and Hermion, 
Of Adriane and of Isiphilee ; 
The barejme yle stonding in the see ; 
The dreynte Leander for his Erro ; 
The teres of Eleyne, and eek the wo 70 
Of Brixseyde, and of thee, Ladoinea ; 
The crueltee of thee, queen Medsa, 
Thy litel children hanging by the hals 
For thy Jason, that was of love so fals ! 
O Ypermistra, Penelopee, Alceste, 75 

Your A^^j-fhod he comendeth with the besto ! 

But certeinly no word ne wryteth he 
Of thilke wikkc ensample of Canacee, 
That lovede hir owne brother sinfiilly ; 
Of swiche cursed stories I sey " fy " ; So 
Or elles of Tyi-o ApoUonius, 
How that the cursed king Antiochus 
lUrafte his doghter of hir maydenhede, 
That is so horrible a tale for to rede, 
Whan he hir threw iip-on the pavement. 
And therfor he, of ful avysement, 86 

Nolde never wryte in none of his sermouns 
Of swiche imkinde abhominacioi^ns, 
Ne I wol noon reherse, if that I may. 

But of my tale how shal I doon this day? 
Me were looth be lykned, doutelees, 91 
To Muses that men clepe Pierides— 
Mctaviorphoscos wot what I mene :— 
But nathelees, I recche noglit a bene 94 
Though I come after himwithhawe-bake ; 
I speke in prose, and lat him rymes make.' 
And with that word he, with a sobre chcre, 
Bigan his tale, as ye shal after here. 

The Prologe of the Mannes Tale 
of Lawe. 

O hateful harm ! condicion of poverte ; 
With thurst, with cold, with hunger so 
confounded ! '"^ 



T. 4521-4574.J B. ZU ^<^f^ of tU QlX^n of Bam. 



477 



To askpn help thee shameth in thyn 
horto ; 

If thou noon askc, with nede artow so 
■wounded, 

'I'hat verray nede nn^Tappeth al thy 
wounde hid ! 

Mangrec tliyn heed, thou most foi" indi- 
gence 104 

Or stele, or begge, or borwe thy despence ! 

Tliou blamest Crist, and seyst ful bitterly, 
He niisde]3arteth richesse temporal ; 
Thy neighebonr thou wji:est sinfully, (:o) 
And seyst thou hast to lytc, and he hath al. 
■ Parfay,"seistow, ' somtyme he rekne shal, 
Wlian that his tayl shal brennen in the 

glede, 1 1 1 

For he noght helpeth needfulle hi hir 

nede.' 

Horkno what is the sentence of the 

wyse : — 
' Bet is to dyen than have indigence ; ' 114 
' Thy selve neighebonr wol thee despyse ; ' 



If thou be piovre, farwel thy reverence ! 
Yet of the wyse man tak this sentence : — 
'Alle the dayes of povre men ben wikke ;' 
Bo war therfor, er thou come in that 
prikke ! (21) 

' If thou be povre, thj- brother hatetli 
thee, 120 

And alle thy freendes fleen fro thee, alas ! ' 
O riche marchaunts, ful of wele ben ye, 

noble, o prudent folk, as in this cas ! 
Your bagges been nat filled with ambes as, 
But with sis cink, that renneth for your 

chaunce ; 125 

At Cristeniasse merie may ye daunce ! 

Y'e seken lond and see for your winninges. 
As wyse folk ye knowen al th'estaat (30) 
Of regnes ; ye ben fadres of tydinges 
And tales, bothe of pees and of debat. i^o 

1 'were right now of tales desolat, 

Nere that a marchaunt, goon is many a 

yere. 
Me taughte a tale, which that ye shal here. 



THE TALE OF THE MAN OF LAWE. 



Here beginneth the Man of Lawe his Tale. 



Ix Surrie whylom dwelte a companye 
Of chapmen riche, and therto sadde and 

trewe, 135 

That wyde-wher senten her spycerye. 
Clothes of gold, and satins riche of hewe ; 
Her chaffar was so thrifty and so newe, (40) 
That every wight hath deyntee to chaffare 
With hem, and eek to sellen hem hir 

ware. 140 

Now fel it, that the maistres of that sort 
Han shapen hem to Eome for to wende ; 
Were it for chapmanhode or for disport, 
Xon other message wolde they thider 
sende, 



But comen hem-self to Rome, this is the 
ende ; 145 

And in swich place, as thoughte hem 
avantage 

For her entente, they take her herbergage. 

Sojourned han thise marchants in that 
toun (50) 

A certein tyme, as fel to hir plesance. 
And so bifel, that th'excellent renoun 150 
Of th'emperouros doghter, dame Custance, 
Reported was, with every circumstance, 
Un-to thise Surrien marchants in swich 

wyse, 
Fro day to day, as I shal yow devyse. 



4/8 



ZU Zcik of tU (3U<in of Bam. [t. 4575-4651. 



This was the commvine vois of every 
man — • i55 

' Our Emperonr of Rome, god him see, 
A doghter hath that, sin the woidd higan, 
To rekne as wol hir goodnesse as beautee, 
Nas never swich another as is she ; (Oi) 
I prey to god in honoiir hir sustene, i6o 
And wolde she were of al Europe the 
quene. 

In hir is heigh beautee, with-oiite pryde, 
Yowthe, with-oute grenehede or folye ; 
To alle hir werkes vertu is hir gyde, 
Humblesse hath slayn in hir al tirannye. 
She is mirour of alle enrteisye ; (68) i66 
Hir herte is vcrray chambre of holinesse, 
Hir hand, niinistre of fredomfor almossc' 

And al this vois was soth, as god is trewe, 
But now to purpos lat us turne agajni; 170 
Thise marchants han doon fraught hir 

shippes newe, 
And, whan they han this blisful mayden 

seyn, 
Hoom to Surrye been they went ful faj-n. 
And doon her nedes as they han don yore, 
And liven in wele ; I can sey yow no more. 

Now fel it, that thise marchants stode in 
grace 176 

Of him, that was the sowdan of Surrye ; 
For whan they came fi-om any strange 
place, (80) 

He wolde, of his benigne curteisye. 
Make hem good chere, and bisil,y espye nSo 
Tydings of sondrj- regnes, for to lere 
The wondres that they mighte seen or here. 

Amonges othere thinges, specially 

Thise marchants han him told of dame 

Custance, 
So gret noblesse in ernest, ceriously, 185 
That this sowdan hath caught so gret 

plesanco 
To han hir figure in his remembrance. 
That al his lust and al his bisy cure (90) 
Was for to love hir whyl his lyf may dure. 

Para venture in thilke large book 190 

Which that men clepe the heven, y-writen 
was 



With sterres, whan that hehis birthe took, 
That he for love shulde han his deeth, alias ! 
For in the sterres, clerer than is glas, 
Is writen, god wot, wlio-so coude it rede, 1 95 
The deeth of every man, withauten drede. 

In sterres, many a winter ther-biforn. 
Was writen the deeth of Ector, Achilles, 
Of Pompey, Julius, er they were born ; (101) 
The stryf of Thebes ; and of Ercules, acxi 
Of Sampson, Turnus, and of Socrates 
The deeth ; but mennes wittes been so 

didle. 
That no wight can wel rede it atte fulle. 

This sowdan for his privee conseil sente, 
And, shortly of this mater for to pace, 205 
He hath to hem declared his entente, 
And seyde hem certein, ' btit he mighte 
have grace (109) 

To han Custance with-inno a litel space, 
He nas but deed ; ' and charged hem, in 

To shapen for his lyf soni remedj-o. 210 

Diverse men diverse thinges se3-den ; 
They argumenten, casten up and donn 
Many a subtil resoun forth they Icyden, 
They speken of magik and abnsioun ; 
Bvit finally, as in conclusioun, 215 

They can not seen in that non avantage, 
Ne in non other wey, save mariage. (119) 

Than sawe they ther-iu swich difficultee 
By wey of resoun, for to speke al playn. 
By-cause that ther -was swich diversitee 220 
Bitwene hir bothe lawes, that they sayn. 
They trowe ' that no cristen prince wolde 

fayn 
Wedden his child under oure lawes swete 
That us were taught bj^ Mahoun our 

prophete.' 

And he answerdo, ' rather than I lese 225 
Custance, I wt>l be cristned doutelees ; 
I mot ben hires, I may non other chese. 
I prey yow holde your prgnments in 
pees ; (130) 

Saveth my lyf, and beeth noght recchelees 
To geten hir that hath my lyf in cure ; 23(1 
For in this wo I may not longe endure.' 



T. 4652-472S.] B. ZU Zak of tU (TiXan of Bam. 



479 



Wliat nedeth gretter dilatacioun ? 

I seye, by tretis and embassadrye, 

And by tbe popes naediacioun, 

And al the chirelie, and al the chivalryc, 

That, in destruccionn of Maumeti-ye, 2 ,6 

And in encrees of Cristes lawe dere, 

They ben acorded, so as ye shal here ; (140) 

How tliat the sowdan and his baronage 
And alio his liges shuhlo y-cristned be, 240 
And he shal lian Custanee in mariago, 
An<l certein gohl, I noot what quantitoe. 
And her-to fonnden snffisant senrtce ; 
This same acord "was sworn on eythor sydo ; 
Xow, faire Custanee, almighty god thee 
!?ydc ! 245 

Xow woldc soni men waiteii, as I gesse, 
That I shuldo toUen al the purveyance 
That tli'emperonr, of his grete noblesse, 
Hath shapen for his doghter dame Cus- 
tanee. (151) 
Wol may men knowe that so gret ordin- 
ance 250 
May no man tellen in a litel clause 
As was arrayed for so heigh a ca\ise. 

Bisshopes ben shapen with hir for to 

wende, 
Lordes, ladyes, kniglites of renoun. 
And other folk y-nowe, this is the ende ; 
And notifyed is tlii^rgh-ont the toun 256 
That every wight, with gret devocioun, 
Shulde preyen Crist that he this mariage 
Rece3.-ve in gree, and spede this viage. (161) 

The day is comen of hir departinge, 260 
I sey, the woful day fatal is come, 
That ther may be no lenger taryinge, 
But forth ward they hem dressen, alle and 

some ; 
Custanee, that was with sorwe al over- 
come, 264 
Ful pale arist, and dresseth hir to wende ; 
For wcl she seeth ther is non other ende. 

Alias ! what wonder is it though she wepte, 
That shal be sent to strange nacioun(i7()) 
Fro Ireendes, that so tendrely hir kepte. 
And to be bounden under subieccioun 270 
Of oon, she knoweth not his condicioun. 



Housbondes been alle gode, and han ben 

yore. 
That knowen wy ves, I dar say yow no more. 

'Fader,' she sayde, ' thj' wrecched child 

distance. 
Thy yonge doghter, fostred up so softe, 275 
And ye, my moder, my soverayn plesance 
Over alle thing, out taken Crist on-lofte, 
Custanee, your child, hir recomandeth 

ofte (iSo) 

Un-to your grace, for I shal to Suri'yO, 
No shal T never seen yo'w more with ye. 280 

Alias ! im-to the Barbre nacioun 
I mosto anon, sin that it is your wille ; 
But Crist, that starf for our redempcionn, 
So yeve me grace, his hestes to fulfillc ; 
I, wreoche womman, no fors though I 

spille. 285 

Wommen are born to thraldom and 

penance, 
And to ben under mannes governance.' 

I trowe, at Troye, whan Pirrus brak the 
wal (190) 

Or Ylion brende, at Thebes the citee, 289 
N'at Rome, for the harm thnrgh Hanibal 
Tiiat Eomayns hath venquisshed tymes 

three, 
Nas herd swich tendre weping for pitee 
As in the chambre was for hir deiiartinge ; 
Bot forth she moot, whef-so she wepe or 
singe. 

firste mooving cruel firmament, 295 
With thy diurnal sweigh that crowdest ay 
And hurlest al from Est til Occident, (199) 
That naturelly wolde holde anotlior way, 
Thy crowding set the heven in swich array 
At the beginning of this fiers viage, 3cx) 
That cruel Mars hath slayn this mariage. 

Infortunat ascendent tortuous. 
Of which the lord is helples falle, alias ! 
Out of his angle in-to the derkest hons. 
O Mars, O Atazir, as in this cas ! 30.^ 

O foble mone, \anhappy been thy pas ! 
Thou knittest thee ther thoii art nat 

recej'\'ed, 
Ther thoii were weel, fro thcnnes artow 

weyved. (210) 



480 



B. ZU ^<if^ of tU (nUrt of Bawe. [t. 4729-4805. 



Imprudent emperour of Rome, alias ! 309 
Was ther no pliilosophre in al thy toiin ? 
Is no tyme bet than other in swich cas ? 
Of viage is ther noon eleccioun, 
Namely to folk of heigh condieioun, 
Nat whan a rote is of a birthe y-knowe ? 
Alias ! we ben to lewed or to slowe. 315 

To shippe is brought this woful faire maj'de 
Solempnely, with every circumstance. 
' Now Jesu Crist be with yow alle,' she 

sayde ; (220) 

Ther nis namore but ' farewel ! faire 

Custance ! ' 319 

Shepeyneth hir to make good countenance, 
And forth I lete hir sayle in this manere, 
And turne I wol agayn to my matere. 

The moder of the sowdan, welle of vyces, 
Espyed hath hir sones pleyn entente, 
How he wol lete liis olde sacrifj'ces, 325 
And right anon she for hir conseil sente ; 
And they ben come, to knowe what she 

mente. 
And when assembled was this folk in-fere, 
She sette hir doun, and sayde as ye shal 

here. (231) 

' Lordes,' quod she, 'ye knowen cverichon, 
How that my sone in point is for to lete 331 
The holy lawes of our Alkaron, 
Yeven by goddes message Makomete. 
But oon avow to grete god I hete, 334 

The lyf shal rather out of my body sterte 
Than Makometes lawe out of inyn lierte ! 

Wliat shiilde us tyden of this newe lawe 
But thraldom to our bodies and penance ? 
And afterward in helle to be drawe (241) 
For we reneyed Mahoun our creance ? 340 
But, lordes, wol ye maken assurance, 
As I shal seyn, assenting to my lore. 
And I shall make us sauf for evermore ? ' 

They sworen and assenten, every man, 344 
To live with hir and dye, and b.y hir stonde ; 
And everich, in the beste wyse he can, 
To strengthen hir shal alle his freendes 

fonde ; 
And she hath this enipryse y-take on 

lionde, (250) 



Which ye shal heren that I shal devyse, 
And to hem alle she spak right in this 
w>-se. 350 

' We shul first feyne us cristendom to take, 
Cold water shal not greve lis but a lyte ; 
And I shal swich a feste and revel make, 
That, as I trowe, I shal the sowdan quyte. 
For though his wyf be cristned never so 

"W'hyte, 355 

She shal have nede to wasshe awey the 

rede, 
Thogh she a font-ful water with hir lede.' 

O sowdanesse, rote of iniquitee, (260) 

Virago, thou Semyram the secounde, 
O serpent under femininitee, 360 

Lyk to the serpent depe in helle y-bounde, 
O feyned wominan, al that may confounde 
Vertu and innocence, thurgh tliy malyce, 
Is bred in thee, as nest of every vyce ! 

O Satan, enviotis sin thilke day 365 

That thou were chased from our heritage, 
Wei knowestow to wommen the olde way ! 
Thou niadest Eva bringe us in servage. (270) 
Thou wolt fordoou this cristen mariago. 
Tliyn instrument so, weylawey the whyle ! 
Makestow of wommen, whan thou wolt 
begyle. 371 

This sowdanesse, whona I thus blame and 

warie, 
Loet prively hir conseil goon hir way. 
What sholde I in this tale lengor tarie ? 
She rydeth to the sowdan on a day, 375 
And seyde him, that she wolde reneye 

hir lay, 
And cristendom of preestes handes fonge, 
Kepentinghir she hethen wassolonge,(2So) 

Biseching him to doon hir that honour, 
That she moste han the cristen men to 

feste ; 380 

' To plesen hem I wol do my labour.' 
The sowdan seith, ' I wol don at .yourheste,' 
And kneling thankethliir of that requeste. 
So glad he was, he niste what to seye ; 
She kiste hir sone, and hoom she gooth 

hir weye. 3S5 

£xplicit prima pars. Sequitur 
pars secunda. 



T.4806-48S2.] B. ZU Z(xit of tU QUan of Bawe. 481 



Arryved ben this Cristen folk to londe, 
111 Surrie, with a greet solempne route, 
And hastily this sowdan sente his sonde, 
First to his nioder, and al the regne 

aboute, (29') 

And seyde, his wyf was comen, out of 

doute, 390 

And preyde hir for to ryde agayn the 

quene, 
The honour of his regne to sustene. 

Gret was the prees, and riche was th'array 
Of Surriens and Komayns met y-fere ; 
The moder of the sowdan, riche and gay, 
Receyveth hir with al-so glad a chere 396 
As any moder mighte hir doghter dere. 
And to the nexte citee ther bisyde (300) 
A softe pas solempnely they ryde. 

Noght trowe I the triumphe of Julius, 400 
Of which that Lucan maketh swich a host, 
Was royaller, ne more curious 
Than was th'assemblee of this blisful host. 
But this scorpioun, this wikked gost, 
The sowdanesse, for al hir flateringe, 405 
Caste under this ful mortally to stinge. 

The sowdan comth hini-self sone after this 
So royally, that wonder is to telle, {310) 
And welcometh hir with alle joye andblis. 
And thus in merthe and joye I lete hem 

dwells. 410 

The fruyt of this matere is that I telle. 
Whan tyme cam, men thoughte it for the 

beste 
That revel stinte, and men goon to hir 

reste. 

The tyme cam, this olde sowdanesse 414 
Ordeyned hath this feste of which Itolde, 
And to the feste Cristen folk hem dresse 
In general, ye ! botheyonge and olde. (319) 
Here may men feste and royaltee biholde. 
And deyntees mo than I can yow devyse. 
But al to dere they boughte it er they ryse, 

O sodeyn wo ! that ever art successour 421 
To worldly bUsse, spreynd with bitter- 

nesse ; 
Th' ende of the joye of our worldly labour; 
Wo occupieth the fyn of our gladnesse. 
Herke this conseil for thy sikemesse, 425 



Up-on thj' glade day have in thy minde 
The unwar wo or harm that comth bi- 
hinde. 

For shortly for to tellen at o word, (330) 
The sowdan and the Cristen everichone 
Ben al to-hewe and stiked at the bord, 430 
But it were only dame distance allone. 
This olde sowdanesse, cursed crone, 
Hath with hir frendes doon this cursed 

dede. 
For she hir-self wolde al the contree lede. 

Ne ther was Surrien noon that was con- 
verted 435 

That of the conseil of the sowdan woot, 

That he nas al to-hewe er he asterted. 

And Custance han they take anon, foot- 
hoot, (340) 

And in a shippe al sterelees, god woot. 

They han hir set, and bidde hir lerne 
sayle 440 

Out of Surrye agayn ward to Itayle. 

A certein tresor that she thider ladde, 
And, sooth to sayn, vitaille gret plentee 
They han hir yeven, and clothes eek she 

hadde. 
And forth she sayleth in the salte see. 445 
O my Custance, ful of benignitee, 
O emperoures yonge doghter dere, (349) 
He tliat is lord of fortune be thy stere ! 

She blesseth hir, and with ful pitous voys 
Un-to the croys of Crist thus seyde she, 
' O clere, o welful auter, holy croys, 451 
Reed of the lambes blood full of pitee. 
That wesh the woi'ld fro the olde iniquitee. 
Me fro the feend, and fro his clawes kepe. 
That day that I slial drenchen in the 
depe. 455 

Victorious tree, proteccioun of trewe, 
That only worthy were for to here (359) 
The king of heven with his woundes newe, 
The wliyte lamb, that hurt was with the 

spere, 459 

Flemer of feendes out of him and here 
On which thy limes feithfiilly extenden, 
Me keep, and yif me might my lyf t'amen- 

deii.' 



482 



B. ZU ^<»f« of tU QUan of Bawt. [t. 4883-4952. 



Yeres and dayes fleet this creature 
Thurgliout the see of Grece iin-to the 

strayte 
Of Marrok, as it was hir aventure ; 465 
On many a sory meel now may she bayte ; 
Ai'ter her death ful often may she wayte, 
Er that the wikle wawes wol hir dryve 
Un-to the place, tlier she shal arryve. (371) 

Men mighten asken why she was not 
slayn ? 470 

Eek at the feste wlio mighte hir body save ? 

And I answere to that demaiinde agayn, 

Who saved Daniel in the horrible cave, 

Ther every wight save he, maister and 
knave, 474 

"Was with the leotin frete er he asterte ? 

No wight bnt god, that he bar in his herte. 

God liste to shewe his wonderful miracle 
In hir, for we sholde seen his mighty 
werkes ; (3S0) 

Crist, which that is to every harm triacle, 
By certein nienes ofte, as knowen clerkes, 
Doth thing for certein ende that ful 
derk is 481 

To mannes wit, that for our ignorance 
Ne conne not knowe his prudent pur- 
veyance. 

Now, sith she was not at the feste y-slawe. 
Who kepte hir fro the drenching in the 

see ? 4^5 

Who kepte Jonas in the fisshes mawe 
Til he was spouted up at Ninivee ? 
Wei may men knowe it was no wight 

but he (390) 

That kepte peplo Ebraik fro hir drencli- 

inge. 
With drye feet thurgh-out the see pass- 

inge. 490 

Who bad the foure spirits of tempest. 
That power ban t'anoyen land and see, 
*Bothe noi-th and south, and also west 

and est, 
Anoyeth neither see, ne land, ne tree ? ' 
Sothly, the comaundour of that was he. 
That fro the tempest ay this womman 

kepte 496 

As wel whan [that] she wook as whan she 

slepte. 



Wher mighte this womman mete and 

drinke have ? (4«i) 

Three yeer and more how lasteth hir 

vitaille ? 499 

Who fedde the Egipcien Marie in the cave, 
Or in desert ? no wight but Crist, sans 

faille. 
Fyve thousand folk it was as gret mer- 

vaille 
With loves fy^•e and fisshes two to fede. 
God sente his foison at hir grete nede. 

She dryveth forth in-to our occean 505 
Thurgli-out our wilde see, til, atte laste. 
Under an hold that nempnen I ne can, 
Fer in Northumberlond the waw^e hir 

caste, (410) 

And in the sond hir ship stiked so faste, 
That thennes wolde it noght of al a tydo. 
The wille of Crist was that she shulJo 

abyde. 511 

The constable of the castel dnnn is fare 
To seen this wrak, and al the ship ho 

soghte. 
And fond this ■w^ery womman ful of care ; 
He fond also the tresor that she broghte. 
In hir langage mercy she bisoghte 516 
The lyf out of hir body for to twinne, (-(.19) 
Hir to delivere of wo that she was inne. 

A maner Latin corrupt was hir speche. 
But algates ther-l)y was she understonde ; 
The constable, whan him list no lenger 

seche, s-' 

This woful womman broghte he to the 

londe ; 
She kneleth doun, and thanketh goddes 

sonde. 
But what she was, she wolde no man seye. 
For foul ne fair, thogh that she shulde 

deye. 525 

She seyde, she was so mased in the see 
That she forgat hir mindc, by hir troutlie; 
The constable hath of hir so greet pitee. 
And eek bis wyf, that they wepen for 
ronthe, (431) 529 

She was so diligent, with-outen slouthe. 
To serve and plesen everich in that place. 
That alle hir loven that loken on hir face. 



{953-502 2 



.] B. ZH t:afe of tU (D^n of Bam. 



48; 



Tins constable and dame Hermengild his 
wyf 

Wore payens, and tliat contree every- 
where ; 

But Hermengild lovede hir right as liir 
lyf, S?.5 

And Cnstance hath so longe sojourned 
there, 

In orisons, with many a bitter tere, 

Til Jesu hath converted thurgh his grace 

Dame Hermengild, constablesse of that 
place. (441) 539 

In al that lond no Cristen durste route, 
Alle Cristen folk ben fled fro that contree 
Thiirgh payens, that conquoreden al 

aboute 
The plages of the North, by land and see ; 
To Walis fled the Cristianitee 
Of olde Britons, dwellinge in this yle ; 545 
Ther was hir refnt for the mene whyle. 

But yet nere Cristen Britons so exyled (449) 
That ther nere somme that in hir privetee 
Honoured Crist, and hethen folk bigyled ; 
And ny the castel swiche ther dwelten 

three. 550 

That oon of hem was blind, and miglite 

nat see 
Biit it were with thilko yen of his minde. 
With whicho men seen, after that they 

ben blinde. 

Bright was the sonne as in that someres 

<^i^y, 554 

For which the constable and his wyf also 
And Cnstance han y-take the righte way 
Toward the see, a fiirlong wey or two, 
To pleyen and to romen to and fro ; (460) 
And in hir walk this blinde man they 

mette 559 

Croked and old, with yen faste y-sliette. 

'In name of Crist,' cryde this blinde 

Britoun, 
' Dame Hermengild, yif me my sighte 

agayn.' 
This lady wex affrayed of the soun, 
Lest that hir housbond, shortly for to 

sayn, 
Wolde hir for .Jesu Cristes love han slayn. 



Til Custance made hir bold, and bad hir 

werche 566 

The wil of Crist, as doghter of his chirehe. 

The constable wex abasshed of that sight, 
And seyde, ' what amounteth al this fare ? ' 
Custance answerde, ' sire, it is Cristes 
might, (472) 570 

That helpeth folk out of the feendes snare.' 
And so ferforth she gan our lay declare. 
That she the constable, er that it were eve, 
Converted, and on Crist made him bileve. 

This constable was no-thing lord of this 
place (477) 575 

Of which I speke, ther he Custance fond, 
But kepte it strongly, many wintres space. 
Under Alia, king of al Northumberlond, 
That was ful wys, and worthy of his bond 
Agayn the Scottes, as men may wel here. 
But turne I wol agayn to my matere. 581 

Sathan, that ever lis waiteth to bigyle, 
Saugh of Custance al hir perfeccioun. 
And caste anon how ho mighte qnyte hir 

whyle. 
And made a yong knight, that dwelte in 

that toiin, 5S5 

Love hir So hote, of foul affeccioun, 
That verraily him thoughte he shuldo 

spille (4S9) 

Btit ho of hir mighte ones have his wille. 

He woweth hir, bvit it availleth noght, 
She wolde do no sinne, by no weye ; 590 
And, for despyt, he corapassod in his 

thoght 
To maken hir on shamful deth to deye. 
He wayteth whan the constable was aweyc. 
And prively, \ip-on a night, he crepte 594 
In Hermengildes chambre whyl she slepte. 

Wery, for-waked in her orisouns, 
Slepeth Custance, and Hermengild also. 
This knight, thiirgh Sathanas tempta- 

ciouns, (500) 

Al softely is to the bed y-go. 
And kitte the throte of Hermengild a-two. 
And leyde tho blody knyf liy dame 

Custance, 601 

And wente his wey, ther god yove him 

meschance ! 



484 



B. Z^i^ tak of tU (D^an of Bawt. [t. 5023-5095. 



Sone after comtli this constable lioom 

agayii, 
And eek Alia, that king was of that lend, 
And savigh his wyf despitously y-slayn, 605 
For which ful ofte lie weep and wrong his 

hond, 
And in the lied the blody knyf he fond 
By dame Custance ; alias ! what mighte 

she seye? (510) 

For verray wo hir wit was al aweye. 

To king Alia was told al this meschance, 
And eek the tyme, and where, and in 
what wyse 611 

That in a ship was founden dame Custance, 
As heer-biforn that ye han herd devyse. 
The kinges herte of pitee gan agryse. 
Whan he saiigh so benigne a creature 615 
Falle in disese and in misaventure. 

For as the lomb toward his deeth is broght. 
So stant this innocent bifore the king ; 
This false knight that hath this tresoun 

wroght (52 1 ) 

Berth hir on hond that she hath doom 

this thing. 620 

•j-But nathelees, ther was [ful] greet 

moorning 
Among the peple, and seyn, ' they can not 

gesse 
Tliat she hath doon so greet a wikked- 

nesse. 623 

For they han seyn hir ever so vertuous. 
And loving Hermengild right as her lyf,' 
Of this bar witnesse everich in that lious 
Save he that Hermengild slow with his 

knyf 
This gentil king hath caught a gi'et motyf 
Of this witnesse, and thoghte he wolde 

enqviere (531) 

Depper in this, a trovithe for to lere. 630 

Alias ! Custance ! thou hast no champioun, 
Ne fighte canstow nought, so weylawcy ! 
But he, that starf for our redempciouu 
And bond Sathan (and yit lyth ther he 

lay) 
So be thy stronge champioun this day ! 635 
For, but-if Crist open miracle kythe, 
Withouten gilt thou shalt be slayn as 

swythe. 



She sette her doun on knees, aiid thus 
she sayde, (54o) 

' Immortal god, that savedest Susanne 

Fro false blame, and thou, merciful 
mayde, 640 

Mary I mene, doghter to Seint Anne, 

Bifore whos child aungeles singe Osanne, 

If I be giltlees of this felonye. 

My socour be, for elles I shal dye ! ' 644 

Have ye nat seyn som tyme a pale face, 
Among a prees, of him that hath be lad 
Toward his deeth, wher-as him gat no 

grace. 
And swich a colour in his face hath had, 
Men mighte knowe his face, that was 

bistad, (551) 

Amonges alle the faces in that route : 650 
So stant Custance, and loketh hir aboute. 

O queues, livinge in prosperitee. 
Duchesses, and ye ladies everichone, 
Haveth som routhe on hir adversitee ; 
An emperoures doghter stant allone ; 655 
She hath no wight to whom to make hir 

mone. 
O blood royal, that stondest in this drede, 
Fer ben thy freendes at thy grete nede ! 

This Alia king hath swich compassioun, 
As gentil herte is fulfild of pitee, (562) 660 
That from his yen ran the water donn. 
' Now hastily do fecche a book,' quod he, 
' And if this knight wol sweren how that 

she 
This womman slow, yet wole we us avyse 
■VNliom that we wole that shal ben our 

justyse.' 665 

A Briton book, writen with Evangyles, 
Was fet, and on this book he swoor anoon 
She gilty was, and in the mene whyles 
A hand him smoot upon the nekke-boon. 
That doixn he fil atones as a stoon, (572) 670 
And bothe his yen broste out of his face 
In sight of every body in that place. 

A vols was herd in general audience, 
And seyde, ' thou hast desclaundred 

giltelees 
The doghter of holy chirche in hej^ 

presence ; 675 



T. 5096-5169.] B. ZU ^<^f^ of ^6^ (in<itt of Bawi. 



485 



Tli\is liastou cToon, and yet holcle I my 

pees.' 
Of this mervaille agast was al the prees ; 
As niased folk they stoden everichone, (sSt)) 
For drede of wreche, save Custance allone. 

Greet was the drede and eek the repent- 
ance 680 

Of hem that hadden wrong snspeccioun 

Upon this soly innocent distance ; 

And, for this miracle, in conclnsionn, 

And by distances mediacioun. 

The king, and manj^ another in that 
place, 685 

Converted was, thanked be Cristes grace ! 

This false knight was slayn for his un- 

trouthe 
By jiigement of Alia hastifly ; (590) 

And yet Custance haddo of his deeth gret 

routhe. 
And after this Jesus, of his mercy, 690 
Made Alia wedden ful solempnely 
This holy mayden, that is so bright and 

shene, 
And thus hath Crist y-maad distance 

a qiiene. 

But who was woful, if I shal nat lye, 
Of this wedding hut Donegild, and na mo, 
Tlie kinges moder, ful of tirannye? 696 
Hir thoughte hir cursed herte brast a-two ; 
She wolde noght hir sone had do so ; (6<k)) 
Hir thoughte a despit, that he sholde take 
So strange a creature iin-to his make. 700 

Me list nat of the chaf nor of the stree 
Maken so long a tale, as of the corn. 
What sholde I tellen of the royaltee 
At mariage, or which cours gooth biforn, 
Who bloweth in a trompe or in an horn ? 
The fruit of every tale is for to seye ; 706 
They ete, and drinke, and daunce, and 
singe, and pleye. 

They goon to bedde, as it was skile and 

right ; (610) 

For, tliogh that wj'ves been ful holy 

thinges, 
They moste take in pacience at night 710 
S wich maner necessaries as been plesinges 
To folk that han y-wedded hem with 



And leye a lyte hir holinesse asyde 
As for the tyme ; it may no bet bityde. 

On hir he gat a knave-child anoon, 715 
And to a bishop and his constable eke 
He took his wyf to kepe, whan he is goon 
To Scotland-ward, his fo-men for to seke ; 
Now faire Custance, that is so humble 

and meke, (621) 

So longe is goon with childe, til that stille 
She halt hir chambre, abyding Cristes 

wille. 72 1 

The tyme is come, a knave-child she ber ; 
Mauricius at the font-stoon they him calle ; 
This constable dooth forth come a mes- 

sager. 
And wroot un-to his king, that cleped 

was Alle, 725 

How that this blisful tyding is bifalle, 
And othere tydings speedful for to seye ; 
Ho tak'th the lettre, and forth he gooth 

his weye. (630) 

This messager, to doon his avantage, 729 
Un-to the kinges moder rydeth swythe. 
And salueth hir ful faire in his langage, 
' Madame,' quod he, ' ye niay be glad and 

blythe. 
And thanke god an hundred thousand 

sythe ; 
My lady queue hath child, with-outeii 

doiite, 734 

To joye and blisse of al this regne abontc. 

Lo, heer the lettres seled of this thing. 
That I mot here with al the haste I may; 
If ye wol aught un-to your sone the king, 
I am your servant, bothe night and day.' 
Donegild answerde, ' as now at this tyme, 

nay ; (642) 740 

But heer al night I wol thou take thy 

reste, 
Tomorwe wol I seye thee what me leste.' 

This messager drank sadly ale and wyn, 
And stolen were his lettres prively 
Out of his box, whyl he sleep as a swyn : 
And countrefeted was ful subtilly y^u 

Another lettre, wroght ful sinfully, 
Un-to the king direct of this matere (650) 
I Fro his constable, as ye shul after here. 



486 



B. ZU ^af^ of tU Qtlan of &am. [t. 5170-5246. 



Tlie lettre spak, ' tlie queen delivered was 
Of so horrible a feendly creature, 751 

That in the castel noon so hardy was 
That any whyle dorste ther endure. 
The moder was an elf, by aventure 
Y-come, by charmes or by sorcorye, 755 
And every wight hateth hir conixianye.' 

Wo was this king whan he this lettre 
had seyn, (659) 

Bvit to no wighte he tolde his sorwes sore, 
But of his oweue honde he wroot ageyn, 
' Welcome the sonde of Crist for evermore 
To me, that am no^v lerned in his lore ; 761 
Lord, welcome be thy lust and thy 

plesaunce, 
My lust I putte al in thj'n ordinavince ! 

Kepeth this child, al be it foul or fair, 
And eek my wyf, un-to myn hoom- 

coniinge ; 765 

Crist, whan him list, may sende mo an 

heir 
More agreable than this to my lykinge.' 
This lettre he seleth, prively wepinge, (670) 
Which to the messager was take soue. 
And forth he gooth ; ther is na more to 

done. 770 

O messager, fulfild of dronkenesse, 
Strong is thy breeth, thy limes faltren ay. 
And thou biwreyest alle secreenesse. 
Thy mind is lurn, thou janglest as a jay, 
Thy face is turned in a newe array ! 775 
Ther dronkenesse regneth in any route, 
Ther is no conseil hid, with-outen doute. 

O Donegild, I ne have noon English digne 
Un-to thy malice and thy tirannyo ! (681) 
And therfor to the feend I thee resigne, 
Let him endyten of thy traitorye ! 781 
Fy, mannish, fy ! o nay, by god, I lye, 
Fy, feendly spirit, for I dar wel telle, 
Tliough thou heer walke, thy spirit is in 
hello ! 784 

This messager comth fro the king agayn, 
And at the lunges modres court he lighte. 
And she was of this messager ful fayn, 
And plesed him in al that ever she 

mighte. (690) 

He drank, and wel his girdel xmder- 

pighte. 



He slepeth, and he snoreth in his gyse 790 
Al night, -f-un-til the sonnc gun aryse. 

Eft were his lettres stolen everichon 
And countrefeted lettres in this wyse j 
' The king comandeth his constable anon, 
Up peyne of hanging, and on heigh juyse, 
That he ne sholde suffren in no wyse 796 
Custance in-with his regne for t'abyde 
Thre dayes and a quarter of a tyde ; (700) 

But in the same ship as he hir fond, 
Hir and hir yonge sone, and al hir gere, 
He sholde putte, and croiule hir fro the 

lond, 80 1 

And charge hir that she never eft come 

there.' 
O my Custance, wel may thy goost have 

fere 
And sleping in thy dreem been in penance, 
When Donegild caste al this ordinance ! 

This niessager on morwe, whan he wook, 
Un-to the castel halt the nexte wey, (709) 
And to the constable he the lettre took ; 
And whan that he this pitous lettre sey, 
Ful ofte he seyde ' alias ! ' and ' wey- 

lawey ! ' Sio 

' Lord Crist,' quod he, ' how may this 

world endure ? 
So ful of sinne is many a creature ! 

O mighty god, if that it be thy wille, 
Sith thou art rightful juge, how may it be 
That thou wolt suffren innocents to spille. 
And wikked folk regne in prosperitee?8i6 
O good Custance, alias ! so wo is me 
Tliat I mot be thy tormentour, or deye 
On shanies deeth ; ther is noon other 
we3'e!' (721) 

Wepen bothe yonge and olde in al that 

j)lace, 820 

Whan that the king tliis ciirscd letti'e 

sente, 
And Custance, with a deedly pale face, 
The fertile day toward hir ship she wente. 
But natheles she taketh in good entente 
The wille of Crist, and, kneling on the 

stronde, 825 

Slie seyde, ' lord ! ay wel-com be thy 

sonde ! 



T. 5247-5314.] B. ^0e Zak of tU QHan of Bmt. 



487 



He that me kepte fro the false blame 
AVliyl I was on the londe amonges yow, 
He can me kepe from harme and eek fro 
shame (73') 

In salte see, al-thogh I see nat how. 830 
As strong as ever he was, he is yet now. 
In him triste I, and in his nioder dere, 
That is to me my seyl and eek my stere.' 

Hir litel chUd lay weping in hir arm, 834 
And kneling, pitously to him she seydej 
' Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee non 

hai-m.' 
With that hir kerchef of hir heed she 

breyde. 
And over his litel yen she it leyde ; (740) 
And in hir arm she liilleth it ful faste, 
And in-to heven hir yen np she caste. 840 

' Modcr,' quod she, ' and maydo bright, 

Maiye, 
Sooth is that thiirgh wommannes egga- 

ment 
Mankind was lorn and damned ay to dj-e. 
For which thy child was on a croys y- 

rent ; 
Thy blisful yen sawe al his torment ; 845 
Than is ther no comparisoun bitwene 
Thy wo and any wo man may susteue. 

Thou sawe thy child j'-slayn bifor thyn 
yen, ^ (750) 

And yet now livotli my litel child, parfay ! 

Now, lady bright, to whom alle woful 
cryen, 850 

Thou glorie of wommanhede, thou faire 
may, 

Thou haven of refut, brighte sterre of day, 

Eewe on my child, that of thy gentillesse 

newest on every rewful in distresse ! 

O litel chUd, alias ! what is thy gilt, 855 
That never wroughtest sinne .as yet, 

pardee, 
WQiy wil thyn harde fader ban thee spilt? 
O mercy, dere constable!' qiiodshe; (760) 
' As lat my litel child dwelle heer with 

thee ; 
And if thou darst not saven him, for 

blame, 860 

So kis him ones in his fadres name ! ' 



Ther-with she loketli bakward to the 

londo, 
And seyde, ' far-wel, hovisbond routho- 

lees ! ' 
And up she rist, and walketh doun the 

stronde 
Toward the ship ; hir folweth al the prees. 
And ever she preyeth hir child to holde 

his pees ; 866 

And takoth hir leve, and with an holy 

entente 
She blesseth hir ; and in-to ship she 

wente. (770) 

Vitailled was the ship, it is no drede, 
Habundantly for hir, ful longe space, 870 
And other necessaries that sholde nede 
She hadde y-nogh, heried be goddes grace ! 
For wind and weder almighty god pur- 

chace. 
And bringe hir hoom ! I can no bettro 

seye ; S74 

But in the see she dryveth forth hir wcye. 

Explicit secunda pars. 
Sequitur pars tercia. 

Alia the king comth hoom, sone after this. 
Unto his castel of the which I tolde, (779) 
And axeth wher his wj-f and his child is. 
The constable gan aboute his herte colde. 
And pleynly al the maner he him tolde 880 
As ye han herd, I can telle it no bettre, 
And sheweth the king his seel and [eek] 
his Icttre, 

And seyde, ' lord, as ye comaunded me 
Up peyne of deeth, so have I doon, certein.' 
This messager tormented was til ho 885 
Moste biknowe and tellen, plat and plein. 
Fro night to night, in what place ho had 

leyn. 
And thus, by wit and subtil enqueringe, 
Ymagined was by whom this harm gan 

springe. (791) 

The hand was knowe that the lettre wroot. 
And al the veuim of this ciirsed dede, 891 
But in what wyse, certeinly I noot. 
Th'effect is this, that Alia, out of drede, 
His moder slow, that men may pleinly 
rede. 



B. ZU tdh of tU Qltan of Bawe. [t. 5315-538-1. 



For that she traitour was to hir ligeaunce. 

Thus endeth olde Donegild with mes- 

chaunce. 896 

The sorwG that this Alia, night and day, 
Maketh for his wyf and for his cliild also, 
Thor is no tonge that it telle may. (801) 
But now wol I un-to distance go, 900 
That fl(;toth in the see, in peyne and wo, 
Fyve yeer and more, as lyked Cristes 

sonde, 
Er that hir ship approched un-to londe. 

Under an hethen castel, atte laste, 

Of which the name in my text noght 

I fmde, 9<>5 

Custance and eek hir child the see up- 

caste. 
Almighty god, that saveth al mankindo. 
Have on Custance and on hir child som 

minde, (810) 

That fallen is in hethen land oft-sone, 909 
In point to spille, as I shal telle yow sone. 

Doun from the castel comth ther many 

a wight 
To gauren on this ship and on Custance. 
But shortly, from the castel, on a night. 
The lordes styward — god yeve him mes- 

chaunce ! — 914 

A thcef, that had reneyed our creaunce. 
Com in-to shij) allone, and seyde he sholde 
Hir Icmman he, wher-so she wolde or 

nolde. (819) 

Wo was this wrecched womman tho higon, 
Hir child cryde, and she cryde pitously ; 
But hlisful Marie heelp hir right anon ; 
For with hir strugling wel and mightily 
The thoef fil over hord al sodeinly, 922 
And in the see he dreynte for vengeance ; 
And thus hath Crist unwemmed kept 

Custance. 

Auctor. 
O foule lust of luxurie ! lo, thyn cnde ! 
Nat only tliat thou feyntest mannes 

minde, 926 

But verraily thou wolt his body shende ; 
Th'ende of thy werk or of thy lustes 

blinde (830) 

Is compleyning, how many-oon may men 

finde I" 



That noght for werk som-tyme, but for 
th 'entente 930 

To doon this sinne, ben outlier sleyn or 
shente ! 

How may this wayke womman lian this 

strengthe 
Hir to defende agayn this renegat ? 
O Golias, unmesurable of lengtlie. 
How mighte David make thee so miat, 935 
So yong and of armure so desolat ? 
How dorste he loke iip-on thy dredful face? 
Wel may men seen, it nas but goddcs 

grace ! (840) 

Who yaf .Tudith corage or liardinesse 
To sleen him, Olofernus, in his tente, 940 
And to deliveren out of wrecchednesse 
The peple of god ? I seyo, for this entente, 
That, right as god spirit of vigour sente 
To hem, and saved hem out of mcschance, 
So sente he might and vigour to Custance. 

Forth goth hir ship thurgh-out tho narwe 

mouth 94*^ 

Of Jubaltar and Septe, dryving ay, 
Som-tyme West, som-tyme North and 

South, (850) 

And somtyme Est, ful many a wery 

day. 
Til Cristes moder (blessed bo she ay !) 05" 
Hath shapen, thurgh hir endelees good- 

nesse. 
To make an ende of al hir hevinesse. 

Now lat us stinte of Custance but a throwe, 
And speke we of the Romain Kmperour, 
That out of Surrie hath by lettres knowe 
The slaughtre of Cristen folk, and dis- 
honour 95^> 
Don to his doghter by a fals traitour, 
I mene the cursed wikked sowdanesse. 
That at the feste leet sleen both more and 
lesse. (861) 

For which this emperour hath sent anoon 
His senatour, with royal ordinance, 961 
And othere lordes, got wot, many oon, 
On Surriens to taken heigh vengeance. 
They brennen, sleen, and bringe hem to 
meschance 



T. <;385-545R.] B. Z\l>t ZaU of tU (D^<»tt of Bawt. 



489 



Ful many a day ; but shortly, this is 

the cnclo, 965 

Honiward to Homo they shapcn hem to 

wuiido. 

Tliis senatour rcpaireth with victorie 
To ivomc-ward, sayling ful i-oyally, (Sjo) 
And metto the ship di-yviiig, as soitli tlio 

storie, 
In which Custancc sit fill jjitously. 970 
No-tliing no knew ho what sho was, no 

why 
,Slio was in swich array ; no siio nil seyo 
Ofhir ostaat, althogh sho sholdo dcyo. 

Ho bringoth hir to Homo, and to his wyf 
Ho yaf hir, and hir yonge sono also ; 975 
And witli the senatour sho ladde hor lyf. 
Thus can our lady bringen out of wo (879) 
Woful Custance, and many another mo. 
And longe tyme dwelled sho in that place, 
In holy werkes over, as was hir grace. 980 

Tlie senatourcs wyf hir aunto was, 

But for al that she knew hir never the 

more; 
I wol no lenger tarien in tliis cas, 
But to king Alia, which I spak of yore, 
That for his wyf wepeth and syketh 

sore, 985 

I wol retourne, and leto I wol Custance 
Under the sonatoures governance. 

ICing Alki, whicli that haddc his laodor 
slayn, (890) 

Upon a day fil in swich repentance, 
Tliat, if I shortly tollen shal and plain, 990 
To Homo ho comth, to receyven his 

penance ; 
And x>utte him jji tiic popes oidinance 
In heigh and low, and Jesu Crist bisoghte 
Forycve his wiliked werkes that ho 
wroghte. 994 

The fame anon tluugh Uonio toun is bom. 
How Alia king shal come in pilgrimage, 
By horbergoours that wenton him biforn ; 
For which the senatour, as was usage, (901)) 
Hood him ageyn, and many of his linage, 
As wol to shewen his heigho magnificence 
As to don any king a roveronco. 1001 



Greet chore dooth this noble senatour 
To king AHu, and ho to him also ; 
Evorich of licm doth other greet honour ; 
And so Ijifel that, in a day or two, im)5 
This senatour is to king Alia go 
To feste, and shortly, if I shal nat lye, 
Custances sone wento in his companye. 

Som mon woldo soyn, at ro(iuesto of 
Custance, (9") 

This senatour hath lad this child to i'csto ; 
I may nat tellon every circumstance, 1011 
Bo as be may, ther was he at the lesto. 
But soth is this, that, at his modres hesto, 
Biforn Alhi, during the metes space. 
The child stood, loking in the kinges face. 

This Alia king hath of this child greet 

wonder, 1016 

And to the senatour he soydo anon, 
' Whos is that fairo child that stondeth 

yonder ? ' (920) 

' I noot,' quod he, ' by god, and by seint 

John ! 1019 

A modor he hath, but fader hath ho non 
That I of woot '—but shortly, in a stounde. 
He tolde Alia how that this child was 

founde. 

' But god wot,' quod this senatour also, 
' So vertuous a livere in my lyf, u)24 

No saugh I never as she, no horde of mo 
Of worldly wommon, mayden, nor of wyf ; 
I dar wol soyn hir haddo lover a knyf 
Thurgh-out hor breste, than been a wom- 
. man wikke ; f93o) 

Thor is no man coudo bringo hir to that 
prikko.' 

Now was this child <as lyk vin-to Custanco 
As i)ossiblo is a creature to bo. 1031 

This Alia hath the face in romembranco 
Of damo Custance, and ther-on mused ho 
Tf that the childes moder wore aught she 
That was his wyf, and prively ho siglite. 
And spedde him fro the table that he 
mighte. 1036 

' Parfay,' thoghto ho, ' fantomo is in myn 

hoed ! 
I oghtc demo, of skilful jugemout, (94(jJ 



490 B. Zi>i- Zak of tU QlXan of Bam. [t. 5459-5538. 



That in the salte see my wyf is deed.' 
And afterward he made his argument — 
' What woot I, if tliat Crist have hider 

y-sent 1041 

My wyf by see, as wel as he hir sente 
To my contree fro thennes that she 

wente ? ' 

And, after noon, hoom with the senatour 
Goth Alia, for to seen this wonder chaunce. 
This senatour dooth Alia greet honour, 
And hastifly he sente after Custaunce. 
But trusteth weel, hir liste nat to daunce 
Whan that she wiste wherefor was that 
sonde. (951) 1049 

Unnethe up-on hir feet she mighte stonde. 

When Alia saugh his wyf, faire he hir 

grette. 
And weep, that it was routhe for to see. 
For at the firste look he on hir sette 
He knew wel verraily that it was she. 
And she for sorwe as domb stant as a tree ; 
So was hir herte shet in hir distresse 1056 
Whan she remembred his unkindenesse. 

Twyes she swowned in his owne sighte ; 
He weep, and him excuseth pitously : — • 
' Now god,' qiiod he, ' and alle his halwes 
brighte (962) 1060 

So wisly on my soule as have mercy, 
That of your harm as giltelees am I 
As is Maurice my sone so lyk your face ; 
EUes the feend me fecche out of this place ! ' 

Long was the sobbing and the bitter peyne 
Er that hir woful hertes mighte cesse ; 
Greet was the pitee for to here hem pleyne, 
Thurgh whiche pleintes gan hir wo en- 
cresse. (970) 

I prey yow al my labour to relesse ; 
I may nat telle hir wo un-tO. tomorwe, 1070 
I am so wery for to speke of sorwe. 

But fynally, when that the sooth is wist 
That Alia giltelees was of hir wo, 
I trowe an hundred tymes been they kist, 
And swich a blisse is ther bitwix hem two 
That, save the joye that lasteth evermo, 
Ther is non lyk, that any creature 1077 
Hath seyii or shal, whyl that the world 
may dure, (980) 



Tho preyde she hir housbond mekely. 
In relief of hir longe pitous pyne, 1080 
That he wold preye hir fader specially 
That, of his magestee, he wolde enclyne 
To vouche-sauf som day with him to dyne ; 
She preyde him eek, he sholde by no weye 
Un-to hir fader no word of hir seye. 1085 

Som men "wold seyn, how that the child 

Maurice 
Doth this message un-to this emperotir ; 
But, as I gesse. Alia was nat so nyce (990) 
To him, that was of so sovereyn honour 
As he that is of Cristen folk the flour, 1090 
Sente any child, but it is bet to deme 
He wente him-self, and so it may wel seme. 

This emperour hath graunted gentiUy 
To come to diner, as he him bisoghte ; 
And wel rede I, he loked bisily 1095 

Up-on this child, and on his doghter 

thoghte. 
Alia goth to his in, and, as him oghte,' 
Arrayed for this feste in every wyse (loou) 
As ferforth as his conning may suffyse. 

The morwe cam, and Alia gan him dresse. 
And eek his wyf, this emperour to mete ; 
And forth they ryde in joye and in glad- 

nesse. 1 102 

And whan she saugh hir fader in the strete, 
She lighte doun, and falleth him to fete. 
' Fader,' quod she, ' your yonge child 

Custance 1 105 

Is now ful clene ovit of your remembrance. 

I am your doghter Custance,' quod she, 
' That whylom ye han sent un-to Surrye. 
It am I, fader, that in the salte see (loii) 
Was put allone and dampned for to dye. 
Now, gode fader, mercy I yow crye, iiii 
Send me namore un-to non hethenesse. 
But thonketh my lord heer of his kinde- 
nesse.' 

Who can the pitous joye tellen al 
Bitwix hem three, sin they ben thus 
y-mette ? 1 1 15 

But of my tale make an ende I shal ; 
The day goth faste, I wol no lenger lette. 
This glade folk to diner they hem sette ; 



T. 5539-55S2.] B. ^^i Zak of tU QlXan of Bum, 



491 



In joye and blisse at mete I lete hem 

dwelle {102:) 1 1 19 

A thousand Ibid wel more than I can telle. 

This child Maurice was sithen emperour 
Maad by the pope, and lived Cristenly. 
To Cristes chirche he dide greet honour ; 
But I lete al his storie passen by, 
Of Custance is my tale specially. 1125 

In olde Eomayn gestes may men finde 
Maurices lyf ; I here it noght in minde. 

This king Alia, whan he his tynnesey, (1030) 
With his Custance, his holy wyf so swete, 
To Engelond been they come the righte 

wey, 1130 

Wher-as they live in joye and in quiete. 
But litel whyl it lasteth, I yow hete, 
Joye of this world, for tyme wol nat 

abyde ; 
Fro day to night it changeth as the tyde. 

Who lived ever in swich delyt o day 11 35 
That him ne moeved outlier conscience, 
Or ire, or talent, or som kin aifray, {1039) 
Envye, or pryde, or passion, or offence ? 
I ne seye but for this ende this sentence, 
That litel whyl in joye or in plesance 1140 
Lasteth the blisse of Alia with Custance. 



For death, that taketh of heigh and low 

his rente, 
W^hen passed was a yeer, even as I gesse, 
Out of this world this king Alia he liente. 
For whom Custance hath ful gret hevi- 

nesse. 1145 

Now lafc us preyen god his soule blesse ! 
And dame Custance, fynally to seye, 
Towards the toun of Rome gooth hir weye. 

To Rome is come this holy creature, (1051) 
And fyndeth ther hir frendes hole and 

sounde : i]5o 

Now is she scaped al hir aventure ; 
And whan that she hir fader hath y-founde, 
Doun on hir knees falleth she to grounde ; 
Weping for tendrenesse in herte blythe, 
She herieth god an hundred thousand 

sythe. 1 1 55 

In vertu and in holy almes-dede (1058; 
They liven alle, and never a-sonderwende ; 
Til deeth departed hem, this lyf they lede. 
And fareth now weel, my tale is at an ende. 
Now Jesu Crist, that of his might may 

sende 11 60 

.Joye after wo, governe us in his grace. 
And kepe us alle that ben in this place I 

Amen. 



Here endeth the Tale of the Man of Lawe ; and next folweth the 
Sbipmannes Prolog. 

*,* Fo)- 1. 5583 in Tyrwhitt's Text, see Group D, 1. i. 



R 5 



492 C^e ^^tpman'e (|)rofogue. [t. 12903-12950, 



THE SHIPMAN'S PROLOGUE. 

Here biginneth the Shipmannes Prolog. 

***■ In Tyrwhitt's text, II. i-'yo^ i->q-'4. 



Ouu liostc np-oii Ills stiropes stood 

anon, 
And seydo, ' good men, lierkneth evericli 

on ; 
This was a thrifty tale for tlie nonos ! 1 165 
Sir parish prest,' iiiiod he, 'for goddes 

bones, 
Tel us a talc, as was thy forward yoro, 
I see wel that yo lorncd men in lore 
Can mocho good, by goddes digniteo ! ' 

The Porsonehinianswerde, ' hen' cite ! 1 170 
What eyleth the man, so sinfully to 

swore'?' 
Our hosto answordo, ' O Jankin, bo j'O 

there'? (lu) 

I smello a lollor in the wind,' quod he. 
'How ! good men,' (^uod ourhoste, 'hei'k- 

noth mc ; 



Abydeth, for goddes digno passioun, 11 75 
For wo shal han a predicacioun ; 
This loUer heer wil prcchon us som-what.' 
' Nay, by my fader soulo ! that shal bo 

nat,' 
Seydo tho Shipmau ; ' heer ho shal nat 

preche, 
He shal no gospel glosen heer no teche. 1 180 
We love alio in the grete god,' quod he, 
' He wolde sowen som difficultee, (20) 

Or springen cokkol in oiir clone corn ; 
And therfor, hoste, I warne thee biforn, 
My joly body shal a talo telle, 1185 

And I shal elinken yow so mery a belle, 
That I shal waken al this comj)anyc ; 
But it shal nat ben of philosopbye. 
No -lijUysices, no termcs queinto of la wo ; 
Ther is but litel Latin in my mawe,' 1190 



Here endeth the Shipman his Prolog. 



THE SHIPMANNES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Shipmannes Tale. 



A Makciiant whylom dwelled at Seint 

Donys, 
That richo was, for which men helde him 

wys ; 
A wyf ho haddo of oxcellont beantee. 
And compaignablo and revelous was sh(>. 
Which is a thing that causeth more 

dispenco 119S 

Thau worth is al the chore and reverence 
That men hem doon at festcs and at 

daunces ; 
Swiche salutaciouns and contenaunces 
Passen as dooth a chadwc up-on the wal. 



But wo is him that payen moot for al ; 1200 
The sely housbond, algato he mot paye ; 
Ho moot us clothe, and he moot us 

arrayo, (12) 

Al for his owene worship richely. 
In \\'hich array wo daunco jolily. 1204 
And il' that he noght may, par-aventure. 
Or elles, list no swich dispeuce endure, 
But thinketh it is wasted and y-lost, 
Tliau moot another jsayen for our cost, 
Or lone us gold, and that is periloiTS. 
This noble Marchant heeld a worthy 

hou.s, (20) 12 10 



\'- 



T. 12951-13038.] 



ZU ^^ipwannee ^afe. 



493 



For which ho hadde alday so greet repair 
For his largesse, and for his wyf was fair, 
That wonder is ; hut lierkneth to my tale. 
Amonges alle his gestes, grete and smale, 
Ther was a monk, a fair man and a hold, 
I trowc of thritty winter ho was old, 1216 
That ever in oon was drawing to that place. 
This yonge monk, that was so fair of face, 
Aqueinted was so with the gode man, 
Sith that hir firstc knowcliche higan, 1220 
Tiiat in his hous as famulier was he (31) 
As it possible is any freend to he. 

And for as muchel as this gode man 
And eek this monk, of which that I higan. 
Were botho two y-born in o village, 1225 
The monk him claimeth as for cosinage ; 
And ho again, he seith nat ones nay. 
But was as glad ther-of as fowel of day ; 
For to his herto it was a greet plesaunce. 
Thus been they linit with eterne alliaunce. 
And ech of hem gan otlicr for t'assure 1231 
Of bretherhode, ^vhyl that hir lyf may 

dure. (42) 

Free was daun John, and laamely of 

dispenco, 
As in that hous ; and ful of diligence 1234 
To doon plesaunce, and also greet costage. 
He noght forgat to yevc the leesto page 
In al that hous ; but, after hir degree, 
He yaf the lord, and sitthc al his meynee. 
When that he cam, som manor honest 

tiling ; 1239 

For which they wore as glad of his coming 
As fowcl is fayn, whan that the Sonne 

up-rysoth. (51) 

Na more of this as now, for it suffyseth. 

But so bifel, tliis marchant on a day 
Shoox^ him to make redy his array 
Toward the toun of Brugges for to fare, 1245 
To byen ther a porcioun of ware ; 
For wliich he hath to Paris sent anon 
A messixger, and preyed hath daun John 
That he sholde come to Seint Denys to 

pleye 1249 

With him and with his wyfaday or twoye, 
Er he to Brugges wente, in alle wyse. (61) 
This noble monk, of which I yow devyse, 
Hath of his abbot, as him list, licence, 
By-cause he was a man of heigh prudence. 
And eek an officer, out for to ryde, 1255 
Toseenhir graungos and hir bernes wyde ; 



And un-to Seint Denys he comth anon. 
Who was so welcome as my lord daun 

John, 
Our dore cosin, ful of curteisye ? 1259 

With him broghteho a jubbe of Malvesye, 
And eek another, ful of fyn Vornage, (71) 
And volatyl, as ay was his usage. 
And thus I lete hem ete and drinko and 

pleye. 
This marchant and this monk, a day or 

tweye. 
The thriddo day, this marchant up 

aryseth, 1265 

And on his nedes sadly him avyseth. 
And up in-to his countour-hous goth he 
To rekene with him-self, as wel may be. 
Of thilke yeer, how that it with him stood, 
And how that he desponded hadde his 

good ; 1270 

And if that he oncressed were or noon. (81) 
His bokos and his baggos many oon 
He loitli liilorn him on his counting-bord ; 
Ful richo was Iiis tresor and his hord. 
For which ful faste his countour-dore he 

shotte ; 1275 

And eok he nolde that no man sholde him 

letto 
Of liis accountos, for the mono iyme ; 
And thus he sit til it was passed pryme. 

Daun .John was risen in the morwe also, 
And in tlie gardin walketh to and fro, i2iS() 
And hath his tliinges seyd ful curteisly. 

This gode wyf cam walking prively (()2) 
In-to the gardin, ther he walketh sotte. 
And him saloweth, as she hath don ofte. 
A maydc child cam in hir companyo, 1285 
Which as hir list she may govern e and gj-e. 
For yet under the yerde was the maydo. 
' O dero cosin myn, daun John,' she sayde, 
' What oyleth yow so rathe for to ryso ? ' 
' Nece,' qviod he, ' it oghte y-nough suffyso 
Fyve houres for to slope np-on anight, (101) 
But it were for an old appalled wight, 
As been thise wedded men, that lye and 

dare 
As in a forme sit a wery hare. 
Were al for-straught with honndos grete 

and smale. i2()5 

But dere nece, why ho yo so jialo ? 
I trowo certes tli.it our gode man (107) 
Hath yow laboured sith the niglit bigan. 



494 



ZU ^^tptnannee Zak, 



[t. 1 3039-1 31 26. 



That yowwerenede to resten hastily? ' 1299 
And with that word he lough ful merily, 
And of his owene thought he wex al reed. 
This faire wyf gan for to shake hir heed, 
And seyde thvis, ' ye, god wot al,' quod she ; 
' Nay, cosin nayn, it stant nat so with nie. 
For, by that god that yaf me soulo and lyf. 
In al the reme of France is ther no wyf 1306 
That lasse lust hath to that sory pley. 
For I may singe " alias " and " weylawey, 
That I was born," but to no wight,' quod she, 
' Dar I nat telle how that it stant with me. 
Wherfore I thinke out of this land to 

wende, (121) 13 11 

Or elles of iny-self to make an ende, 
So ful am I of drede and eek of care. ' 

This monk bigan up-on this wyf to stare, 
And seyde, ' alias, my nece, god forbede 
That ye, for any sorwe or any drede, 1316 
Fordo your-self; buttelleth meyour grief ; 
Para venture I may, in your meschief, 
Conseille or helpe, and therfore telleth me 
Al j^oiir anoy, for it shal been secree ; 1320 
For on my porthors here I make an ooth. 
That never in my lyf, for lief nelooth, (132) 
Ne shal I of no conseil yow biwreye.' 
'The same agaya to yow,' quod she, 

' I seye ; 1324 

By god and by this porthors, I yow swere. 
Though men me wolde al in-to peces tere, 
Ne shal I never, for to goon to helle, 
Biwreye a word of thing that ye nie telle, 
Nat for no cosinage ne alliance, 
But verraily, for love and affiance.' 1330 
Thus been they sworn, and heer-upon they 

kiste, (141) 

And eeh of hem tolde other what hem liste. 

' Cosin,' quod she, ' if that I hadde 

a space, 
As I have noon, and namely in this place. 
Than wolde I telle a legende of my lyf, 1335 
What I have suffred sith I was a wyf 
With myn housbonde, al be h e your cosy n.' 
' Nay,' quod this monk, ' by god and seint 

Martyn, 
He is na more cosin un-to me 1339 

Than is this leef that hangeth on the tree ! 
I clepe him so, by Seint Denys of Fraunce, 
To have the more cause of aqueintaunce 
Of yow, which I have loved specially (153) 
Aboven alle wommen sikerly ; 



This swere I yow on iny professioun. 1345 
Telleth yovir grief, lest that he comeadoun. 
And hasteth yow, and gooth your wey 

anon.' 
' My dere love,' quod she, ' o my daun 

John, (158) 

Ful lief were me this conseil for to hyde. 
But out it moot, I may namore abyde. 1350 
Myn housbond is to me the worste man 
That ever was, sith that the world bigan. 
But sith I am a wyf, it sit nat me 
To tellen no wight of our privetee, 1354 
Neither a-bedde, ne in non other place ; 
God shilde I sholde it tellen, for his grace ! 
A wyf ne shal nat sejm of hir housbonde 
But al honour, as I can imderstonde ; 
Save iin-to yow thus muche I tellen 

shal; 
As help me god, he is noght worth at al 1360 
In no degree the value of a flye. (171) 

But yet me greveth most his nigardye ; 
And wel ye woot that wommen naturelly 
Desyren thinges sixe, as wel as I. 1364 
They wolde that hir housbondes sholde be 
Hardy, and wyse, and riche, and ther-to 

free. 
And buxom to his wyf, and fresh a-bedde. 
But, by that ilke lord that for us bledde. 
For his honour, my-self for to arraye, 
A Sonday next, I moste nedes iiaye 1370 
An hundred frankes, or elles am I lorn. 
Yet were me lever that I were unborn (182) 
Than mo were doon a sclaundre or vil- 

einye ; 
And if myn housbond eek it mighte espye, 
I nere but lost, and therfore I yow preye 
Lene me this somme, or elles moot I 

deye. 1376 

Daun John, I seye, leue me thise hundred 

frankes ; 
Pardee, I wol nat faille yow my thankes. 
If that yow list to doon that I yow praye. 
For at a certein day I wol yow paye, 1380 
And doon to yow what plesance and 

servyce (191) 

That I may doon, right as yow list devyse. 

And but I do, god take on me vengeance 

As foul as ever had Geniloun of France ! ' 

This gentil monk answerde in this 

manere ; 1385 

' Now, trewely, myn owene lady dere, 



T. 13127-13210.] 



Z9)t. ^^ipntannee Zak, 



495 



I have,' quod he, 'on yow so greet a roTithe, 
That I yow swere and plighte yow my 

trouthe. 
That whan your housbond is to Flaundres 

fare, 
I wol delivere yow out of this care ; 1390 
For I wol bringe yow an hundred frankes.' 
And with that word he caughte hir by the 

flankes, (202) 

And hir embraceth harde, and kiste hir 

ofte. 
' Goth now your wey,' quod he, ' al stille 

and softe. 
And lat us dyne as sone as that ye may ; 
For by my chilindre it isprymeof day. 1396 
Goth now, and beeth as trewe as I shal be.' 
' Now, elles god forbede, sire,' quod she, 
And forth she gooth, as jolif as a pye. 
And bad the cokes that they shokle hem 

bye, 1400 

So that men mighte dyne, and that anon. 
Tip to hir housbonde is this wyf y-gon, (212) 
And knokketh at his countour boldely. 
' Qui la 9 ' quod he. ' Peter ! it am I,' 
Quod she, 'what, sire, how longe wol ye 

faste ? 1405 

How longe tyme wol ye rekene and caste 
Your somnies, and your bokes, and your 

thinges ? 
The devel have part of alle swiche reken- 

inges ! 
Ye have y-nough, jiardee, of goddes sonde ; 
Cora doun to-day, and lat your bagges 

stonde. 14 10 

Ne be ye nat ashamed that daun John (221) 
Shal fasting al this day elenge goon ? 
What ! lat us here a messe, and go we 

dyne.' 
' Wyf,' quod this man, ' litel canstow 

devyne 
The curious bisinesse that we have. 1415 
For of us chapmen, al-so god me save. 
And by that lord that cleped is Seint 

Yve, 
Scarsly amonges twelve ten shul thryve, 
Continuelly, lastinge un-to our age. 1419 
We may wel make chere and good visage. 
And dryve forth the world as it may be. 
And kepen our estaat in privetee, (232) 
Til we be deed, or elles that we pleye 
A pilgrinaage, or goon oiit of the weye. 



And therfor have I greet necessitee 1425 
Up-on this queinte world t'a\'yse me ; 
For evermore we mote stonde in drede 
Of hap and fortune in our chapmanhede. 
To Flaundres wol I go to-morwe at day. 
And come agayn, as sone as ever I may. 
For which, my dere wyf, I thee biseke, (241) 
As be to every wight buxom and meke. 
And for to kepe our good be curious. 
And honestly governe wel our hous. 1434 
Thou hast y-nough, in every maner wyse. 
That to a thrifty houshold may sufFyse. 
Thee lakketh noon array ne no vitaille. 
Of silver in thy purs shaltow nat faille.' 
And with that word his countour-dore he 

shette. 
And doun he gooth, no lenger wolde he 

lette, 1440 

But hastily a messe was ther seyd, (251) 
And spedily the tables were y-leyd, 
Aiad to the diner faste they hem spedde ; 
And richely this monk the chapman fedde. 
At-after diner daun John sobrely 1445 
This chapman took a-part, and prively 
He seyde him thus, ' cosyn, it standeth so, 
That wel I see to Brugges wol ye go. 
God and seint Austin spede yow and gyde ! 
I prey yow^, cosin, wysly that ye ryde ; 1450 
Governeth yow also of your diete (261) 
Atemprely, and naniely in this hete. 
Bitwix us two nedeth no strange fare ; 
Fare-wel, cosyn ; god shilde .vow fro 

care. 
If any thing ther be by day or night, 1455 
If it lye in my power and my might. 
That ye me wol coraande in any wyse, 
It shal be doon, right as ye wol devyse. 
O thing, er that ye goon, if it may be, 
I wolde prey yow ; for to lene me 1460 
An hundred frankes, for a wyke or tweye. 
For certein beestes that I moste beye, (272) 
To store with a place that is oures. 
God help me so, I wolde it were youres ! 
I shal nat faille surely of my day, 1465 
Nat for a thousand frankes, a myle-way. 
But lat this thing be secree, I yow preye. 
For yet to-night thise beestes moot I beye ; 
And fare-now wel, myn owene cosin 

dere, 
Graunt mercy of your cost and of your 

chere.' (280) 1470 



496 



ZU ^^ipntannes Cafe. 



[t. 13211-1328J 



This noble marchant gentilly anon 
Answcrdo, and seydo, 'o cosin myn, datin 

John, 
Now sikerly this is a smal reqnesto ; 
My gold is youres, whan that it yow leste. 
And nat only my gi>ld, bnt my chaffare ; 
Talie what yow list, god shildo that ye 

spare. 1476 

Bnt o thing is, yo knowo it w^el y-nogh, 
Of chapmen, that hir monoyo is hir plogh. 
Wo may crcaunco whyl wo havo a namo. 
But goldloos for to bo, it is no game. 1480 
Payo it agayn whan it lyth in your oso ; 
After my miglit I'ul fayn woldc I yow^ 

pleso.' (202) 

Thise hundred frankes ho fetto forth 

anon, 
And prively ho took hem to daun John. 
No wight in al this world wiste of this 

lone, 14S5 

Savinge this marohant and dauu John 

allono. 
They drinkc, and spcke, and romo a whylo 

and pleye, 
Til that daun John lydeth to his abboyo. 
The morwe cam, and forth this mar- 
chant rydeth 
To Flaundrcs-ward ; his prcntis wcl him 

gydoth, 1490 

Til ho cam in-to Bri^gges merily. (301) 
Now gooth this marchant fasto and bisily 
Abouto his node, and byeth and crcaun- 

ceth. 
He neither jiloycth at the does no daun- 

ccth ; 
But as a marchant, shortly for to telle, 1495 
He let his lyf, and there I lete him dwolle. 
The Sonday next this Marchant was 

agon, 
To Scint Denys y-comcn is daiin .Jolin, 
With crowne and herd all fresh and newo 

y-shave. 
In al the housther nas so litol a knave, 1500 
No no wight elles, that ho nas ful fayn, (311) 
For that my lord daun John was como 

agayn. 
And shortly to tlio point right for to gon. 
This fairo wyf accorded with daun John, 
That for tliiso hundred frankes ho sholdo 

al night 15 ■$ 

Havo hir in his armcs bolt-iipright ; 



And this acf rd pai'foumed was in dodc. 
In mirtho al night a bisy lyf thej- lode 
Til it was day, that daun John wento his 

way. 
And ])ad tho meynoo ' fare-wel, have good 

day !' (320) 1510 

For noon of hem, ne no wight in the toun, 
Hath of daun John right no suspecioun. 
And forth ho rydeth hooin to his ablieye, 
Or where him list ; namore of him I seye. 
Tliis marchant, whan tliat ended was 

the fairo, 1515 

To Scint Denys ho gau fir to ropairi>. 
And with his wyf lie maketli i'oste and 

chere. 
And tolleth hir that ch.affare is so dere, 
Tliat nodes moste be make a chevisaunce. 
For he was boundo in a reconissaunco 1520 
To paye twenty thousand sheeld anon. (331) 
For which this mai'chant is to Paris gon. 
To borwo of certein frondes tliat he hnddo 
A certein frankes ; and somme "svith hini 

he laddo. 
And whan thathe wascomcin-to the toun. 
For greet chcrtee and greet atfeocioun, 1526 
Un-to daun John he gooth liim first, to 

pleye ; 
Nat for to axe or borwo of him monoyo. 
But for to wite and seen of his welfare, 
And for to tellen liim of bis chaffare, i53f) 
As freendes doou whan tboy ben met 

y-fere. (.^i) 

Daun John him maketh fcsto and mery 

chcre ; 
And ho him toldc agayn ful specially, 
How he hadde wel y-bogbt and graciously, 
Thanked bo god, al hool his marchandyso. 
Save that he moste, in iille maner wyse, 1536 
Maken a chovisaunco, as for his beste. 
And thanno he sholdo been in joyc and 

resto. 

Daun .John answerdo, ' certos, I am fayn 

That.'^'o in bole arcomen boom agayn. 1540 

And if that I were riche, as have I blisse, 

Of twenty thousand sheelil shold yo nat 

misse, (352) 

For yo so kindely this other day 
Lente me gold ; and as I can and may, 
I th.anko yow, by god and by seint Jamc! 
Bi\t nathclees I took un-to our dame, 1546 
Your wyf at boom, the same gold ageyn 



T. i32S8-i3.',rM.] B. "^^e ^0tpmannC0 ^afe. 



497 



Upon yourbencli ; showoDt it wcl, ccrtcyn, 
By cGitoin tokoncs that I can liir tcllo. 
Now, by yo\ir lovo, I may no longer dwello, 
Our ahljot wol out of tliis toun anon ; (,^6i ) 
And in his companyo moot I gon. 1552 
Oi'cto wol our damo, myn owono noco 

swoto, 
And fare-w('l, doro cosin, til wo nioto ! ' 
'J'liis Marcliant, which that wan ful war 

and wyH, 1555 

Creauncod liath, and payd 00k in I'aryK, 
To cortoyn LnmbanhjK, rody in hir iiond, 
The sommo of gold, and gat of horn his 

bond ; 
And boom ho gooth, nif^ry as a j)ai)ojay. 
For wol lio know bo stood in swicli array, 
Tliat nodes mosto bo winne in that 

viago (371) 

A tliousand f'rankos above al his costagcs. 
His wyfful redy motto him atto gate, 
As she was wont of old usage algatcs, 1564 
And al tliat night in mirtho thoy bisotto ; 
]''or bo was riobo and oleerly out of dotto. 
Whan it was ilay, this marobant gan 

embraoo 
His wyf al nowo, and kisto hir on liir face, 
And up ho gooth and maketb it ful 

tough. 
' Nanioro,' (juod sbo, ' l)y god, yo have 

y-nougb !' 1570 

And wantounly agayn wiUi him sbo 

ploydo; (381) 

Til, atto lasto, that this Marobant soydo, 
' By gf)d,' (jnod ho, 'I am a litol wrooth 
Willi .\ow, my wyf, al-tbogh it bo mo 

lo.itll. 

And woot yo why'/' by god, as that I 
gesse, 1575 

That yo ban rnaad a manor straungonosso 
Bitwix(Mi mo and my oosyn (bum .(olin. 
Yo sboldo ban warnoil mr^, or I bail goii, 
That bo yow badd(! an liiuidrc'd Iraiiki^s 

payed 
By rody tokono ; and liocld liim yvel 
iipayod, 1580 

For that I to him spak of obevisaunoo, 
Mo seraod so, as by bis contonannoo. (,^^2) 
But natholoos, by god our hoveno king, 
I tboghto nat to axo of him no-thing. 



I prey thoo, wyf, ne do namore so ; 1585 
Tol mo alwcy, or that I fro thoo go, 
If any dcttour hath in myn absonco 
Y-payi'd thoo ; lost, thurgh thy nooligonoo, 
I mighto him axo a thing that ho bath 

payed.' (399) 1589 

Tliis wyf was nat aforod nor affiviyed, 
ibit boldoly she soyde, and that anon : 
' Mario, 1 dofy(^ the falsomonk,daun .John ! 
I k(!i)(! nat of bisG tokones never a deol ; 
Ho took mo oortoin gold, that woot I wool ! 
What ! yvol thodomonhis monkcssnouto ! 
For, god it woot, I wendo, withouten doute, 
That bo liad yevo it mo bycauso of yow, 
To doon tber-with myn honour and my 

prow, 
For cosinago, and 00k for bole (dioro 
Thatbi'liafli bad ful oft(; tymcs hero. i6(X) 
]Jnt sitb I soo 1 stondoin this disjoint, (411) 
I wol answoro j'ow shortly, to tlio point. 
Ye ban mo slakker dottours than am I ! 
For I wol payo yow wol and rodily 
Fro day to day ; and, if so bo I faiilo, 1O05 
I um your wyf; score it up-on my taillo, 
And I sbal payo, as sono as over I may. 
For, by my troutlu;, I have on myn array, 
And nat on wast, bistowo<l every deol. 
And for I have bistowoil it so wciol 1610 
For your honour, foi" goddi.'s sake, 1 acyo, 
As be nat wrooth, liut lat us bmgbe and 

ployo. (422) 

Yo sbal my joly iiody have t) wijildo ; 
By goil, I wol nat payo yow Itut ivbodde. 
Forgive it me, myn oweius K])oriso doro ; 
Turno hiil(!rwar<l and maki'lb bettro 

chore.' 1616 

This marcliant sangh tlior was no 

rfimodyo. 
And, for to chydc, it nero but greet i'olye, 
Sitli that the thing may nat anu'iided bts. 
'Now, wyC,' he si^yibi, 'and I foryovo it 

1licc; 1620 

But, l)y 1 113' ly.", n(^ be namore so largo ; 
Keep bet our good, this yevo I Ibeo in 

charge.' (4.^2) 

Thus onilctli now my iale, and god us 

senile 
Taling y-nough, un-to our lyvi'S (;udo. 

Amen. 



Here endcth the Shipmanncs Tale. 



498 



B. Tt^t (pnore00'0 (profogue. [t. i 3365-1340.',. 



THE PRIORESS'S PROLOGUE. 

Bihold the mery wordes of the Host to the Shipman and to the 
lady Prioresse. 



' Wei, seyd, by corpMS dominus,' quod oiir 

hosto. 1 625 

' Now lonp;o moot than sayle Ijy the coste, 
Sirpcntil nuiistor, gentil marinoer ! 
God yovo this monk a thousand last quad 

yeer ! 
A ha ! felawes ! beth ware of swiche a 

jape ! 
The monk putte in the mannes hood an 

ape, 1 630 

And in his wyves eek, by seiiit Austin ! 
Draweth no inonkes more un-to your in. 
Bnt now jjasso over, and lat us seke 

aboute, 



Who shal now telle first, of al this 
route, (10) 

Another tale ; ' and with that word ho 
sayde, i(>>,^ 

As curteisly as it had been a maydf, 
' My lady Prioresse, by your leve. 
So that I wiste I sholde yow nat greve, 
I wolde demen that ye tellen shf>ldo 
A tale next, if so were that ye wolde. 1640 
Now wol ye vouche-sauf, my lady dere V ' 
' Gladly,' quod she, and seydo as ye 
shal here. (18) 

Jixjdicit, 



THE PRIORESSES TALE. 



The Prologe of the Prioresses Tale. 



JDominfi, (lominua noster. 

O LoKD our lord, thy name how mer- 

veillous 
Is in this large worlde y-sprad — quod 

she : — 
For noght only thy laude precious 1645 
Parfourned i.s ))y men of dignitce. 
But by the mouth of children thy bountee 
Parfourned is, for on the brest soukinge 
Som tymo shewen they thyn heiyinge. 

Wberfor in laude, as I best can or may. 
Of tliee, and of the whyte lily flour 1651 
Wliich that thee bar, and is a mayde 
alway, (10) 



To telle a storie I wol do my labour ; 
Not that I may encresen hir honour ; 
For she hir-self is honour, and the rote 
Of bountee, next hir sone, and soules 
bote. — 1656 

O moder mayde ! o mayde modor free ! 
O bush unbrent, brenninge in Moyses 

sighto. 
That ravisedest doun fro the deitee, 
Thurgh thyn humblesse, the goost that in 

th'alighte, 1660 

Of whos vertu, whan ho thjii herte 

lighto, 
Conceived was the fadres sapience, (20) 
Help me to telle it in thy reverence ! 



T. 1 3404-1 3480.] B. ZU (pnoreseee Zak. 



499 



Lady ! thy bountee, thy magnificence, 
Thy vertu, and thy greto humilitee 1665 
Ther may no tonge expresse in no science ; 
F'>r som-tymc, lady, er men praye to thee. 
Thou goost biforn of thy benignitee, 
A nd getest us the light, thurgh thy preyere. 
To gyden us un-to thy sone so dere. 1670 

My conning is so wayk, o blisful quene, 
For to declare thy grete worthinesse, (30) 
That I ne may the weighte nat sustene, 
But as a child of twelf monthe old, or 
lesse, 1674 

That can unnethes any word expresse, 
Right so fare I, and therfor I yow preye, 
Gydeth my song that I shal of yow seye. 
Ej-j>licU. 

Here biginneth the Prioresses Tale. 

'I'her was in Asie, in a greet citec, 
Amonges Cristen folk, a Jewerye, 
Sustened by a lord of that contree 1680 
Kor fonle usure and lucre of vilanye, 
Hateful to Crist and to his companye ; 
And thurgh the strete men mighte ryde 
or wcnde, (41) 

For it was free, and ojien at either ende. 

A litel scole of Cristen folk ther stood 
Doun at the ferther ende, in which ther 

were 1686 

Children an hoop, y-comen of Cristen 

blood. 
That lerncd in that scole yeer by yere 
Swich maner doctrine as men used there, 
Tliis is to seyn, to singen and to rede, i6<;(> 
As smale children doon in hir childlicde. 

Among thise children was a widwes sone, 
A litel clergeon, seven yeer of age, (51) 
That day })y day to scole was his wone, 
And eek also, wher-as ho sangh th'image 
Of Cristes moder, hadde he in usage, 
As him was taught, to knele adoun and 

seye 
His Ave Marie, as he goth by the weye. 

Thus hath this widwe hir litel sone y- 

taught 
Our blisful lady, Cristes moder dere, 1700 
To worships ay, and he forgat it naught, 



For sely child wol alday sone lere ; {60) 
But ay, whan I remembre on this matere, 
Seint Nicholas stant ever in my presence. 
For he so yongto Crist did reverence. 1705 

This litel child, his litel book leminge. 
As he sat in the scole at his piymer, 
He Alma redemptoris heTdo singe, 
As children lerned hir antiphoner ; 
And, as he dorste, he drough him nor and 
ner, 1710 

And herkned ay the wordes and the note, 
Til he the flrste vers coude al by rote. (70) 

Noght wiste he what this Latin was t<^ 
seye, 

For he so yong and tendre was of age ; 

But on a day his felaw gan ho preye 1715 

T'expounden him this song in his langage, 

Or telle him wliy this song was in usage ; 

This preyde he him to construe and de- 
clare 

Ful ofte tyme upon his knowes bare. 

His felaw, which that elder was than he, 
Answerde him thus : ' this song, I have 

1 herd seye, 

I Was maked of our blisful lady free, (80) 
Hir to saltae, and eek hir for to preye 
To been our help and socovir whan we 

I deye. 1724 

I can no more expounde in this matere ; 
I lerne song, I can but smal grammere.' 

' And is this song maked in reverence 
I Of Cristes moder ? ' seyde this innocent ; 
' Now ccrtes, I wol do my diligence :72<> 
I To conno it al, er Cristemasse is went ; 
Though that I for my prymer shal be 
shent, 
I And shal be beten thrygs in an houre, (90) 
I I wol it conne, our lady for to honoure.' 
1 
His felaw taughte him homward prively, 
Fro day to day, til he coude it l)y rote, 
And than he song it wel and boldely 
Fro word to word, acording with the note ; 
Twyes a day it passed thurgh his throte. 
To scole ward and homward whan ho 
wente ; 1739 

On Cristes moder set was his entente. 



500 



B. "ZU (pnoreeeee "(Cak. [t. i348i-i?,.:;,:;9. 



As I have seyd, tliitrgli-out the Jewerye 
This litel child, as he cam to and fro, (loo) 
Fnl merily than wolde he singe, and crye 

Alma redemptoris ever-mo. 

The swetnes hath his herte perced so 1745 
Of Cristes moder, tliat, to hir to preye, 
He can nat stinte of singing by the weye. 

Our firste fo, the serpent Sathanas, 
Tliat hath in .Tewes herte his waspes nest. 
Up swal, and seide, ' O Hebraili peple, 
alias ! 1750 

Is this to yow a thing that is honest, 
That swich a hoy shal walken as liini lest 
In your despj-t, and singe of swich sen- 
tence, (ni) 
Which is agayn j-onr lawes reverence ? ' 

Fro thennes forth the .Tewes han con- 
spyred 1755 

This innocent out of this world to chace ; 

An homicyde ther-to han they hyred. 

That in an aloy hadde a privee place ; 

And as the child gan for-by for to pace, 

This cursed Jew him honte and heeld 
him faste, 1760 

And kitte his throte, and in a pit him 
caste. 

1 seye that in a wardrobe they him threwe 
Wher-as these .Jewes purgen hir entraille. 
O cursed folk of Herodes al newe, (122) 
Wliat may your yvel entente yow availle ? 
Mordre wol out, certoin, it wol nat faille. 
And namely ther th'onoiir of god shal 

sprede, 
The blood out cryeth on your cursed dede. 

' O martir, sonded to virginitee, 1769 

Now maystou singen, folwing ever in oon 
The whyte lamb celestial,' quod she, 
' Of wh ich the grete evangelist, seint John, 
In Patlimos wroot, which seith that they 

that goon (131) 

Biforn this lamb, and singe a songal newe, 
That never, fleshly, wommen they ne 

knewe.' 1775 

This povre widwe awaiteth al that night 
After hir litel child, bi^t he cam noght ; 
Por which, as sone as it was dayes light, 



With face pale of drede and bisy thoght, 
She hath at scole and elles-wher himsoght, 
Til finally she gan so for espye 1781 

That he last seyn was in the Jewerye. (140) 

With modres pitee in hir brest enclosed, 
She gooth, as she were half out of liir 

minde. 
To every place wher she hath supposed 
By lyklihede hir litel child to finde ; 1786 
And ever on Cristes moder meke and 

kinde 
She cryde, and attelaste thus she wroghte, 
Among the cursed Jewes she him soghte. 

She frajmeth and she preyeth pitously 
To every Jew that dwelte in thilke place, 
To telle hir, if hir child wente oght for-by. 
They seyde, ' nay ' ; but Jesu, of his grace, 
Yaf in hir thoiight, inwith a litel space. 
That in that place after hir sone she cryde, 
Wher he was casten in a pit bisyde. i7.)6 

O grete god, that parfournest thy laude 
Bj' mouth of innocents, lo heer thy might ! 
This gemme of chastitee, this emeraude, 
And eek of martirdom the ruby bright, 
Ther he with throte y-corven lay upright, 
He '■Alma redemptoris'' gan to singe (160) 
So loude, that al the place gan to ringe. 

The Cristen folk, that thurgh the sti'ete 
wente, 1S04 

In coomen, for to wondre up-on this thing, 
And hastily they for the provost sente ; 
He cam anon with-outen tarying. 
And herieth Crist that is of heven king, 
And eek his moder, honour of mankindc, 
And after that, the Jewes leet he binde. 

This child with pitous lamentacioun iSi i 
Up-taken was, singing his song alway ; 
And with honour of greet processioun 
They carien him un-to the nexte abbay. 
His moder swowning by the here lay ; 
Unnethe might the peple that was there 
This newe Rachel bringe fro his here. 

W^ith torment and with shamful deth 
echon ( 1 76) 

This provost dooth thise Jewes for to 
sterve i8ig 



T.I 3500-1 3620.] B. ■^^e (pnore00eo ^afe. 



iOI 



That of this mordre wiste, and that anon ; 
He nolde no swich cursednesse observe. 
Yvel shal have, that yvel wol deserve. 
Therfor with wilde hors he dide hem 
drawe, (181) 

And alter that he heng liem by tlie lawe. 

Up-on his here ay lyth tins innocent 1825 
Biforn the chief auter, wliyl masse laste, 
And after that, the abbot witli his covent 
Han siJed liem for to bnrien him ful faste ; 
And whan they holy water on him 

caste. 
Yet spak this child, whan spreynd was 

holy water, 1S30 

And song—' O Alma redemptoris mater ! ' 

This abbot, which that was an holy man 
As moukes been, or elles oghten be, (191) 
This yonge child to conjure he bigan. 
And seyde, ' o dere child, I halse thee. 
In vertu of the holy Trinitee, 1836 

Tel me what is thy cause for to singe, 
Sith that thy throte is cut, to my sem- 
inge ? ' 

'My throte is cut un-to my nekke-boon,' 
Seyde this child, ' and, as by wey of kinde, 
I sholde have deyed, ye, longe tyme agoon. 
But Jesu Crist, as ye in bokes finde, (200) 
Wil that his glorie laste and be in minde ; 
And, for the worship of his moder dere. 
Yet may I singe ■' O Alma " lou.de and 
clere. 1S45 

This welle of mercy, Cristes moder swete, 
1 lovede alwey, as after my conninge ; 
And whan that I my lyf sholde forlete. 
To me she cam, and bad me for to singe 
This anteni verraily in my deyinge, 1S50 



As ye han herd, and, whan that I had 

songe. 
Me thoughte, she leyde a greyn up-on my 

tonge. (-'") 

Wherfor T singe, and singe I moot certeyn 
In honour of that blisful mayden free. 
Til fro my tonge of-taken is the greyn ; 
And afterward thus seyde she to me, 
" My litel child, now wol I fecche thee 
Whan that the greyn is fro thy tongo 
y-take ; 1858 

Be uat agast, I wol thee nat forsake." ' 

This holy monk, this abbot, him mene I, 
Him tonge out-caughte, and took a-wey 

the greyn. 
And he yaf up the goost ful softely. (220) 
And whan this abbot had this wonder 

seyn. 
His salte teres trikled doun as reyn, 1864. 
And gruf he fil al plat up-on the grounde, 
And stille he lay as he had been y-bounde. 

The covent eek lay on the pavement 
Weping, and lierien Cristes moder dere. 
And aitcr that they rj-se, ami forth ben 
went, 1869 

And tuke awey this martir fro his here, 
And in a tombe of marbul-stones clere 
Enclosen they his litel body swete ; (230) 
Ther he is now, god leve us for to mete. 

O yonge Hugh of Lincoln, slayn also 

With cursed Jewes, as it is notable, 1S-5 

For it nJs but a litel whyle ago ; 

Preye eek for iis, we sinfu.1 folk unstable, 

That, of his mercy, god so merciable 

On us his grcte mercy multiplye, (237) 

For reverence of his moder Marye. Ameu, 



Here is ended the Prioresses Tale. 



502 B. (pvoio^ut to ^iv 'C^opaa. [t, 13621-13671. 



PROLOGUE TO SIR THOPAS. 



Bihold the murye wordes of the Host to Chaucer. 



Whan seyd was al this miracle, every man 
As sobre was, tliat wonder was to see. 
Til that onr lioste japen tho bigan. 
And than at erst he loked iip-on me, 
And seyde thus, ' what man artow ? ' quod 

he ; 1885 

' Thou lokest as than woldest finde an 

hare, 
For ever up-on the ground I see thee stare. 

Approche neer, and loke up merily. 
Now war yow, sirs, and lat this man have 

place ; 
He in the waast is shape as wel as I ; 1890 
This were a popet in an arm t'enbrace (11) 



For any womman, smal and fair efface. 
He semeth elvish by his contenaunce. 
For un-to no wight dooth he daliaunce. 

Sey now somwhat, sin other folk han 
sayd ; 1895 

Tel us a tale of mirthe, and that anoon ; ' — 
' Hoste,' quod I, ' ne beth nat yvel apayd, 
For other tale certes can I nooh, 
B\it of a ryme I lerned longe agoon.' 
'Ye, that is good,' quod he; 'now shul 
we here 1900 

Som deyntee thing, me thinketh by his 
chere.' {21) 

Explicit, 



SIR THOPAS. 



Here biglnneth Chaucers Tale of Thopas. 



LisTETH, lordes, in good entent, 
And I wol telle verrajTnent 

Of mirthe and of solas ; 
Al of a knj'ght was fair and gent 
In bataille and in tourneyment. 

His name was sir Thopas. 

Y-born he was in fer contree, 
In Flaundres, al biyonde the see, 

At Popering, in the place ; 
His fader was a man ful free, 
And lord he was of that contree, 

As it was goddes grace. 

Sir Thopas wex a doghty swajai, 
Whyt was his face as isayndemayn. 
His lippes rede as rose ; 



•90.'; 



1910 

(10) 



1915 



His rode is lyk scarlet in grayn, 
And I yow telle in good certayn. 
He hadde a semely nose. 

His heer, his herd was lyk saffroun. 
That to his girdel raughte adoun ; 

His shoon of Cordewane. 
Of Brugges were his hosen broun. 
His robe was of ciclatoun. 

That coste many a jane. 



1920 

(20) 



1925 



He coude hunte at wilde deer, 
And ryde an hauking for riveer. 

With grey goshaixk on honde ; 
Ther to he was a good archeer. 
Of wrastling was ther noon his peer, 1930 

Ther any ram shal stonde, (30) 



T. 13672-13761.] 



B. ^tr C^opae. 



503 



Fill many a mayde, bright in bour, 
They naoorne for him, paramour, 

Whan hem were bet to slepe ; 
But he was chast and no lechour, 
And sweet as is the bremble-flour 

That bereth the rede hepe. 

And so bifel up-on a day. 
For sothe, as I yow^ telle may. 

Sir Thopas wolde out ryde ; 
He worth vipon his stede gray. 
And in his honde a launcegay, 

A long swerd by his syde. 

He priketh thurgh a fair forest, 
Ther-inne is many a wilde best. 

Ye, bothe biikke and hare ; 
And, as he priketh north and est, 
I telle it yow, him hadde almest 

Bitid a sory care. 



1935 



1940 

(40) 



1945 



'949 



Ther springen herbes grete and smale, 
The lycorys and cetewale, (50) 

And many a clowe-gilofre ; 
And uotemuge to putte in ale. 
Whether it be moyste or stale, 

Or for to leye in cofre. 1955 

The briddes singe, it is no nay. 
The sparhauk and the papejay. 

That joye it was to here ; 
The thrustelcok made eek his lay, 
The wodedowve upon the spray i960 

She sang ful loude and clere. (60) 

Sir Thopas fil in love-longinge 

Al whan he herde the thi-ustel singe. 

And priked as he were wood : 
His faire stede in his prikinge 1965 

So swatte that men mighte him wringe. 

His sydes were al blood. 

Sir Thopas eek so wery was 
For prikinge on the softe gras. 

So tiers was his corage, 1970 

That doun he leyde him in that plas (70) 
To make his stede som solas, 

And yaf him good forage. 



' O seinte Marie, ben'cite ! 
What eyleth this love at me 
To binde me so sore ? 



1975 



Me dremed al this night, pardee. 
An elf-queen shal my leniman be. 
And slepe under my gore. 

An elf-queen wol I love, y-wis, 19X0 

For in this world no womman is (80) 

Worthy to be my make [T. 13722 

In toune ; [T. 13722 

Alle othere wommen I forsake, [T. 13723 

And to an elf-queen I me take 1985 

By dale and eek by doune ! ' 

In-to his sadel he clamb anoon. 
And priketh over style and stoou 

An elf-queen for t'espye. 
Til he so longe had riden and goon 1990 
That he fond, in a privee woon, (90) 

The contree of Fairye [T. 1373 1 

So wilde ; [T. 13734 

For in that contree was ther noon 
•f-That to him dorste ryde or goon, 1995 

Neither wyf ne childe. 

Til that ther cam a greet geaimt. 
His name was sir Olifaunt, 

A perilous man of dede ; 
He seyde, ' child, by Termagaunt, 2000 
But-if thou prike out of myn haunt, (loo) 

Anon I slee thy stede [T. 13743 

With mace. [T. 13743 
Heer is the queen of Fayerye, 
With harpe and pji^e and simphonye 2005 

Dwelling in this place.' 

The child seyde, ' al-so mote I thee, 
Tomorwe wol I mete thee 

Whan I have myn armoure ; 
And yet I hope, par ma /•Jbtj, 2010 

That thou shalt with this launcegay (no) 

Abyen it ful soure ; [T. 13752 

Thy mawe [T. 13752 

Shal I percen, if I may, 
Er it be fully pryme of day, 2015 

For heer thou shalt be slawe.' 

Sir Thopas drow abak fvil faste ; 
This geaunt at him stones caste 

Out of a fel staf-slinge ; 
But faire escapeth child Thopas, 2020 

j^d al it was thurgh goddes gras, (120) 

And thiirgh his fair beringe. 



504 



B. ^tr Zh^aQ. 



[t. 13762-13S46. 



Yet listeth, lordes, to my tale 
Merier than the nightingale, 

Foi- now I wol yow roiine 2025 

How sir Thopas with sydes smale, 
Priking over hil and dale, 

Is come agayn to tonne. 

His merie men eomanded he 

To make him hothe game and glee, 2030 

For nedes moste he fighte (130) 

With a geannt with hevedes three. 
For paramovir and jolitee 

Of con that shoon ful brighte. 

' Do come,' he seyde, ' my minstrales, 2035 
And gestours-, for to tellen tales 

Anon in myn arminge ; 
Of romances that been royales. 
Of poiies and of cardinales. 

And eek of love-lykinge.' 2040 

They fette him first the swete wyn, (140) 
And medo cek in a raaselyn. 

And royal spicerye 
Of gingebreed that was ful fyn, 
And lycorys, and eek comj-n, 21)45 

With sugre that is so ti-ye. 

He dide next his whyte lere 
Of clooth 01 lake fyn and clero 

A breech and eek a sherte ; 
And next his sherte an aketovin, 2050 

And over that an habergeoun (150) 

For percinge of his herte ; 

And over that a fyn haviberk, 
Was al y-wroght of Jewes werk, 

Ful strong it was of plate ; 2055 

And over that his cote-armour 
As whyt as is a lily-tiour, 

In which he wol debnta. 

His sheeld was al of gold so re.ed. 

And tlier-in was a bores heed, 2c.6o 

A charbocle bisyde ; (160) 

And there he swoor, on ale and breed, 
How that ' the geannt shal be deed, 

Bityde what bityde ! ' 



His jambeux were of quirboilly, 
His swerdcs shethe of yvory, 
His helm of laton bright ; 



2065 



His sadel was of rewel-hoon, 
His brydel as the Sonne shoon. 

Or as the mone light. 2o;u 

His spere was of fyn ciprees, (170) 

That bodeth werre, and no-thing pees, 

The heed ful sharpe y-grounde ; 
His stede was al dappel-gray, 
It gooth an ambel in tlie way 2075 

Ful softely and rounde [T. 138 15 

In londe. [T. 13815 
Lo, loi'des myne, heer is a fit ! 
If ye wol any more of it, 

To telle it wol I fonde. 2080 



[The Second Fit] 

Now hold yoxvc mouth, 2}a7' charitee, (180) 
Bothe knight and lady free. 

And herkneth to my spelle ; 
Of bataille and of chivalry. 
And of ladyes love-drury 2085 

Anon I wol yow telle. 

Men spelve of romances of prys, 
Of Horn child and of Ypotys, 

Of Bevis and sir Gy, 
Of sir Libeux and Pleyn-damour ; 2090 
But sir Thopas, he bereth the flour (190) 

Of royal chivaby. 



His; gode stede al he bistrood, 
And Ibrth upon his wey he glood 

As sparkle out of the bronde ; 
Up-on his crest he bar a tour, 
And ther-in stiked a lily-floiir, 

God shilde his cors fro shonde ! 

And for he was a knight aiintrous. 
He nolde slepen in non hous. 

But liggen in his hodo ; 
His brighte helm was his wouger, 
And by him baiteth his dextrer 

Of herbes fyne and gode. 

Him-self drank water of the wel, 
As did the knight sir Percivel, 

So worthy vmder wede, 
Til on a day 



2095 



2IOI) 

(200) 



2105 



(207) 



Here the Host stinteth Chaucer of his Tale of Thopas. 



T. 1 3847-1 3894.] B. (prorogue to QUeftfieue. 



505 



PROLOGUE TO MELIBEUS. 



' No more of this, for goddes dignitee,' 
Quod oure hoste, ' for thou makest me 21 ro 
So wery of thy verray lewednesse 
That, also wisly god my sovile blesse, 
Myn eres'aken of thy drasty sxjeche ; 
Now swiehe a rym the devel I hiteche ! 
This may wel be rym dogerel,' quod he. 

' \Vliy so? ' quod I, ' why wiltow letteme 
More of my tale than anotherman, 
Sin that it is the beste rym I can ? ' (10) 
' By god,' quod he, ' for pleynly, at 

a w^ord, 
Thy drasty ryming is nat worth a tord ; 
Thon doost nought elles bvit despendest 

tyme, 2121 

Sir, at o word, thou shalt no lenger 

ryme. 
Lat see wher thoii canst tellen aught in 

geste. 
Or telle in prose somwhat at the leste 
In w^hich ther be som mirthe or som 

doctryne.' 2125 

' Gladly,' quod I, 'by goddes swete pyne, 
I wol yow telle a litel thing in prose. 
That oghte lyken yow, as I sujipose, (20) 
Or elles, certes, ye been to daungerous. 
It is a moral tale vertuous, 2130 

Al be it told som-tyme in sondry wyse 
Of sondry folk, as I shal yow devyse. 



As thus ; yo woot that every evangelist. 
That telleth us the peyne of Jesi\ Crist, 
Ne saith nat al tiling as his felaw dooth. 
But natheles, hir sentence is al sooth, 21 v> 
And alle acorden as in hir sentence, 
Al be ther in hir telling difference. (30) 
For somme of hem seyn more, and sommo 

lesse. 
Whan they his pitoiis passioun expresse ; 
I mene of Mark [andJ'Mathew, Luk and 

John ; 2141 

But doutelees hir sentence is al oon. 
Therfor, lordinges alle, I yow biseche, 
If that ye thinke I varie as in my speche. 
As thus, thogh that I telle som-what more 
Of proverbes, than ye lian herd bifore. 
Comprehended in this litel tretis hei-e. 
To enforce with the th'effect of my matere. 
And thogh I nat the same wordes seye (4 1 ) 
As ye han herd, yet to yow alle I preye, 
Blameth me nat ; for, as in my sentence. 
Ye shul not fynden moche difference 
Fro the sentence of this tretis lyte 
After the which this mery tale I wryte. 
And therfor herkneth what that I shal 

seye, 2155 

And lat me tellen al my tale, I preye.' (48) 

Explicit. 



THE TALE OF MELIBEUS. 

Here biginneth Chancers Tale of Melibee. 



51. A yong man called Melibeus, 
mighty and riche, bigat up-on his wyf 
that called was Pru.dence, a doghter 
which that called was Sophie./ 

§ 2. Upon a day bifel, that he for his 
desport is went in-to the feeldes him to 
lileye. / His wyf and eek his doghter 



hath he left inwith his hous, of which the 
dores weren fast y-shette. / Three of his 
olde foos han it espyed, and setten laddres 
to the walles of his hous, and by the 
windowes been entred, / and betten his 2i(j<) 
wyf, and wounded his doghter with fyve 
mortal woundes in fyve sondry places ; / 



5o6 



B. ZU t:afe of (mefifieue. 



[t. §§ 3-8- 



this is to seyn, in liir feet, in liir handes, 
in liir ores, in hir nose, and in hir mouth ; 
and loften hir for deed, and wenten 
awey. / 

§ 8. Whan Melibous retourned was in- 
to his Ikhis, and saugh al this meschief, 
he, ]yk a mad man, rendinge his clothes, 
gan to wci)o and cryc. / 

§ 4. Prudence his wyf, as I'eri'ortli as 
she dorste, bisoghte him of his weijing for 
to stinte ; / but nat for-thy ho gan to 

-'165 crye and wopen ever longer the more. / 
§ 5. This noble wyf Prudence remem- 
hered hir upon the sentence of Ovide, in 
his book that clepod is The Remedie of 
Love, whcr-as ho seith ; / ' ho is a fool 
that dostourbotli the moder to wepen in 
the deeth of hir child, til she have wept 
hir fiUe, as for a certoin tyme ; / and 
thanne slial man doon his diligence with 
amiable wordes hir to reconforte, and 
preyen hir of hir weping for to stinte.' / 
For which resoun this noble wyf Prudence 
suffrod hir housbond for to wepe and cryo 
as for a certein space ; / and whan she 
savigh hir tyme, she seydo him in this 
wyso. ' Alias, my lord,' quod she, ' why 

2170 make yo your-sclf for to be lyk a fool? / 
For sotho, it apertoneth nat to a wys 
man, to makcn swiche a sorwe. / Your 
doghter, with the grace of god, shal 
warisshe and escape. / And al were it so 
that she right now wore deed, yo no oghto 
nat as for hir deeth your-sclf to destroyo./ 
Senck soith : "the wise man shal nat 
take to greet diseonfort for the deeth of 
his children, / but ccrtcs he sholde suffren 
it in pacionce, as wel as ho abydeth the 

2175 deeth of his oweno propre persone." ' / 

§ 6. This Melibous answerdo anon and 
seyde, 'What man,' quod he, 'sholde of 
his weping stinte, that hath so greet 
a cause for to wepe ? / Josu Crist, our 
lord, him-self wepte for the deeth of 
Lazarus his freend.'/ Prudence answerde, 
' Certes, wel I woot, attcmproo weping is 
no-thing defended to him that sorweful 
is, amongcs folk in sorwe, but it is rather 
granntod hint to wejie. / Tho Apostlo 
Paul un-to tho llomayns wryteth, "man 
shal rejoyse with hem that niakon joye, 



and wepen with swich folk as wepcn." / 
But thogh attempree weping be y- 
grauntod, outrageous weping certes is 
defended. / Mcsure of weping sholde be 2180 
considered, after the lore that techoth its 
Senck. / " Whan that thy freend is 
deed," quod he, " hit nat thyne eyen to 
moyste been of teres, no to muche drye ; 
althogh tho teres come to thyne ey<^n, lat 
hem nat falle." / And whan thou hast 
for-goon thy freend, do diligence to gete 
another freend ; and this is more wysdom 
than for to wepe for thy freend which 
that thou hast lorn ; for ther-inno is no 
bote. / And therforo, if ye govcrne yow 
by sapience, put awey sorwe out of your 
liorte. / llomembre yow that Jesus Syrak 
seith : " a man that is joyou.s and glad in 
herte, it him conservoth llorisshing in his 
age ; but soothly sorweful herte maketh 
his bones drye." / He seith eek tlius : 2i,v- 
" that sorwe in horto sleeth ful many 
a man." / Salomon seith : "that, right 
as mottlies in the shepes floes anoyeth to 
the clothes, and tho smalo wormcs to the 
tree, right so anoyeth sorwe to tho 
herte." / Wherforo xxs oghte, as wel in 
the deeth of our childreiT as in the losse 
of our goodes temporels, have pacionce. / 

§ 7. llomembro yow up-on the pacicnt 
Job, whan he haddo lost his children and 
his temporel substance, and in his body 
endured and receyved ful many a grevous 
tribulacioiui ; yet seyde he thus : / " our 
lord hath yeven it me, our lord hath 
biraft it mo ; right as our lord hath wold, 
right so it is doon ; blessed be tho name 
of our lord." ' / To thise foresoido thingos 2190 
answerdo ISIelibcus un-to his wyf Pru- 
dence : ' Alle thy wordes,' quod he, 'been 
sothe, and ther-to profitable ; but trewely 
myn herte is troubled with this sorwe so 
grevously, that I noot what to done.' / 
' Lat calle,' quod Prudence, ' thy trewe 
frecndes alle, and thy linage wliicho that 
been wyse; telleth your cas, and herkneth 
what they seyo in conseiling, and yow 
govorno after hir sentence. / Salomon 
si'itli : " wcrk alio tliy thinges by conseil, 
and thou shalt never ropente." ' / 

§ 8. Thanne, by tho conseil of his wyf 



T. §§ 9-11.] 



B. ZU ^al'e of (mefi6eu0. 



507 



!'95 



Prudence, this Melibeus leet callen a greet 
con^rcgacioiin of folk; / as surgiens, 
l>hisiciens, oldo folk and yonge, and 
sommo of hiso olde enemys reconsilcd as 
by liir semblaunt to his love and in-to his 
grace ; / and ther-with-al ther coinon 
sommo of hiso neighebores that didcn 
liim revcrenco more for dredo tlian lor 
lovo, as it liapiii'th ofte. / Tlier comon 
also lul many subtile flaterores, and wyso 
advocats hirned in the lawe. / 

§ 9. And whan this folk togidre as- 
sembled wcrcn, tliis MoHbeus in sorwof'ul 
wyso shewed hem his cas ; / and by the 
manere of his siiechc it semed that in 
herte he bar a cruel ire, redy to doon 
vongcaunce ui)-on hise foos, and sodeynly 
(b'sired that the wcrrc sholdo biginiic ; / 
but natbelecs yet axed he liir conseil upon 
this matere. / A surgien, by licence and 
assent of swicho as wcrcn wyso, up roos 
and un-to Melibeus scydo as yo may 
here. / 

§ 10. ' Sir,' quod ho, ' as to us surgiens 
aperteneth, that wo do to every wight the 
boste that we can, whcr-as we been with- 
holde, and to our pacients that wc do no 
damage ; / wherforo it happeth, many 
tyme and ofte, that whan twey men hau 
everich wounded other, oon same surgien 
heleth hem bothe ; / wherefore un-to our 
art it is nat pertinent to norice werre, no 
parties to supporto. / But certes, as to 
the warisshinge of your doghter, al-be-Lt 
so that she perilously be wounded, wo 
sliuUen do so ententif bisinesso fro day 
to night, that with the grace of god she 
shal be hool and sound as sone as is 
: possible.' / Almost right in the same 
wyse the phisiciens answerden, save that 
thej' seyden a fewe wordes more : / 'That, 
right as maladyes 1)een cured by hir 
contraries, right so shul men warissho 
werre by vengeaunce.'/ His neigliebores, 
ful of envye, his foyned freendes that 
semeden reconsiled, and his flatcreres, / 
maden semblant of weping, and em- 
peireden and agreggeden muchel of tliis 
matere, in jjreising grcetly Melibeo of 
might, of power, of riehosse, and of 
freendes, despysinge the power of his 



adversaries, / and seiden outrely that he 
anon sholde wreken him on his foos and 
biginne werre. / 2.M'.) 

§ 11. Up roos thanne an advocat that 
was wys, by leve and by conseil of othore 
that wore wyse, and seyde : / ' Lordinges, 
the node for which we been assembled in 
this place is a ful bevy thing and an 
heigh matere, / by-cause of the wrong 
and of the wikkednesse that hath be 
tloon, and eek l)y resoun of the greto 
damages that in tyme cominge been 
possible to fallen for this same cause ; / 
and eek by resoun of the grete richesse 
and power of the parties bothe ; / for the 
whicho rcsouns it were a ful greet iieril 
to crren in this matere. / Wherfore, 2215 
Molibeus, this is our sentence : wo con- 
seillo yow aboven alio thing, that right 
anon thou do thy diligence in kcpingo of 
thy propre persone, in swicli a wyse that 
thou ne wante noon espye ne wacohe, thy 
body for to save. / And after that wo 
consoille, that in thyn hous thou setto 
sutfisant garnisoun, so that they may as 
wel thy body as thyn hous defende. / 
But certes, for to moeve werre, or so- 
deynly for to doon vengeaunce, wo may 
nat demon in so litel tyme that it wero 
profitable. / Wlierforo we axen leyser 
and espace to have deliberacioun in this 
cas to dome. / For the commiine provorbe 
scith thus: "he that sone demeth, sone 
shal reponte." / And eek men seyn that 2220 
thilke juge is wys, that sone under- 
stondeth a matere andjuggeth by leyser. / 
For al-be-it so that alle tarying bo 
anoyful, algates it is nat to reprove in 
yevingo of jugement, no in vengeance- 
taking, whan it is suffisant and reson- 
ablo. / And that shewed our lord Jesu 
Crist by ensamplc ; for whan that the 
womman that was taken in avoutrie was 
broght in his presence, to knowen what 
sholde bo doon with hir persone, al-be-it 
so that ho wisto wel him-sclf what that 
ho wolde answere, yet ne wolde ho nat 
answero sodeynly, but he wolde have 
deliberaciovin, and in the ground he 
wroot twyes. / And by thise causes we 
axen deliberacioun, and we shal thanne, 



5o8 



B. ZH ^<ife cf (meft6eu0. 



[t. §§ 



12—14. 



by the grace of god, conseille thee thing 
that shal be profitable.'/ 

§ 12. Up stirten thanne the yonge folk 
at-ones, and the moste partie of that 
companye han scorned the olde wyse 
men, and bigonnen to make noyse, and 

2225 seyden : that, / right so as whyl that iren 
is hoot, men sholden smyte, right so, men 
sholde wreken hir wronges whyle that 
they been fresshe and newe ; and with 
lotid voys they cryden, ' werre ! werre !'/ 
Up roos tho oon of thise olde wyse, and 
with his hand made coutenaunce that 
men sholde holden hem stille and yeven 
him audience. / ' Lordinges,' qiiod he, 
' ther is ful many a man that cryeth 
"werre! werre!" that woot ful litel what 
werre amovinteth. / Werre at his bi- 
ginning hath so greet an entree and so 
large, that every wight may entre whan 
him lyketh, and lightly fiude werre. / 
But, certes, what ende that shal ther-of 

2230 bifalle, it is nat light to knowe. / For 
sothly, whan that werre is ones bigonne, 
ther is ful many a child unborn of his 
moder, that shal sterve yong bj^-cause of 
that ilke werre, or elles live in sorwe and 
dye in wrecchednesse. / And ther-fore, 
er that any werre biginne, men moste 
have greet conse-il and greet delibera- 
cioun.'/ And whan this olde man wende 
to enforcen his tale by resons, wel ny 
alle at-ones bigonne they to ryse for to 
breken his tale, and beden him ful ofte 
his wordes for to abregge. / For soothly, 
he that precheth to hem that listen nat 
heren his wordes, his sermon hem. 
anoyeth. / For Jesus Syrak seith : that 
' musik in wepinge is anoyous thing ' ; 
this is to seyn : as muche availleth 
to speken bifore folk to whiche his 
speche anoyeth, as dooth to singe 

2235 biforn him that wepeth. / And whan 
this wyse man saugh that him wanted 
audience, al shameftist he sette him doun 
agayn. / For Salomon seith : ' ther-as 
thou ne mayst have noon audience, 
enforce thoe nat to speke.'/ ' I see wel,' 
quod this wyse man, ' that the commune 
proverbe is sooth; that "good conseil 
wanteth whan it is most nede." '/ 



§ 13. Yet hadde this Melibeus in his 
conseil many folk, that prively in his ere 
conseilled him certeyn thing, and con- 
seilled him the contrarie in general 
audience. / 

Wlian Melibeus hadde herd that the 
gretteste jjartie of his conseil weren 
accorded that he sholde maken werre, 
anoon he consented to hir conseilling, 
and fully affermed hir sentence. / Thanne 224c 
dame Prudence, whan that she saugh how 
that hir housbonde slioop him for to 
wreken liim on his foos, and to biginne 
werre, she in fvil humble wyse, when she 
savigh hir tyme, seide him thise wordes :/ 
' My lord,' qviod she, ' I yow biseche as 
hertely as I dar and can, ne haste yow 
nat to faste, and for alle guerdons as 
yeveth me audience. / For Piers Alfonce 
seith : " who-so that dooth to that other 
good or harm, haste thee nat to quyton 
it ; for in this wyse thy freend wol abyde, 
and thyn enemy shal tho lenger live in 
drede."/ The i^roverbe seith : "hehasteth 
wel that wysely can abyde " ; and in 
wikked haste is no profit.'/ 

§ 14. This Melibee answerde un-to his 
wyf Prudence : ' I piirpose nat,' quod he, 
' to werke by thy conseil, for many causes 
and resouns. For certes every wight 
wolde holde me thanne a fool ; / this is 2245 
to seyn, if I, for thy conseilling, wolde 
chaungen thinges that been ordeyned 
and affermed by so manye wyse. / 
Secoundly I seye, that alle wommen been 
wikke and noon good of hem alle. For 
" of a thousand men," seith Salomon, 
" I fond a good man : but certes, of alle 
wommen, good womman fond I never."/ 
And also certes, if I governed me by thy 
conseil, it sholde seme that I hadde yeve 
to thee over me the maistrie ; and god 
forbede that it so were. / For Jesus 
Syrak seith ; " that if the wyf have 
maistrie, she is contrarious to hir hous- 
bonde." / And Salomon seith : " never 
in thy lyf, to thy wyf, ne to thy child, ne 
to thy freend, ne yeve no power over thy- 
self. For bettre it were that thy children 
aske of thy persone thinges that hem 
nedeth, than thou see thy-self in the 



§ 15-] 



B. ZU tak of Q)lcei6eu0. 



509 



22^0 handes of thy children."/ And also, if 
I wolde werke by thy conseilling, certes 
my conseilling moste som tyme be secree, 
til it were tyme that it moste be knowe ; 
and this ne may noght be. / [f For it is 
writen, that " the janglerie of wommen 
can liyden thinges that they witen 
noght." / Furthermore, the philosoplire 
seith, " in wikked conseil wommen ven- 
quisshe men " ; and for thise resouns I ne 
ow nat usen thy conseil.'] / 

§ 15. Whanne dame Piiidence, ful 
debonairly and with greet pacience, 
hadde herd al that hir housbonde lyked 
i'or to seye, thanne axed she of him 
licence for to speke, and seyde in this 
wyse. / ' My lord,' quod she, ' as to your 
firste resoun, certes it may lightly been 
answered. For I seye, that it is no folic 
to chaunge conseil whan the thing is 
chaunged ; or elles whan the thing 

-■255 semeth otlierweyes than it was biforu. / 
And more-over I seye, that though ye han 
sworn and bihight to perfourne your 
emprise, and natlielees ye weyve to per- 
fourne thilke same emprise by juste 
cause, men sholde nat seyn therefore that 
ye were a Iyer ne forsworn. / For the 
book seith, that "the wyse man maketh 
no losing whan he turneth his corage to 
the bettre." / And al-be-it so that your 
emprise be establissed and ordeyned by 
greet multitude of folk, yet thar ye nat 
accomplice thilke same ordinaunce but 
yow lyke. / For the trouthe of thinges 
and the profit been rather founden in 
fewe folk that been wyse and ful of 
resoun, than by greet multitude of folk, 
ther every man cryeth and clatereth what 
that him lyketh. Soothly swich multi- 
tude is nat honeste. / As to the seconde 
resoun, where-as ye seyn that " alle 
wommen been wikke," save yovir grace, 
certes ye despysen alle wommen in this 
wyse; and "he that alle despyseth alle 

r-'6o displeseth," as seith the book. / And 
Senek seith that " who-so wole have 
sapience, slial no man dispraise ; but he 
shal gladly techen the science that he 
can, with-outen presumpcioun or pryde. / 
And swiche thinges as he nought ne can, 



he shal nat been ashamed to lerne hem 
and enquere of lasse folk than him-self."/ 
And sir, that ther hath been many 
a good womman, may lightly be proved./ 
For certes, sir, our lord Jesu Crist wolde 
never have descended to be born of 
a womman, if alle wommen hadden ben 
wikke. / And after that, for the grete 
bountee that is in wommen, our lord Jesu 
Crist, whan he was risen fro deeth to 
lyve, appeered rather to a womman than 
to his apostles. / And though that 2265 
Salomon seith, that "he ne fond never 
womman good," it folweth nat therfore 
that alle wommen ben wikke. / For 
though that he ne fond no good womman, 
certes, ful many another man hath 
founden many a womman ful good and 
trewe. / Or elles per-aventure the en- 
tente of Salomon was this ; that, as in 
sovereyn bountee, he fond no womman ; / 
tills is to seyn, that ther is no wight tliat 
hath sovereyn bountee save god allone ; 
as he him-self recordeth in his Evaun- 
gelie. / For ther nis no creature so good 
that him ne wanteth som what of the 
jjerfeccioun of god, that is his maker. / 2270 
Your thridde resoun is this : ye seyn that 
" if ye governe yow by my conseil, it 
sholde seme that yo hadde yeve me the 
maistrie and the lordshipe over your 
persone."/ Sir, save your grace, it is nat 
so. For if it were so, that no man sholde 
be conseilled but only of hem that hadden 
lordshipe and maistrie of his persone, men 
wolden nat be conseilled so ofte. / For 
soothly, thilke man that asketh conseil of 
a purpos, yet hath he free chois, wheither 
he wole werke by that conseil or noon. / 
And as to your fourthe resoun, ther ye 
seyn that " the janglerie of wommen hath 
hid thinges that they woot noght," as 
who seith, that " a wonaman can nat hyde 
that she woot " ; / sir, thise wordes been 
understonde of wommen that been jan- 
gleresses and wikked ; / of whiche wom- 2275 
men, men seyn that " three thinges 
dryven a man out of his hous ; that is to 
seyn, smoke, dropping of reyn, and 
wikked wy ves " ; / and of swiche wommen 
seith Salomon, that " it were bettre 



;io 



B. ZU ^<^f^ «f (D^ef^S^we- 



[t. §§ 16, 17. 



dwelle in desert, than with a womman 
that is riotous." / And sir, by your leve, 
that am nat I ; / for ye han ful ofte 
assayed my grete silence and my gret 
pacience; and cek how wel that I can 
hyde and hele thinges that men oghte 
secreely to hyde. / And soothly, as to 
your fifthe resoun, wher-as ye seyn, that 
"in wikked conseil wommen venquisslie 
men " ; god woot, thilke resoun stant 
J 280 here in no stede. / For understond now, 
ye asken conseil to do wikkednesse ; / and 
if ye wole werken wikkednesse, and your 
wyf restreyncth thilke wikked purpos, 
and overcometh yow by resoun and by 
good conseil ; / certes, your wyf oghte 
rather to be preised than y-blamed. / 
Thus sholde ye iinderstonde the philo- 
sophre that seith, " in wikked conseil 
wommen venquisshen hir housbondes." / 
And ther-as ye blamen alle wommen and 
hir resouns, I shal shewe yow by manye 
ensamples that many a womman hath 
ben ful good, and yet been ; an<l hir 
2285 conseils ful hoolsome and profitable. / 
Eek som men han seyd, that " the con- 
seillinge of wommen is outlier to dere, or 
clles to litel of prys.^' / But al-be-it so, 
that ful many a womman is badde, and 
hir conseil vile and noght worth, yet han 
men founde ful many a good womman, 
and ful discrete and wise in conseillinge./ 
Lo, Jacob, by good conseil of his moder 
Rebekka, wan the benisoun of Ysaak his 
fader, and the lordshipe over alle his 
bretheren. / Judith, by hir good conseil, 
delivered the citee of Bethvdie, in which 
she dwelled, out of the handes of Olo- 
fernus, that hadde it biseged and wolde 
have al destroyed it. / Abigail delivered 
Nabal hir housbonde fro David the king, 
that wolde have slayn him, and apaysed 
the ire of the king by hir wit and by hir 
2290 good conseiUing. / Hester by hir good 
conseil enhaunced greetly the peple of 
god in the regne of Assuerus the king. / 
And the same bountee in good conseiUing 
of many a good womman may men telle. / 
And moreover, whan our lord hadde creat 
Adam our forme-fader, he seyde in this 
wyse : / -" it is nat good to been a man 



allone ; make we to him an help semb- 
lable to himself." / Here may ye se that, 
if that wommen were nat goode, and hir 
conseils goode and profitable, / our lord 2295 
god of hevene wolde never han wroght 
hem, ne called hem help of man, but 
rather confusioun of man. / And ther 
seyde ones a clerk in two vers : " what is 
bettre than gold ? Jaspre. What is bettro 
than jaspre ? Wisdom. / And what is 
bettre than wisdom? Womman. Anrl 
what is bettre than a good womman? 
No-thing." / And sir, by manye of othre 
resons may ye seen, that manye wommen 
been goode, and hir conseils goode and 
profitable. / And therfore sir, if ye wol 
triste to my conseil, I shal restore yow 
your doghter hool and sound. / And eek 
I wol do to yow so mviche, that ye shul 
have honour in this cause.' / 



.^oc 



§ 16. Wlian Melibee hadde herd the 
wordes of his wj'f Prudence, he seyde 
thvis : / ' I see wel that the word of 
Salomon is sooth ; he seith, that "wordes 
that been spoken discreetly by ordinaunce, 
been honycombes ; for they yeven swet- 
nesse to the soule, and hoolsomnesse to 
the body." / And wyf, by-cause of thy 
swete wordes, and eek for I have assayed 
and preved thy grete sapience and thy 
grete troiithc, I wol governe mc by thy 
conseil in alle thing.' / 

§ 17. ' Now sir,' quod dame Prudence, 
' and sin ye vouche-sauf to been governed 
by my conseil, T wol enforme yow how ye 
shiil governe your-self in chesinge of your 
conseillours. / Ye shul first, in alio your 23( 
werkes, mekely biseken to the hcighe god 
that he wol be your conseillour ; / and 
shapeth yow to swich entente, that ho 
yeve yow conseil and confort, as taughte 
Thobie his sone : / "at alle tymes thou 
shalt blesse god, and praye him to dresse 
thy weyes"; and looke that alle thy 
conseils been in him for evermore. / Seint 
Jame eek seith: "if any of yow have 
nede of sapience, axe it of god." / And 
afterward thanne slml ye taken conseil 
in your-self, and examine wel your 
thoghtes, of swich thing as yow thinketh 
that is best for your profit. / And thanne 23 



T. §§ nS-2i.] 



B. ZU Zak of (m^fiB^u©. 



511 



shul ye dryve fro your herte three thinges 
that been contrariouse to good conseil, / 
that is to seyn, ire, coveitise, and hastif- 
nesse. / 

§ 18. First, he that axeth oonseil of 
him-self, certes he moste been with-outen 
ire, for manye causes. / Tlie fiiste is 
this : he that hath greet ire and wratthe 
in him-self, he wenetli alwey that he 
may do thing that he may nat do./ And 
secoundely, he that is irons and •wroth, 

'5 he ne may nat wel deme ; / and he that 
may nat wel deme, may nat wel con- 
seille. / The thridde is this ; that " he 
that is irons and wrooth," as seith Senek, 
"ne may nat spekebut he blame thinges";/ 
and with his viciotise wordes he stireth 
other folk to angre and to ire. / And 
oek sir, ye moste dryve coveitise out of 
your lierte. / For the apostle seith, that 

:o " coveitise is rote of alle harmes." / And 
trust wel that a coveitous man ne can 
noght deme ne thinke, but only to fulfille 
the ende of his coveitise ; / and certes, 
that ne may never been accompliced ; 
for ever the more habundaunce that he 
hath of richesse, the more he desyreth. / 
And sir, ye moste also dryve out of your 
herte hastifnesse ; for certes, / ye ne may 
nat deme for the beste a sodeyn thought 
that falleth in youre herte, but ye moste 
avyse yow on it ful ofte. / For as ye 
herde biforn, the commune proverbe is 
this, that "he that sone demeth, sone 

'5 repenteth." / 

§ 19. Sir, ye ne be nat alwey in lyke 
disposicioun ; / for certes, som thing 
that somtyme semeth to yow that it is 
good for to do, another tyme it semeth 
to yow the contrarie. / 

§ 20. Whan ye han taken conseil in 
your-self, and han demed by good delib- 
eracion swich thing as you semeth best, / 
thanne rede I yow, that ye kepe it 
secree. / Biwrey nat your conseil to no 
persone, but-if so be that ye wenen sik- 
erly that, thurgh your biwreying, your 
condicioun shal be to yow the more 

o profitable. / For Jesus Syrak seith : 
"neither to thy foo ne to thy freend 
disoovere nat thy secree ne thy folia ; / 



for they wol yeve yow aixdience and 
loking and supportacioun in thy presence, 
and scorne thee in thyn absence." / 
Another clerk seith, that " scarsly shaltou 
findon any persone that may kepe con- 
seil secreely." / The book seith : " whyl 
that thou kepest thy conseil in thyn 
herte, thou kepest it in thy prisoun : / 
and whan thou biwreyest thy conseil to 
any wight, he holdetli thee in his 
snare."/ And therefore yow is bettre 2335 
to hj'de your conseil in your herte, than 
praye him, to whoni ye han biwreyed 
your conseil, that he wole kepen it cloos 
and stille. / For Seneca seith : " if so be 
that thou ne mayst nat th3Ti owene con- 
seil hyde, how darstou prayen any other 
wight thy conseil secreely to kepe ? " / 
But nathelees, if thou wene sikerly that 
the biwreying of thy conseil to a persone 
wol make thy condicioun to stonden in 
the bettre plyt, thanne shaltou tellen 
him thy conseil in this wyse. / First, 
thou shalt make no semblant whether 
thee were lever pees or werre, or this or 
that, ne shewe him nat thy wille and 
thyn entente ; / for trust wel, that 
comunly thise conseillours been flater- 
eres, / namely the conseillours of grote 2340 
lordes ; / for they enforcen hem alwey 
rather to speken plesaute wordes, enclyn- 
inge to the lordes lust, than wordes that 
been trewe or profitable. / And therf<jre 
men seyn, that " the riche man hath seld 
good conseil but-if he have it of him- 
self" / And after that, thou shalt con- 
sidere thy freendes and thj-ne enemys. / 
And as touchinge thy freendes, thou shalt 
considere whiche of hem been most 
feithful and most wyse, and eldest and 
most approved in conseilling. / And of 2345 
hem shalt thou aske thy conseil, as the 
caas requireth. / 

§ 21. I seye that first ye shul clepe to 
your conseil your freendes that been 
trewe. / For Salomon seith : that " right 
as the herte of a man delj^;etli in savoiir 
that is sote, right so the conseil of trewe 
freendes 3'eveth swetenesse to the sonle."/ 
He seith also : " ther may no-thing be 
lykned to the trewe freend."/ For 



512 



B. ZU ^<ife of (nuft6eu0. 



[t. §§ 



12, 23. 



certes, gold ne silver beth nat so miiche 
-'350 worth as the gode wil of a trewe freend. / 
And eek he seith, that " a trewe freend 
is a strong deffense ; who-so that it 
findetli, certes he findeth a greet tre- 
sour."/ Thanne shnl ye eek considere, 
if that yovir trewe freendes been dis- 
crete and wyse. For the book seith : 
" axe alwey thy conseil of hem that been 
wyse." / And by this same resoun shul 
j-e clepen to your conseil, of yovir freendes 
that been of age, swiche as han seyn and 
been expert in manye thinges, and been 
approved in conseillinges. / For the 
book seith, that "in olde men is the 
sapience and in longe tyme the pru- 
dence,"/ And Tullius seith : thaf'grete 
thinges ne been nat ay accompliced by 
strengthe, ne by delivernesse of body, 
but by good conseil, by auctoritee of per- 
sones, and by science ; the whiclie three 
thinges ne been nat feble by age, but 
certes they enforcen and encreesen day 
-.!5S "jy day," / And thanne shiil ye kepe 
this for a general reule. First shul ye 
clepen to your conseil a fewe of your 
freendes that been especiale ; / for Salo- 
mon seith : " manye freendes have thou ; 
but among a thoiasand chese thee oon to 
be thy conseillour." / For al-be-it s<i 
that thou first ne telle thy conseil but 
to a fewe, thou mayst afterward telle it 
to mo folk, if it be nede. / But loke 
alwey that thy conseillours have thilke 
three condiciouns that I have seyd bifore ; 
that is to seyn, that they be trewe, wyse, 
and of old experience. / And werke nat 
alwey in every nede by oon counseillour 
allone ; for somtyme bihoveth it to been 
2360 conseilled by manye. / For Salomon 
seith : " salvacioun of thinges is wher-as 
ther been manye conseillours." / 

§ 22. Now sith that I have told yow 
of which folk ye sholde been counseilled, 
now wol I teche yow which conseil ye 
oghte to eschewe. / First ye shul eschewe 
the conseillingof foles ; for Salomon seith : 
" taak no conseil of a fool, for he ne can 
noght conseille but after his owene lust 
and his affeccioun." / The book seith: 
that " the propretee of a fool is this ; he 



troweth lightly harm of every wiglit, 
and lightly troweth alle bountee in him- 
self." / Thoii shalt eek eschewe the con- 
seilling of alle flatereres, swiche as en- 
forcen hem rather to preise your persone 
by flatei-ye than for to telle yow the 
sothfastnesse of thinges. / 2365 

§ 23. Wlierfore Tullius seith : "amonges 
alle the pestilences that been in freend- 
shipe, the gretteste is flaterye." And ther- 
fore is it more nede that thou eschewe and 
drede flatereres than any other peple. / 
The book seith : " thou shalt rather drede 
and flee fro the swete wordes of flateringe 
preiseres, than fro the egre wordes of thy 
freend that seith thee thy sothes." / 
Salomon seith, that " the wordes of a 
flaterere is a snare to cacche with inno- 
cents."/ He seith also, that "he that 
speketh to his freend wordes of swetnesse 
and of plesaunce, setteth a net biforn 
his feet to cacche him." / And therfore 
seith Tullius : " enclyne nat thyne eres to 
flatereres, ne taketh no conseil of wordes 
of flaterye."/ And Caton seith: " avyse 2370 
thee wel, and eschewe the wordes of 
swetnesse and of plesaunce." / And eek 
thou shalt eschewe the conseilling of 
thyne olde enemys that been reconsiled. / 
The book seith: that "no wight re- 
tourneth saufly in-to the grace of his 
olde enemy." / And Isope seith : " ne 
trust nat to hem to whiche thoii hast 
had som-tyme werre or enmitee, ne telle 
hem nat thy conseil." / And Seneca 
telleth the cause why. " It m.ay nat be," 
seith he, "that, where greet fyr hath 
longe tyme endured, that ther ne dwell- 
eth som vapour of warmnesse." / And 2375 
therfore seith Salomon : " in thyn olde 
foo trust never." / For sikerly, though 
thyn enemy be reconsiled and maketh 
thee chere of humilitee, and louteth« to 
thee with his heed, ne trust him never. / 
For certes, he maketh thilke feyned hu- 
militee more for his profit than for any 
love of thy persone ; by-cause that he 
demeth to have victorie over thy persone 
by swich feyned contenance, the which 
victorie he mighte nat have by stryf or 
werre. / And Peter Alfonce seith : " make 



§ 24-] 



B. ZH Zak of QUeftfieue. 



513 



no felawshipe with thyne olde enemys; 
for if thou do hem bountee, they wol per- 
verten it in-to wikkednesse." / And eek 
tliou most eschewe the conseilling of hem 
that been tliy servants, and beren thee 
greet reverence ; for peraventure they 

2380 seyn it more for drede than for love. / 
And therfore seith a philosophre in this 
wyse : " ther is no wiglit parfitly trewe 
to him that lie to sore dredeth." / And 
Tullius seith: "ther nis no might so 
greet of any emperour, that longe may 
endure, but-if he have more love of the 
peple than drede." / Thou shalt also 
eschewe the conseiling of folk that been 
dronkelewe; for they ne can no conseil 
hyde. / For Salomon seith : " ther is 
no privetee ther-as regneth dronke- 
nesse." / Ye shul also han in suspect 
the conseilling of swich folk as conseille 
yow a thing prively, and conseille yow 

2385 the contrarie ojjenly. / For Cassidorie 
seith: that "it is a maner sleighte to 
hindre, whan he sheweth to doon a thing 
openly and "werketh prively the con- 
trarie." / Thou shalt also have in suspect 
the conseilling of wikked folk. For the 
book seith : " the conseilling of wikked 
folk is alwey ful of frau.de : " / And David 
seith : " blisful is that man that hath 
nat folwed the conseilUng of shrewes." / 
Thou shalt also eschewe the conseilling 
of yong folk ; for hir conseil is nat rype. / 
§ 24. Now sir, sith I have shewed yow 
of which folk ye shul take your conseil, 
and of which folk ye shul folwe the 

2390 conseil, / now wol I teche yow how ye 
shal examine your conseil, after the doc- 
trine of Tullius. / In the examininge 
thanne of your conseillour, ye shul con- 
sidere manye thinges. / Alderfirst thou 
shalt considers, that in thUkc thing that 
thou purposest, and upon what thing 
thou wolt have conseil, that verray 
trouthe be seyd and conserved ; this is 
to seyn, telle trewely thy tale. / For he 
that seith fals may nat wel be conseilled, 
in that cas of which he lyeth. / And 
after this, thou shalt considere the thinges 
that acorden to that thou purposest for 
to do by thy conseillours, if resoun 



accorde therto ; / and eek, if thy might 2395 
may atteine ther-to ; and if the more 
part and the bettre part of thy con- 
seillours acorde ther-to, or no. / Thanne 
shaltou considere what thing shal folwe 
of that conseilling ; as hate, pees, werre, 
grace, profit, or damage ; and manye 
othere thinges. / And in alle thise thinges 
thou shalt chese the beste, and weyve 
alle othere thinges. / Thanne shaltow 
considere of what rote is engendred the 
matere of thy conseil, and what fruit 
it may conceyve and engendre. / Thou 
shalt eek considere alle thise causes, fro 
whennes they been sprongen. / And 2400 
whan ye han examined your conseil as 
I have seyd, and which partie is the 
bettre and more profitable, and hast 
approved it by manye wyse folk and 
olde ; / thanne shaltou considere, if thou 
mayst parfourne it and maken of it a 
good ende. / For certes, resoun wol nat 
that any man sholde biginne a thing, 
but-if he mighte parfourne it as him 
oglite. / Ne no wight sholde take up-on 
hym so hevy a charge that he miglito 
nat bere it. / For the proverbe seith : 
"he that to muclie embraceth, distrey- 
neth litel." / And Catoun seith : " assay 2405 
to do swich thing as thou hast power to 
doon, lest that the charge oppresse thee 
so sore, that thee bihoveth to weyve 
thing that thou hast bigonne." / And 
if so be that thou be in doute, whether 
thou mayst parfourne a thing or noon, 
chese rather to su.ffre than biginne. / 
And Piers Alphonce seith : "if thou hast 
might to doon a thing of which thou 
most repente thee, it is bettre ' nay ' 
than 'ye' ;"/ this is to seyn, that thee 
is bettre liolde thy tonge stille, than for 
to speke. / Thanne may ye understonde 
by strenger resons, that if thou hast 
power to parfourne a werk of which thou 
shalt repente, thanne is it bettre that 
thou suffre than biginne. / Wel seyn 2410 
they, that defenden every wight to assaye 
any thing of which he is in doute, 
whether he may parfourne it or no. / 
And after, whan ye han examined your 
conseil as I have seyd biforn, and knowen. 



S 



BH 



B. ZU Zah of (mefiBeue. 



[t. §§ 2.^-29. 



■wel tliat ye may parfourne yonre em- 
prise, conferme it thanne sadly til it be 
at an ende. / 

§ 25, Now is it resoun and tyme that 
I shewe yow, whaiine, and wherfore, that 
ye may chaunge your conseil ■with-outen 
your reprevc. / Soothly, a man may 
chaungen his purpos and his conseil if 
the cause cesseth, or whan a newe caas 
Litydeth. / For the lawe seith : that 
" upon thinges that uewely bityden 

2415 bihoveth uowe conseil."/ And Senek 
seith : " if thy conseil is comen to the 
eres of thyn enemy, chaunge thy con- 
seil."/ Thoii mayst also chaunge thy 
conseil if so be that thou finde that, by 
errour or by other cause, harm or damage 
may bityde. / Also, if thy conseil be 
dishonest, or elles cometh of dishoneste 
cause, chaunge thy conseil. / For the 
lawes seyn : that " alle bihestes that been 
dishoneste been of no value." / And 
oek, if it so be that it bo inpossible, or 

2420 may nat goodly be parfourned or kept. / 
§ 26. And take this for a general roule, 
that every conseil that is affermed so 
strongly that it may nat be chaunged, 
for no condicioun that may bityde, I 
seye that thiike conseil is wikked.' / 

§ 27. This Melibeiis, whanne he hadde 
herd the doctrine of his wyf dame Pru- 
dence, answerde in this wyse. / 'Dame,' 
qiTod he, ' as yet in-to this tyme ye ban 
wel and covenably taught me as in 
general, how I shal governe me in the 
chesinge and in the withholdinge of 
my conseillours. / But now wolde I 
fayn that ye wolde condescende in 
especial, / and telle me how lyketh 
yow, or what semeth yow, by our 
conseillours that we han chosen in our 

2425 jiresent nede.' / 

§ 28. ' My lord,' quod she, ' I biseke 
yow in al hvamblesse, that ye wol nat 
wilfully replye agayn my resouns, . ne 
distempre your herte thogh I speke 
thing that yow displese. / For god wot 
that, as in myn entente, I speke it for 
your beste, for your honovir and for your 
profite eke. / And soothly, I hope that 
your benignitee wol taken it in pacience./ 



Triisteth me wel,' quod she, ' that your 
conseil as in this caas ne sholde nat, 
as to speke properly, be called a con- 
seilling, biit a mocioun or a moevyng of 
folye ; / in which conseil ye han erred in 
many a sondry wyse. / 2430 

§ 29. First and forward, ye han erred 
in th'assemblinge of your conseillours. / 
For ye sholde first have cleped a fewe 
folk to your conseil, and after ye mighte 
han shewed it to mo folk, if it hadde 
been nede. / But certes, ye han sodejTily 
cleped to your conseil a greet multitude 
of peple, ful chargeant and ful anoyous 
for to here. / Also yo han erred, for 
there-as ye sholden only have cleped to 
your conseil your trewe freendes olde and 
wyse, / ye han y-cleped straunge folk, 
and yong folk, false flatereres, and enemys 
reconsilcd, and folk that doon yow 
reverence withotiten lovo. / And eck 2435 
also ye have erred, for ye han broght 
with yow to your conseil ire, covetise, 
and hastifnesse ; / the whiche three 
thinges been contrariouse to every conseil 
honeste and profitable ; / the whiche 
three thinges ye han nat anientissed or 
destroyed hem, neither in your-self ne 
in your conseillours, as yow oghte. / Ye 
han erred also, for ye han shewed to 
your conseillours your talent, and your 
affeccioun to make werre anon and for 
to do vengeance ; / they han ospyed by 
your wordes to what thing ye been 
enclyned. / And therfore han they 2440 
rather conseilled yow to your talent than 
to yotir profit. / Ye ban erred also, for 
it semeth tliat yow suffyseth to han been 
conseilled by thise conseillours only, and 
with litel avys ; / wher-as, in so greet 
and so heigh a nede, it hadde been 
necessarie mo conseillours, and more 
deliberacioun to parfourne your emprise. / 
Ye han erred also, for ye han nat 
examined your conseil in the forseyde 
manere, ne in due manero as the caas 
requireth. / Ye han erred also, for ye 
han maked no divisioun bitwixe your 
conseillours; this is to seyn, bitwixen 
your trewe freendes and your feyned 
conseillours ; / ne ye han nat knowe 2445 



T. §§ 30, 3I-] 



B. Z^t Zak of (meft6eu0. 



515 



the wil of your trewe freendes olde and 
wyse ; / but ye han cast alle hir wordes 
ill an hochepot, and enclyned your herte 
to the more part and to the gretter 
nombre ; and ther been ye condescended. / 
And sith ye wot wel that men shal 
alwey finde a gretter nombre of foles 
than of wyse men, /and therfore the 
conseils that been at congregaciouns and 
multitudes of folk, ther-as men take 
more reward to the nombre than to the 
sapience of persones, / ye see wel that in 
swiche conseillinges foles han the mais- 

'450 trie.' / Melibeus answerde agayn, and 
seyde : ' I graunte wel that I have erred ; / 
but ther-as thou hast told me heer-biforn, 
that he nis nat to blame that chaungeth 
hise conseillours in certein caas, and for 
certeiue juste causes, / I am al redy to 
chaunge my conseillours, riglit as thou 
wolt devyse. / The proverbe seith : that 
"for to do sinne is mannish, but certes 
for to persevere longe in sinne is werk of 
the devel." ' / 

§ 30. To this sentence answerde anon 

-455 dame Prudence, and seyde : / 'Examineth,' 
quod she, 'your conseil, and lat us see 
the whiclie of hem han spoken most 
resonably, and taught yow best conseil, / 
And for-as-muche as that the examin- 
acioun is necessarie, lat ns biginne at the 
surgiens and at the phisiciens, that first 
speken in this matere. / I sey yow, that 
the surgiens and phisiciens han seyd 
yow in your conseil discreetly, as hem 
oughto ; / and in hir speche seyden ful 
wysly, that to the office of hem aper- 
teneth to doon to every wight honour 
and profit, and no wight for to anoyo ; / 
and, after hir craft, to doon greet dili- 
gence un-to the cure of hem whiche that 

2460 they han in hir govemaunce. / And 
sir, right as they han answered wysly 
and discreetly, / right so rede I that 
they been heighly and sovereynly guer- 
doned for hir noble speche ; / and eek 
for they sholde do the more ententif 
bisinesse in the curacioun of your doghter 
dere. / For al-be-it so that they been 
your freendes, therfore shal ye nat 
suifren that they serve yow for noght ; / 



but ye oglite the rather guerdone hem. 
and shewe hem your largesse. / And as 2465 
touchinge the proposicioun which that 
the phisiciens entreteden in this caas, this 
is to sejTi, / that, in maladyes, that con 
contrarie is warisshed by another con- 
trarie, / 1 wolde fayn knowo how ye 
nnderstonde thilke text, and what is 
your sentence.' / ' Certes,' quod Melibeus, 
' I understonde it in this wyse : / that, 
right as they han doon mo a contrarie, 
right so sholde I doon hem another. / 2470 
For right as they han venged hem on me 
and doon me wrong, right so shal I 
venge me upon hem and doon hem 
wrong ; / and thanne have I cured con 
contrarie by another.' / 

§ 31. ' Lo, lo ! ' quod dame Prudence, 
' how lightly is every man enclyned to 
his owene desyr and to his owene ple- 
saunce ! / Certes,' quod she, ' the wordes 
of the phisiciens ne sholde nat han been 
understonden in this wyse. / For certes, 
wOckednesse is nat contrarie to wikked- 
ncsse, ne vengeaunce to vengeaunce, ne 
wrong to wrong ; but they been sembla- 
ble. / And therfore, o vengeaunce is nat 2475 
warisshed by another vengeaunce, ne 

wrong by another wrong ; / but everich 
of hem encreesceth and aggreggeth 
other. / But certes, the wordes of the 
phisiciens sholde been understonden in 
tliis wyse : / for good and wikkednesso 
been two contraries, and pees and werre, 
vengeaunce and suffraunce, discord and 
accord, and manye othere thinges. / But 
certes, wikkednesse shal be warisshed by 
goodnesse, discord by accord, werre by 
pees, and so forth of othere thinges. / 2480 
And heer-to accordeth Seint Paul the 
apostle in manye places. / He seith : 

" ne yeldetli nat harm for harm, no 
wikked speche for wikked speche ; / but 
do wel to him that dooth thee harm, and 
blesse him that seith to thee harm."/ 
And in manye othere places he amones- 
teth pees and accord. / But now wol 

1 speke to yow of the conseil which that 
was yeven to yow by the men of la we and 

the wyse folk, / that seyden alle by oon 2485 
accord as ye han herd bifore ; / that, over 



S 2 



5i6 



ZU Zak of (mefi6cu6. 



[T. §§ 3-'. 33- 



alle thynges, ye sholde doon your dili- 
gence to kepen your persona and to 
warnestore yonr hoiis. / And seyden 
also, that in this caas ye oghten for to 
werken iul avysely and with greet deli- 
beracioun. / And sir, as to the firste 
point, that touehetli to the keping of 
your persone ; / ye shulunderstondethat 
he that hath werre shal evermore mekely 

^450 and devoutly preyen biforn alle thinges, / 
that Jesus Crist of his grete mercy wol 
han him in his proteccioun, and been his 
sovereyn helping at his nede. / For 
certes, in this world ther is no wight that 
may be conseilled ne kept suffisautly 
withouten the keping of our lord Jesu 
Crist. / To this sentence accordeth the 
prophete David, that seith : / "if god ne 
kepe the citee, in ydel waketh he that it 
kepeth." / Now sir, thanne shul ye com- 
mitte the keping of your persone to your 
trewe freendes that been approved and 

2495 y-linowe ; / and of hem shul ye axen help 
your persone for to kepe. For Catoun 
seith : " if thoii hast nede of help, axe it 
of thy freendes ; / for ther nis noon so 
good a phisicien as thy trewe freend." / 
And after this, thanne shul ye kepe yow 
fro alle straunge folk, and fro lyeres, and 
have alwey in suspect hir conapanye. / 
For Piers Alfonce seith: "ne tak no 
companye by the weye of a straunge man, 
but-if so be that thou have knowe him of 
a lenger tyme. / And if so be that he 
falle in-to thy companye paraventure 

2500 withouten thyn assent, / enquere thanne, 
as subtilly as thou mayst, of his conversa- 
cioun and of his lyf bifore, and feyne thy 
wey ; seye that thou goost thider as thou 
wolt nat go ; / and if he bereth a spere, 
hold thee on the right syde, and if he 
here a swerd, hold thee on the lift syde." / 
And after this, thanne shul ye kepe yow 
wysely from alle swich manere pejile as I 
have seyd bifore, and hem and hir conseil 
eschewe. / And after this, thanne shul 
ye kepe yow in swich manere, / that for 
any presumpcioun of your strengthe, that 
ye ne dispyse nat ne acounte nat the might 
of your adversarie so litel, that ye lete 
the keping of your persone for your pre- 



sumpcioun ; / for every wys man dredeth 2505 
his enemy. / And Salomon seith : " weleful 
is he that of alle hath drede ; / for certes, 
he that thurgh the hardinesse of his herto 
and thurgh the hardinesse of him-self 
hath to greet presumpcioun, him shal 
j'vel bityde." / Thanne shul ye evermore 
countrewayte embusshements and alle 
espiaille. / For Senek seith : that " the 
wyse man that dredeth harnies eschewetli 
harmes ; / ne he ne falleth in-to perils, 
that perils escheweth." / And al-be-it so 2510 
that it seme that thou art in siker place, 
yet shaltow alwey do thy diligence in 
kepinge of thy persone ; / this is to seyn, 
ne be nat necligent to kepe thy persone, 
nat only fro thy gretteste enemys but fro 
thy leeste enemy. / Senek seith : "a 
man that is wel avysed, he dredeth his 
leste enemy." / Ovide seith : that " the 
litel wesele wol slee the grete bole and the 
wilde hert." / And the book seith: "a 2515 
litel thorn may prikke a greet king ful 
sore ; and an hound wol holde the wilde 
boor." / But nathelees, I sey nat thou 
shalt be so coward that thoii doute 
ther wher-as is no drede. / The book 
seith : that " somme folk han greet 
lust to decej've, but yet they dreden 
hem to be decay ved. " / Yet shaltou 
drede to been empoisoned, and kepe 
yow from the companye of scorneras. / 
For the book seith : " with scorneres 
make no companye, but flee hir wordes 
as venim." / 252c 

§ 32. Now as to the seconde point, 
wher-as your wyse conseillours conseilled 
yow to warnestore your hous with gret 
diligence, / I wolde fayn knowe, how that 
ye understonde thilke wordes, and what 
is your sentence.' / 

§ 33. Melibeus answerde and seyde, 
' Certes I understande it in this wise ; 
that I shal warnestore myn hous with 
toures, swiche as han castelles and 
othere manere edifices, and armure 
and artelleries, / by whicha thinges I 
may my persona and myn hous so 
kepen and dafendan, that myne enamys 
shul been iii drede myn hous for to 
approche.' / 



T. §§ 34-36.] 



B. Z^t Zak of (mefi6eu0. 



517 



§ 34. To this sentence answerde anon 
Prudence; ' warnestoring,' quod she, 'of 
heighe toures and of grete edifices apper- 

2525 teneth som-tynie to pryde ; / and eek men 
make heighe toures and grete edifices 
with grete costages and witli g:reet tra- 
vaille ; and whan that they been accom- 
pliced, yet be they nat worth a stree, biit-if 
they be defended by trewe freendes that 
been olde and wyse. / And understond 
wel, that the gretteste and strongeste 
garnison that a riche man may have, as 
wel to kepen his persone as liise goodes, 
is / that he be biloved amonges his sub- 
gets and with liise neighebores. / For 
thus seith Tullius : that " ther is a maner 
garnison that no man may venquisse ne 
disconfite, and that is, / a lord to be 
biloved of hise citezeins and of his 

!530 peple." / 

§ 35. Now sir, as to the thridde point ; 
wher-as your olde and wise conseilloiirs 
sej'den, that yow ne oghte nat sodeynly 
ne hastily proceden in this nede, / but 
that yow oghte purveyen and apparaillen 
yow in this caas with greet diligence and 
greet deliberacioun ; / trewely, I trowe 
that they seyden right wysly and right 
sooth. / For Tullius seith, " in every 
nede, er thou biginne it, apparaille thee 
with greet diligence." / Thanne seye I, 
that in vengeance-taking, in werre, in 

2535 bataille, and in warnestoring, / er thow 
biginne, I rede that thou apparaille thee 
ther-to, and do it with greet delibera- 
cioun. / For Tullius seith : that " long 
apparailling biforn the bataiUe maketh 
short victorie."/ And Cassidorus seith : 
" the garnison is stronger whan it is 
longe tyme avysed." / 

§ 36. But now lat us speken of the 
conseil that was accorded by your neighe- 
bores, swiche as doon yow reverence 
withouten love, / your olde enemys recon- 

!540 siled, your fl^atereres / that conseilled yow 
certeyne thinges prively, and oi^enly con- 
seilleden yow the contrarie ; / the yonge 
folk also, that conseilleden yow to venge 
yow and make werre anon. / And certes, 
sir, as I have seyd biforn, ye han greetly 
erred to han cleped swich maner folk to 



your conseil ; / which conseillours been 
y-nogh repreved by the resouns afore- 
seyd. / But nathelees, lat us now de- 
scende to the special. Ye shuln first 
procede after the doctrine of Tullius. / 2545 
Certes, the trouthe of this matere or of 
this conseil nedeth nat diligently en- 
quere ; / for it is wel wist whiche they 
been that han doon to yow this trespas 
and vileinye, / and how manye trespas- 
sours, and in what manere they han to 
yow doon al this wrong and al this 
vileinye. / And after tliis, thanne shul 
ye examine the secondecondicioun, which 
that the same Tullius addeth in this 
matere. / For Tullius put a thing, which 
that he clepeth " eonsentinge," this is to 
seyn ; / who been they and how manye, 2;^^t-) 
and whiche been they, that consenteden 
to thy conseil, in thy wilfulnesse to doon 
hastif vengeance. / And lat us considere 
also who been they, and how manye been 
they, and whiche been they, that con- 
senteden to j'our adversaries. / And 
certes, as to the firste poynt, it is wel 
knowen whiche folk been they that con- 
senteden to your hastif wilfulnesse ; / 
for trewely, alio tho that conseilleden 
yow to maken sodeyn werre ne been nat 
your freendes. / Lat us now considere 
whiche been they, that ye holde so greetly 
your freendes as to your persone. / For 2555 
al-be-it so that ye be mighty and riche, 
certes ye ne been nat but allone. / For 
certes, ye ne han no child but a doghter ; / 
ne ye ne han bretheren ne cosins ger- 
mayns, ne noon other neigh kinrede, / 
wherfore that your enemys, for drede, 
sholde stinte to plede with yow or to 
destroye your j)ersone. / Ye knowen 
also, that your richesses moten been dis- 
pended in diverse parties ; / and whan 2560 
that every wight hath his part, they ne 
wollen taken but litel reward to venge 
thy deeth. / But thyne enemys been 
three, and they han manie children, 
bretheren, cosins, and other ny kinrede ; / 
and, though so were that thou haddest 
slayn of hem two or three, yet dwellen 
ther y-nowe to wreken hir deeth and to 
slee thy persone. / And though so be 



5i8 



B. ZH ^«fe of (DUet6eu0. 



[t. §§ 3r-.^9- 



that your kinrede be more siker and 
stedel'ast than the kin of your adver- 
sarie, / yet nathelees your kinrede nis 
hut a fer kinrede ; they been but litel sib 

2565 to yow, / and the kin of your enemys 
been ny sib to hem. And certes, as in 
that, hir condicioiin is bet than youres. / 
Thanne lat us considere also if tlie con- 
seilling of hem that conseilleden yow to 
taken sodeyn vcngeaunce, whether it 
accorde to resoun ? / And certes, ye 
knowo wel "nay." / For as by riglit and 
resoun, ther may no man taken vengeance 
on no wight, but the juge tliat liath the 
jurisdiccioun of it, / whan it is grannted 
hini to take thilke vengeance, hastily or 

2570 attemprely, as the lawe requireth. / And 
yet more-over, of thilke word that TuUius 
clepeth " consentinge," / thou shalt con- 
sidere if thy might and thy power may 
consenten and suffyse to thy wilfulnesse 
and to thy conseilloixrs. / And certes, 
thou mayst wel seyn that " nay." / For 
sikerly, as for to speke proprely, we may 
do no-thing but only swicli thing as we 
may doon rightfully. / And certes, right- 
fully ne mowe ye take no vengeance as of 

^575 your propre auctoritee. / Thanne mowe 
ye seen, th.at your power ne consenteth 
nat ne accordeth nat with your wilful- 
nesse. / Lat us now examine the thridde 
point that Tvillius clepeth "consequent." / 
Thou shalt understonde that the ven- 
geance that thou purposest for to take 
is the consequent. / And ther-of folweth 
another vengeaimce, peril, and werre ; 
and othere damages with-oute nombre, of 
whiche we bo nat war as at this tyme. / 
And as touchinge the fourthe point, that 

2:;8o Tullivis clepeth " engendringe," / thou 
shalt considere, that this wrong which 
that is doon to thee is engendred of the 
hate of tliyne enemys ; / and of the 
vengeance-takinge upon that wolde en- 
gendre another vengeance, and muchel 
sorwe and wastinge of richesses, as I 
seyde. / 

§ 37. Now sir, as to the point that 
TuUius clepeth " causes," which that is 
the laste point, / thou shalt understonde 
that the wrong that thou hast receyved 



hath certeine causes, / whiche that 
clerkes clepen Oriens and Efficiens^ and 
Causa longinqna and Causa propinqua ; 
this is to seyn, the fer cause and the ny 
catise. / The fer cause is almighty god, 2585 
that is cause of alle thinges. / The neer 
cause is thy three enemys. / The cause 
accidental was hate. / The cause material 
been the fyve woundes of thy doghter. / 
The cause formal is the manere of hir 
werkinge, that broghten laddres and 
cloumben in at thy windowes. / The 2590 
cause final was for to slee thy doghter ; 
it letted nat in as muche as in hem was. / 
But for to spekeu of the fer cause, as to 
what ende they shul come, or what shal 
iinally bityde of hem in this caas, ne can 
I nat deme but by conjectinge and by 
supposinge. / For we shul suppose that 
tliey shul come to a wikked ende, / by- 
cause that the Book of Decrees seith : 
' ' selden or with greet peyne been causes 
y-broght to good ende whanne they been 
baddely bigonne." / 

§ 38. Now sir, if men wolde axe me, 
why that god suffred men to do yow this 
vileinye, certes, I can nat wel answere as 
for no sothfastnesse. / For th'apostle 2595 
seith, that " the sciences and the jugge- 
mentz of our lord god almighty been ful 
depe ; / ther may no man comprehende 
ne serchen hem suffisantly." / Nathe- 
lees, by certeyne presumpcions and con- 
jectinges, I holde and bileve / that god, 
which that is ful of justice and of right- 
wisnesse, hath suffred this bityde by 
juste cause resonable. / 

§ 39. Thy name is Melibee, this is to 
seyn, "a man that drinketh hony."/ 2600 
Thou hast y-dronke so muchel hony of 
swete temporel richesses and delices 
and honours of this workl, / that thou 
art dronken ; and hast forgeten Jesu 
Crist thy creatour ; / thou ne hast nat 
doon to him swich honour and reverence' 
as thee oughte. / Ne thou ne hast nat 
wel y-taken kepe to the wordes of Ovide, 
that seith:/ "under the hony of the 
godes of the body is hid the venim that 
sleeth the soule." / And Salomon seith, 2605 
" if thou hast foundeu hony, ete of it that 



T. §§ 4C-42.] 



B. ZU Zak of (lUePi6eu0. 



519 



suifyseth ; / for if thou ete of it out of 
mesure, thou shalt spewe," and be nedy 
and povre. / And peraventure Crist hath 
thee in despit, and hath turned awey fro 
thee his face and hise eres of miseri- 
corde ; / and also he hath suffred that 
thou liast been punisshed in the nianere 
that tliow hast y-trespassed. / Thou hast 

2610 doon sinne agayn our lord Crist ; / for 
certes, the three enemys of mankinde, 
tliat is to seyn, the flessh, the feend, and 
the world, / thou hast suffred hem entre 
in-to thyn herte wilfully by the windowes 
of thy body, / and hast nat defended thy- 
self suflSsantly agayns hir assautes and 
hir temptaciouns, so that they han 
wounded thy soule in fy ve places ; / this 
is to seyn, the deedly sinnes that been 
entred in-to thyn herte by thy fyve 
wittes. / And in the same manere our 
lord Crist hath wold and suffred, that thy 
three enemys been entred in-to thyn hous 

-615 by the windowes, / and han y-wounded 
thy doghter in the fore-seyde manere.' / 

§ 40. ' Certes,' quod Melibee, ' I see wel 
that ye enforce yow muchel by wordes to 
overcome me in swich manere, that I shal 
nat venge me of myne enemys ; / sliew- 
inge me the perils and the yveles that 
mighten falle of this vengeance. / But 
who-so wolde considere in alle vengeances 
the perils and yveles that mighte sewe of 
vengeance-takinge, / a man wolde never 

2620 take vengeance, and that were harm ; / 
for by the vengeance-takinge been the 
wikked men dissevered fro the gode 
men. / And they that han wil to do 
wildvednesse restreyne hir wikked pvirpos, 
whan they seen the jjunissinge and chas- 
tysinge of the trespassours.'/ [f And to 
this answerde dame Prudence : ' Certes,' 
seyde she, ' I graunte wel that of ven- 
geaunce cometh muchel yvel and muchel 
good ; / but vengeaunce-taking aperteneth 
nat unto everichoon, but only unto juges 
and unto hem that han jurisdiccioun 
upon the trespassours.] / And yet seye I 
more, that right as a singuler persone 
sinneth in takinge vengeance of another 

2625 man, / right so sinneth the juge if he do 
no vengeance of hem that it han de- 



served. / For Senek seith thus : " that 
maister," he seith, " is good that proveth 
shrewes." / And as Cassidore seith : " A 
man dredeth to do outrages, whan he 
woot and knoweth that it displeseth to 
the jtigos and sovereyns." / And another 
seith : " the juge that dredeth to do right, 
maketh naen shrewes." / And Seint Paule 
the apostle seith in his epistle, whan he 
w^ryteth un-to the Eomayns : that " the 
juges beren nat the spere with-outen 
cause ; " / but they beren it to punisse 2630 
the shrewes and misdoeres, and for to 
defende the gode men. / If ye wol thanne 
take vengeance of your enemys, ye shul 
retourne or have your recours to the juge 
that hath the jurisdiccion up-on hem ; / 
and he shal punisse hem as the lawe 
axeth and requyreth.' / 

§41. 'A!' quod Melibee, 'this ven- 
geance lyketh me no-thing. / I bithenke 
me now and take hede, how fortune hath 
norissed me fro my childhede, and hath 
holpen me to passe many a strong pas. / 2635 
Now wol I assayen hir, trowinge, with 
goddes help, that she shal helpe me my 
shame for to venge.' / 

§42. 'Certes,' quod Prudence, 'if ye 
wol werke by my conseil, ye shul nat 
assaye fortune by no wey ; / ne ye shul 
nat lene or bowe unto hir, after the word 
of Senek : / for " thinges that been folily 
doon, and that been in hope of fortune, 
shullen never come to good ende." / And 
as the same Senek seith : " the more cleer 
and the more shyning that fortune is, the 
more brotil and the sonner broken she 
is." / Trusteth nat in hir, for she nis 2640 
nat stidefast ne stable ; / for whan thow 
trowest to be most seur or siker of hir 
help, she wol faille thee and deceyve 
thee. / And wheras ye seyn that fortiine 
hath norissed yow fro your childhede, / 
I seye, that in so muchel shul yo the 
lasse truste in hir and in hir wit. / For 
Senek seith : " what man that is norissed 
by fortune, she maketh him a greet 
fool." / Now thanne, sin ye desyre and 2645 
axe vengeance, and the vengeance that is 
doon after the lawe and bifore the juge 
ne lyketh yow nat, / and the vengeance 



B. ZU ^<»fe of Q)lefi6eu0. 



[t. §§ 43-46. 



that is doon in hope of fortune is peril- 
ous and uncertain, / thanne have ye 
noon other remedie but for to have your 
recours unto the sovereyn juge that 
vengeth alle vileinyes and wronges ; / 
and he ehal venge yow after that him-self 
witnesseth, wher-as he seith : / " leveth 
2650 the vengeance to me, and I shal do it." ' / 
§ 43. Melibee answerde, ' if I ne venge 
me nat of the vileinye that men han 
doon to me, / I sompne or warne hem 
that han doon to me that vileinye and 
alle othere, to do nie another vileinye. / 
For it is writen : "if thou take no ven- 
geance of an old vileinye, thou sompnest 
thyne adversaries to do thee a newe 
vileinye." / And also, for my suffrance, 
men wolden do to me so muchel vileinye, 
that I mighte neither here it ne sustene ; / 
and so sholde I been put and holden over 
2655 lowe. / For men seyn : "in muchel 
suffringe shtil manye thinges falle un-to 
tlioe whiche thou shalt nat mowe 
suffre." ' / 

§ 44. ' Certes,' quod Prudence, ' I 
graunte yow that over muchel suffraunoe 
nis nat good ; / but yet ne folweth it nat 
ther-of, tliat every persone to vifhom men 
doon vileinye take of it vengeance ; / for 
that aperteneth and longeth al only to 
the juges, for they shul venge the vileinyes 
and iniuries. / And ther-fore tho two 
auctoritees that ye han seyd above, been 
2660 only understonden in the juges ; / for 
whan they suffren over muchel the 
wronges and tho vileinyes to be doon 
withouten punisshinge, / they sompne 
nat a man al only for to do newe wronges, 
but they comanden it. / Also a wys man 
seith : that " the juge that correcteth nat 
the sinnere coniandeth and biddeth him 
do sinne." / And the juges and sovereyns 
mighten in hir land so muchel suffre of 
the shrewes and misdoeres, / that they 
sholden by swich suffrance, by proces of 
tyme, wexen of swich power and might, 
that they sholden putte out the juges 
2665 and the sovereyns from hir places, / and 
atte laste raaken hem lesen hir lord- 
shipes. / 

§ 45. But lat us now putte, that ye 



have leve to venge yow. / I seye ye been 
nat of might and power as now to venge 
yow. / For if ye wole maken comparisoun 
un-to the might of your adversaries, ye ^ 
shul finde in manye thinges, that I have 
shewed yow er this, that hir condicioun 
is bettre than youres. / And therfore 
seye I, tbat it is good as now that ye 
suffre and be pacient. / 2670 

§ 46. Forther-more, ye knowen wel that, 
after the comune sawe, " it is a woodnesse 
a man to stryve with a strenger or a more 
mighty man than he is him-self; / and 
for to stryve with a man of evene strengthe, 
that is to seyn, with as strong a man as 
he, it is peril ; / and for to stryve with a 
weyker man, it is folic." / And therfore 
sholde a man flee stryvinge as muchel as 
he mighte. / For Salomon seith : "it is 
a greet worship to a man to kepen him 
fro noyse and stryf." / And if it so 2675 
bifalle or happe that a man of gretter 
might and strengthe than thou art do 
thee grevaunce, / studie and bisie thee 
rather to stille the same grevaunce, than 
for to venge thee. / For Senek seith : 
that " he putteth him in greet peril that 
stryveth with a gretter man than he is 
him-self." / And Catoun seith : " if a 
man of hyer estaat or degree, or more 
mighty than thou, do thee anoy or gre- 
vaunce, suffre him ; / for he that ones 
hath greved thee may another tyme 
releve thee and helpe." / Yet sette I 2680 
caas, ye have bothe might and licence for 
to venge yow. / I seye, that ther be ful 
manye thinges that shul restreyne yow 
of vengeance-takinge, / and make yow 
for to enclyne to suffre, and for to han 
pacience in the thinges that han been 
doon to .vow. / First and foreward, if ye 
wole considere the defautes that been in 
your owene persone, / for whiche defautes 
god hath suffred yow have this tribula- 
cioun, as I have seyd yow heer-biforn. / 2685 
For the poete seith, that " we oghte 
paciently taken the tribulacions that 
comen to us, whan we thinken and con- 
sideren that we han deserved to have 
hem." / And Seint Gregorie seith : that 
"whan a man consideretli wel the nombre 



T. §§47, 4.'^-] 



B. ZU Zak of (mefi6eu0. 



521 



of hise defautes and of his sinnes, / the 
peynes and the tribuLiciouns that he 
snffreth semen the lesse un-to hym ; / 
J. and in-as-muche as him thinketh hise 
sinnes more hevy and grevous, / in-so- 
niuclie semeth his peyne the lighter and 

2690 the esier un-to him."/ Also ye owen to 
enclyne and howe your herte to take the 
pacience of our lord Jesu Crist, as seith 
seint Peter in hise epistles : / " Jesu 
Crist," he seith, " hath suffred for us, 
and yeven ensample to every man to 
folwe and sewe him ; / for he dide never 
sinne, ne never cam ther a vileinous 
word oiit of his muvith : / whan men 
ciirsed hini, he cursed heni noght ; and 
whan men betten him, he manaced hem 
noght." / Also the grete pacience, which 
the seintes that been in paradys han had 
in tribulaciouns that they han y-suffred, 

2695 with-outen hir desert or gilt, / oghte 
muchel stiren yow to pacience. / Forther- 
more, ye sholde enlbrce yow to have 
pacience, / consideringo that the tribu- 
laciouns of this world but litel whyle 
endure, and sone passed been and 
goon. / And the joye that a man 
seketh to have by pacience in tribu- 
laciouns is perdurable, after that the 
apostle seith in his epistle:/ "the joye 
of god," he seith, " is perdurable," that is 

270C) to seyn, everlastinge. / Also troweth 
and bileveth stedefastly, that he nis nat 
wel y-norissed ne wel y-taughfc, that can 
nat have pacience or wol nat receyve 
pacience./ For Salomon seith : that "the 
doctrine and the wit of a man is knowen 
by pacience." / And in another place he 
seith : that " he that is pacient governeth 
him by greet prudence." / And the same 
Salomon seith : " the angry and wrathful 
man maketh noyses, and the pacient man 
atempreth hem and stilleth." / He seith 
also: "it is more worth to bo pacient 

2705 than for to be right strong ; / and he that 
may have the lordshipe of his owene 
herte is more to prey so, than he that 
by his force or strengthe taketh grete 
citees." / And therforo seith seint Janie 
in his epistle : that " pacience is a greet 
vertu of perfeccioun." ' / 



§ 47. ' Certes,' qtiod Melibee, ' I graunte 
yow, dame Prudence, that pacience is 
a greet vertu of perfeccioun ;/ but every 
man may nat have the perfeccioun that 
ye selcen ; / ne I nam nat of the nombre 
of right parfite men, / for myn herte may ^'^lo 
never been in pees un-to the tyme it be 
venged./ And al-be-it so that it tvas 
greet peril to mync enemys, to do me 
a vileinye in takinge vengeance up-on 
me, / yet token they noon hede of the 
peril, but fullilleden hir wikked wil and 
hir corage. / And therfore, me thinketh 
men oghten nat reprove me, though I 
putte me in a litel peril for to venge me, / 
and though I do a greet excesse, that is 
to seyn, that I venge oon outrage by 
another.' / 27'5 

§ 48. ' A ! ' quod dame Prudence, ' ye 
seyn your wil and as yow lyketh ; / but 
in no caas of the world a man sholde nat 
doon outrage ne excesse for to vengen 
him. / For Cassidore seith : that '■ as 
yvel doth he that vengeth him by outrage, 
as he that doth the outrage."/ And 
therfore ye shul venge yow after the 
ordre of right, that is to seyn by the lawe, 
and noght by excesse ne by outrage. / 
And also, if ye wol venge yow of the out- 
rage of your adversaries in other manor 
than right comandeth, ye sinnen ; / and 2720 
therfore seith Senek : that " a man shal 
never vengen shrewednesse by shrewed- 
nesse." / And if ye seye, that right axeth 
a man to defenden violence by violence, 
and fighting by fighting, / certes ye seye 
sooth, whan the defense is doon anon 
witli-outen intervalle or with-outen tary- 
ing or delay, / for to defenden him and 
nat for to vengen him. / And it bihovetli 
that a man putte swich attemperance 
in his defence, / that men have no 2725 
cause ne matere to repreven him that 
defendeth him of excesse and outrage ; 
for elles were it agayn resoun. / Pardee, 
ye knowen wel, that ye maken no de- 
fence as now for to defende yow, but for 
to venge yow ; / and so seweth it that yo 
han no wil to do your dede attemprely. / 
And therfore, me thinketh that pacience 
is good. For Salomon seith : that " he 



s 3 



522 



B. ZH Zak of (n\«ft8^u0. 



[t. §§ 49-51- 



that is nat pacient shal have greet 
harm." ' / 

§ 49. ' Certes,' qaod Melihee, ' I graunte 
yow, that whan a man is inpacient and 
wroth, of that that toucheth him noght 
and that aperteneth nat un-to him, though 
2730 it harme him, it is no wonder. / For the 
lawe seith : that " he is conpahle that 
entremetteth or medleth with swich thyng 
as aperteneth nat nn-to him."/ And 
Salomon seith : that " he that entre- 
metteth him of the noyse or stryf of 
another man, is lyk to him that taketh 
an honnd by tlie eres." / For right as he 
that taketh a straunge hound by the eres 
is outherwhyle biten with the hound, / 
right in the same wyse is it resoun tliat he 
have liarm, that by his inpacience med- 
leth him of the noyse of another man, 
wher-as it aperteneth nat un-to him. / 
But ye knowen wel that this dede, that is 
to seyn, my grief and my disese, toucheth 
2735 me right ny. / And therfore, though I 
be wroth and inpacient, it is no mer- 
veille. / And savinge jonr grace, I can 
nat seen that it mighte greetly harme 
me though I toke vengeaunce ; / for I am 
richer and more mighty than myne ene- 
mys been. / And wel knowen ye, that 
by moneye and by havinge grete posses- 
sions been all the thinges of this world 
governed. / And Salomon seith : that 
2740 " alle thinges obeyen to moneye." ' / 

§ 50. Whan Prudence hadde herd hir 
housbonde avanten him of his richesse 
and of his moneye, dispreisinge the 
jiower of liise adversaries, she spak, and 
seyde in this wyse : / ' certes, dere sir, I 
graunte yow that ye been rich and 
mighty, / and that the riehesses been 
goode to hem that han wel y-geten hem 
and wel conne usen hem. / For right as 
the body of a man may nat liven with- 
oute the soule, namore may it live with- 
outen temporelgoodes. / And by riehesses 
2745 may a man gete him grete freendes. / 
And therfore seith Pamphilles : " if a net- 
herdes doghter," seith he, " be riche, she 
may chesen of a thousand men which she 
wol take to hir housbonde ; / for, of 
a thousand men, con wol nat forsaken 



hir ne refusen hir." / And this Pam- 
philles seith also : " if thou be right 
happy, that is to seyn, if thou be right 
riche, thou shalt find a greet nombre of 
felawes and freendes. / And if thy for- 
tune change that thou wexe povre, fare- 
wel freendshipe and felaweshipe ; / for 
thou shalt be allone with-outen any com- 
lianye, but-if it be the companye of povre 
folk." / And yet seith this Pamphilles 2750 
moreover : that " they that been thralle 
and bonde of linage shullen been maad 
worthy and noble by the riehesses." / 
And right so as by riehesses ther comen 
manye goodes, right so by poverte come 
ther manye harmes and yveles. / For 
greet poverte constreyneth a man to do 
manye yveles. / And therfore clepeth 
Cassidore poverte "the moder of mine,"/ 
that is to seyn, the moder of over- 
throwinge or fallinge doun. / And ther- 2755 
fore seith Piers Alfonce : "oon of the 
gretteste adversitees of this world is / 
whan a free man, by kinde or by burthe, 
is constreyned by poverte to eten the 
almesse of his enemy." / And the same 
seith Innocent in oon of hise bokes ; 
he seith : that " sorweful a.nd mishappy 
is the condicioun of a povre begger ; / 
for if he axe nat his mete, he dyeth for 
hunger ; / and if he axe, he dyeth for 
shame ; and algates necessitee constreyn- 
eth him to axe."/ And therfore seith 2760 
Salomon : that " bet it is to dye than for 
to have swich poverte." / And as the 
same Salomon seith : "bettre it is to dye 
of bitter deeth than for to liven in swich 
wyse."/ By thise resons that I have 
seid un-to yow, and by raanye othere 
resons that I coude seye, / I graunte yow 
that riehesses been goode to hem that 
geten hem wel, and to hem that wel usen 
tho riehesses. / And therfore wol I shewe 
yow how ye shul have yow, and how ye 
shul here yow in gaderinge of riehesses, 
and in what manere ye shul usen hem. / 2765 

§ 51. First, ye shul geten hem with- 
outen greet desyr, by good leyser sokingly, 
and nat over hastily. / For a man that 
is to desyringe to gete riehesses abaun- 
doneth him first to thefte and to alle 



§ 52-] 



B. ZH ^afe of (mefi6eu0. 



523 



other yveles. / And therfore seith Salo- 
mon : " lie that hasteth him to bisily to 
■wexe riche shal be noon innocent." / He 
seith also : that "the richesse that hastily 
Cometh to a man, sone and lightly gooth 
and passeth fro a man ; / but that richesse 
that Cometh litel and litel wexeth alwey 

2770 and multiplyeth." / And sir, ye shul 
geten richesses by your wit and by your 
travaille un-to your profit ; / and that 
with-outen wrong or harm-doinge to any 
other persone. / For the la we seith : tliat 
" ther maketh no man himselven riche, 
if he do harm to another wight " ; / this 
is to seyn, that nature defendeth and for- 
bedeth by right, that no man make him- 
self riche iin-to the harm of another 
persone. / And Tullius seith : that " no 
sorwe ne no drede of deeth, ne no-thing 

2775 that may falle vin-to a man / issomuchel 
agayns nature, as a man to encressen his 
owene profit to the harm of another man. / 
Andthovigh the grete men and the mighty 
men geten richesses more lightly than 
thou, / yet shaltou nat been ydel ne slow 
to do thy profit ; for thou shalt in alle 
wyse flee ydelnesse. " / For Salomon 
seith : that "ydelnesse techeth a man to 
do manye yveles." / And the same Salo- 
mon seith : that " he that travailleth and 
bisieth him to tilien his land, shal eten 

2780 breed ; / bvit he that is ydel and caste th 
him to no bisinesse ne occupacioun, shal 
falle in-to poverte, and dye for hunger." / 
And he that is ydel and slow can never 
finde covenable tyme for to doon his 
profit. / For ther is a versifiour seith : 
that " the ydel man excuseth hym in 
winter, by cause of the grete cold ; and in 
somer, by enchesoun of the hete." / For 
thise causes seith Caton : " waketh and 
enclyneth nat yow over muchel for to 
slepe ; for over muchel reste norisseth 
and causeth manye vices." / And ther- 
fore seith seint Jerome : " doth somme 
gode dedes, that the devel which is our 

2785 enemy ne finde yow nat unoccupied." / 
For the devel ne taketli nat lightly un-to 
his werkinge swiche as he findeth occu- 
pied in gode werkes." / 

§ 52. Thanne thus, in getinge richesses, 



ye mosten flee ydelnesse. / And after- 
ward, ye shul iise the richesses, whiche ye 
have geten by your wit and by yoiir 
travaille, / in swich a manere, that men 
holde nat yow to scars, ne to sparinge, ne 
to fool-large, that is to seyn, over-large 
a spender. / For right as men blamen 
an avaricious man by-cause of his scarsetee 
and cbincherye, / in the same wyse is he 2790 
to blame that spendeth over largely. / 
And therfore seith Caton : "use," he seith, 
" thy richesses that thou hast geten / in 
swich a manere, that men have no matere 
ne cause to calle thee neither wrecche ne 
chinche ; for it is a greet shame to a man 
to have a povere herte and a riche purs." / 
He seith also : " the goodes that thou hast 
y-geten, use hem by mesure," that is to 
seyn, spende hem mesurably ; / for they 2795 
that folily wasten and despenden the 
goodes that they han, / whan they ban 
namore propre of hir owene, they shapen 
hem to take the goodes of another man. / 
I seye thanne, that ye shul fleen avarice ; / 
usinge your richesses in swich manere, 
that men seye nat that your richesses 
been y-buried, / but that ye have hem in 
your might and in your weeldinge. / For 2800 
a wys man repreveth the avaricious man, 
and seith thus, in two vers : / " wherto 
and why burietli a man hise goodes by his 
grete avarice, and knoweth wel that nedes 
moste he dye ; / for deeth is the ende of 
every man as in this present lyf." / And 
for what cause or enchesoun joyneth he 
him or knitteth he him so faste un-to 
hise goodes, / that alle his wittes mowen 
nat disseveren him or departen him from 
hise goodes ; / and knoweth wel, or oghte 2S05 
knowe, that whan he is deed, he shal no- 
thing here with him out of this world ? / 
And ther-fore seith seint Augustin : that 
"the avaricious man is likned un-to 
helle ; / that the more it swelweth, the 
more desyr it hath to swelwe and de- 
vourc." / And as wel as ye wolde eschewe 
to be called an avaricious man or chinche, / 
as wel sholde ye kepe yow and governe 
yow in swich a wyse that men calle yow 
nat fool-large. / Therfore seith Tullius : 2810 
" the goodes," he seith, " of thyn hous ne 



s 5 



524 



B. ZU Zak of (niefi6eu0. 



[t. § 53- 



sholde nat been hid, ne kept so cloos but 
that they mighte been opened by pitee 
and debonairetee " ; / that is to seyn, to 
yeven part to hem that han greet nede ; / 
" ne thy goodes shuUen nat been so 
opene, to been every niannes goodes." / 
Afterward, in getinge of your ricliesses 
and in nsinge hem, ye sliul alwey have 
tliree thinges in your herte ; / that is to 
seyn, our lord god, conscience, and good 

2815 name. / First, ye shul have god in your 
herte ; / and for no richesse ye shuUen do 
no-thing, which may in any manere dis- 
plese god, that isyour creatourand maker. / 
For after the word of Salomon : " it is 
bettre to have a litel good with the love of 
god, / than to have muchel good and 
tresour, and lese the love of his lord god."/ 
And the prophete seith : that " bettre it 
is to been a good man and have litel good 

2820 and tresour, / than to been liolden a shrewe 
and have grete ricliesses." / And yet 
seye I ferthermore, that ye sholde alwey 
doon your bisinesse to gete yow richesses,/ 
so that ye gete hem with good consci- 
ence. / And th'apostle seith : that "ther 
nis thing in this world, of which we 
sholden have so greet joye as whan our 
conscience bereth us good witnesse." / 
And the wyse man seith : " the substance 
of a man is ful good, whan sinne is nat 

2825 ill mannes conscience."/ Afterward, in 
getinge of your richesses, and in usinge 
of lieni, / yow moste have greet bisinesse 
and greet diligence, that your goode name 
be alwey kept and conserved. / For 
Salomon seith : that " bettre it is and 
more it availleth a man to have a good 
name, than for to have grete richesses."/ 
And therfore he seith in another place : 
" do greet diligence," seith Salomon, " in 
keping of thy freend and of tliy gode 
name ; / for it shal lenger abide with thee 

2S30 than any tresour, be it never so j)recious." / 
And certes he sholde nat be called a gentil 
man, that after god and good conscience, 
alle thinges left, ne dooth his diligence 
and bisinesse to kepen his good name. / 
And Cassidore seith : that " it is signe of 
a gentil herte, whan a man loveth and 
desyreth to han a good name." / And 



therfore seith seint Augustin : that " ther 
been two thinges that am necessarie and 
nedefulle, / and that is good conscience 
and good loos ; / that is to seyn, good 
conscience to thyn owene persone inward, 
and good loos for thy neighebore out- 
ward." / And he that trusteth him so 2835 
muchel in his gode conscience, / that he 
displeseth and setteth at noght his gode 
name or loos, and rekketh noght though 
he kepe nat his gode name, nis but a cruel 
cherl. / 

§ 53. Sire, now have I shewed yo^vhow 
ye shul do in getinge richesses, and how 
ye shullen usen hem ; / and I see wel, 
that for the trust that ye han in yoiire 
richesses, ye wole moeve werre and 
bataille. / I conseille yow, that ye bi- 
ginne no werre in trust of your richesses ; 
for they ne suffysen noght werres to mayn- 
tene. / And therfore seith a philosophre : 2840 
" that man that desyreth and wole algates 
han werre, shal never have suflRsaunce ; / 
for the richer that he is, the gretter 
despenses moste he make, if he wole have 
worship and victorie." / And Salomon 
seith : that " the gretter richesses that 
a man hath, the mo despendours he 
hath." / And dere sire, al-be-it so that 
for your richesses ye mowe have miichel 
folk, / yet bihoveth it nat, ne it is nat 
good, to biginne werre, where-as ye mowe 
in other manere have pees, un-to your 
worship and profit. / For the victories 2845 
of batailles that been in this world, lyen 
nat in greet nombre or multitude of the 
peple ne in the vertu of man ; / but it 
lyth in the wil and in the hand of our 
lord god almighty. / And therfore Judas 
Machabeus, which was goddes knight, / 
whan he sholde fighte agayn his adver- 
sarie that hadde a greet nombre, and 
a gretter multitude of folk and strenger 
than was this peple of Machabee, / yet 
he reconforted his litel companye, and 
seyde right in this wyse : / " als lightly," 2850 
quod he, "may our lord god almighty 
yeve victorie to a fewe folk as to many 
folic ; / for the victorie of bataile cometh 
nat by the grete nombre of peple, / but it 
cometh from our lord god of hevene. " / 



T. §§ 54-58-] 



B. ZU Zak cf (meftfieue. 



525 



And dere sir, for as muchel as there is 
no man certein, if he be woi'thy that god 
yeve him victorie, [f namore than he is 
certein whether he be worthy of the love 
of god] or naught, after that Salomon 
seith, / therfore every man sholde greetly 

2855 drede werres to biginne. / And by-cause 
that in batailles fallen manye perils, / and 
happeth outher-while, that as sone is the 
grete man sleyn as the litel man ; / and, 
as it is written in the senonde book of 
Kinges, "the dedes of batailles been 
aventurouse and nothing certeyne ; / for 
as lightly is oon hurt with a spere as 
another." / And for ther is gret peril in 
werre, therfore sholde a man flee and 
eschewe werre, in as muchel as a 

2860 man may goodly. / For Salomon seith : 
" he that loveth peril shal falle in 
peril.'" / 

§ 54. After that Dame Prudence hadde 
spoken in this manere, Melibee answerde 
and seyde, / ' I see wel, dame Prudence, 
that by your faire wordes and by your 
resons that j'e han shewed me, that the 
werre lyketh yow no-thing ; / but I have 
nat yet herd your conseil, how I shal do 
in this nede.' / 

§ 55. ' Certes,' quod she, ' I conseille 
yow that ye accorde with youre adver- 

2865 saries, and that ye have pees with hem. / 
For seint Jame seith in hise epistles : that 
" by concord and pees the smale richesses 
wexen grete, / and by debaat and discord 
the grete richesses fallen doun." / And 
ye knowen wel that oon of the gretteste 
and most sovereyn thing, that is in this 
world, is unitee and pees. / And ther- 
fore seyde oure lord Jesu Crist to hise 
apostles in this wyse : / " wel happy and 
blessed been they that loven and pur- 
chacen pees ; for they been called children 

2870 of god." ' / ' A ! ' quod Melibee, ' now see 
I wel that ye loven nat myn honour 
ne my worshipe. / Ye knowen wel that 
mjTie adversaries han bigonnen this 
debaat and brige by hir outrage ; / and 
ye see wel that they ne requeren ne 
preyen me nat of pees, ne they asken nat 
to be reconsiled. / Wol ye thanne that 
I go and meke me and obeye me to hem, 



and crye hem mercy?/ For sothe, that 
were nat my worship. / For right as men 2 '■"75 
seyn, that " over-greet homlinesse en- 
gendreth dispreysinge," so fareth it by to 
greet humylitee or mekenesse.' / 

§ 66. Thanne bigan dame Prudence to 
maken semblant of wratthe, and seyde, / 
' certes, sir, sauf your grace, I love your 
honour and your profit as I do myn 
owene, and ever have doon ; / ne ye ne 
noon other sj^en never the contrarie. / 
And yit, if I hadde seyd that ye sholde 
han piirchaced the pees and the recon- 
siliacioun, I ne hadde nat muchel mis- 
taken me, ne seyd amis. / For the wyse 2880 
man seith : " the dissensioun biginneth by 
another man, and the reconsiling bi- 
ginneth by thy-self " / And the prophete 
seith : " flee shrewednesse and do good- 
nesse ; / seke pees and folwe it, as muchel 
as in thee is." / Yet seye I nat that ye 
shul rather pursue to your adversaries for 
pees than they shuln to yow ; / for I 
knowe wel that ye been so hard-herted, 
that ye wol do no-thing for me. / And 2885 
Salomon seith : "he that hath over-hard 
an herte, atte laste he shal mishappe and 
mistyde." '/ 

§ 57. Whanne Melibee hadde herd dame 
Prudence maken semblant of wratthe, he 
seyde in this wyse, / ' dame, I prey yow 
that ye be nat displesed of thinges that I 
seye ; / for ye knowe wel that I am angry 
and wrooth, and that is no wonder ; / 
and they that been wrothe witen nat wel 
what they doon, ne what they seyn. / 2890 
Therfore the prophete seith: that "trou- 
bled eyen han no cleer sighte." / But 
seyeth and conseileth me as yow lyketh ; 
for I am redy to do right as ye wol 
desyre ; / and if ye repreve me of my 
folye, I am the more holden to love yow 
andtopreyse yow. / For Salomon seith : 
that " he that repreveth him that dotli 
folye, / he shal finde gretter grace than 
he th at deceyveth him by swete wordes. " ' / 2895 

§ 58. Thanne seide dame Prudence, ' I 
make no semblant of wratthe ne anger 
but for your grete profit. / For Salomon 
seith : " he is more worth, that repreveth 
or chydeth a fool for his folye, shewinge 



526 



B. ^0e Zdt of QUeftBeug. 



[t. §§ 59-65- 



him semblant of wratthe, / than he that 
supj)orteth him and preyseth him. in his 
misdoinge, and laugheth at his folye." / 
And this same Salomon seith afterward : 
that "by the sorweful visage of a man," 
that is to seyn, by the sory and hevy 
countenannce of a man, / " the fool cor- 

2guo recteth and amendeth him-self." ' / 

§ 59. Thanne seyde Melibee, ' I shal 
nat conne answere to so manye faire 
resouns as ye pntten to me and shewen. / 
Seyeth shortly your wil and your conseil, 
and I am al ready to fullille and par- 
fourne it.' / 

§ 60. Thanne dame Prvidence discovered 
al hii- wil to him, and seyde, / ' Iconseille 
yow,' quod she, ' aboven alle thinges, that 
ye malie pees bitwene god and yow ; / 
and beth reconsiled un-to him and to his 

2905 grace. / For as I have seyd yow heer- 
biforn, god hath snftred yow to have tliis 
tribulacioun and disese for your sinnes. / 
And if ye do as I sey yow, god wol sende 
your adversaries un-to yow, / and maken 
hem fallen at your feet, redy to do your 
wil and yovir comandemeuts. / For 
Salomon seith : " whan the condicioun 
of man is plesaunt and likinge to god, / he 
chaungeth the hertes of the mannes adver- 
saries, and constreyneth hem to biseken 

2910 him of pees and of grace." / And I prey 
yow, lat me speke with your adversaries 
in privee place ; / for they shul nat knowe 
that it be of your wil or your assent. / 
And thanne, whan I knowe hir wil and 
hir entente, I may conseille yow the more 
seurly.' / 

§ 61. 'Dame,' quod Melibee, 'dooth 
your wil and your lykinge, / for I putte 
me hoolly in your disposicioun and or- 

2915 dinaunco.' / 

§ 62. Thanne Dame Prudence, whan 
she saugh the gode wil of her hovisbonde, 
delibered and took avys in hir-self, / 
thinkinge how she mighte bringe this 
nede un-to a good conelusioun and to 
a good cnde. / And whan she saugh hir 
tyme, she sente for thise adversaries to 
come un-to hir in-to a privee place, / and 
shewed wysly un-to hem the grete goodes 
that comen of pees, / and the grete 



harmes and perils that been in werre ; / 2920 
and seyde to hem in a goodly manere, 
how that hem oughte liave greet rei^ent- 
aunce / of the injurie and wrong that 
they hadden doon to Melibee hir lord, and 
to hir, and to hir doghter. / 

§ 63. And whan they herden the good- 
liche wordes of dame Prudence, / they 
weren so stirprised and ravisshed, and 
hadden so greet joye of hir, that wonder 
was to telle. / ' A ! lady ! ' quod they, 
' ye han shewed un-to us " the blessinge 
of swetnesse," after the sawe of David the 
prophete ; / for the reconsilinge which 29-'5 
we been nat worthy to have in no manere, / 
but we oghte reqvieren it with greet con- 
tricioun and humilitee, / ye of your grete 
goodnesse have presented unto us. / Now 
see we wel that the science and the con- 
ninge of Salomon is ful trewe ; / for he 
seith: that " swete wordes multiplyen 
and encresen freendes, and maken shre wes 
to be debonaire and meke." / 2930 

§64. Certes,' qviod they, 'we putten 
our dede and al our matere and cause al 
hoolly in your goode wil ; / and been redy 
to obeye to the speche and comandement 
of my lord Melibee. / And therfore, dere 
and benigne lady, we preyen yow and 
biseke yow as mekely as we conne and 
mowen, / that it lyke un-to your grete 
goodnesse to fulfillen in dede your good- 
liche wordes ; / for we considereu and 
knowlichen that we han offended and 
gi-eved my lord Melibee out of mesure ; / 2935 
so ferfoi-th, that we be nat of power to 
maken hise amendes. / And therfore 
we oblige and binden us and our freendes 
to doon al his wil and liise comande- 
meuts. / But peraventure he hath swicli 
hevinesse and swich wratthe to us-ward, 
by-cause of our offence, / that he wole 
enjoyne us swich a peyne as we mowe nat 
bere ne sustene. / And therfore, noble 
lady, we biseke to your wommanly pitee, / 2940 
to taken swich avysement in this nede, 
that we, ne our freendes, be nat desherited 
ne destroyed thurgh our folye.' / 

§ 65. ' Certes,' quod Prudence, ' it is an 
hard thing and right perilous, / that 
a man putte him al outrely in the arbi- 



T. §§ 66-71.] 



B. tU ^<ife of (meft6eu0. 



527 



tracioun and juggement, and in the might 
and power of hise enemys. / For Salomon 
seith : "leveth me, and yeveth credence 
to that I shal seyn ; I seye," qiiod he, 
" ye peple, folk, and governotirs of holy 
chirche, / to thy sone, to thy wyf, to thy 

2945 freend, ne to thy brother / ne yeve thoii 
never might ne maistrie of thy body, whyl 
thoii livest." / Now sitlien he defendeth, 
that man shal nat yeven to his brother ne 
to his freend the might of his body, / by 
a strenger resoun he defendeth and for- 
bedeth a man to yeven him-self to his 
enemy. / And nathelees I conseille you, 
that ye mistrtiste nat my lord. / For 
I woot wel and knowe verraily, that he is 

2950 debonaire and meke, large, curteys, / and 
nothing desyrous ne coveitoiis of good ne 
richesse. / For ther nis no-thing in this 
world that he desyi-eth, save only worship 
and honour. / Forther-more I knowe 
wel, and am right seur, that he shal 
no-thing doon in this nede with-outen 
my conseil. / And I shal so werken in 
tliis cavise, that, by grace of our lord 
god, ye shul been reconsiled un-to us.' / 

§ 66. Thanne seyden they with o vols, 
' worshipful lady, we putten us and our 
goodes al fully in your wil and disposi- 

2955 cioun ; / and been redy to comen, what 
day that it lyke un-to your noblesse to 
limite us or assigne us, / for to maken our 
obligacioun and Ijond as strong as it 
lyketh un-to your goodnesse ; / that we 
mowe fulfille the wille of yow and of my 
lord Melibee.' / 

§ G7. Whan dame Prudence hadde herd 
the answeres of thise men, she bad 
hem goon agayn prively ; / and she re- 
tourned to hir lord Melibee, and tolde 
him how she fond hise adversaries ful 

2960 repentant, / knowlechinge ful lowely hir 
sinnes and trespas, and how they were 
redy to suflPren al peyne, / requiringe 
and preyinge him of mercy and pitee. / 

§ 68. Thanne seyde Melibee, ' he is wel 
worthy to have pardotin and foryifnesse 
of his sinne, that excuseth nat his sinne, / 
but knowlecheth it and repenteth him, 
axinge indulgence. / For Senek seith : 
" ther is the remissioun and foryifnesse, 



whereas confessioun is " ; / for confession 296,^ 
is neighebore to innocence. / And he 
seith in anotlier place : " he that hath 
shame for his sinne and knowlecheth it, 
is worthy remissioun." And therfore I 
assente and conferme me to have pees ; / 
but it is good that we do it nat with-outen 
the assent and wil of our freendcs.' / 

§ 69. Thanne was Prvidence right glad 
and joyeful, and seyde, / ' Certes, sir,' 
quod she, ' ye han wel and goodly an- 
swered. / For right as by the conseil, 2970 
assent, and help of your freendes, ye han 
been stired to venge yow and maken 
werre, / right so with-outen hir conseil 
shul ye nat accorden yow, ne have pees 
with yoiTr adversaries. / For the lawe 
seith : " ther nis no-thing so good by wey 
of kinde, as a thing to lieen unbounde by 
him that it was y-bounde." ' / 

§ 70. And thanne dame Prudence, 
with-outen delay or taryinge, sente anon 
hir messages for hir kin, and for hir olde 
freendes whiche that were trewe and 
wyse, / and tolde hem by ordre, in the 
presence of Melibee, al this matere as it 
is aboven expressed and declared ; / and 2975 
preyden hem that they wolde yeven hir 
avys and conseil, what best were to doon 
in this nede. / And whan Melibees 
fi'eendes hadde taken hir avys and de- 
liberacioun of the forseide matere, / and 
hadden examined it by greet bisinesse 
and greet diligence, / they yave ful conseil 
for to have pees and reste ; / and that 
Melibee sholde receyve with good herte 
hise adversaries to foryifnesse and mercy./ 2980 

§ 71. And whan dame Prudence hadde 
herd the assent of hir lord Melibee, and 
the conseil of hise freendes, / accord o 
with hir wille and hir entencioun, / she 
was wonderly glad in hir herte, and 
seyde : / ' ther is an old pi-overbe,' quod 
she, 'seith: that "the goodnesse that 
thou mayst do this day, do it ; / and 
abyde nat ne delaye it nat til to-morwe." / 2985 
And therfore I conseille that ye sendo 
your messages, swiche as been discrete 
and wyse, / un-to your adversaries ; tel- 
linge hem, on your bihalve, / that if they 
wole trete of pees and of accord, / that 



B. tU ^Afe of QneftBeue. 



[t- §§ 72-77. 



they shape hem, "with-outen delay or 
tarying, to comen vin-to us.' / Which 

2990 thing iiarfournod was in dede. / And 
whanne thise trespassours and repentinge 
folk of hir folies, that is to seyn, the ad- 
versaries of Melibee, / hadden herd what 
thise messagers seyden un-to hem, / they 
weren right glad and joyeful, and an- 
swereden ful mekely and benignely, / 
yeldinge graces and thankinges to hir 
lord Melibee and to al his companye ; / 
and shopen hem, with-outen delay, to go 
with the messagers, and obeye to the 
299s comandement of hir lord Melibee. / 

§ 72. And right anon they token hir 
wey to the court of Melibee, / and token 
with hem somme of hir trewe freendes, 
to maken feith for hem and for to been 
hir borwes. / And whan they were 
comen to the presence of Melibee, he seyde 
hem thise wordes : / ' it standeth thus,' 
quod Melibee, 'and sooth it is, that 
ye, / causeless, and with-outen skile and 

3000 resoun, / han doon grete injuries and 
wronges to me and to my wyf Prudence, 
and to my doghter also. / For ye han 
cntred in-to myn hous by violence, / and 
have doon swich outrage, that alle men 
knowen wel that ye have deserved the 
deeth ; / and therfore wol I knowe and 
wite of yow, / whether ye wol putte the 
piinissement and the chastysinge and the 
vengeance of this outrage in the wil of 
me and of my wyf Prudence ; or ye wol 

3005 nat ? ' / 

§ 73. Thanne the wyseste of hem three 
answerdo for hem alio, and seyde : / 
' sire,' quod he, ' we knowen wel, that we 
been unworthy to comen un-to the court 
of so greet a lord and so worthy as ye 
been. / For we han so grcetly mistaken 
us, and han offended and agilt in swich 
a wyse agayn your heigh lordshipe, / 
that trewely we han deserved the deeth./ 
But yet, for the grete goodnesso and 
debonairetee that all the world witnesseth 

3010 of your persone, / we submitten us to the 
excellence and benignitee of your gracious 
lordshipe, / and been redy to obeie to alle 
your comandemcnts ; / bisekinge yow, 
that of your merciable pitcc ye avoI con- 



sidere our grete repentaunce and lowe 
submissioun, / and graunten us foryeve- 
nesse of our outrageous trespas and of- 
fence. / For wel we knowe, that your 
liberal grace and mercy strecchen hem 
ferther in-to goodnesse, than doon our 
outrageouse giltes and trespas in-to wik- 
kednesse ; / al-be-it that cursedly and 3015 
dampnably we han agilt agayn your 
heigh lordshipe.' / 

§ 74. Thanne Melibee took hem up fro 
the ground ful benignely, / and receyved 
hir obligaciouns and hir bondes by hir 
othes up-on hir plegges and borwes, / 
and assigned hem a certejii day to re- 
tourne un-to his court, / for to accepts 
and receyve the sentence and jugement 
that Melibee wolde comande to be doon 
on liem by the causes afore-seyd ; / whiche 3020 
thinges ordeyned, every man retourned to 
his hous. / 

§ 75. And whan that dame Prudence 
saugh hir tyme, she freyned and axed 
hir lord Melibee, / what vengeance he 
thoughte to taken of hise adversaries ? / 

§ 76. To which Melibee answerde and 
seyde, ' certes,' quod he, 'I thinke and 
purpose me fully / to desherite hem of al 
that ever they han, and for to putte hem 
in exil for ever.' / W2K 

§ 77. ' Certes,' quod dame Prudence, 
' this were a cruel sentence, and muchel 
agayn resoun. / For ye been riche y- 
nough, and han no nede of other mennes 
good ; / and ye mighte lightly in this 
wyse gete yow a coveitous name, / which 
is a vicioiis thing, and oghte been 
eschewed of every good man. / For after 
the sawe of the word of the apostle : 
" coveitise is rote of alle harmes.'" / And 3030 
therfore, it were bettre for yow to lese so 
muchel good of your owenc, than for to 
taken of hir good in this manere. / For 
bettre it is to lesen good with worshipe, 
than it* is to winne good with vileinye 
and shame. / And every man oghte to 
doon his diligence and his bisinesse to 
geten him a good name. / And yet shal 
ho nat only bisie him in kepinge of his 
good name, / but he shal also enforcen 
him alwey to do som-thing by which he 



§ 78.J 



B. Z^t t^h of (meft6eu0. 



529 



3035 may renovelle liis good name; / for it is 
writen, that "the olde good loos or good 
name of a man is sone goon and passed, 
whan it is nat newed ne renovelled." / 
And as touch inge that ye seyn, ye wole 
exile your adversaries, / that thinketh 
me mucliel agayn resoun and out of 
mesure, / considered the power that they 
han yeve yow up-on hem-self. / And it 
is writen, that "he is worthy to lesen his 
privilege that misuseth the raight and 

3040 the power that is yeven him.-' / And I 
sette cas ye mighte enjoyne hem that 
peyne by right and by laws, / which I 
trowe ye mowe nat do, / I seye, ye mighte 
nat putten it to execucioun per-aven- 
ture, / and thanne were it lykly to re- 
tourne to the werre as it was biforn. / 
And tlierfore, if ye wole that men do yow 
obeisance, ye moste demen more cur- 

3045 teisly ; / this is to seyn, ye moste yeven 
more esy sentences and jugements. / 
For it is writen, that " he that most 
ciirteisly comandeth, to him men most 
obeyen." / And therfore, I prey yow 
that in this necessitee and in this nede, 
ye caste yow to overcome your herte. / 
For Senek seith : that " he that over- 
cometh his herte, overcometh twyes.'' / 
And Tullins seith : " ther is no-thing 

3050 so comendable in a greet lord / as whan 
lie is debonaire and meke, and appeseth 
him lightly.''./ And I prey yow that ye 
wole forbere now to do vengeance, / in 
swich a manere, that your goode name 
may be kept and conserved ; / and that 
men mowe have cause and matere to 
preyse yow of pitee and of mercy ; / and 
that ye have no cause to repente yow of 

3<>55 thing that ye doon. / For Senek seith : 
" he overcometh in an yvel manere, that 
repcnteth him of his victorie ." / Wher- 
fore I pray yow, hit mercy been in your 
rriinde and in j'our herte, / to th'effect 



and entente that god almighty have 
mercy on yow in his laste jugement. / 
For seint Jame seith in his epistle : 
"jugement withouten mercy shal be 
doon to him, that hath no mercy of 
another wight." ' / 

§ 78. Whanne Melibee hadde herd the 
grete skiles and resouns of dame Pru- 
dence, and hir wise informacioiins and 
techinges, / his herte gan enclyne to the 3'>6o 
wil of his wj'f, consideringe hir trewe 
entente ; / and conformed him anon, 
and assented fully to werken after hir 
conseil ; / and thonked god, of whom 
procedeth al vertit and alle goodnesse, 
that him sente a wyf of so greet discre- 
cioun. / And whan the day cam that 
hise adversaries sholde appercn in his 
presence, / he spak unto hem ful goodly, 
and seyde in this wyse : / ' al-be-it so that 3065 
of your pryde and presumpcionn and 
folic, and of your necligence and un- 
conninge, / ye have misborn yow and 
trespassed un-to me ; / yet, for as much 
as I see and biholde your grete humilitee, / 
and that ye been sory and repentant of 
your giltes, / it constreyneth me to doon 
yow grace and mercy. / Therfore I re- 3070 
ceyve yow to my grace, / and foryeve 
yow outrely alle the offences, injuries, 
and wronges, that ye have doon agayn 
me and mj-ne ; / to tliis effect and to this 
ende, that god of his endelees mercy / 
wole at the tyme of our dyinge foryeven 
tis our giltes that we han trespassed to 
him in this wrecched world. / For donte- 
lees, if we be sory and repentant of the 
sinnes and giltes whiohe we han tres- 
passed in the sighte of our lord god, / he 3075 
is so free and so merciable, / that he 
wole foryeven ns our giltes, / and bringen 
us to his blisse that never hath ende. 
Amen.' / 3078 



Here is ended Chancers Tale of Melibee and of Dame Prudence. 



THE MONK'S PROLOGUE. 



[t. 13895-13956-] 

The mery wordes of the Host to the Monk. 



Whan ended was my tale of Melibee, 
And of Prudence and hir benignitee, 3080 
Our hoste seyde, ' as I am faithful man, 
And by the precious corpus Madrian, 
I hadde lever than a barel ale 
That goode lief my wyf hadde herd this 

tale ! 
For she nis no-thing of swich pacience 
As was this Melibeus wyf Prvidence. 31)86 
By goddes bones ! whan I bete my Icnaves, 
She bringth me forth the grete clobbed 

staves, (10) 

And cryeth, "slee the dogges everichoon, 
And brek hem,bothe bak and every boon.' 
And if that any neighebor of myne 3091 
Wol nat in chirche to my wyf enclyne. 
Or be so hardy to hir to trespaco, 
\\Tian she comth hoom, she rampeth in 

my face, 3<)Q4 

And cryeth, " false coward, -wreek thy wyf ! 
By corpus bones ! I wol have thy knyf, 
And thou shalt have my distaf and go 

spinne ! " 
Fro day to night right thus she wol )^i- 

ginne ; — (20) 

" Alias ! " she seith, "that ever I was shape 
To wedde a milksop or a coward ape, 3kk) 
That wol be overlad with every wight ! 
Thou darst nat stonden by thy wyves 

right ! " 
This is my lyf, but-if that I wol fighte ; 
And out at dore anon I moot me dighte, 
Or elles I am but lost, but-if that I 3105 
Be lyk a wilde leonn fool-hardy. 
I woot wel she wol do me slee soni day 
Som neighebor, and thanne go my wey. (30) 



For I am perilous with knyf in honde, 
Al be it that I dar nat hir withstonde, 3 no 
For she is big in armes, by my feith, 
That shal he finde, that hir misdooth or 

seith. 
But lat us passe awey fro this matere. 
My lord the Monk,' quod he, ' be inery 

of chere ; 
For ye shul telle a tale trewely. 3 115 

Lo ! Eouchestre stant heer faste by ! 
Ryd forth, myn owene lord, brek nat our 

game, (39) 

Biit, by my trouthe,! knowe nat your name, 
Wher shal I calle yow my lord dan John, 
Or dan Thomas, or elles dan Albon? 3120 
Of what hous be ye, by yo'ar fader kin ? 
I vow to god, thou hast a ful fair skin. 
It is a gentil pasture ther thou goost ; 
Thou art nat Ij'k a penaunt or a goost. 
Upon my feith, thou art sona officer, 3125 
Some worthy sexteyn, or som celerer. 
For by my fader soule, as to my doom. 
Thou art a maister whan thou art at hoom; 
No povre cloisterer, ne no novys, (51) 

But a governour, Avyly and wys. 3130 

And therwithal of brawnes and of bones 
A wel-faring persone for the nones. 
I pray to god, yeve hini confusioun 
That first thee broghte un-to religioun ; 
Thou woldest h.an been a trede-foul aright. 
Haddestow as greet a leve, as thou hast 

might 3136 

To parfourne al thy lust in engendrure. 
Thou haddest bigeten many a creature. 
Alas ! why werestow so wyd a cope ? (61) 
Godyevemesorwe ! but, and I were a pope, 



T. 13957-14018.] B. ZU QlXonftee Zak. 



531 



Not only thou, but every mighty man, 3141 
Thogh he were shorn ful hye iipon his pan, 
Sholde have a \vyf ; for al the world is lorn ! 
Keligioun hath take up al the corn 3144 
Of treding,and we borel men ben shrimpes ! 
Of feble trees ther comen wrecehed impes. 
This maketh that our heires been so 

sclendre (69) 

And feble, that they may natwelengendre. 
This malietli that our wyves wol assaye 
Religious folk, for ye may bettre paye 3150 
Of Venvis payements than mowe we ; 
God woot, no lussheburghes payen ye ! 
But be nat wrooth, my lord, for that I 

pleye ; 
Ful ofte in game a sooth I have herd seye.' 
This worthy monk took al in pacience, 
And seyde, ' I wol doon al my diligence. 
As fer as souneth in-to honestee, 3157 

To telle yow a tale, or two, or three. (80) 
And if yow list to herkne hiderward, 
I wol yow seyn the lyf of seint Edward ; 



Or elles first Tragedies wol I telle 3161 
Of whiche I have an hundred in my eelle. 
Tragedie is to seyn a certeyn storie. 
As olde bokes maken lis memorie. 
Of him that stood in greet prosperitee 3165 
And is y-fallen out of heigh degree 
Into miserie, and endeth wreechedly. 
And they ben versifyed comunly (90) 

Of six feet, which men clepe exametron. 
In prose eek been endyted many oon, 31 70 
And eek in motre, in many a sondry wyse. 
Lo ! this declaring oughte y-nough suffise. 
Now herkneth, if yow Ij-keth for to here ; 
But first I yow biseke in this raatere, 3174 
Though I by ordre telle nat thise thinges, 
Be it of popes, emperours, or kinges. 
After hir ages, as men writen finde, (99) 
But telle hem som bifore and som bihinde, 
As it now comth un-to my remembraunce ; 
Have me excused of myiiignoraunce.' 3180 

Explicit. 



THE MONKES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Monkes Tale, de Casibus Virorum Illustrium. 



I WOL biwayle in maner of Tragedie 
The harm of hem that stode in heigh de- 
gree. 
And fillen so that ther nas no remedie 
To bringe hem out of hir adversitee ; 3 184 
For certein, whan that fortune list to flee, 
Ther may no man the cours of hir with- 

holde ; 
Lat no man truste on blind prosperitee ; 
Be war by thise ensamples trewe and olde. 

Lucifer, 

At Lucifer, though he an angel were, 
And nat a man, at him I wol biginne ; 3190 
For, thogh fortune may non angel dere, (n) 



From heigh degree yet fel he for his sinne 
Doun in-to helle, wher he yet is inne. 
O Lucifer ! brightest of angels alle, 
Now artow Sathauas, that maist nat 
twinne 3195 

Out of miserie, in which that thou art falle, 

Adam. 

Lo Adam, in the feld of Damassene, 
With goddes owene finger wroght was he, 
And nat bigeten of niannes sperme un- 

clene. 
And welte al Paradys, saving o tree. 3200 
Had never worldly man so heigh degree 
As Adam, til he lor niisgovernaunce {22) 



r-,^2 



B. ZU QUonftee Zc^'it, 



[t. 14019-14C94. 



Was drive oiat of his hye prosperitee 

To labour, and tohelle, andtomeschaiince. 

Sampson. 

Lo Sampson, which that was annnnciat 
By th'angel, longe er his nativitee, 3206 
And was to god almiglity consecrat. 
And stood in noblesse, whyl he mights see. 
Was never swich another as was lie, 
To spoke of strengthe, and therwith hardi- 

nesse; 3210 

But to his wyves toldc he his secree, (31) 
Through which he slow liim-self, for 

wrcechednesse. 

Sampson, this noble almighty champioun, 
Withouten wepen save his hondes tweye, 
He slow^ and al to-rento the leoun, 3215 
Toward his wedding walking by the weye. 
His false wyf coude him so plese and 

preye 
Til she his conseil knew, and she nntrewe 
Un-ti) his foos his conseil gan biwreye, 3219 
And him forsook, and took another newe. 

Three htindred foxes took Sampson for ire. 
And alle hir tayles he togider bond, (42) 
And sette the foxes tayles alle on fire, 
For he on eveiy tayl had knit a brond ; 
And they brende alle the cornes in that 
lond, 3225 

And alio hir oliveres and vynes eek. 
A thousand men he slow eek with his hond. 
And had no wepen but an asses cheek. 

Whan they were slayn, so thursted him 
that he 3229 

Was wel ny lorn, for which he gan to preye 
That god wolde on his peyno han som 
pitee, (51) 

And sende him drinke, or cllos niostc he 

deye ; 
And of this asses cheke, that was dreye, 
Out of a wang-tooth sprang anon a welle. 
Of which he drank y-nogh, shortly to scye. 
Thus lieelp him god, as Judicum can telle. 

By verray force, at Gazan, on a night, 3237 
Maugree Philistiens of that citee. 
The gates of the toun he hath up-plight. 
And on his bak y-caried he:n hath he 3240 



Hye on an hille, that men mighte hem 

see. (61) 

O noble almighty Sampson, leef and dere, 
Had tliou nat told to wommen thy secree. 
In al this worlde ne hadde been thy pere ! 

This Sampson never sicer drank ne wyn, 
Ne on his heed cam rasour noon ne shere. 
By precept of the messager divyn, 3247 
For alle his strengthes in his heres were ; 
And fully twenty winter, yeer by yere, 
He hadde of Israel the governaunce. 3250 
But sone shal he wepen many a tere, (71 ) 
For wommen shal liim bringen to mes- 
chaunce ! 

Un-to his Icmnian Dalida he toldo 
That in his heres al his strengtlie lay, 
And falslj' to his fo-men she him solde. 
And sleping in hir barme up-on a day 3256 
She made to clippe or shere his heer awey. 
And made his fo-mon al his craft espyen ; 
And whan that they hini fonde in this 

array. 
They bounde him faste, and putten out liis 

yen. 3260 

But er his heer were clipped or y-shave, (81) 
Ther was no bond with which men might 

him binde ; 
But now is he in prisoun in a cave, 
Wher-as they made him at the queriio 

grinde. 3204 

O noble Sampson, strongest of mankinde, 
O whylom juge in glorie and in richesse, 
Now maystow wepen with thj'U yen blinde, 
Sith thou fi'o wele art falle in wrecched- 

nesse. 

Th'ende of this caytif was as I shal seye ; 
His fo-men made a feste upon a day, 3270 
And made him as hir foolbifore hempleye. 
And this was in a temple of greet array. (92) 
But atte last he made a foul affray ; 
For ho two pilers shook, and made hem 
falle, 3274 

And doun fil temple and al, and ther it lay. 
And slow him-self, and eek his fo-men alle. 

This is to seyn, the princes everichoon. 
And eek three thousand bodies wcr tlier 
slayn (98) 



,^e95-x4i74.] B. ZU (monfte0 tafe. 



533 



With falUng of the grete temple of stoon. 
Of Sampson now wol I na-more seyn. 3280 
Beth war by this cnsample old andplayn 
That no men telle hir conseil til hir wyves 
Of swich thing as they wolde han secree 

fayn, 
If that it touche Ixir limmes or hir lyves. 

Hercules. 
Of Hercules the sovereyn conquerour 3285 
Singen liis worlces lande and lieigh renoun ; 
For in liis tyme of strengthe he was the 

flour. 
He slow, and rafte the skin of the leoun ; 
He of Centauros leyde the boost adoun ; 
He Ai-pies slow, the cruel briddes felle ; 3290 
Ho golden apples rafte of the dragoun ; ( 1 1 1 ) 
He drow out Cerberus, the hound of helle : 

He slow the cruel tyrant Busirus, 

And made his hors to frete him, flesh and 

boon ; 
He slow the firy serpent venimous ; 3295 
Of Achelois two homes, he brak oon ; 
And he slow Cacus in a cave of stoon ; 
Ho slow the geaunt Antheus the stronge ; 
He slow the grisly boor, and that anoon. 
And bar the hcven on his nekke longe. 3300 

Was never wight, sith that the world 
bigan, ('-') 

That slow so many monstres as dide he. 

Thurgh-out this wyde world his name ran. 

What tVir his strengthe, and for his heigh 
bountee, 33^4 

And every reaume wente he for to see. 

He was so strong that no man mighto him 
lette ; 

At bothe the worldes endes, seith Trophee, 

In stede of boundes, he a piler sette. 

A lemman hadde this noble champioun, 
That highte Dianira, fresh as May ; 3310 
And, asthiseclerkesmakenmencioun, (131) 
She hath him sent a sherte fresh and gay. 
Alias ! this sherte, alias and wcylaway ! 
Envenimed was so subtilly with-alle, 3314 
That, er that he had wered it half a day, 
It made his flesh al from his bones falle. 

But nathelees somme clerkes hir excusen 
By oon that highte Nessus, that it maked ; 



Be as be may, I wol hir noght accusen ; 
But on his bak this sherte he wered al 
naked, 33-'^ 

Til that his flesh was for the venimblakod. 
And whan he soy noon other remedye, ( 1 42) 
In bote coles he hath him-selven raked, 
For with no venim deyned him to dye. 

Thus starf this worthy mighty Herciiles ; 

Lo, who may truste on fortune any 
throwe ? 33-'6 

For him that folweth al this world of prees, 

Er ho be war, is olte y-leyd ful lowe. 

Ful wys is he that can him-selven knowe. 

Beth war, for whan that fortune list to 
glose, 333« 

Than wayteth she hir man to overthrowo 

By swich a wey as he wolde leest sup- 
pose. ('52) 

Nabugodonosor (Nebiichadnezzau). 

The mighty trone, the precious tresor. 
The glorious ceptro and royal magestee 
That hadde the king Nabugodonosor, 3335 
With tonge unnethe may discryved be. 
He twyes wan Jerusalem the citee ; 
The vessel of the temple he with him ladde. 
At Babiloyne was his sovereyn see, 3339 
In which his glorie and his delyt he hadde. 

The fairest children of the blood royal (161) 
Of Israel he leet do gelde anoon. 
And maked ech of hem to been his thral. 
Amonges othere Daniel was oon, 3344 

That was the wysest child of everichoon ; 
For he the dremes of the king expouned, 
Wher-as in Chaldey clerk ne was ther noon 
That wiste to what fyn his dremes souned. 

This proude king leet make a statue of 
golde, 3349 

Sixty cubytes long, and seven in brede. 
To which image bothe yonge and olde (17O 
Comaunded he to loute, and have in drede ; 
Or in a fourneys ful of flambes rede 
He shal be brent, that wolde noght obeye. 
But never wolde assento to that dede 3355 
Daniel, ne his yonge felawes tweye. 

This king of kinges proud was and elaat, 
He wende that god, that sit in magestee, 



534 



B. ZU QTlonRc0 Zak, [t. 14175-14249. 



Ne mighte liim nat bireve of his estaat : 
But sodeynly he loste his dignitee, 3360 
And lyk a beste him seined for to be, (181) 
And eet hay as an oxe, and lay ther-oute ; 
In reyn with wilde bestes walked he, 
Til certein tyme was y-come aboiite. 

And lyk an egles fetheres wexe his heres, 
His nayles lyk a briddes clawes were ; 3366 
Til god relessed him a certein yeres, 
And yaf him wit ; and than with many a 

tere 
He thanked god, and ever his lyf in fere 
Was he to doon anais, or more trespacc, 3370 
And, to. that tyme he leyd was on his 

here. 
He knew that god was ful of might and 

grace. (192) 

Balthasar (Belshazzar). 

His sone, which that highte Balthasar, 
That heeld the regne after his fader day, 
He by his fader conde nought be war, 3375 
For proiid he was of herte and of array ; 
And cek an ydolastre was he ay. 
His hye estaat assured him in pryde. 
But fortune caste him doun, and ther he 

lay, 

And sodeynly his regne gan divyde. 3380 

A feste he made un-to his lordes alle (201 ) 
Up-on a tyme, and bad hem blythe be. 
And than his officeres gan he calle — 
' Goth, bringeth forth the vessels, ' [the] 
quod he, 3384 

' Which that my fader, in his prosperitee, 
Out of the temple of Jerusalem birafte. 
And to our hye goddes thanke we 
Of honour, that our eldres with us lafte.' 

His wyf, his lordes, and his concubynes 
Ay dronken, whyl hir appetytes laste, 3390 
Out of thise noble vessels sundry wynes ; 
And on a wal this king his yen caste, (212) 
And sey an hond armlees, that wroot ful 

faste. 
For fere of which he qiiook and syked 

sore. 3394 

Tliis hond, that Balthasar so sore agaste, 
Wroot Mane, techel, phares, and na-more. 



In al that lond magicien was noon 
That coude expoune what this lettre 

mente ; 
But Daniel expouned it anoon, 3399 

And seyde, ' king, god to thy fader lente 
Glorie and honou^r, regne, tresour, rente 
And he was proud, and no-thing god ne 

dradde, (222) 

And therfor god gret wreche up-on him 

sente. 
And him birafte the regne that he hadde. 

He was out cast of mannes companye. 
With asses was his habitacioun, 3406 

And eet hey as a beste in weet and drye. 
Til that he knew, by grace and by resoun. 
That god of heven hath dominacioun 
Over every regne and every creature ; 3410 
And thanne had god of him compassioun, 
And him restored his regne and his 
figure. (232) 

Eek thou, that art his sone, art proud also. 
And knowest alle thise thinges verraily, 
And art rebel to god, and art his fo. 34 15 
Thou drank eek of his vessels boldely ; 
Thy wyf eek and thy wenches sinfully 
Dronke of the same vessels sondry wynes. 
And heriest false goddes cursedly ; 3419 
Therfor to thee y-shapen ful gret pyne is. 

This hand was sent from god, that on the 

walle (241) 

Wroot mane, techel, phares, truste me ; 
Thy regne is doon, thou weyest noght at 

alle ; 
Divyded is thy regne, and it shal be 3424 
To Medes and to Parses yeven,' quod he. 
And thilke same night this king was 

slawe. 
And Dariiis occupyeth his degree, 
Thogli he therto had neither right ne 

lawe. 

Lordinges, ensample heer-by may ye take 
How that in lordshipe is no siker- 

nesse ; 343o 

For whan fortune wol a man forsake, (251) 
She bereth awey his regne and his richesse, 
And eek his freendes, bothe more and 

lesse ; 



T. 14250-1432^.] 



B. ZH (monfteo Zak. 



535 



For what man that hath freendes thiirgh 
fortune, 3434 

Mishap wol make hem enemys, I gesse : 
This proverbe is ful sooth and ful com- 
mune. 

Cenobia (Zenobia). 

Cenobia, of Palimerie quene, 
As writen Persiens of hir noblesse, 
So worthy was in armes and so kene, 3439 
That no wight passed hir in hardinesse, 
Ne in linage, ne in other gentillesse. (261) 
Of kinges blode of Perse is she descended ; 
I seye nat that she hadde most fairnesse. 
But of hir shape she mighte nat been 
amended. 3444 

From hir childhedo I finde that she fledde 
Office of wommen, and to wode she wente ; 
And many a wilde hertes blood she shedde 
With arwes brode that she to hem sente. 
She was so swift that she anon hem hente, 
And whan that she was elder, she wolde 
kille 3450 

Leouns, lepardes, and beres alto-rente, (271) 
And in hir armes welde hem at hir wille. 

She dorste wilde beestes dennes seke. 
And rennen in the montaignes al the 

night. 
And slepen under a bush, and she coude 

eke 3455 

Wrastlen by verray force and verray might 
With any yong man, were he nevBr so 

wight ; 
Ther mighte no-thing in hir armes stonde. 
She kepte hir maydenhod from every 

wight. 
To no man deigned hir for to be bonde. 3460 

But atte laste hir frendes han hir maried 
To Odenake, a prince of that contree, (282) 
Al were it so that she hem longe taried ; 
And ye shul understonde how that he 
Hadde swiche fantasyes as hadde she. 3465 
But nathelees, whan they were knit iu- 

fere. 
They lived in joye and in felicitee ; 
For ech of hem hadde other leef and dere. 

Save o thing, that she never wolde assente 
By no wey, that he sholde by hir lye 3470 



But ones, for it was hir pleyn entente (291) 
To have a child, the world to multiplye ; 
And al-so sone as that she mighte espye 
That she was nat with childo with that 

dede. 
Than wolde she suffre him doon his fan- 

tasye 3475 

Eft-sone, and nat but ones, out of drcde. 

And if she were with childe atthilke oast, 
Na-more sholde he pleyen thilke game 
Til fully fourty dayes weren past ; 
Than wolde she ones suffre him do the 

same. 34S0 

Al were this Odenake wilde or tame, (301) 
He gat na-more of hir, for thus she seyde, 
' It was to wyves lecherye and sliame 
In otlier cas, if that men with hem 

pleyde.' 3484 

Two sones by this Odenake hadde she. 
The whiche she kepte in vertu and let- 

trure ; 
But now un-to our tale turne we. 
I seye, so worshipful a creature. 
And wys therwith, and large with mesure, 
So penible in the werre, and curteis 

eke, 3490 

Ne more labour mighte in werre endure, 
Was noon, thogh al this world men sholde 

seke. (312) 

Hir riche array ne mighte nat be told 
As wel in vessel as in hir clothing ; 
She was al clad in perree and in gold, 3495 
And eek she lafte noght, for noon hunting, 
To have of sondry tonges ful knowing, 
Whan that she leyser hadde, and for to 

entende 
To lernen bokes was al hir lyking, 3499 
How she in vertu mighte hir lyf dispende. 

And, shortly of this storie for to trete, (321) 
So doughty was hir housbonde and eek 

she. 
That tliey conquered many regnes grete 
In th'orient, with many a fair citee, 
Apertenaunt un-to the magestee 3505 

Of Rome, and with strong hond helde 

hem ful faste ; 
Ne never mighte hir fo-men doon hem flee, 
A.y whyl that Odenakes dayes laste. 



536 



B. ZU QUonftee Z<ik. [t. 14325-14702. 



Hir batailes, who-so list hem for to rede, 
Agayii Sapor tho king and othere mo, 3510 
And how that al this prooes fil in dede, (33 1 ) 
Why she conquered and what title had 

thorto, 
And after of hir meschief and hir wo, 
How that she was biseged and y-take. 
Let him nn-to my maister Petrark go, 3515 
That writ y-nongh of this, I undertake. 

Wlien Odenake was deed, she mightily 
The regnes heeld, and with hir propre 

hondo 
Agayn hir foos she faught so cri\elly, 
That thcr nas king ne prince in al that 

londe (34") 352(> 

That he nas glad, if that he grace fondc, 
That she ne wolde up-on his lond werreye ; 
With hir they made alliaunco by boude 
To been in i)ees, and leto hir ryde and 

pleye. 
The emperour of Rome, Claudius, 3525 
No him biforo, tlic Romayn Galien, 
Ne doi-sto never been so corageous, 
Ne noon Ermyn, ne noon Egipcien, 
No Surricn, ne noon Arabien, 
Within the feld that dorste with hir fighte 
Lest that she wolde hem with hir h<mdos 

slen (35 353 > 

Or with hir meynee putten hem to flighte. 

In kingos habit wente hir sones two, 
As heires of hir fadres regnes alle, 
And Hormanno, and Thymalaci 3535 

Her names were, as Persiens hem calle. 
But ay fortune hath in hir hony galle ; 
This mighty queno may no why! endure. 
Fortune out of hir regne made hir falle 
To wrecchednesso and to misaventure. 3540 

Avirelian, whan that the governaunce (361) 
Of Rome cam in-to his hondos tweyo. 
He shoop vip-on this queen to do ven- 

geaunce, 
And with his legiouns he took his weye 
Toward Cenobie, and, shortly for to seye. 
He made hir flee, and atto lastc hir 

hente, 354^ 

And fettred hir, and oek hir children 

tweye. 
And wan the lond, and hoom to Rome ho 

wente. 



Amonges othere thinges that he wan, 
Hir char, that was with gold wrought and 

perree, (370) 3550 

This grete Romayn, this Aurolian, 
Hath with him lad, for that men sholde 

it see. 
Biforen his triumphe walketh she 
With gilte cheynes on hir nekke hanging ; 
Corouned was she, as after hir degree, 3555 
And ful of perree charged hir clothing. 

Alias, fortune ! she that whylom was 
Dredful to kinges and to emperoures. 
Now gaureth al the peple on hir, alias ! 
And she that helmed was in starke 

stotires, (380) 3560 

And wan by force tonnes stronge and 

toures, 
Shal on hir heed now were a vitremyte ; 
And she that bar the ceptro ful of 

floures 
Shal here a distaf, hir cost for to quyte. 
[T. 14380 
(NKiiofolloics in T. ; see p. ^37.) 

De Petro Reok Ispannie. 
O noble, o worthy Petro, glorie of 

Spayne, [T. 14685 

Whom fortune heeld so hy in magcstee, 
Wei oughten men thy pitous deeth com- 

playne ! ?,5('7 

Out of thy lond thy brother made thee flee ; 
And after, at a sege, by subtiltee. 
Thou were bitrayed, and lad un-to his 

tente, (39") 357" 

Wlier-as ho with his owene bond slow thee, 
Succeding in thy regno and in thy rente. 

The feeld of snow, with th'egle of blak 
ther-inne, [T. 14693. 

Caught with the lymrod, coloured as the 
glede, 3574 

He brew this cursednes and al this sinne. 
The 'wikked nest' waswerkerofthisnede; 
Noght Charles Oliver, that ay took hede 
Of trouthe and honour, but of Armorike 
Genilon Oliver, corrupt for mode, 3579 
Broghte this worthy king in swich a brike. 

De Petro Rege de Cii-ko. 
O worthy Petro, king of Cypre, also, (401) 
That Alisaundre wan by heigh maistryo, 



T. 14703-14382.] B, Z^i QUonftee Cafe. 



537 



Fill many a hethen wroghtestow ful wo, 
Of which tliyn owene liges hadde envye, 
And, for no thing bnt for thy chivalrye. 
They in thy bedde han slayn thee by the 

morwe. 35^6 

Thus can fortune hir wheel governe and 

gye, [T. 14707. 

And out of joye bringo men to sorwe. 

De Barnabo de Lumbardia. 

Of Melan grete Barnabo Viscounte, 3589 
God of delyt, and scourge of Lumbardye, 
Why sholde I nat thyn infortune acounte, 
Sith in estaat thoii clombe were so hye ? 
Thy brother sone, that was thy double 

allye, (413) 

For he thy nevew was, and sone-in-lawe, 
With-inne his prisoun made thee to dye ; 
But why, ne how, noot I that thou were 

slawe. 3596 

De HrcELiNo, Comite de Pize. 

Of the erl Hugelyn of Pyse the langour 
Ther may no tonge telle for jiitee ; 
But litel out of Pyse stant a tour. 
In whiche tour in prisoiin put was he, 3600 
And with him been his litel children 

three. (421) 

The eldeste scarsly fyf yeer was of age. 
Alias, fortune ! it was greet crueltee 
Swiohe briddes for to putte in swiche a 

cage ! 3604 

Dampned was he to deye in that prisoun. 
For Roger, which that bisshop was of Pyse, 
Hadde on him maad a fals suggestioun, 
Tliurgh which the jieple gan upon him 

ryse, (428) 

And pvitten him to prisoun in swich wyse 
As ye han herd, and mete and drink he 

hadde 3610 

So smal, that wel unnethe it may suffyse. 
And therwith-al it was fial povre and 

badde. 

And on a day bifil that, in that hour, 
Whan that his mete wont was to be broght. 
The gayler shette the dores of the tour. 
He herde it wel, — but he spak right noght. 
And in his herte anon ther fil a thoght, 
That they for hunger wolde doon him dyen. 



' Alias ! ' quod he, ' alias ! that I was 
wroght ! ' (439) 3619 

Therwith the teres fillen from his yen. 

His yonge sone, that three year was of age, 
Un-to him seyde, ' fader, why do ye wepe ? 
Whan wol the gayler bringen our potage, 
Is ther no morsel breed that ye do kepe ? 
I am so hungry that I may nat slepe. 3625 
Now wolde god that I mighte slepen ever ! 
Than sholde nat hunger in my wombe 

crepe ; 
Ther is no thing, save breed, that me 

were lever.' 

Thus day by day this child bigan to crye. 
Til in his fadres barme adoun it lay, 3631) 
And seyde, ' far-wel, fader, I moot dye,' 
And kiste his fader, and deydo the same 
day. (452) 

And whan the woful fader deed it sey, 
For wo his armes two he gan to byte, 
And seyde, 'alias, fortune ! and weylaway ! 
Thy false wheel my wo al may I wyte ! ' 

His children wendo that it for liunger was 
That he his armes gnow, and nat for wo, 
And seyde, ' fader, do nat so, alias ! 
But rather eet the flesh upon us two ; 3640 
Our flesh thou yaf us, tak our flesh us fro 
And eet y-nough : ' right thus they to him 

seyde, (462) 

And after that, with-in a day or two, 
They leyde hem in his lappe adoun, and 

deyde. 3644 

Him-self, despeired, eek for hunger starf ; 
Thus ended is this mighty Erl of Pyse ; 
From heigh estaat fortune awoy him carf. 
Of this Tragedie it oghte y-nough suffyse. 
Wlio-so wol here it in a lenger wyse, (469) 
Redeth the grete poete of Itaille, 3650 
That highte Dant, for he can al devyse 
Fro point to point, nat o word wol he faille. 
[T. 14772. 

{Fo)- T. 14773, see p. 542 ; for T. 14380, 
see p. 536). 

Nero. 

[T. ,43s.. 
Al-though that Nero were as vicious 
As any feend that lyth ful lowe adoun. 



538 



B. ZU (nionftee Zak. 



[t. 14383-14^62. 



Yet he, as telleth us Swetonius, 3655 

This wj-de world hadde in subjeccioiin, 
Both Est and M^est, -)- South and Septem- 

trioun ; 
Of rubies, saphires, and of perles whyte 
Were alio his clothes brouded up and doun; 
For ho in gemmes greatly gan delyte. 3660 

More delicat, more pompous of array, {4S1) 
More proud was never emperour than ho ; 
That ilke cloth, that he had wered o day, 
After that tymo he noldo it never see. 
Nettes of gold-thred hadde he gret plentee 
To fisshe in Tybre, whan him liste pleye. 
His lustes were al lawe in his decree. 
For fortune as his freend him wolde obeye. 

He Rome brende for his delicacyo ; 
The senatours he slow up-on a day, 3670 
To here how men wolde wepo and crye ; 
And slow his brother, and by his sister 
lay. ^ (492) 

His moder made he in pitous array ; 
For he hir wombe slitte, to biholde 
Wher he concej^-ed was ; so weilawey ! 
That he so litel of his moder tolde ! 3676 

No tore oi^t of his yen for that sighte 
Ne cam, but seyde, ' a fair woniman was 

she.' 
Gret wonder is, how that he coude or 

might e (499) 

Bo domosman of hir dede beautee. 3680 
The wyn to bringen him comaunded he, 
And drank anon ; non other wo he made. 
Whan might is joyned vm-to crueltee. 
Alias ! to depe wol the venim wade ! 3684 

In youthe a maister hadde this emperour. 
To techo him letterure and curteisye. 
For of moralitee he was the flour. 
As in his tj'me, but-if bokes lye ; 
And whyl this maister hadde of him 
maistrye, 3689 

He maked him so conning and so souple 
That longe tyme it was er tirannye (511) 
Or any vyce dorste on him uncouple. 

This Seneca, of which that I devyse, 
By-cause Nero hadde of him swich dredo. 
For he fro vyces wolde him ay chastyse 
Discreetly as by worde and nat by dede ; — • 



' Sir,' wolde he seyn, ' an emperour moot 
node 3697 

Be vertuous, and hate tirannye ' — 
For which he in a bath made him to blede 
On bothe his armes, til he moste dye. 

This Nero hadde eek of acvistumaunce 
In youthe ageyn his maister for to ryse. 
Which afterwai'd him thoughte a greet 
grevaunce ; (.^23) 

Therfor he made him deyen in this wj'se. 
But natheles this Seneca the wyse 3705 
Chees in a bath to deye in this manere 
Rather than han another tormentyse ; 
And thus hath Nero slayn his maister dere. 

Now ill it so that fortune list no longer 
The hye prydo of Nero to cheryce ; 3710 
For though that he were strong, yet was 

she stronger; (531) 

She thoughte thiis, ' by god, I am to nyce 
To sette a man that is fulfild of vyce 
In heigh degree, and eniporour him calle. 
By god, out of his sete I wol him tryce ; 
When he leest weneth, sonest shal he 

falle.' 3716 

The peple roos up-on him on a night 
For his defaute, and whan ho it espycd. 
Out of his dores anon he hath him dight 
Alone, and, ther he wonde han bon allyed. 
He knokked fasto, and ay, the more ho 

cryod, (541) 3721 

The faster shetto they the dores alio ; 
Tho wiste he wel he hadde him-self mis- 

gyed, 
And wente his wey, no longer dorste he 

calle. 

The peple cryde and rombled up and doun. 
That with his eres herde ho how they 

seyde, 3726 

' Wher is this false tyraunt, this Neroun ?' 
For fere almost out of his wit he breyde, 
And to his goddos pitoiisly ho preyde 
For socour, but it mighto nat bitydo. 3730 
For drede of this, him thoughte that he 

deydo, (551) 

And ran in-to a gardin, him to hyde. 

And in this gardin fond ho cherles tweye 
That seton by a fyr ful greet and reed, 



T. 1^463-14542.] 



ZU (nXonaee Zak. 



539 



And to thise cherles two he gan to preye 
To sleen him, and to girden of his heed, 
That to his body, wlian that ho were deed, 
Were no despyt y-doon, for his defame. 
Him-self he slow, he conde no better reed. 
Of which fortune lough, and hadde a 
game. 3740 

De Olofekno (Holofeknes). 

Was never capitayn under a king (561) 
That regnes mo putte in subjeccioun, 
Ne stronger was in feeld of alle thing. 
As in his tyme, ne gretter of renovm, 3744 
Ne more pompous in heigh presumpcioun 
Than Oloferne, which fortune ay kisto 
So likerously, and ladde him up and doun 
Til that his heed was of, er that he wiste. 

Xat only that this world hadde him in 

awe 
For lesinge of richesse or libertee, 3750 
But he made every man reneye his lawe. 
' Nabugodonosor was god,' seyde he, (572) 
' Noon other god sholde adoured be.' 
Ageyns his heste no wight dar tresjsace 
Save in Bethulia, a strong citee, 3755 

Mlier Eliachim a prest was of that place. 

But tak kepe of the deeth of Olofern ; 
Amidde his host he dronke lay a night, 
With-inne his tente, largo as is a hern. 
And yit, for al his pompe and al his 

might, 3760 

Judith, a womman, as he lay upriglit. 
Sloping, his heed of smoot, and from his 

tente (582) 

Ful prively she stal from every wight, 
And with his heed unto hir toun she 

wente. 

De Reoe Antiiiocho illustui. 

Mliat nedeth it of King Anthiochus 3765 
To telle his hye royal magestee. 
His hye pryde, liis werkes venimous? 
For swich another was ther noon as he. 
Kede which tliat he was in Machabee, 
And redo the jiroude wordes that he seyde. 
And why he fil fro heigh prosperitee, (591) 
And in an liil how wrechedly he deyde. 



Fortune him hadde enhaunced so in pryde 
That verraily he wende he mighte attayne 
Unto the sterres, upon every syde, 3775 
And in balance weyen ech montayne, 
And alle the flodes of the see restrayne. 
And goddes peple hadde he most in hate, 
Hem wolde he sleen in torment and in 

payne, 
Wening that god ne mighte his pry-de 

abate. (6uo) 3780 

And for tliat Nichanor and Thimothee 
Of Jewes weren venquisshed mightily, 
Unto the Jewes swich an hate hadde he 
That he bad greithe his char ful hastily, 
And swoor, and seyde, ful despitously, 
Unto Jerusalem he wolde eft-sone, 3786 
To wreken his ire on it ful cruelly ; 
But of his purpos he was let ful sone. 

God for his manace him so sore smoot 
With invisible wounde, ay incurable, 3790 
That in his guttes carf it so and boot (611) 
That his peynes weren importable. 
And certeinly, the wreche was resonable. 
For many a mannes guttes dide he peyne ; 
But from his purpos cursed and damp- 

nable 3795 

For al his smert ho wolde him nat re- 

streyne ; 

But bad anon apparaillen his host, 
And sodeynly, er he of it was war, 
God daunted al his pryde and al his host. 
For he so sore fil out of his char, 38(X) 
That it his limes and his skin to-tar, (621) 
So that he neither mighte go ne rydo, 
But in a chayer men aboute him bar, 
Al for-brused, bothe bak and syde. 3804 

The wreche of god him smoot so criielly 
That thiirgh his body wikked wornies 

crepte ; 
And ther-with-al he stank so horribly, 
T}iat noon of al his moynee that him 

kepte, 
Wliether so he wook or elles slepte, 3809 
Ne mighte noght for stink of him endure. 
In tliis meschief he wayled and eek wepte, 
And knew god lord of every creature. 

To al his host and to him-self also (633) 
Ful wlatsom was the stink of his careyne ; 



54° 



B. ZU QUonftca Zak. 



[t. 14543-I4618. 



No man ne mighte him here to ne fro. 
And in this stink and this horrible 

peyne 3S16 

He starf ful wreccliedly in a monteyne. 
Thus hath this robbour and this homicyde, 
That many a man made to wepe and 

pleyne, 3819 

Swich guerdon as bilongeth unto pryde. 

De Alexandro. 

The storie of Alisaundre is so comune, 
That every wight that hath discrecioun 
Hatli herd somwhat or al of his fortune. 
This wyde world, as in conclusioun, (644) 
He wan by strengthe, or for his hye 

renoun 3825 

They weren glad for pees un-to him sende. 
The pryde of man and beste he leyde 

adoun, 
Wher-so he cam, un-to the worldes ende. 

Comparisoun might never yit be maked 
Bitwixe him and another conquerour ; 
For al this world for drede of him hath 

quaked, (651) 3831 

He was of kiiighthode and of fredom flour ; 
Fortune him made the heir of hir honour ; 
Save wyn and wommen, no-thing mighte 

aswage 
His hye entente in armes and labour ; 
So was he ful of leonyn corage. 3836 

What preys were it to liim, though I yow 

tolde 
Of Darius, and an hundred thoiisand mo. 
Of kinges, princes, erles, dukes bolde, 
Whiche he conquered, and broghte hem 

in-to wo ? 3840 

I seye, as fer as man may ryde or go, (661) 
The world was his, what sholde I more 

devyse ? 
For though I •write or tolde you evermo 
Of his knighthode, it mighte nat suffyse. 

Twelf yeer he regned, as seith Machabee ; 
Philippes sone of Macedoyne he was, 3846 
That first was king in Grece the contrce. 
O worthy gentil Alisaundre, alias ! 
That ever sholde fallen swich a cas ! 3849 
Empoisoned of thyn owene folk thou were ; 



Thy 81/3 fortune hath turned into as, (671) 
And yit for thee ne weep she never a tere ! 

Who shal me yeven teres to compleyne 
Thedeethof gentillesse and of fraunchyse, 
That al the world welded in his demeyne, 
And yit him thoughte it mighte nat 
suffyse ? 3856 

So ful was his corage of heigh empryse. 
Alias ! who shal me helpe to endyte 
False fortune, and poison to despyse. 
The whiche two of al this wo I wyte ? 3860 

De Jumo Cesake. 

By wisdom, manhede, and by greet laV)our 
Fro humble bed to royal magestee, (682) 
Up roos he, Julivis the conquerour. 
That wan al th'occident by lond and see, 
By strengthe of bond, or elles by tretee. 
And un-to Rome made hem tributarie ; 
And sitthe of Home the emperour was he, 
Til that fortune wex his adversarie. 

mighty Cesar, that in Thessalye 
Ageyn Pompeius, fader thyn in lawe, 3870 
That of th'orient hadde al the chivalrye 
As fer as that the day biginneth dawe. 
Thou thurgh thy knighthode hast hem 

take and slawe, (6gi) 

Save fcwe folk that with Pompeius fiedde, 
Thiirgh which thou puttest al th'orient 

in awe. 3875 

Thanke fortune, that so wel thee spedde ! 

But now a litel whyl I wol biwaille 

This Pompeius, this noble governour 

Of Home, which that fleigh at this bataille ; 

1 seye, oon of his men, a fals traitour, (700) 
His heed of smoot, to winnen him favour 
Of Julius, and him the heed he broghte. 
Alias, Pompey, of th'orient conquerour. 
That fortune unto swich a fjoi thee 

broghte ! 

To Rome ageyn repaireth Ju^lius 3S85 

With his triumphe, laureat ful hye, 
But on a tyme Brutus Cassius, 
That ever hadde of his hye estaat envye, 
Ful prively hath maad conspiracye 
Ageins this Julius, in subtil wyse, 3890 



14619-14684-] B. ZH QHonftee Zak, 



541 



And cast the place, in whiche he sholde 
dye (7") 

With boydekins, as I shal yow devyse. 

This Julius to the Capitolie wente 
Upon a day, as he was wont to goon, 
And in the Capitolie anon him hente 3895 
This false Brutus, and his othere foon, 
And stikede him with boydekins anoon 
With many a wounde, and thus they lete 

him lye ; 
But never gronte he at no strook Imt oon. 
Or elles at two, but-it' his storie lye. 3900 

So manly was this Julius at herte (721) 
And so wel lovede estaatly honestee, 
That, though his deedly woundes sore 

smerte. 
His mantel over his hippes casteth he, 
For no man sholde seen his privitee. 3905 
And, as he lay on deying in a traunce. 
And wiste verraily that deed was he. 
Of honestee yit hadde he remembraunce. 

Lucan, to thee this storie I recomenile. 
And to Sweton, and to f Valerie also, 3910 
That of this storie wryten word and 

ende, (730 

How that to tliise grete conqueroures two 
Fortune was first freend, and sithen fo. 
No man ne truste up-on hir favour longe. 
But have hir in awayt for ever-mo. 3915 
Witnesse on alle thise conqueroures 

stronge. 

Cresus. 

This riche Cresus, whylom king of Lyde, 
Of whiche Cresus Cyrus sore him dradde, 
Yit was he caught amiddes al his pryde. 
And to be brent men to the fyr him ladde. 
But swifh a reyn doun fro the welkne 
shadde (74') 39^1 

That slow the fyr, and made him to escape ; 
But to be war no grace yet he hadde. 
Til fortune on the galwes made him gape. 

Whan he escaped was, he can nat stente 
For to biginne a newe werre agayn. 3926 



He wende wel, for that fortune him sente 
Swich hap, that he escaped thurgh the 
ra3m, (748) 

That of his foos he mighte nat be slayn ; 
And eek a sweven up-on a niglit he mette, 
Of which he was so proud and eek so fayn. 
That in vengeaunce he al his herte sette. 

Up-on a tree he was, as that him thoughte, 
Ther Juppiter him. wesh, bothe bak and 

syde, (754) 

And Phebus eek a fair towaille him 

broughte 3935 

To drye him with, and ther-for wex his 

pryde ; 
And to his doghter, that stood him bisyde, 
Which that he knew in heigh science 

habounde. 
He bad hir telle him what it signifyde, 
And she his dreem bigan right thus e.x- 

pounde. 394^ 

' The tree,' quod she, ' the galwes is to 

mene, (761) 

And Juppiter bitoknoth snow and reyn, 
And Phebus, with his towaille so clene, 
Tho ben the Sonne stremes for to seyn , 
Thou shalt anhanged be, fader, certeyn ; 
Eeyn shal thee wasshe, and sonne shal 

thee drye ; ' 394^ 

Thus warned she him ful plat and ful 

pleyn. 
His doughter, which that called was 

Phanye. 

Anhanged was Cresus, the proude king. 
His royal trone mighte him nat availle.— 
Tragedie is noon other maner thing, (771) 
Ne can in singing crye ne biwaille, 3952 
But for that fortune alwey wol assaille 
With unwar strook the regnes that ben 

proude ; 
For when men trusteth hir, than wol she 

faille, 395,') 

And covere hir brighte face with a cloude. 
[See 1. 3565 071 p. 536, 
Explicit Tragedia. 



Here stinteth the Knight the Monk of his Tale. 



142 



B. (profogue of tU Qtonne ^vitet [t. 14773-1482';. 



THE PROLOGUE OF THE NONNE 
PRESTES TALE. 



The prologue of the Nonne Preestes Tale. 



' Ho ! ' qiiod the knight, ' good sir, na- 
more of this, 3957 

That ye han seyd is right y-notigh, y-wis, 
And mochel more ; for litel hevinesse 
Is right y-nongh to mochel folk, I gesse. 
I seye for me, it is a greet disese y,6i 

Wher-as men han ben in greet welthe 

and ese. 
To her en of hir sodeyn fal, alias ! 
And the oontrarie is joie and greet 
solas, 3964 

As whan a man hath been in povre estaat, 
And clyrabeth np, and wexeth fortunat, 
And ther abydeth in prosperitee, (11) 

Swich thing is gladsom, as it tliinketh me, 
And of swich thing were goodly for to 

telle.' 
'Ye,' qnod our hoste, 'by seint Ponies 
belle, 3970 

Ye seye right sooth ; this monk, he 

clappeth londe. 
Ho spak how "fortune covered with a 

cloude " 
I noot neverwhat,and als of a "Tragedie" 
Eight now ye herde, and parde ! no 

remedie 
It is for to biwaille, ne compleyne 3975 
That that is doon, and als it is a peyne, 
As ye han seyd, to here of hevinesse. (21) 
Sir monk, na-more of this, so god yow 

blesse I 
Your tale anoyeth al this companye ; 
Swich talking is nat worth a boterflj-e ; 
Fur ther-in is ther no desport ne game. 
Wlierfor, sir Monk, or dan Piers by your 
name, 3982 



I preye yowhertely, telle its somwhat elles, 
For sikerly, nere clinking of your belles. 
That on your brydel hange on every syde. 
By heven king, that for us alle dyde, (30) 
I sholde er this han fallen doun for slepe. 
Although the slough ha<l never been so 
depe ; 398S 

Than had your tale al be told in vayn. 
For certeinly, as that thise clerkes seyn, 
" Wher-as a man may have noon audience, 
Noght helpeth it to tellen his sentence." 
And wel I woot the substance is in me. 
If any thing shal wel reported be. 399.; 
Sir, sey somwhat of hunting, I yow preye.' 
' Nay,' qiiod this monk, ' I have no lust 
to pleye ; (4<r) 

Now let another telle, as I have told.' 
Than spak oiar host, with rude speohe 

and bold, 

And seyde un-to the Nonnes Freest anon, 

' Com neer, thou preest, com liider, thou 

sir John, 4«x> 

Tel us swich thing as may our liertes 

glade. 
Be blythe, though thou ryde iip-on a ja<le. 
Wliat though thyii hors be bothe foiile 
and lene, (47) 

If ho wol serve thee, rekke nat a bene ; 
Look that thyii herte be mery evermo." 
' Yis, sir,' quod he, ' yis, host, so mote I go, 
But I be mery, y-wis, I wol be blamed : ' — 
And right anon his tale he hath attamed. 
And thus he seyde un-to us everichon. 
This swete preest, this goodly man, sir 
John. 4010 

Explicit. 



T. 14827- 14S92.] B. ZU (Uonne ^vubUc Cafe. 



54.3 



THE NONNE PREESTES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Nonne Preestes Tale of the Cok and Hen, 
Chauntecleer and Pertelote. 



A rovRE -widwe, somdel stape in age, 
Was whylom dwelling in a narwe cotage, 
Bisydc a grove, stonding in a dale. 
This widwe, of which I telle yow my tale, 
Sin thilke day that she was last a wjrf, 
In pacience ladde a ful simple lyf, 4016 
For lit el was hir cat el and hir rente ; 
By hoiTsbondrye, of such as God hir sente, 
She fond hir-self, and eek hir doghtren 

two. 
Three large sowes hadde she, and namo. 
Three kyn, and eek a sheep that highte 

Malle, (11) 4021 

Ful sooty was hir bonr, and eek hir halle, 
In which she eet ful many a sclendre 

meel. 
Of poynaunt sauce hir neded never a deel. 
No deyntee morsel passed tliurgh hir 

tlirote ; 4025 

Hir dyete was accordant to hir cote. 
Repleccioun ne made hir never syk ; 
Attempree dyete was al hir phisyk. 
And exercyse, and hertes sufifisaunce. 4029 
The goute lette hir no-thing for to daunce, 
N'apoplexye shente nat hir heed ; (21) 

No wyn ne drank she, neither whjrt ne 

reed ; 
Hir hord was served most with whyt and 

blak, 
Milli and broun breed, in which she fond 

no lak, 
Seynd bacoiin, and somtymo an ey or 

tweye, 4035 

For she was as it were a maner deye. 

A yerd she hadde, enclosed al aboute 
With stikkes, and a drye dich with-oute. 
In which she hadde a cok, bight Chaun- 
tecleer, 4039 
In al the land of crowing nas his peer. (30) 
His vois was merier than the mery ergon 
On messe-dayes that in the chirche gon ; 



Wei silcerer was his crowing in his logge, 
Than is a clokke, or an abbey orlogge. 
By nature knew lie ech ascencioun 4045 
Of equinoxial in thilke tonn ; 
For whan degrees fiftene were ascended, 
Thanne crew he, that it niighte nat ben 

amended. (38) 

His comb was redder tlian the fyn coral, 
And batailed, as it were a castel-wal. 4050 
His bile was blak, and as the j eet it shoon ; 
Lyk asur were his legges, and his toon ; 
His nayles whytter than the lilie flour. 
And lyk the burned gold was his colour. 
This gentil cok hadde in his governaunce 
Sevene hennes, for to doon al his plesaunce, 
Whiche were his sustres and his para- 
mours, 4"57 
And wonder lyk to him, as of colours. 
Of whichethe faireste hewed on hirthrote 
Was cleped faire damoysele Pertelote. 
Curteys she was, discreet, and debonaire. 
And compaignable, and bar hir-self so 

faire, (52) 

Sin thilke day that she was seven night 

old. 
That trewely she hath the herte in hold 
Of Chauntecleer loken in every lith ; 4065 
He loved hir so, tliat wel was liim ther- 

with. 
'But such a joye was it to here hem singe, 
Whan that the brighte Sonne gan to 

springe, 4068 

In swete accord, ' my lief is faren in londe.' 
For thilke tyme, as I have understonde, 
Bestes and briddes coude speke and singe. 
And so bifel, that in a daweninge, (62) 
As Chauntecleer among his wj-ves alle 
Sat on his perche, that was in the halle, 
And next him sat this faire Pertelote, 40-5 
This Chauntecleer gan gronen in his 

throte. 



544 



ZU dtonne (pVUekC Znk. [t. i4893-i497r. 



As man that in his dreem is drecched sore. 
And whan that Pertelote thus herde him 

rore, 4078 

She was agast, and seyde, ' O herte dero, 
What eyleth yow, to gronc in this manere? 
Ye been a verray slepor, fy for shame !' (71) 
And he answerde and seyde thus, 

' madame, 
I pray yow, that ye take it nat a-grief : 
By god, me mette I was in swich meschicf 
Eight now, that yet myn herte is sore 

afright. 4085 

Now god,' quod he, ' my swevene reecho 

aright, 
And keep my body otit of foul prisoun ! 
Me mette, how that I romed up and doun 
Withinne our yerde, wher-as I saugh 

a beste. 
Was lyk an hound, and woldc han maad 

areste 4090 

Upon my body, and wolde lian had me 

deed. (81) 

His colour was bitwixe yelwe and reed ; 
And tipped was his tail, and hotlie his eres. 
With blak, unlyk the remenant of his 

heres ; 
His snowte smal, with glowinge eyen 

tweye. 4<>95 

Yet of liis look for fere almost I deye ; 
Tliis caused me my groning, doutelees.' 
' Avoy ! ' quod she, ' fy on yow, herto- 

lees! 
Alias ! ' quod she, ' for, by that god above. 
Now han ye lost myn herte and al my 

love; 4i(:() 

I can nat love a coward, by my feith. {91) 
For certes, what so any womman seith. 
We alle desyren, if it mighte be. 
To han housbondes hardy, wyse, and free. 
And secree, and no nigard, ne no fool, 4105 
Ne him that is agast of every tool, 
Ne noon avauntour, by that god above ! 
How dorste ye seyn for shame unto your 

love. 
That any thing mighte make yow aferd ? 
Have ye no mannes herte, and han a herd ? 
Alias ! and conne ye been agast of swe- 

venis? (loi) 4111 

No-thing, god wot, but vanitce, in sweven 

is. 
Swevenes cngendrcn of replecciouns. 



And ofte of fume, and of complecciouns. 
Whan humours been to habundant in a 

wight. 41 15 

Certes this dreem, which ye han met 

to-night, 
Cometh of the g^ete superfluitce 
Of youre rede colera, pardee. 
Which causeth folk to dreden in hero 

dremes ( log) 

Of arwes, .and of fyr with redo lemes, 4120 
Of grete bestes, that they wol hem byte. 
Of contek, and of whelpes grete and lyte ; 
Eight as the humour of malencolye 
Causeth ful many a man, in sleep, to crye, 
For fere of blake beros, or boles blake, 4125 
Or elles, blake doveles wole hem take. 
Of othere humours coudo I telle also, 
That werken many a man in sleep ful wo ; 
But I wol passe as lightly as I can. 

Lo Catoiin, which that was so wys 

a man, 4130 

Seyde he nat thus, ne do no fors of 

dremes? (121) 

Now, sire,' quod she, ' whan we floe fro 

the hemes. 
For Goddes love, as tak som laxatyf ; 
l^p peril of my soule, and of my lyf, 4134 
I counseillo yow the beste, I wol nat lye, 
That bothe of colore and of malencolye 
Ye purge yow ; and for ye shul nat tarie, 
Tliough in tliis toun is noon apotecarie, 
I shal my self to herbes techen yow. 
That shul ben for your hole, and for your 

prow; 4140 

And in our yerd tho herbes shal I finde. 
The whiche han of hir propretee, by 

kinde, (132) 

To purgen yow binethe, and eek above. 
Forget not this, for goddes owene love ! 
Ye been ful colerik of compleccioun. 4145 
Ware the sonne in his ascencioun 
Ne fynde yow nat repleet of humours 

hote ; 
And if it do, I dar wol leye a grote. 
That ye shul have a fevere terciane, 
Or an agu, that may be youre bane. 4150 
A day or two ye shul have digestyves (141) 
Of wormes, or ye take your laxatyves. 
Of lauriol, centaure, and fumetere. 
Or elles of ellebor, that groweth there, 
Of catapuce, or of gaytres beryis, 4155 



T. 14972-15056.] B. ZU (Uonne (preeefee Zak. 



545 



Of erbe yvc, growing in our yerd, that 

mery is ; 
Pekke hem up right as they growe, and 

ete hem in. 
Bo mery, housbond, for your fader kin ! 
Dredeth no dreem ; I can say yow na- 

more.' ('49) 

' Madame,' quod he, ' (jraunt mercy of 

your lore. 4160 

But natlielees, as touching daun Catoun, 
Tliat hath of wisdom such a greet renoun, 
Though that he bad no dremes for to 

dredo. 
By god, men may in olde bokes rede 
Of many a man, more of auctoriteo 4165 
Than over Catoun was, so mote I theo, 
That al the rovers seyn of his sentence. 
And han wel founden by experience, 
That dremes ben significaciouns. 
As wel of joye as triVmlaciouns 4170 

That folk enduren in this lyf present. (161) 
Tlior nedeth make of this noon argument; 
The verray preve sheweth it in dodo. 
Oon of the gretteste auctours that men 

rede 
Seith thus, that whylom two felawos 

wente 4175 

On pilgrimage, in a ful good entente ; 
And happed so, thay come into a toun, 
"Wher-as ther was swich congregacioun 
Of jieple, and eek so streit of horbergago 
Tliat they no founde as muche as o cotage 
In which thoy botho mighto y-logged bo. 
Wliorfor thay moston, of necessitoe, (172) 
As for that night, departen compaignye ; 
And ech of hem goth to his hostclrye. 
And took his logging as it wolde falle. 4185 
That oon of hem was logged in a stallo. 
For in a yerd, with oxen of the plough ; 
That other man was logged wel y-nough, 
As was his aventure, or his fortune, 4i.*^9 
That us governoth alio as in commune. 

And so bifel, that, longo or it were day, 
This man motte in his bed, tlior-as he lay. 
How that his folawe gan up-on him 

calle, ('83) 

And seydo, " alias ! for in an oxes stallo 
This night I shal be mordred tiior I lye, 
Now help me, dere brother, er I dye; 4196 
In alle haste com to me," ho sayde. 
This man out of his sloop for fore abraydo ; 



But whan that ho was wakned of his sleep. 
Ho turned him, and took of this no keep ; 
Him thought© his dreem nas but avanitee. 
Thus twyes in his sloping dromcd ho. (192) 
And atte thriddo tyme j'ot his felawo 
Cam, as him thoughto, and seide, "I am 

now slawe ; 
Bihold my blody woundos, dope and wydo ! 
Arys lip erly in tho morwe-tyde, 4206 

And at tlie wost gate of tho toun," quod he, 
" A carte ful of dong th(!r shaltow see, 
In which my body is hid ful privoly ; 
Do thilke carte arcsten boldely. 4210 

My gold caused my mordro, sooth to 

sayn;" (201) 

And tolde him every poynt how ho was 

slayn. 
With a ful pitous face, pale of howc. 
And truste wel, his dreem he fond ful 

trewe ; 
For on the morwe, as sone as it was day. 
To his felawes in ho took the way ; 4216 
And whan that he cam to this oxes stalle, 
After his felawe he bigan to calle. 

The hostilcr answered him anon, 
And soyde, " sire, your felawo is agon, 4220 
As sone as day he wente out of the toun." 
This man gan fallen in suspocioun, (212) 
Remembring on his dremes that he motte, 
And forth ho goth, no longer wolde he 

lotto, 4224 

Unto the west gate of the toun, and fond 
A dong-carte, as it wore to dongo lond. 
That was arrayed in tho same wyse 
As ye han herd the dodo man devyse ; 
And with an hardy horto he gan to crye 
Vengeaunco and justice of this felonye : — 
" My felawo mordrod is this same night. 
And in this carte ho lyth gapinge upright. 
I crye out on thoministres," quod he, (223) 
" That sholden kepe and roulonthis citee ; 
Harrow ! alias ! her lyth my folawe 

slayn ! " 4235 

What sholdo I more un-to this tale sayn ? 
Tho pojilo out-sterte, and caste the cart to 

grounde. 
And in the middel of tho dong thoy 

founde 
Tho dodo man, that mordrod was al ncwe. 
O blisful god, that art so just and 

trowo ! 4240 



546 



B. ■^^e QXonne (pteeefee 'Zak. [t. i5057-i5i34. 



Lo, how that thou biwreyest mordre 

alway ! (231) 

Mordre wol out, that see we day by day. 
Mordre is so wlatsom and abhominable 
To god, that is so, just and resonable, 
That he ne wol nat suffre it heled be ; 4245 
Though it abyde a yeer, or two, or three, 
Mordre wol out, this ray conclusioun. 
And right anoon, ministres of that toun 
Han hent the carter, and so sore him 

pyned, (239) 

And eek the hostiler so sore engyned, 4250 

That thay biknewe hir wikkednesse anoon. 

And were an-hanged by the nekke-boon. 

Here may men seen that dremes been 

to drede. 
And certes, in the same book I rede, 
Right in the n(!xte chapitre after this, 
(I gabbe nat, so have I joye or blis,) 4256 
Two men that wolde han passed over see. 
For certeyn cause, in-to a fer contree, 
If that the wind ne hadde been eontrarie, 
That made hem in a citee for totarie, 4260 
That stood ful mery upon an haven- 

syde. (251) 

But on a day, agayn the even-tyde. 
The wind gau chaunge, and blew right 

as hem leste. 
Jolif and glad they wente un-to hir reste. 
And cagten hem ful erly for to saille ; 4265 
But fto that 00 man fil a greet mervaille. 
That oon of hem, in sleping as he lay, 
Him mette a wonder dreem, agajia the 

day; 
Him though te a man stood by his beddes 

syde, 
And him comaunded, that he sholde 

abyde, 4270 

And seyde him thiis, "if thou to-morwe 

wende, (261) 

Thou shalt be dreynt ; my tale is at an 

ende," 
He wook, and tolde his felawe what he 

mette, 
And preyde him his viage for to lette ; 
As for that daj', he preyde him to abyde. 
His felawe, that lay by his beddes syde, 
Gan for to laughe, and scorned him ful 

faste. 
" No dreem," quod he, " may so myn herte 



That I wol lette for to do my thinges. 
I sette not a straw by thy dreminges, 4280 
For swevenes been but vanitees and japes. 
Men dreme al-day of owles or of apes, (272) 
And eke of many a mase therwithal ; 
Men dreme of thing that never was ne 

shaL 4284 

But sith I see that thou wolt heer abyde, 
And thus for-sleutlien wilfullj' thy tyde, 
God wot it reweth me ; and have good 

day." 
And thus he took his leve, and wente his 

way. 
But er that he hadde halfe his cours 

y-seyled, 
Noot I nat why, ne what mischaunce it 

eyled, 4290 

Bvit casvielly the shippes botme rente, (281) 
And ship and man under the water wente 
In sighte of othere shippes it byside, 
That with hem seyled at the sanie tyde. 
And therfor, faire Pertelote so dere, 4295 
By swiche ensamples olde maistow lere. 
That no man sholde been to recchelees 
Of di-emes, for I sey thee, doutelees, 
That many a dreem ful sore is for to 

drede. 42^9 

Lo, in the lyf of seint Ivenelm, I rede, 
That was Kenvilphus soue, the noble king 
Of Mercenrike, how Kenelm mette a 

thing ; (292) 

A lyte er he was mordred, on a day. 
His mordre in his avisioun he say. 
His norice him expouned every del 4305 
His sweven, and bad him for to kepe him 

wel 
For traisoun ; Lvit he nas but seven yeer 

old, 
And therfore litel tale hath he told 
Of any dreem, so holy was his herte. 
By god, I hadde lever than my sherte 4310 
That ye had rad his legende, as have I. 
Dame Pertelote, I sey yow trewely, (302) 
Macrobeus, that writ th'avisiouu 
In Affrike of the worthy Cipioun, 
Affermeth dremes, and seith that they 

been 4315 

Warning of thinges that men after seen. 

And forther-more, I pray yow loketh 

wel 
In th'olde testament, of Daniel, 



i5i35-'5"o.] B. t^i Qtonnc (pt-eeefee tak. 



547 



If he held dremes any vanitse. 4319 

Reed eek of Joseph, and ther shtil ye see 
Wher dremes ben somtyme (I sey nat alle) 
Warning of thinges that shul after falle. 
Loke of Egipt the king, daiin Pharao, (313) 
His bakere and his boteler also, 4324 

Wher they ne felte noon effect in dremes. 
Who-so wol selten actes of sondry remes. 
May rede of dremes many a wonder thing. 

Lo Cresns, which that was of Lyde king, 
Mette he nat tliat he sat upon a tree, 4329 
Which signified he sholde anhanged be? 
Lo heer Andromacha, Ectores wyf, (321) 
That day that Ector sholde lese his lyf, 
She dremed on the same night biforn, 
How that the lyf of Ector sliolde be lorn. 
If thilke day he wente in-to bataille ; 4335 
She warned him. but it miglite nat 

availle ; 
He wente for to fighte natlielees, 
Bat he was slayn anoon of Achilles. 
But thilke tale is al to long to telle, 4339 
And eek it is ny day, I may nat dwelle. 
Shortly I seyo, as for conclusioun, (331) 
That I shal han of this avisioun 
Adversitee ; and I seye forther-more. 
That I ne telle of laxatyves no store. 
For they ben venimous, I woot it wel ; 4345 
I hem defye, I love hem never a del. 

Now let us speke of mirthe, and stinte 
al this ; 
Madame Pertelote, so have I hlis, 
Of o thing god hath sent me large grace ; 
For whan I see the beautee of your face, 
Ye ben so scarlet-reed about your yen. 
It maketh al my drede for to dyen ; (342) 
For, also siker as In princijno, 
Mulier est hominis confusio ; 4354 

Madame, the sentence of this Latin is — - 
Womman is mannes joye and al his blis. 
For whan I fele a-night your softe syde, 
Al-be-it that I may nat on you ryde. 
For that our perche is maad so narwe, 

alas! 
I am so ful of joye and of solas 4360 

That I defye bothe sweven and dreem.' 
And with that word he fley dovin fro the 
beem, (352) 

For it. was day, and eek his hennes alle ; 
And with a chuk he gan hem for to calle, 
For he had fonnde a corn, lay in the yerd. 



Royal he was, he was namore aferd ; 4366 
He fethered Pertelote twenty tyme, 
And trad as ofte, er that it was pryme. 
He loketh as it were a grim leoun ; 4369 
And on his toos he rometli ixp and doun. 
Him deyned not to sette his foot to 

groimde. (361) 

He chukketh, whan he hath a corn 

y-founde. 
And to him rennen tlianne his wyves 

alle. 
Thus royal, as a prince is in his halle, 
Leve I this Chauntecleer in his pasture ; 
And after wol I telle his aventure. 4376 
Whan that the month in which the 

world bigan, 
That highte March, whan god first maked 

man. 
Was complet, and [y]-passed were also. 
Sin March bigan, thritty dayes and two, 
Bifel that Cliauntecleer, in al his pryde, 
His seven wyves walking by his syde, (372) 
Caste up his eyen to the brighte sonne. 
That in the signe of Taurus hadde 

y-ronne 
Twenty degrees and oon, and somwhat 

more ; 4385 

And knew by kynde, and liy noon other 

lore. 
That it was pryme, and crew with blisful 

stevene. 
' The Sonne,' he sayde, ' is clomben tip on 

hevene 
Fourty degrees and oon, and more, y-wis. 
Madame Pertelote, my worldes blis, 4390 
Herkneth thise blisful briddes how they 

singe, (381) 

And see the fresshe floures how they 

springe ; 
Ful is myn lierte of revel and solas.' 
But sodeinly him fil a sorweful cas ; 
For ever the latter ende of joye is wo, 4395 
God woot that worldly joye is sone ago ; 
And if a rethor coude faire endyte. 
He in a cronique saufly mighte it wryte. 
As for a sovereyn notabilitee. 4399 

Now every wys man, lat him herkne me; 
This storie is al-so trewe, I undertake, (391) 
As is the book of Launcelot de Lake, 
That wommen holde in ful gret reverence. 
Now wol I tome agayn to my sentence. 



548 



B. Z^^ (Uonne (PvuqUq Zak. [t. 15221-15300. 



A col-fox, ful of sly iniquitee, 4405 

That in the grove hadde woned yeres 

three, 
By heigh imaginacioun forn-cast, 
The same night thurgh-out the hegges 

hrast 
Into the yerd, ther Chauntecleer the faire 
Was wont, and eek his wyves, to repaire ; 
And in a bed of wortes stille he lay, (401) 
Til it was passed vindern of the day, 
Wayting his tyme on Chauntecleer to 

falle. 
As gladly doon thise homicydes alle. 
That in awayt liggen to mordre men. 4415 
O false mordrer, lurking in thy den ! 
newe Scariot, newe Genilon ! 
False dissimilour, Greek Sinon, 
That hroghtest Troye al outrely to sorwe ! 

Cliauntecleer, acursed be that morwe, 
Tliat thou into that yerd flough fro the 

hemes ! (411) 4421 

Thoii were ful wel y-warned by thy 

dremes, 
That thilke day was perilous to thee. 
But what that god forwoot mot nedes be, 
After the opinioun of certeyn clerkis. 4425 
Witnesse on him, that any perfit clerk is, 
That in scole is gret altercacioun 
In this matere, and greet disputiso^^n, 
And hath hen of an hundred thousand 

men. 
But I ne can not bultc it to the bren, 4430 
As can the holy doctoior Aiagustyn, (421) 
Or Boece, or the bishop Bradwardyn, 
Whether that goddes worthy forwiting 
iStreyneth me nedely for to doon a thing, 
(Nedely clepe I simple necessitee) ; 4435 
Or elles, if free choys be graunted me 
To do that same thing, or do it noght, 
Thougli god forwoot it, er that it was 

wroght ; 
Or if his witing streyneth nevere a del 
But by necessitee condicionel. 4440 

1 wol not han to do of swich matere ; (431) 
My tale is of a cok, as ye may here, 
That took his counseil of his wyf, with 

sorwe. 
To walken in the yerd upon tliat morwe 
That he had met the dreem, that I yow 

tolde. 4445 

Wommennes counseils been ful ofte colde ; 



Wommannes counseil broghte us first to 

wo. 
And made Adam fro paradys to go, 
Ther-as he was ful mery, and wel at ese. — 
But for I noot, to whom it mighte 

displese, 4450 

If I counseil of wommen wolde blame, (441) 
Passe over, for I seyde it in my game. 
Rede auctours, wher they trete of swich 

matere. 
And what thay seyn of wommen ye may 

here. 
Thise been the cokkes wordes, and nat 

myne ; 4455 

I can noon harm of no womman divyne. — 

Faire in the sond, to bathe hir merily, 

Lj-th Pertelote, and alle hir sustres by, 

Agayn the Sonne ; and Chauntecleer so 

free 
Song merier than the mermayde in the 

see ; 4460 

For Pliisiologus seith sikerly, (450 

How that they singen wel and nierily. 
And so bifel that, as he caste his ye, 
Among the wortes, on a boterflye, 4464 
He ^vas war of this fox tliat lay ful lowe. 
No-thing ne liste him thanne for to crowe. 
But cryde anon, ' cok, cok,' and up he 

sterte. 
As man that was afFrayed in his lierte. 
For naturelly a beest desyreth flee 
Fro his contrarie, if he may it see, 4470 
Though he never erst had seyn it -svith 

his ye. (46O 

This Chauntecleer, whan he gan him 

espye, 
He wolde han fled, but that the fox anon 
Seyde, ' Gentil sire, alias ! wher wol ye 

gon? 
Be ye aflfrayed of me that am your 

freend? 4475 

Now certes, I were worse than a feend, 
If I to yow wolde harm or vileinye. 
I am nat come your counseil for t'espye ; 
But trewely, the cause of my cominge 
Was only for to herkne how that ye 

singe. (470) 4480 

For trewely ye have as mery a stevene 
As eny aungel hath, that is in hevene ; 
Therwith ye han in musik more felinge 
Than hadde Boece, or any that can singe. 



T. 15301-15378.] B. ZU Qtonne ^vtt&ke ZaU. 



549 



My lord your fader (god his soule blesse !) 
And eek your raoder, of liir gentilesse, 
Han in myn hous y-been, to my gret ese ; 
And certes, sire, ful fayn wolde I yow 

plese. 4488 

But for men speke of singing, I "wol saye, 
So mote I Tjrouke wel myn eyen tweye, 
Save yow, I herde never man so singe, 
As dide your fader in the morweninge ; 
Certes, it was of herte, al that he song. 
And for to make his voys the more strong. 
He wolde so peyne him, that with bothe 

his yen 4495 

He moste winke, so loude he wolde cryen, 
And stonden on his tiptoon ther-with-al, 
And strecche forth his nekke long and 

smal. 
And eek he was of swich discrecioun. 
That ther nas no man in no regioun 4500 
That him in song or wisdom mighte 

passe. (491) 

I have wel rad in daun Bnrnel the Asse, 
Among his vers, how that ther was a cok. 
For that a preestes sone yaf him a knok 
Upon his leg, whyl he was yong and 

Jiyce, 4505 

He made him for to lese his benefyce. 
But certeyn, ther nis no comparisoun 
Bitwix the wisdom and discrecioun 
Of youre fader, and of his subtiltee. (499) 
Now singeth, sire, for seinte Charitee, 4510 
Let see, conne ye your fader countrefete?' 
This Chauntecleer his winges gan to bete. 
As man that coude his tresoun nat espye, 
So was he ravisshed with his flaterye. 

Alias ! ye lordes, many a fals flatour 
Is in your courtes, and many a losengeour. 
That plesen yow wel more, by my feith. 
Than he that soothfastnesse unto yow 

seith. 
Redeth Ecclesiaste of flaterye ; 
Beth war, ye lordes, of hir trecherye. 4520 
This Chauntecleer stood hye up-on his 

toos, (511) 

Strecching his nekke, and heeld his eyen 

cloos. 
And gan to crowe loude for the nones ; 
And daun Russel the fox sterte iip at 

ones, 4524 

And by the gargat hente Chauntecleer, 
And on his bak toward the wode him beer. 



For yet ne was ther no man that him 

sewed. 
O destinee, that mayst nat been eschewed ! 
Alias, that Chauntecleer fleigh fro the 

hemes ! 45^9 

Alias, his wyf ne roghte nat of dremes ! 
And on a Friday fil al this meschaunce. (52 1) 
O Venus, that art goddesse of plesaunce, 
Sin that thy servant was this Chaunte- 
cleer, 
And in thy service dide al his poweer. 
More for delyt, than world to multiplye, 
Wliy woldestow sufFre him on thy day to 

dye? 4536 

G-aufred, dere mayster soverayn, 
That, whan thy worthy king Richard 

was slayn 
With shot, compleynedest his deth so 

sore. 
Why ne hadde I now thy sentence and 

thy lore, 454o 

The Friday for to cliyde, as diden ye? (531) 
(For on a Friday soothly slayn was lie.) 
Than wolde I shewe yow how that I coude 

pleyne 
For Chauntecleres drede, and for his 

peyne. 
Certes, swich cry ne lamentacioun 4545 
Was never of ladies maad, whan Ilioun 
Was wonne, and Firms with his streite 

swerd, 
Whan he hadde hent king Priam by the 

herd, 
And slayn him (as saith us Eneydos), 
As maden alle the hennes in the clos, 4550 
Whan they had seyn of Chauntecleer the 

sighte. (541) 

But sovereynly dame Pertelote shrighte, 
Ful louder than dide Hasdriibales wyf. 
Whan that hir housbond hadde lost his Ij-f, 
And that the Romayns hadde brend 

Cartage ; 4555 

She was so ful of torment and of rage. 
That wilfully into the fyr she sterte, 
And brende hir-selven with a stedfast 

herte. 
O woful hennes, right so cryden ye, 
As, whan that Nero brende the citee 4560 
Of Rome, cryden senatoures wyves, (551; 
For that hir housbondes losten alle hir 

lyves ; 



55° 



B. 'C^e Qtonne {pvUeUe tak. [t. 15379-15452. 



Withoiiten gilt this Nero batli hem slayn. 
Now wol I torne to my tale agayn : — 
This sely widwe, and eek hir doghtres 

two, 4565 

Herden thise hennas crye and niaken wo, 
And out at dores sterten they anoon, 
And syen the fox toward the grove goon. 
And bar upon his bak the ook away ; 
And cryden, ' Out ! harrow ! and weyla- 

way ! 4570 

Ha, ha, the fox ! ' and after him they 

ran, (561) 

And eek with staves many another man ; 
Ran CoUe our dogge, and Talbot, and 

Garland, 
And Malkin, with a distaf in hir hand ; 
Kan cow and calf, and eek the verray 

hogges 4575 

So were they fered for berkiug of the 

doggos 
And shouting of the men and wimmen 

eke, 
They ronne so, hem thoughte hir herte 

breke. 
They yelleden as feendes doon in lielle ; 
The dokes cryden as men wolde hem 

quelle; (571)4580 

The gees for fere flowen over the trees ; 
Out of the hyve cam the swarm of bees ; 
So hidous was the noyse, a ! benedicite ! 
Certes, he Jakke Straw, and his meynee, 
Ne made never shoutes half so shrille, 4585 
Whan that they wolden any Fleming 

kille. 
As thilke day was maad upon the fox. 
Of bras thay broghten bemes, and of })ox. 
Of horn, of boon, in whiche they blewe 

and pouped, 
And therwithal thay shryked and they 

houped ; 459" 

It semed as that heven sholde falle. (581) 
Now, gode men, I pray yow herkneth alle ! 

Lo, how fortune turneth sodeinly 
The hope and pryde eek of hir enemy ! 
This cok, that lay upon the foxes bak, 4595 
In al his drede, un-to the fox he spak. 
And seyde, ' sire, if that I were as ye. 
Yet sholde I seyn (as wis god helpe me), 
Tnvneth agayn, ye proude cherles alle ! 



A. verray pestilence Tip-on yow falle ! 4600 
Now am I come nn-to this wodes syde, 
Maugree your heed, the cok shal heer 
abyde ; (59-2) 

I wol him ete in feith, and that anon.' — 
The fox answerde, ' in feith, it shal be 

don,' — 
And as he spak that word, al sodeinly 4605 
This cok brak from his mouth deliverly. 
And heighe up-on a tree he fleigh anon. 
And whan the fox saugh that he was 

y-gon, 
'Alias !' quod he, ' O Chauntecleer, alkts! 
I have to yow,' quod he, ' y-doon trespas, 
In-as-muche as I maked yow aferd, (601) 
Whan I yow hente, and broghte out of 

the yerd ; 
But, sire, I dide it in no wikke entente ; 
Com doun, and I shal telle yow what 

I mente. 

T shal seye sooth to yow^, god help mc so.' 

' Nay than,' quod he, ' I shrewn ns l>othe 

two, 4616 

And first I shrewe my-self, hot ho blood 

and bones. 
If thou bigyle me ofter tlian ones. 
Thou shalt na-more, thurgh thy flateryc. 
Do me to singe and winke with myn ye. 
For he that winketh, whan he sholde see, 
Al wilfully, god lat him never thee !' (612) 
' Nay,' quod the fox, ' but god yaxe him. 

meschaunce. 
That is so undisoreet of governauuce, 
That jangleth whan he sholde holde his 
pees.' 4625 

Lo, swich it is for to be recchelees, 
And necligent, and truste on flaterye. 
But ye that holden this tale a fol,\e. 
As of a fox, or of a cok and hen, 
Taketh the moralitee, good men. 4630 

For seint Paiil seith, that al that writen 
is, (62,) 

To our doctryne it is y-write, y-wis. 
Taketh the fruyt, and lat the chaf be 
stille. 
Now, gode god, if that it be thy wille. 
As seith my lord, so make us alle gootl 
men ; 4635 

And bringe us to his heighe Idisse. Amen. 



Here is ended the Nonne Preestes Tale. 



T. 15453-11963.] B. Bpi(o^ut to tU Qtonne (pvueke 'Zak, 551 

EPILOGUE TO THE NONNE 
PREESTES TALE. 



' Sir Nonnes Freest,' our hoste sej'de anoon, 
' Y-blessed be thy breche, and every stoon ! 
This was a mery tale of Chauntecleer. 
But, by iny trouthe, if thou were seculer. 
Thou woldest been a trede-foul a-right. 464 1 
For, if thou have corage as thou hast 

might. 
Thee were nede of hennes, as I wene, 
Ya, mo than seven tymes seventene. 



See, whiche braunes hath this gentil 
Freest, 4645 

So greet a nekke, and swich a largo breest ! 
He loketh as a sperhauk witli his yijn ; (11) 
Him nedeth nat his colour for to dyen 
Witli brasil, ne with greyn of Portingale. 
Now sire, faire falle yow for youre tale ! ' 
And after that he, with ful niery chere, 
Seide to another, as ye shullen here. 4652 



B. 4652 =T. 15468 ; C. I = T. 1 1935. 



GROUP C. 



THE PHISICIENS TALE. 



Here folweth the Phisiciens Tale. 



TiiEii was, as telleth Titus Living, 
A knight that called was Virginius, 
Fulfild of honour and of worthincsse. 
And strong of freendes and of greet 

richesse. [T. 11 938 

This knight a doghter hadde by his wyf. 
No children hadde he mo in al his lyf. 6 
Fair was this mayde in excellent beauteo 
Aboven every wight that man may see ; 
For nature hath with sovereyn diligence 
Y-formed hir in so greet excellence, 10 
As though shewolde seyn, 'lo! I, Nature, 
Thus can I forme and peynte a creature. 
Whan that me list ; who can me conntre- 

fete? 
Pigmalion noglit, though he ay forge and 

bete, 



Or grave, or peynte ; for I dar wel seyn, 15 
Apelles, Zanzis, sholde werche in veyn, 
Outlier to grave or peynte or forge or bete, 
If they presumed me to countrefete. 
For he that is the former principal 
Hath maked me his vicaire general, 20 
To forme and peynten erthely creatxiris 
Right as me list, and ech thing in my 

cuio is 
Under the mone, that may wane and waxe. 
And for my werk right no-thing wol I axe ; 
My lord and I ben ful of oon accord ; 25 
I made hir to the worshiia of my lord. 
So do I alle myne othere creatures, 
Wliat colour that they ban, or what 

figures.' — ■ 
Thus semeth me that Nature wolde scye. 



552 



c. Z^i (p^isickm Zak. [t. 11964-12054. 



This mayde of age twelf yeer was and 
t'weye, 30 

In whicli tliat Nature liadde swicli delyt. 
Por right as she can peynte a lilie whyt 
And reed a rose, riglit with swich peynture 
She peynted hath this noble creature 
Er she were born, np-on hir limes free, 35 
Wher-as by right swiche colours sholde be ; 
And Phebus dyed hath hir tresses grete 
Lyk to the stremes of his burned hete. 
And if that excellent was hir beautee, 
A thousand-fold more vertuous was she. 40 
In hir ne lakked no condicioun. 
That is to preyse, as by discrecioun. 
As wel in goost as body chast was she ; 
For which she floured in virginitee 
With alle humilitee and abstinence, 45 
With alle attemperaunce and pacience, 
With mesure eek of bering and array. 
Discreet she was in answering alway ; 
Though she were wys as Pallas, dar I seyn, 
Hir facound eek ful wommanlyand pleyn, 
No countrefeted termes hadde she 51 

To seme wys ; but after hir degree 
She spak, and alle hir wordes more and 

lesse 
Souninge in vertu and in gentillesse. 
Shamfast she was in maydens shamfast- 
nesse, 55 

Constant in herte, and ever in bisinesse 
To dryve hir oiit of ydel slogardye. 
Bacus hadde of hir mouth right no 

niaistrye ; 
For wyn and youthe doon Venus encrece. 
As men in fyr wol casten oile or grece. 60 
And of hir owene vertii, unconstreyned, 
She hath ful ofte tyme syk hir feyned, 
For that she wolde fleen the companye 
Whor lykly was to treten of folye. 
As is at festes, revels, and at daunces. 65 
That been occasions of daliaiinces 
Swich thinges maken children for to be 
To sone ryjje and bold, as men may see, 
Wliich is ful perilous, and hath ben yore. 
For al to sone may she lerne lore 70 

Of boldnesse, whan she woxen is a wyf. 

And ye maistresses in your olde lyf. 
That lordes doghtres han iii governaunce, 
Ne taketh of my wordes no disjilesaunce ; 
Thenketh that ye ben set in governinges 75 
Of lordes doghtres, only for two thinges ; 



Outher for ye han kept your honestee. 
Or elles ye han falle in freletee. 
And knowen wel y-nough the olde daunce, 
And han forsaken fully swich meschaunce 
For evermo ; therfore, for Cristes sake, 81 
To teche hem vertu loke that ye ne slake. 
A theef of venisoun, that hath forlaft 
His likerousnesse, and al his olde craft, 
Can kepe a forest best of any man. 85 

Now kepeth hem wel, for if ye wol, ye can ; 
Loke wel that ye un-to no vice assente, 
Lest ye be dampned for your wikke en- 
tente ; 
For who-so doth, a traitour is certeyn. 
And taketh kepe of that that I shal 
seyn ; 5,0 

Of alle tresons sovereyn pestilence 
Is whan a wight bitrayseth innocence. 

Ye fadres and ye modres eek also, 
Though ye han children, be it oon or two. 
Your is the charge of al hir surveyaunce, 95 
Whyl that they been under your govern- 
aunce. 
Beth war that by eusample of your liviuge. 
Or by your necligence in chastisinge. 
That they ne perisse ; for I dar wel seye, 
If that they doon, ye shul it dere abeye. icx) 
Under a shepherde softe and necligent 
The wolf hath many a sheep and lamb 

to-rent. 
Suffyseth oon ensamjile now as here 
For I mot turne agayn to my matere. 
This mayde, of which I wol this tale 
expresse, 105 

Sokepte hir-self, hir neded no maistresse ; 
For in hir living maydens mighten rede, 
As in a book, every good word or dede, 
That longeth to a mayden vertuous ; 
She was so prudent and so bountevous. 1 10 
For which the fame out-sprong on every 

syde 
Bothe of hir heaiitee and hir bountee wyde ; 
That thurgh that land they preysed hir 

echone. 
That loved vertu, save envye aUone, 
That sory is of other mennes wele, 1 15 
And glad is of his sorwe and his unhele ; 
(The doctour maketh this descripciouu). 
This mayde up-on a day wente in the toun 
Toward a temple, with hir moder dere 
As is of yonge maydens the manere. 120 



T. 1 2055-1 3 1 40.] c. ZU (p0t0tcten0 Zak. 



553 



Now was tlier thanne a justice in that 

toun, 
That governonr was of that regioun. 
And so hifel, this juge his eyen caste 
Up-on tliis mayde, avysinge him ful faste, 
As she cam forhy ther this juge stood. 125 
Anon his herte chaunged and his mood, 
So was he caught with beautee of tliis 

mayde ; 
And to him-self ful prively he sayde, 
' This mayde shal be mjm, for any man.' 
Anon the feend in-to his herte ran, 130 
And taughte him sodeynly, that he by 

slighte 
The mayden to his purpos winne mighte. 
For certes, by no force, ne by no mede, 
Him thoughte, he was nat able for to spede ; 
For she was strong of freendes, and eek she 
Confermed was in swich soverayn bountee, 
That wel he wiste he mighte hir never 

winne 137 

As for to make hir with hir body sinne. 
For which, by greet deliberacioun, 
He sente after a cherl, was in the toun, 140 
Wliich that he knew for subtil and for 

bold. 
This juge tin-to this cherl his tale hath told 
In secree wj-se, and made him to ensure, 
He sholde telle it to no creature. 
And if he dide, he sholde lese his heed. 145 
Whan that assented was this cursed reed, 
G-lad was this juge and maked him greet 

chere. 
And j-af him yiftes precioiise and dere. 
Whan shapen was al hir conspiracye 
Fro point to point, how that his lecherye 
Parfourned sholde been ful svibtilly, 151 
As ye shul here it after openly, 
Hoom gooth the cherl, that highte Clau- 
dius. 
This false juge that highte Apius, 
So was his name, (for this is no fable, 155 
But knowen for historial thing notable. 
The sentence of it sooth is, out of doute). 
This false juge gooth now faste aboute 
To hasten his delyt al that he may. 
And so bifel sone after, on a day, 160 

This false juge, as telleth us the storio. 
As he was wont, sat in his consistorie, 
And yaf his domes up-on sondry cas. 
This false cherl cam forth a ful greet pas, 



And seyde, ' lord, if that it be your wiUe, 165 
As dooth me right np-on this pitous bille. 
In which I pleyne up-on Virginius. 
And if that he wol seyn it is nat thus, 
I wol it preve, and finde good witnesse, 
That sooth is that my bille wol expresse.' 
The juge answei'de, ' of this, in his 

absence, 171 

I may nat yeve diffinitif sentence. 
Lat do him calle, and I wol gladly here ; 
Thou shalt have al right, and no wrong 

here.' 174 

Virginius cam, to wite the juges wille. 
And right anon was rad this cursed bille ; 
The sentence of it was as ye shul here. 
' To yow, my lord, sire Apius so dere, 
Sheweth your povre ser%'ant Claudius, 
How that a knight, called Virginius, 180 
Agayns the lawe, agayn al eqiiitee, 
Holdeth, expres agayn the wil of me. 
My servant, which that is my thral by 

right. 
Which fro myn lious was stole up-on 

a night, 
Whyl that she was ful j'ong ; this wol 

I preve 185 

By witnesse, lord, so that it nat yow greve. 
She nis his doghter nat, what so he seye ; 
Wherfore to yow, my lord the juge, I preye, 
Yeld me my thral, if that it be your wille.' 
Lo ! this was al the sentence of his bille. 
Virginius gan up-on the cherl biholde, 
But hastily, er he his tale tolde, 192 

And wolde have proved it, as sholde 

a knight, 
And eek by witnessing of many a wight. 
That it was fals that seyde his adversarie, 
This cursed juge wolde no-thing tarie, 196 
Ne here a word more of Virginius, 
Biit yaf his jugement, and seyde thus : — 
' I deme anon this cherl his servant have ; 
Thou shalt no lenger in thyn hous hir 

save. 200 

Go bring hir forth, and put hir iu our 

wardo. 
The cherl shal have his tliral, this I 

awarde.' 
And whan this worthj- knight Virginius, 
Thurgli sentence of this justice Apius, 
Moste by force his dere doghter yiven 205 
Un-to the juge, in lecherye to liven. 



T 3 



554 



c. Z^i (p^iekkne Zak. [t. 



1214I — 12220. 



He gooth liini hoom, and sette liim in his 

halle, 
And leet anon liis dere doghter calle, 
And, with a face deed as asshen colde, 
Upon hir humble face he gan hihohle, 210 
With fadres pi tee stiking thurgh his herte, 
Al wolde he from his purpos nat converte. 
' Doghter,' quod lie, ' Virginia, by thy 

name, 
Ther been two weyes, outher death or 

shame. 
That thou most sviffre ; alias ! that I was 

bore ! 215 

For never thou deservedest wherfore 
To dyen with a swerd or with a knyf. 
dere doghter, ender of my lyf, 
Wliieh I have fostred up witli swich 

plesaunce, 
That thou were never out of my remem- 

braunce ! 220 

O doghter, which that art my laste wo. 
And in my lyf my laste joye also, 
O gemme of chastitee, in pacience 
Take thou thy deeth, for this is my sen- 
tence. 
For love and nat for hate, thou most be 

deed ; 225 

My pitous hand mot smyten of thyn heed. 
Alias ! that ever Apius thee say ! 
Thus hath he falsly juged thee to-day ' — 
And tolde hir al the cas, as ye bifore 229 
Han herd ; nat nedeth for to telle it more. 
' O mercy, dere fader,' quod thismayde, 
And with that word she both hir armes 

layde 
About his nekke, as she was wont to do : 
The teres broste out of hir eyen two. 
And seyde, ' gode fader, shal I dye ? 235 
Is ther no grace ? is ther no remedye ? ' 
' No, certes, dere doghter myn,' quod he. 
'Thanne yif me leyser, fader myn,' quod 

she, 
' My deeth for to compleyne a litel space ; 
For pardee, Jepteyaf his doghter grace 240 
For to compleyne, er he hir slow, alias ! 
And god it woot, no-thing was hir trespas. 
But for she ran hir fader first to see, 
To welcome him with greet solempnitee.' 
And with that word she fil aswowne anon. 
And after, whan hir swowning is agon, 246 

Here endeth the 



Slie ryseth up, and to hir fader sayde, 
' Blessed be god, that I shal dye a mayde. 
Yif me my deeth, er that I have a shame ; 
Doth with your child your wil, a goddes 

name ! ' 250 

Aiid with that word she preyed him ful 

ofte, 
That with his swerd ho wolde smyte softe. 
And with that word aswowne dotin she fil. 
Hir fader, with ful sorwefiil herte and wil, 
Hir heed of smoot, and l)y the top it 

hente, 255 

And to the juge he gan it to presente. 
As he sat yet in doom in consistorie. 
And whan the juge it saugh, as seith the 

storie. 
He bad to take him and anhange him 

faste. 259 

But right anon a thousand peple in thraste, 
To save the knight, for routhe and for 

pitee. 
For knowen was the false iniquitee. 
The peple anon hath suspect of this thing. 
By manere of the cherles chalajiging. 
That it was by th'assent of Apius ; 2(^5 
They wisten wel that he was lecherous. 
For which vin-to this Apius they gon. 
And caste him in a prison right anon, 
Wher-as he slow him-self ; and Clavidius, 
That servant was un-to this Apius, 270 
Was demed for to hange upon a tree ; 
But that Virginius, of his pitee. 
So preyde for him that he was exyled ; 
And elles, certes, he had been bigyled. 
The remenant were anhanged, more and 

lesse, 275 

That were consentant of this cursed- 

nesse. — 
Heer men may seen howsinne hath his 

meryte ! 
Beth war, for no man woot whom god 

wol smyie 
In no degree, ne in which maner wyse 
The worm of conscience may agryse 280 
Of wikked lyf, though it so privee be, 
That no man woot ther-of but god and he. 
For be he lewed man, or elles lered, 
He noot how sone that he shal been afered. 
Therfore I rede yow this conseil take, 285 
Forsaketh sinne, er sinne yow forsake. 

Phisiciens Tale. 



T. I222I — 1 2262.] 



c. (B)otrb0 of tU l^oet 



555 



WORDS OF THE HOST. 



The wordes of the- Host to the Phisicien and the Pardoner. 



OuK Hoste gan to swere as he were 

wood, 
' Harrow ! ' quod he, ' by nayles and by 

blood ! 
This was a fals cherl and a fals justyse ! 
As shamful deeth as herte may devyse 290 
Come to thise juges and hir advocats ! 
Algate this sely mayde is slayn, alias ! 
Alias ! to dere boghte she beanteo ! 
Wlierfore I seye al day, as men may see, 
That yiftes of fortune or of nature 295 
Ben cause of deeth to many a creature. (10) 
Hir beautee was hir deeth, I dar wel sayn ; 
Alias ! so pitou^sly as she was slayn ! 
Of bothe yiftes that I speke of now 
Men hau ful ofte more harm than prow. 
But trewely, myn owene mayster dere, 301 
This is a pitous tale for to here. 
But natheles, passe over, is no fors ; 
I prey to god, so save thy gentil cors, 304 
And eek thyne iirinals and thy jordanes, 
Thyn Ypocras, and eek thy Galianes, (20) 
And every boist ful of thy letuarie ; 
God blesse hem, and our lady seinte 

Marie ! 
So mot I theen, thou art a propre man. 
And lyk a prelat, by seint Eonyan ! 310 



Seyde I nat wel? I can nat speke in 

terme ; 
But wel I woot, thou doost my herte to 

erme. 
That I almost have caught a cardiacle. 
By corpiis bones ! but I have triacle, 314 
Or elles a draught of moyste and cornyale, 
Or but I here anon a mery tale, (30) 

Myn herte is lost for pitee of this mayde. 
Thou bel amy , thou Pardoner,' he seyde, 
' Tel us som mirthe or japes right anon.' 
' It shall be doon,' quod he, ' by seint 

Ronyon ! 320 

But first,' quod he, ' heer at this ale- 
stake 
I wol both drinke, and eten of a cake.' 
But right anon thise gentils gonne to 

crye, 
' Nay ! lat him telle us of no ribaudye ; 
Tel us som moral thing, that we may 

lere 325 

Som wit, and thanne wol we gladly 

here.' (40) 

' I graunte, y-wis,' quod he, ' but I mot 

thinke 
Up-on som honest thing, whyl that I 

drinke.' 



^' 5 



556 



c. (ptofogue of f0e (pardoner© Zak. [t. 12263-12322 



THE PROLOGUE OF THE 
PARDONERS TALE. 



Here folweth the Prologe of the Pardoners Tale. 

Hadix maloruin est Citpitlitas: Ad ThimotliPum, se.rlo. 



'LouDiNGs,' qnod he, ' in chirches whan 1 

preche, 
I peyne nie to han an hauteyn speche, 3 ;,o 
And ringe it out as round as gooth a belle, 
For I can al by rote that I telle. 
My theme is alwe.y con, and ever was — 
" Radix malorum est Cupiditas.''' 

First I prononnce whennes that I come, 
And than my bulles shewe I, alle and 

somme. -x^^f, 

Our lige lordes seel on my patente. 
That shewe I first, mybody to warente, ( ro) 
That no man be so bold, ne j)ree.st ne clerk. 
Me to destourbe of Cristes holy werk ; 340 
And after that than telle I forth my tales, 
Bulles of popes and of cardinal es, 
Of patriarkes, and bishoppes I shewe ; 
And in Latyn I speke a wordes fewe. 
To saffron with my predicacionn, 345 

And for to stire men to devocionn. (18) 
Than shewe I forth mylongecristal stones, 
Y-crammed ful of cloutes and of bones ; 
Eeliks been they, as wenen they echoon. 
Than have I in latoiin a sholdor-boon 350 
"Wliich that was of an holy Jewes shepe. 
"Good men," seye ![, "tak of my wordes 

kepe ; 
If that this boon be wasshe in any welle, 
If cow, or calf, or .sheep, or oxe swelle 
That any worm hath ete, or worm y- 

stonge, 3:;^ 

Tak water of that welle, and wash his 

tonge. 
And it is liool anon ; and forthermore, 
Of pokkesanil of scabbe, and every sore(3()) 



Shal every sheep be liool, that of this welle 
Drinketh a draughte ; tak kepe eek what 

I telle. 360 

If that the good-man, that the bestes owetli, 
'\^''ol every wike, er that the cok him 

croweth, 
Fastinge, drinkenof this welle a draughte. 
As thilke holy .Jcwe our eldres taughte, 
His bestes and his stoor shal mnltiplye. 3^15 
And, sirs, also it heletli jalousye ; 
For, though -a man be falle in jaloiis rage, 
Let maken with this water his potage, (40) 
And never shal he more his wyf mistriste. 
Though he the sooth of hir defaute wiste ; 
Al had she taken preestes two or three. 371 
Heer is a miteyn eek, that ye may see. 
He that his hond wol piitte in this miteyn, 
He shal have multiplying of his greyn. 
Whan he hath sowen, lie it wheteorotes. 
So that he offre pens, or elles grotes. 376 
Good men and wommen, o thing warnc 

I yow, 
If any wight be in this chirche now, (501 
That hath doon sinne horrible, that he 
Dar nat, for shame, of it y-shriven be, 38(1 
Or any womman, be siie yong or old. 
That hath y-maad hir housbond cokewold. 
Swich folk shul have no power ne no grace 
To offren to my reliks in this place. 
And who-so findeth him out of swich 

blame, 385 

He wol com up and offre in goddes name. 
And I assoille him by the auctoritee 
Which that by bulle y-graunted was to 

me." ((,(,) 



T. 1 2 323-1 2396.] c. (Jjrofogue of t0e (pavionetre ZaU. 



557 



By this gaude have I wonne, yeer by 

yeer, 
An hundred mark sith I was Pardoner. 
I stonde lyk a clerk in my pulpet, 391 
And whan the lewed peple is doun y-set, 
I preche, so as ye han herd bifore, 
And telle an hundred false japes more. 
Than peyne I me to streeche forth the 

nekke, 395 

And est and west upon the peple I bekke, 
As doth a dowve sitting on a berne. (69) 
Myn hondes and my tonge goon so yerne, 
That it is joye to see my bisinesse. 
Of avaryce and of swich cursednesse 400 
Is al my preching, for to make hem free 
To yeve her pens, and namely tin-to me. 
For my entente is nat but for to winne, 
And no-thing for correccioun of sinne. 404 
I rekke never, whan that they ben beried, 
Though that her soules goon a-blake- 

beried ! 
For certes, many a predicacioun 
Comth ofte tyme of yvel entencioun ; (80) 
Som for plesaunce of folk and flaterye, 
To been avaunced by ipocrisye, 410 

And som for veyne glorie, and som for hate. 
For, whan I dar non other weyes debate, 
Than wol I stinge him with my tonge 

smerte 
In preching, so that he shal nat asterte 
To been defamed falsly, if that he 415 

Hath trespased to my brethren or to me. 
For, though I telle noght his propre name. 
Men shal wel knowethat it is the same (90) 
By signes and by othere circumstances. 
Thus qu3Hie I folk that doon us dis- 

plesances ; 420 

Thus spitte I out my venim under hewe 
Of holynesse, to seme holy and trewe. 

But shortly myn entente I wol devyse ; 
I preche of no-tliing but for coveityse. 
Therfor my theme is yet, and ever was — 



" Radix malorum est cupidttas.'' 426 

Thus can I preche agayn that same vyce 
Which that I use, and that is avaryce. (i<X)) 
But, though my-self be gilty in that sinne, 
Yet can I maken other folk to twinne 430 
From avaryce, and sore to repente. 
But that is nat my principal entente. 
I preche no-thing but for coveityse ; 
Of this matere it oughte y-nogh suffyse. 
Than telle I hem ensamples many oon 
Of olde stories, longe tyme agoon : 436 
For lewed peple loven tales olde ; 
Swich thinges can they wel reporte and 

holde. (J'o) 

What? trowe ye, the whyles I niay preche. 
And winne gold and silver for I teche, 440 
That I wol live in povert wilfully ? 
Nay, nay, I thoghte it never trewely ! 
For I wol preche and begge in sondry 

londes ; 
I wol not do no labour with myn hondes, 
Ne make baskettes, and live tlierbj^, 445 
Because I wol nat beggen ydelly. 
I wol non of the apostles counterfete ; 
I wol have money, woUe, chese, and whete, 
Al were it yeven of the povrest page, (121) 
Or of the povrest widwe in a village, 450 
Al sholde hir children sterve for famyne. 
Nay ! I wol drinke licour of the vyTie, 
And have a joly wenche in every touD. 
But herkneth, lordings, in conclusioun ; 
Your lyking is that I shal telle a tale. 455 
Now, have I dronke a draiighte of corny 

ale, 
By god, I hope I shal yow telle a thing 
That shal, by resoun, been at your lyking. 
For, thougli mj'self be a I'ul vicious 

man, 
A moral tale yet I yow telle can, (132) 46(1 
Which I am wont to preche, for to winne. 
Now holde j'our pees, my tale I wol 

beginne.' 



558 



c. ZU (pardoners Zak, [t. 12397-12460. 



THE PARDONERS TALE. 



Here biginneth the Pardoners Tale. 



In Flaundres whyloni was a oompanye 
Of yonge folk, that hauntedeu folye, 
As ryot, hasard, stewes, and tavernes, 465 
Wlaer-as, with harpes, lutes, and giternes, 
They daunce and pleye at dees bothe day 

and night, (139) 

And ete also and drinken over hir might, 
Thiirgh which they doon the devel sacri- 

fyse 
With-in that develes temple, in cursed 

wyse, 470 

By superfluitee abhominable ; 
Hir othes been so grete and so dampnable, 
That it is grisly for to here hem swere ; 
Our blissed lordes body they to-tere ; 
Hem thoughte Jewes rente him noght 

y-nough ; 475 

And ech of hem at othercs sinne lough. 
And right anon than comen tombesteres 
Fetys and smale, and yonge fruytes- 

teres, (150) 

Singers with harpes, baudes, wafereres, 
Whiche been the verray develes ofRceres 
To kindle and blowo the fyr of lecherye. 
That is annexed un-to glotonye ; 482 

The holy writ take I to my witnesse. 
That hixurie is in wyn and dronkenesse. 
Lo, how that dronken Loth, unkindely, 
Lay by his doghtres two, unwitingly ; 4S6 
So dronke he was, he niste what he 

wroghte. ( 151)) 

Herodes, (who-so wel the stories soghte;. 
Whan he of wyn was replet at his feste, 
Eight at his owene table he yaf his heste 
To sleen the Baptist John ful giltelees. 491 
Senek seith eek a good word doutelees ; 
He seith, he can no difference finde 
Bitwix a man that is out of his mindc 



And a man which that is dronkelewe, 495 
But that woodnesse, y-fallen in a shrewe, 
Persevereth lenger than doth dronkenesse. 
O glotonye, ful of cursednesse, (170) 

O cause first of our confnsioun, 
O original of our dampnacioun, 500 

Til Crist had boght us with his blood 

agayn ! 
Lo, how dere, shortly for to sayn, 
Aboght was thilke cursed vileinye ; 
Corrupt was al this world for glotonye ! 

Adani our fader, and his wyf also, 505 
Fro Paradys to labour and to wo 
Were driven for that vyce, it is no drede ; 
For whyl that Adam fasted, as I rede, (180) 
He was in Paradys ; and whan that he 
Eet of the fruyt defended on the tree, 510 
Anon he was out-cast to wo and peyne. 
O glotonye, on thee wel oghte us pleyne ! 
O, wisto a man how many maladyes 
Folwen of excesse and of glotonyes, 
He wolde been the more mesurable 515 
Of his diete, sittinge at his table. 
Alias ! the shorte throte, the tendre 

mouth, 
Maketh that, Est and West, and North 

and South, (190) 

In erthe, in eir, in water men to-swinke 
To gete a glotoiui deyntee mete and 

drinke ! 520 

Of this matere, o Paul, wel canstow trete, 
' Mete un-to wombe, and wombe eek un-to 

mete, 
Shal god destroyen bothe,' as Paulus seith. 
Alias ! a foul thing is it, by my feith, 524 
To seye this word, and fouler is the dede, 
Whan man so drinketh of the whyte and 

rede, 



T. 12461-12542.J c. ZU $Avionev0 Zak. 



559 



That of his throte he maketh his privee, 
Thnrgh thilke cursed superfliiitee. (200) 

The apostel weping seith ful pitonsly, 
' Ther walken many of whiche yow told 

have I, S3" 

I seye it now weping with pitons voys, 
[That] they been enemys of Cristas croys, 
Of whiche the ende is deeth, wombe is 

her god.' 
O wombe ! O bely ! O stinking cod, 
Fulfild of donge and of corrnpcioun ! 5,^5 
At either ende of thee foul is the soun. 
How greet labour and cost is thee to 

finde! 
Thise cokes, how they stanipe, and streyne, 

and grinde, (210) 

And turnen substaunce in-to accident. 
To fulfille al thy likerous talent ! 540 

Out of the harde bones knokke they 
The mary, for they caste noght a-wey 
That may go thurgh the golet softe and 

swote ; 
Of spicerye, of leef, and bark, and rote 
Shal been his sauce y-maked by delyt, 545 
To make him yet a newer appetyt. 
But certes, he tliat haunteth swich delyces 
Is deed, whyl that he liveth in tho vyces. 
A lecheroiis thing is wyn, and dronke- 

nesse (221) 549 

Is ful of stryving and of wrecchednesse. 
O dronlve man, disfigured is tliy face, 
Soivr is thy breeth, foul artow to embrace, 
And thiirgh thy dronke nose semeth the 

soun 
As though tliou seydest ay ' Sampsoun, 

Sampsoun ' ; 
And yet, god wot, Sampsoun drank never 

no wyn. 555 

Tho\i fallest, as it were a stiked swjai ; 
Thy tonge is lost, and al thyn honest ciire ; 
For dronkenesse is verray sepulture (230) 
Of mannes wit and his discrecioun. 559 
In whom that drinke hath dominacioun, 
He can no conseil kepe, it is no drede. 
Now kepe yow fro the whyte and fro the 

rede. 
And namely fro the whyte wyn of Lepe, 
That is to selle in Fish-strete or in Cliepe. 
This wyn of Spayne crepeth subtilly 565 
In othere wynes, growing faste by, 
Of which ther ryseth swich fumositee, 



That whan a man hath dronken draughtes 

three, (240) 

And weneth that ho be at hoom in 

Chepe, 
He is in Spayne, right at the toune of 

Lepe, 570 

Nat at the Eochel, ne at Burdeux toun ; 
And thanne wol he seye, ' Sampsoun, 

Sampsoun.' 
Bvit herknetli, lordings, o word, I yow 

preye, 
Tliat alle the soverej-n actes, dar I seye, 
Of victories in th'olde testament, 575 

Thurgh verray god, tliat is omnipotent, 
Were doon in abstinence and in j)reyere ; 
Loketh the Bible, and ther ye may it 

lere. (250) 

Loke, Attila, the grete conqtierour, 
Deyde in his sleep, witli shame and dis- 
honour, i;So 
Bledinge ay at his nose in dronkenesse ; 
A capitayn shoiilde live in sobrenesse. 
And over al this, avyseth yow right wel 
What was comaunded im-to Lamuel — 
Nat Samuel, but Lamuel, seye I — 585 
Redeth the Bible, and finde it expresly 
Of wyn-yeving to hem tliat han justyse. 
Na-more of this, for it may wel suffyse. (260) 
And now that I have si^oke of glotonye, 
Now wol I yow defenden liasardrye. 590 
Hasard is verray nioder of lesinges, 
And of deceite, and cursed forsweringes, 
Blaspheme of Crist, manslaughtre, and 

wast also 
Of catel and of tyme ; and forthermo, 
It is repreve and contrarie of honovir 595 
For to ben liolde a commune hasardour. 
And ever the hyer he is of estaat. 
The more is he liolden desolaat. (270) 

If that a prince useth hasardrye, 
In alle governaunce and policye 600 

He is, as by commune opinioun, 
Y-holde the lasse in reputacioun. 

Stilbon, that was a wys embassadour, 
Was sent to Corinthe, in ful greet honour. 
Fro Lacidomie, to make hir alliaunce. 605 
And whan he cam, him hapjiede, par 

chaunce, 
That alle the grettest that were of that 

lond, 
Pleyinge atte hasard he hem fond. (28c) 



;6o 



c. ZH (pavlontvQ Zak. 



[t. 12543— 12626. 



]|"'or which, as sone as it niighte be, 609 
He stal him hooni agayn to his contree. 
And seyde, ' ther wol I nat lese my name ; 
N' I wol nat take on me so greet defame, 
Yow for to allye wn-to none hasardours. 
Sendeth othere wyse embassadours ; 614 
For, by my trouthe, me were lever dye. 
Than I yow sholde to hasardours allye. 
For ye that been so glorious in honours 
Shul nat allyen yow witli hasardours {2go) 
As by my wil, ne as by my tretee.' 
This wyse philosophre thus seyde he. 620 

Loke eek that, to the king Demetrius 
The king of Parthes, as the book seith us, 
Sente him a paire of dees of gold in scorn. 
For he hadde used hasard ther-biforn ; 
For which he heeld his glorie or his 

renoun 6^5 

At no value or reptitacioun. 
Lordes may iinden other maner pley 
Honeste y-nough to dryve the day awey. 
Now wol I speke of othes false and 

grete (301) 

A word or two, as olde bokes trete. 630 
Gret swering is a thing abhominable, 
And false swering is yet more reprevable. 
The heighe god forbad swering at al, 
Witnesse on Mathew ; but in special 
Of swering seith the holy Jeremye, 635 
' Thou shalt seye sooth thyn othes, and 

nat lye. 
And swere in dome, and eek in rightwis- 

nesse ; ' 
But ydel swering is a cursednesse. (310) 
Biliold and see, that in the firste table 
Of heighe goddes hestes honurable, 640 
How that the seconde hesteof him is this — 
' Tak nat my name in ydel or amis.' 
Lo, rather he forbedeth swich swering 
Than homicj'de or many a cursed thing ; 
I seye that, as by ordre, thus it stondeth ; 
This knowen, that his hestes under- 

stondeth, 646 

How that the second heste of god is 

that. 
And forther over, I wol thee telle al j)lat. 
That vengeance shal nat parten from his 

hoiis, (321) 

That of his othes is to outrageous. 650 
' By goddes precious herte, and by his 

nayles. 



And by the blode of Crist, that it is in 

Hayles, 
Seven is my chaiince, and thyn is cink 

and treye ; 
By goddes armes, if thou falsly pleye. 
This dagger shal thurgh-out thyn herte 

go '— 655 

This fruyt cometh of the bicched bones two, 
Forsweriug, ire, falsnesse, honiicyde. (329) 
Now, for the love of Crist that for iis dyde, 
Leveth your othes, bothe grete and smale ; 
But, sirs, now wol I telle forth my tale. 660 

Thise ryotoures three, of whiche I telle, 
Longe erst er pryme rong of any belle, 
Were set hem in a taveme for to drinke ; 
And as they satte, they herde a belle clinko 
Biforn a cors, was caried to his grave ; 665 
That oon of hem gan callen to his knave, 
' Go bet,' quod he, ' and axe redily, (339) 
What cors is this that passeth heer forby; 
And look that thou reporte his name wel.' 
' Sir,' quod this boy, ' it nedeth never- 
a-del. 670 

It was me told, er ye cam heer, two houres ; 
He was, pardee, an old felawe of youres ; 
And sodeyuly he was y-slayn to-night, 
For-dronke, as he sat on his bench up- 
right ; 
Ther cam a privee theef, men clepeth 
Deeth, 675 

That in this contree al the peple sleetli, 
And with his spere he smoot his herte 
a-two, (,H9) 

And wente his wey with-outen wordes mo. 
He hath a thousand slayn this pestilence : 
And, maister, er ye come in his presence, 
Me thinketh tliat it were uecessarie 681 
For to be war of swich an adversarie : 
Beth redy for to mete him evermore. 
Thus taughte me my dame, I sey na-more.' 
' By seinte Marie,' seyde this taverner, 685 
' The child seith sooth, for he hath slayn 

this yeer, 
Henne over a myle, with -in a greet village, 
Both man and womman, child and hyne, 
and page. (36") 

I trowe his habitacioun be there ; 
To been avysed greet wisdom it were, 690 
Er that he dide a man a dishonour.' 
' Ye, goddes armes,' quod this ryotour, 



T. 12627-12702.] c. tU (|)arioner6 Zak. 



561 



' Is it swich peril with hiin for to mete ? 
I shal iiim seke by wey and eek by strete, 
I make avow to goddes digne bones ! 695 
Herkneth, felawes, we three been al ones ; 
Lat ech of us holde np his bond til other, 
And ech of us bicomen otheres brother, (370) 
Andwe wolsleen this false tray tour Deeth ; 
He shal be slayn, which that so many 
sleeth, 700 

By goddes dignitee, er it be night.' 

Togidres han thise three her trouthes 
plight, 
To live and dyen ech of hem for other, 
As though he were his owene y-boi-en 

brother. 
And up they sterte al dronken, in this 
rage, 705 

And forth they goon towardes that village, 
Of which the taverner had spoke biforn, 
And many a grisly 00th than han they 
sworn, (380) 

And Cristes blessed body they to-rente — • 
' Deeth shal be deed, if that they may him 
hente.' 710 

Whan they han gooia nat fully half a 
myle, 
Right as they wolde lian troden over a 

style, 
An old man and a povre with hem mette. 
This olde man ful mekely hem grette. 
And seyde thus, ' now, lordes, god yow 
see ! ' 715 

The proudest of thise ryotoures three 
Answerde agayn, ' what ? carl, with sory 
grace, (389) 

Why artow al forwrapped save thy face ? 
Why livestow so longe in so greet age ? ' 

This olde man gan loke in his visage, 720 
And seyde thus, ' for I ne can nat finde 
A man, though that I walked in-to Inde, 
Neither in citee nor in n(j village. 
That wolde cliaunge his youthe for myn 

age ; 
And thei'fore moot I han myn age stille. 
As longe time as it is goddes wille. 726 
Ne deeth, alias ! ne wol nat han my lyf ; 
Thiis walke I, lyk a restelees caityf, (400) 
And on the ground, which is my modres 

gate, 
Iknokke with my staf, bothe erly and late. 
And seye, "Icve moder, leet me in ! 731 



Lo, how I vanish, flesh, and blood, and 

skin ! 
Alias ! whan shul my bones been at reste V 
Moder, with yow wolde I chavinge my 
cheste, 734 

That in my chambre longe tjrme hath be. 
Ye ! for an hej're clout to wrappe me ! " 
But yet to me she wol nat do that grace, 
For which ful pale and welked is my face. 
But, sirs, to yow it is no curteisye (411) 
To speken to an old man vileinye, 740 
But he trespasse in worde, or elles in dede. 
In holy writ ye may your-self wel rede, 
" Agayns an old man, hoor upon his heed. 
Ye sholde aryse;" wherfor I yeve yow 

reed, 
Ne dooth iin-to an old man noon harm 
now, 745 

Na-more than ye wolde men dide to yow 
In age, if that ye so longe abyde ; 
And god be with yow, wher ye go or ryde. 
I moot go thider as I have to go.' (421) 
' Nay, olde cherl, Ijy god, thou shalt nat 
so,' 750 

Seyde this other hasardour anon ; 
' Thou partest nat so lightly, by seint .John ! 
Thou spak right now of thilke traitour 

Deeth, 
That in this contree alle our frendes 

sleeth. 
Have heer my trouthe, as thou art his 
aspye, 755 

Tel wher he is, or thou shalt it abye. 
By god, and by the holy sacrament ! 
For soothly thou art oon of his assent, (430) 
To sleen us yonge folk, thou false theef ! ' 
' Now, sirs, ' quod he, ' if that yow be so 
leef 760 

To finde Deeth, turne up this croked 

wey. 
For in that grove I lafte him, by my fey. 
Under a tree, and tlier he wol abyde ; 
Nat for your boost he wol him no-thing 

hyde. 
See ye that ook ? right ther ye shul him 
finde. 765 

God save yow, that boghte agayn man- 

kinde. 
And yow amende ! ' — thus seyde this olde 

mm. 
And evorich of thise i-yotoures ran, (4401 



1^62 



ZU tankviuv^ take. 



[t. 12703-1277: 



Til he cam to that tree, and ther they 

founde 
Of florins fyne of golde y-coyned rovmde 
Wei ny an eighte bnsshels, as hem 

though te. 771 

Nolenger thanne after Deeth they soughte, 
Bnt ech of hem so glad was of that sighte, 
For that the florins been so faire and 

hrighto, 
That doun they sette hem by this precious 

hord. 775 

The worste of hem he spake the firste word. 

' Bretliren,' quod he, ' tak kepe what I 

seye ; 
My wit is greet, though that I bourde and 

pleye. (450) 

This tresor hath fortaine un-to us yiven, 
In mirthe and jolitee our lyf to liven, 780 
And lightly as it comth, so wol we spende. 
Ey ! goddes precious dignitee ! who wende 
To-day, that we sholde ban so fair a grace ? 
But naighte this gold be caried fro this 

place 784 

Hoom to myn hous, or elles un-to youres — 
For wel ye woot that al this gold is oures — 
Than were we in heigh felicitee. 
But trewely, by daye it may nat be ; (460) 
Men wolde seyn that we were theves 

stronge, 789 

And for our owene tresor doon us honge. 
This tresor moste j'-caried be by nighte 
As wysly and as slyly as it mighte. 
Wherfore I rede that cut among us alle 
Be drawe, and lat see wher the cut wol 

falle ; 
And he that hath the cut with herte blythe 
Shal renne to the toune, and that ful 

swythe, yi:)6 

And bringe its breed and wyn ful privcly. 
And two of us shul kepcn subtilly (470) 
This tresor wel ; and, if he wol nat tario. 
Whan it is night, we wol this tresor 

cario 8(x) 

By oon assent, whcr-as us thinketh best.' 
That oon of hem the cut broughtc in his 

fest, 
And bad hem drawo, and loke wher it wol 

falle ; 
And it fil on the yongeste of hem alle ; 
And forth toward the toun he wente anon. 
And al-so sone as that he was g<Tn, 806 



That oon of hem spak thus un-to that 

other, 
' Thou knowest wol thou art my sworne 

brother, (480) 

Thy profit wol I telle thee anon. 
Thou woost wel that our felawe is agon ; 
And heer is gold, and that fill greet 

plentee, 81 1 

That shal departed been among us three. 
But natheles, if I can shape it so 
That it departed were among us two, 
Hadde I nat doon a freendes torn to thee?' 
That other answerde, ' I noot how that 

may be ; 816 

He woot how that the gold is with us 

tweye. 
What shal we doon, what shal we to him 

seye?' (490) 

' Shal it be conseil ? ' seyde the firste 

shrewe, 
' And I shal tellen thee, in wordes fewe. 
What we shal doon, and bringe it wol 

aboute.' 821 

' I graunte,' quod that other, ' out of 

doute. 
That, by my trouthe, I wol thee nat bi- 

wreye.' 
' Now,' quod the firste, ' thou woost wel 

we be tweye, 824 

And two of us shul strenger be than oon. 
Look whan tliat he is set, and right anoon 
Arys, as thovigh thou woldest with him 

pleye ; 
And I shal ryve him thurgh the sydes 

tweye (S'X)) 

Wliyl that thou strogelest with him as in 

game, 
And with thy dagger look thou do the 

same ; 830 

And than shal al this gold departed be, 
My dere freend, bitwixen me and thee ; 
Than may we bothe our lustcs al fulfille, 
And pleye at dees right at our owene 

wille.' 
And thus acorded been thise shrewes 

tweye 835 

To sleen the thridde, as ye han herd me 

seye. 
This yongest, which that wente un-to 

the toun, 
Ful ofte in herte he rolleth uj) and doun 



T. 12773- 



-12848.] 



c. ZU $arioner0 Zak. 



563 



Tho beauteo of tliise florins newe and 
brighte. (5") 

' O lord ! ' quod lie, ' if so were that I 
mighte ^-t" 

Have al this tresor to my-self allone, 
Ther is no man that liveth iinder the trono 
Of god, that sholde live so mery as I ! ' 
And atte laste the feend, our enemy, 
Putte in his thought that he shold poyson 
beye, ^-^^ 

With which he mighte sleen his felawes 

tweye ; 
For-why the feend fond him in swich 
lyvingo, (5 '9) 

That he had leve him to sorwe bringe. 
For this was outrely his fulle entente 
To sleen hem bothe, and never to repente. 
And forth he gooth, no lenger wolde he 
tarie, '^S^ 

Into tho toun, un-to a pothecarie, 
And preyed him, tliat he him wolde 

selle 
Som poyson, that he mighte his rattes 

quelle ; 
And eek ther was a polcat in his hawe. 
That, as he seyde, his capouns hadde 
y-slawe, ^5" 

And fayn he wolde wreke him, if he 

mighte. 
On vermin, that destroyed him by nighte. 
The pothecarie answerde, ' and thou 
shalt have (530 

A thing that, al-so god my soule save, 860 
In al this world ther nis no creature, 
That ete or dronke hath of this confiture 
Noglit but the moimtance of a corn of 

wliete. 
That he ne shal his lyf anon forlete ; 
Ye, sterve he shal, and that in lasse whyle 
Than thou wolt goon a paas nat but a 
myle ; 866 

This poyson is so strong and violent.' 
This cursed man hath in his bond 
y-hent (540) 

This poyson in a box, and sith he ran 
In-to the nexte strete, vin-to a man, 870 
And borwed [of] him large hotels three ; 
And in tho two his poyson potired he ; 
The thridde he kepte clene for his drinke. 
For al the night he shoop him for to 
swinko 874 



In caryinge of the gold out of that place. 
And whan this ryotour, with sory grace, 
Ht^d filled with wyn his grote hotels three, 
To his felawes agayn repaireth he. (550) 
What nedeth it to sermone of it more? 
For right as they had cast his deeth bifore, 
Eight so they han him slayn, and that 
anon. °°' 

And whan that this was doon, thus spak 

that oon, 
' Now lat us sitte and drinke, and make 

us merie, 
And afterward we wol his body berie.' 
And with that word it happed him, par 
cas, 885 

To take the hotel ther the poyson was. 
And drank, and yaf his felawe drinke also. 
For which anon they storven bothe two. 

But, certes, I sviiipose that Avicen (561) 
Wroot never in no canon, ne in no fen. 
Mo wonder signes of empoisoning 891 

Than hadde thise wrecches two, er hir 

ending. 
Thus ended been thise homicydes two, 
And eek the false empoysoner also. 

O ciirsed sinne, fiU of cursednesse ! 895 
O traytoiirs homicyde, o wikkednesse ! 
glotonye, luxurie, and hasardrye ! (569) 
Thou blasphemour of Crist with vileinye 
And othes grete, of usage and of pryde ! 
Alias! mankinde, how may it bityde, 91x5 
That to thy creatour which that thee 

wroghte, 
And with his precious herte-blood thee 

boghte. 
Thou art so fals and so unkinde, alias ! 
Now, goode men, god forgeve yow your 
trespas, 9^^+ 

And ware yow fro the sinne of avaryce. 
Myn holy pardoun may yow alle waryce. 
So that ye offre nobles or sterlinges, 
Or elles silver broches, spones, ringes. (580) 
Boweth your heed under this holy bulle ! 
Cometh up, ye wyves, offreth of your 
wolle ! 9"' 

Your name I entre heer in my roUo anon ; 
In-to the blisse of hevene shul ye gon ; 
I yow assoile, by myn heigh power, 
Yow that wol offre, as clene and eek a:; 
clear 



r)^>4 



ZU CanterBurp Zake. 



[t. i2S4<)— i2yoj. 



As ye were born ; and, If), sirs, thus I 

preehe. * 915 

And Josu Crist, that is our soulcs lech^ 
So gruuato yow liis pardon to receyve ; 
J'^or tliat is best ; 1 wol yuw nat deceyve. 

But sirs, o word Ibrgat I in my talo, (591 ) 
T liavc rclikes and pardon in my male, 9^0 
As fairc as any man in Engelond, 
Whiche were nicyeven by the popes hond. 
If any of yow wol, of devocioun, 
Offrcn, and han inyn absolucifiun, 
(yometli forth anon, and kneleth lieor 

adoun, 925 

And mokely receyveth my pardoun : 
Or elles, taketh pardon as ye wende, (599) 
Al newe and fresh, at every tounes ende, 
So that ye offren alwcy newe and newe 
Nobles and pens, which that be godc and 

trewe. 930 

It is an honour to everich tliat is hour, 
Tliat j'C mowo have a suffisant pardoncer 
T'assoillc yow, in contree as yo ryde, 
For aventures wliicli that may l)ity<lo. 
Peraventure ther may falluoon or two 935 
Doun of his hors, and broke his nekke 

atwo. 
Look which a scui-etee is it to yow alle 
That I am inyour felaweshipy-falle, (610) 
Tliat may assoille yow, bothe more and 

lasse. 
Whan that the soule shal fro the body 

passe. 940 

I redo that our hosto heer shal biginne. 
For he is most envoluped in sinne. 
Com iorth, sir hosto, and offre first anon, 
And tlioii shalt kisse the relikseverichon, 



Ye, for a grote ! unbokel anon thy purs.' 
•Nay, nay,' quod ho, 'than have T 

Cristes cnrs ! (;46 

Lat be,' quod ho, ' it shal nat be, so 

thee'ch ! 
Thou woldest make ine kisse thyn old 

breech, (620; 

And swero it wore a rc'ik of a seint, 
Thogh it were witli thy fundeinent de- 

l)eint ! 950 

But by the cri)ys which that seint Eleyne 

fond, 
I wolde I hadde thy coillons in myn hond 
In stoile if relikes or of seintuarie ; 
Lat cutto hem of, I wol thee helpo hem 

cario ; 
They shul bo shryned in an hogges tord.' 
This pardoner answerdc nat a word ; 956 
So wrooth he was, no word ne wolde he 

scye. 
'Now,' quml uur liMst, ' I w<il no longer 

pleye (630) 

AVith thee, no with noon other angry man.' 
But right aiKjii the worthy Knight bigan. 
Whan that he saugli that al the )ici)le 

lough, 961 

' Na-more of this, for it is right j'-nough ; 
Sir Pardoner, be glad and mery of chore ; 
And ye, sir host, that been to me so dere, 
I prey yow that ye kisse the Pardoner. 965 
And Pardoner, I prey thee, drawo thee 

neer. 
And, as wo diden, lat us laughe and 

pleye.' (639) 

Anon they kiste, and riden forth hir 

weye. [T. 72902 



Here Is ended the Pardoners Tale. 

{Fo7- T. 12903, sea p. 492). 



5583-5636.] r>- ^^« (^»f^ ^f ^^^^'^ (J^vofogue. 



565 



GROUP D. 



THE WIFE OF BATH'S PROLOGUE. 

The Prologe of the Wyves Tale of Bathe. 



' ExPKRiENC'K, though iiooii auftoritcn 
Were in this world, weri right y-nough 

to mo 
To speke of wo that is in mariago ; 
For, lordingcs, sith I twelf yeer was of age, | 
Thonked ho god that is eterno on lyve, 5 
Housl)ondcs at chircho-dorc 1 havo had j 

fyve ; 
For I so ofto havo y-weilded ho ; j 

And iillo wore worthy men in hir dogreo. 
Bixt mo was told ocrtoyn, nat longc agon is. 
That sith that Crist no wonto never hnt 
on is '" 

To wedding in the Cane of Galilee, 
Tliat hy the same ensample tanghte he mo 
That I ne sholde wedded he hut ones. j 

Herke eek, lo! which a sharp word for 

the nones 
Eesy.lc a wello .Tesus, god and man, 15 
Spak in repreve of the Samaritan : 
'• Thou hast y-had fyve lioushondos," quod 

he, 
"Anil thilke man, tho whioh th;it hath 

now thee. 
Is noght thyn lioushond ; '" tlius seydc ho 

certeyn ; 
What that ho m<uito thor-by, I can nat 

seyn ; ^° 

But that I axo, wliy that tho fiftho man 
Was noon lioushond to tho Samaritan':" 
How manj'o mighto she have in mariage? 
Yet horde I never tellen in myn age 
Upon this nomhro diffinicioun ; 25 

Men may devyne and glosen up and doun. 
But wel 1 woot expres, with-onte lyo, 
God bad us for to wexo and multiplye ; 
That gentil text can I wel understonde. 
Eek wel I vvoot he seydo, myn lioushondo 



Sholdo lotc fader and moder, and take 
me ; ■'' ' 

But of no nombro moncioun made ho, 
Of bigamyo or of octogamyo ; 
Why sholdo men spoko of it viloinye? 

Lo, hero tho wyse king, dan Salomon ; 35 
T trowo he haddo wyvos mo than oon ; 
As, wolde god, it levoful were to me 
To bo refresshed half so ofto as lie ! 
Whioh yifte of god haddo ho for alio hi>; 

wyvis ! 
No man hath swich, that in this world 
alyve is. 4" 

God woot, this noble king, as to my wit, 
Tho firste night had many a mery fit 
With ech of horn, so wol was him on lyvo ! 
Blessed he god that I havo wedded fyvo!* 
Welcome the sixto, whan that over lio 
shal. 45 

For sotho, I wol nat kopo mo chast in al ; 
Whan myn housbond is fro tint world 

y-gon, 
Som Cristen man shal weddo mo anon ; 
For thanne th'apostlo soith, that I am 

free 
To woddo, a godd's half, whor it, lykotli 
me. ^" 

He seith that to be wedded is no sinne ; 
I Bet is to bo wedded than to brinne. 
What rekketh mo, thogh folk seye vileinyc 
Of shrewed Lameth and his bigamye? 



• Jlere tome TAfiS. insert tlie following flenuiiw 
{but rejected) llMH :- wi t t 

Of wliiclio I liavn y-pikod out the b'JBto 
]5(jtJio of liir iietlier puiH and cf liir cheste. 
JM verso »<;ole« makeii parfit clerkes, 
Divers praktik, in many pondry werke«, 
Maketli the werkman parfit Hckjrly. 
Of fyve liuBboiideB Heolering am I. 



566 



ZU tankv&uv^ ZaUe, 



[t. 5637-5718. 



1 woot -vvel Abraham was an holy man, 55 
And Jacob eok, as f'orforth as I can ; 
And eoh of liem liadile wyves nio than 

two ; 
And many another holy man also. 
Whan sangh ye ever, in any manor age. 
That liye god defended mariage 60 

By expres word ? I pray yon, tolleth me ; 
Or wlier comanded he virginitee? 
I woot as wcl as ye, it is no drede, 
Th'apostel, whan he speketh of maydon- 

hede ; 
He seyde, that precept tlier-of hadde lie 
noon. Ct- 

Men may conseille a womman to been oon, 
Bnt conseilling is no comandement ; 
He pntte it in our owene jugement 
For hadde god comanded maydenhede, 
Thanne hadde he dampned wedding with 
the dedo ; -o 

And cortes, if ther were no seed y-sowe, 
Virginitee, wher-of than sholde it growe? 
Poul dorste nat comanden atte leste 
A thing of which his maistor yaf noon 

hesto. 

The dart is set up for virginitee ; 7^ 

Cacche who so may, who renneth best lat 

see. 

But this word is nat take of every wight, 

But ther as god list give it of his might. ' 

I woot wel, that th'apostel was a mayde ; 

But natheless, thogli that he wroot and 

sayde, g„ 

He wolde that every wight were swicli as 

he, 
Al nis but consoil to virginitee ; 
And for to been a wyf, he yaf me leve 
Of indulgence ; so it is no reprove 
To wedde me, if that my make dye, 85 
With-oute excepcioun of bigamye. 
Al were it good no womman for to touche 
He mento as in his bed or in his couche • 
For peril is bothe fyr and tow t'assemble '; 
Ye knowe what this ensample may 
resemble. ,,„ 

This is al and som, he heeld virginitee 
More iiarfit than wedding in freletee. 
Freeltee clepe I, but-if tliat he and she 
Wolde leden al hir lyf in chastitee. 

I graunte it wel, I have noon envyo, 95 
Thogh maydenhede preferre bigamye ; 



Hem lyketh to be clene, body and goost. 
Of myn estaat I nil nat make no boost. ' 
For wel ye knowe, a lord in his houshold, 
He hath nat every vessel al of gold ; lod 
Somme been of tree, and doon hir lord 

servyse. 
God clepeth f<,lk to him in sondry wyse, 
And everich hath of god a propre yifte,' 
Som this, som that,— as him lyketh shifte. 
Virginitee is greet perfeccioun, " 105 
And continence eek with devocioun. 
But Crist, that of perfeccioun is welle 
Bad nat every wight he slioldo go selle 
AU that he hadde, and give it to the pore. 
And in swich wyse folwe him and his 
fore. , ,,j 

He .spak to Jiom that wohle live parfitly; 
And lordinges, by your leve, that am nat I. 
I wol bistowo the flour of al myn age 
In th' aetes and in fruit of mariage. 

Telle me also, to what conclusioun 115 
Were membres maad of generacioun, 
And for what profit was a wight 

y-wroght ? 
Trustoth right wel, thoy wcr nat maad 

for noght. 
Glose who-so wole, and scyc bothe up and 

doun. 
That they were maked for purgacioun 120 
Of urine, and our bothe thinges smale 
Were eek to linowe a femele from a 

male. 
And for noon other cause : sey ye no ? 
The experience woot wel it is noght so ; 
So that the clerkes be nat with me 
wrothe, ,,- 

I sey this, that they maked been for bothe, 
This is to seye, for office, and for ese 
Of engendrure, ther we nat god displese. 
Why sholde men elles in hir bokes sette. 
That man shal yelde to his wyf hir 
dette? ,,„ 

Now wher-with sholde he make his 

payement. 
If he no used his sely instrument ? 
Than were they maad up-on a creature. 
To purge uryne, and eek for engendi-ure. 
Bat I seye noght that every wight is 
holde, ,,. 

That hatli swich harneys as I to yow 
tolde, 



T. 5719-579?.] i>. Z^i. (VOift of (ga0Q (pvoio^Mt, 



567 



To goon and usen hem in engendrure ; 
Than sholde men take of chastitee no 

cure. 
Crist was a mayde, and shapen as a man, 
And many a seint, sith that the woiid 

higan, 140 

Yet lived tliey ever in parfit chastitee. 
I nil envye no virginitee ; 
Lat hem be breed of pured whete-seed, 
And lat lis wyves hoten barly-breed ; 
And yet with barly-hreed, Mark telle can, 
Our lord Jesu refresshed many a man. 146 
In swich estaat as god hath cleped us 
I wol persevere, I nfim nat precious. 
In wyfliode I wol use myn instrument 
As frely as my maker hath it sent. 150 
If I be daungeroiis, god yeve me sorwe ! 
Myn liousbond shal it have bothe eve and 

morwe, 
Whan that him list com fortlx and paye 

his dotte. 
An housbonde I wol have, I nil nat lette, 
Which shal be bothe my dettour and my 

thral, 155 

And have his ti'ibulacioun with-al 
Up-on his flessh, whyl that I am his wyf. 
I have the power duringe al my lyf 
Up-on his propre body, and noght he. 
Right thus th'apostel tolde it un-to me ; 
And bad our housbondes for to love its 

weel. 161 

Al this sentence me lyketh every-deel ' — 
Ui" sterte the Pardoner, and that anon, 
' Now dame,' quod he, ' by god and by 

seint John. 
Ye been a noble prechotir in this cas ! 165 
I was aboute to wedde a wyf; alias ! 
What sholde I bye it on my flesh so dere? 
Yet hadde I lever wedde no wyf to-yere ! ' 
' Abyde ! ' quod she, ' my tale is nat 

bigonne ; 169 

Nay, thou slialt drinken of another tonne 
Er that I go, shal savoure wors tlian ale. 
And whan that I have told thee forth 

my tale 
Of tribulacioun in mariage, 
Of which I am expert in al myn age, 
This to sejii, my-self have been the 

wliippe ; — 1 75 

Than maystow chese whether thou wolt 

sippe 



Of thilke tonne that I shal abroche. 
Be war of it, er thou to ny approche ; 
For I shal telle ensamples mo than ten. 
Who-so that nil be war by othero men, 180 
By him sliul othere men corrected be. 
The same wordes wryteth Ptholomee ; 
Kede in his Almageste, and take it there.' 
' Dame, I wolde praye yow, if your wil 

it were,' 

Seyde this Pardoner, ' as ye bigan, 185 

Telle forth your tale, spareth for no man, 

AimI teche us yonge men of your praktikc.' 

'Gladly,' quod she, 'sith it may yow 

lyke. 
But yet I praye to al this companye, 
If that I speke after my fantasye, 190 

As taketh not a-grief of that I seye ; 
For myn entente nis but for to pleye. 
Now sires, now wol I telle forth my 

tale. — 
As ever mote I drinken wyn or ale, 
I shal seye sooth, tho housbondes that 



I hadde. 



'95 



As three of hem were gode and two were 

badde. 
The three men were gode, and riche, and 

olde ; 
Unnethe mighte they the statut holdo 
In which that they were bounden un-to 

me. 199 

Ye woot wel what I mene of this, pardee ! 
As help me god, I laughe whan I thinke 
How pitously a-night I made hem swinke ; 
And by my fey, I tolde of it no stoor. 
They had me yeven hir gold and liir 

tresoor ; 
Me neded nat do lenger diligence 205 

To winne hir love, or doon liem reverence. 
They loved me so wel, by god above, 
That I ne tolde no deynteo of hir love ! 
A wys womman wol sette hir ever in oon 
To gete liir love, ther as she liath noon. 210 
But sith I hadde hem hooUy in myn bond, 
And sith they hadde me yevcn all hir 

lond. 
What sholde I taken hede hem for to 

plese, 
But it were for my profit and myn ese ? 
I sette hem so a-werke, by my i'ey, 215 
Tliat many a night they songen " wei- 

lawey ! " 



568 



^6e tankv^uv^ Zake. 



[t. 5799-5S7' 



The bacovin was nat fet for hem, I trowe, 
That som men han in Essex at Dnnmowe. 
I governed hem so wel, after my lawo, 
That ech of hem fnl hlisful was and fa we 
To bringe mo gaye tli inges fro the fayre. 22 1 
They were ful glad whan I spak to hem 

fayre ; 
For god it woot, I chiddo hem spitonsly. 

Now herkneth, how I bar me proprely, 

Ye wyse wyves, that can iinderstonde. 225 

Thus shul ye speke and here hem wrong 

on honde ; 
For half so boldely can ther no man 
Swere and lyen as a womman can. 
I sey nat this by wyves that ben wyse, 
But-if it be whan they hem misavyse. 230 
A wys wyf, if that she can hir good, 
Shal beren him on hond the cow is wood, 
And take witnesse of hir owene mayde 
Of hir assent ; but herkneth how I sayde. 
" Sir olde kaynard, is this thyn array ? 
Why is my noighebores wyf so gay ? 236 
She is honoured over-al ther she goth ; 
I sitte at hoom, I have no thrifty cloth. 
What dostow at my neighebores hous ? 
Is she so fair ? artow so amorous ? 240 
Wliat rowne ye with our mayde? 6e?i'- 

cite I 
Sir olde lechour, lat thy japes be ! 
And if I have a gossib or a freend, 
With-outen gilt, thou chydest as a feend, 
If that I walke or pleye un-to his hous ! 245 
Thoii comest hoom as dronken as a mous. 
And prechest on thy bench, with yvel 

preef ! 
Thou seist to me, it is a greet meschief 
To wedde a povre womman, for costage ; 
And if that she bo riche, of heigh parage, 
Than seistow that it is a tormentrye 2^1 
To suffre hir pryde and hir malencolye. 
And if that she be fair, thovi verray knave, 
Thou seyst that every holour wol hir have ; 
She may no whyle in chastitee abyde, 255 
That is assailled up-on ech a syde. 

Thou seyst, som folk desyre us for 

richesse, 
Som for our shap, and som for our fair- 

nesse ; 
And som, for she can outhcr singe or 



daunce, 



259 



And som, for gentillesse and daliaunce ; 



Som, for hir handes and hir armes smalc ; 
Thus goth al to the devel by thy tale. 
Thou seyst, men may nat kepe a castel- 

wal ; 
It may so longe assailled been over-al. 
And if that she be foul, thou seist that 

she 265 

Coveiteth every man that she may see ; 
For as a spaynel she wol on him lepe, 
Til that she finde som man liir to chepe ; 
Ne noon so grey, goos goth ther in the 

lake, 269 

As, seistow, that wol been with-oute make. 
And seyst, it is an hard thing for to welde 
A thing that no man wol, his thankes, 

helde. 
Thus seistow, lorel, whan thow goost to 

bedde ; 
And that no wj-s man nedeth for to 

wedde, 274 

Ne no man that entendeth un-to hevene. 

W ith wilde thonder-dint and firy levene 

Mote thy welked nekko be to-broke ! 

Tliow seyst that dropping houses, and 

eeJc smoke, 
And chyding wyves, maken men to flee 
Out of hir owene hous ; a ! hen'cUe ! 2?i > 
What eyleth swich an old man for to 

chyde ? 
Tliow seyst, we wyves wol our vyces 

hydc 
Til we be fast, and than we wol hem 

shewe ; 
Wel may that be a proverbe of a slirewe \ 
Thou seist, that oxen, asses, hors, and 

houndes, 28^ 

They been assayed at diverse stoundes ; 
Bacins, lavours, er that men hem bye, 
Spones and stoles, and al swich hous- 

bondrye. 
And so been pottes, clothes, and array; 
But folk of wyves maken noon assay 290 
Til they be wedded ; olde dotard shrewe ! 
And than, seistow, we wol oure vices 

shewe. 
Thou seist also, that it displeseth me 
But-if that thou wolt preyse my beautee. 
And but tlioii poure alwey up-on my 

face, 295 

And clepe me ' faire dame ' in every 

place ; 



T. 5879-594^0 D- "^0^ (VOift of (gat^'e (profogue. 



569 



And but thou make a feste on thilke 

day 
That I was born, and make me fresh and 

gay, 
And but thou, do to my norice honour, 
And to my chamberere with-inne my 

bour, 3ot) 

And to my fadres folk and his allyes ; — 
Thus seistow, olde barel ful of lyes ! 

And yet of our apprentice Janekyn, 
For his crisp lieer, shyninge as gold sofyn, 
And for he squiereth me bothe up and 

doun, 305 

Yet hastow caught a fals suspecioun ; 
I wol hym noght, thogh thou were deed 

to-morwe. 
But tel me this, why hydestow, with 

sorwe, 
Tlie keyes of thy cheste awey fro me ? 
It is my good as wel as thyn, pardee. 310 
\Miat wenestow make an idiot of our 

dame ? 
Now by that lord, that called is seint 

Jame, 
Thou shalt nat bothe, thogh that thou 

were wood. 
Be maister of my body and of my good ; 
That oon thou shalt forgo, maugree thyne 

yen; 315 

Wliat nedetli thee of me to enquere or 

spyen ? 
I trowe, thou woldest loke me in thy 

cheste ! 
Thou sholdest seye, ' wj'f , go wher thee 

leste, 
Tak your disport, I wol nat leva no talis; 
1 knowe yow for a trewe wyf, dame Alis.' 
We love no man that taketh kepe or 

charge 321 

Wher that we goon, we wol ben at our 

large. 
Of alle men y-blessed moot he be. 
The wyse astrologien Dan Ptholome, ^24 
Tliat seith this proverbe in his Almageste, 
' Of alle men his wisdom is the hyeste. 
That rekketh never who hath the world 

in honde.' 
By this proverbe thou shalt understonde, 
Have thou y-nogh, what thar thee recche 

or care 
How mei'ily that otliere folkes fare ? 330 



For certeyn, olde dotard, by your leve. 
Ye sliul have queynte right y-nough at eve. 
He is to greet a nigard that wol werne 
A man to lighte his candle at his lanterne ; 
He shal have never the lasse light, 

pardee ; 335 

Have thou y-nough, thee thar nat pleyne 

thee 
Thou seyst also, that if we make us gay 
With clothing and with precious array. 
That it is peril of our chastitee ; 
And yet, with sorwe, thou most enforce 

thee, 340 

And seye thise wordes in the apostles 

name, 
' In habit, maad with chastitee and 

shame. 
Ye wommen shul apparaille yow,' qiiod 

he, 
' And noght in tressed heer and gay 

perree. 
As perles, ne with gold, ne clothes riche;' 
After thy text, ne after thj' rubi-iche 346 
I wol nat wirche as muchel as a gnat. 
Thou seydest this, that I was l.yk a cat ; 
For who-so wolde senge a cattes skin, 
Thanne wolde the cat wel dwellen in 

his in ; 350 

And if the cattes skin be slyk and gay, 
She wol nat dwelle in house half a day. 
But forth she wole, er any day be dawed, 
To shewe hir skin, and goon a-cater- 

wawed ; 
This is to seye, if I be gay, sir slirewe, 355 
I wol renne out, my borel for to shewe. 
Sire olde fool, what eyleth thee to 

spyen ? 
Thogh thou preye Argus, with his 

hundred yen. 
To be my warde-cors, as he can best. 
In feith, he shal nat kepe me but me 

lest ; 360 

Yet coude I make his herd, so moot 

I thee. 
Thou seydest eek, that ther ben thinges 

three. 
The whiche thinges troublen al this erthe. 
And that no wight ne may endure the 

ferthe ; 
O leve sir shrewe, Jesu shorte thjf lyf ! 365 
Yet prechestow, and seyst, an hateful wyf 



57° 



Z^i. Cdttferfiuv^ Zake. 



[t- 5949-602^. 



Y-rekened is for oon of thise meschances. 
Been ther none otliere maner resem- 
blances 
That ye may lykne yonr parables to, 
-But-if a sely wyf be oon of tho '? 370 

Thou lykenest wommanes love to helle, 
To bareyne lond, ther water may not 

dwelle. 
Thou lyknest it also to wilde fyr ; 
The more it brenneth, the more it hath 

desyr 
To consume every thing that brent 

wol be. ^y^ 

Thou seyst, that right as wormes shende 

a tree, 
Right so a wyf destroyeth hir housbonde ; 
This knowe they that been to wyves 

bonde." 
Lordinges, right thus, as ye have 

understonde, 
Bar I stifiy myne olde housbondcs on 

honde, 380 

That thus they seyden in hir dronkenesse ; 
And al was fals, but that I tooli witnesse 
On Janekin and on my nece also. 

lord, the peyne I dide hem and the wo, 
Ful giltelees, by goddes swete pyne ! 385 
For as an hors I coiide byte and whyne. 

1 coiide pleyne, thogh I were in the 

gilt, 
Or elles often tymo hadde I ben spilt. 
Who-so that first to niille comtli, first 

grint ; 
I pleyned first, so was our werre y-stint. 
They were ful glad t'excusen hem ful 

blyve 3QI 

Of thing of which they never agilte hir 

lyve. 
Of wenches wolde I beren him on 

honde, 
Whan that for .syk unnethes mighte he 

stonde. 
Yet tUded it his herte, for that he 395 
Wende that I hadde of him so greet 

chiertee. 
I swoor that al my walkinge out by nighte 
Was for t'espye wenches that he dighte ; 
Under that coloiir hadde I many a mirthe. 
For al swich wit is yeven lis in our birthe ; 
Deceite, wcping, spinning god hath yive 
To wommen kindely, whyl they maj- live. 



And thus of o thing I avaunte me, 403 
Atte ende I hadde the bettre in ech 

degree, 
By sleighte, or force, or hy som maner 

thing, ^o- 

As by continuel murmur or grucchino- • 
Namely a-bedde hadden tliey meschaunce, 
Ther wolde I chyde and do hem no 

plesaunce ; 
I wolde no lenger in the bed aby<le. 
If that I felte his arm over my syde, 410 
Til he had maad his raunson un-to me : 
Than wolde I suffre him do his nycetee. 
And ther-fore every man this talo I telle, 
Winne who-so may, for al is for to selle. 
With empty hand men may none haukes 

lure; ^,- 

For winning wolde I al his lust endure, 
And make me a feyned appetyt ; 
And yet in bacon hadde I never delyt ; 
That made me that ever I wolde hem 

chyde. 419 

For thogh the pope had seten hem bisyde, 
I wolde nat spare hem at hir owene bord. 
For by my trouthe, I quitte hem word 

for vcord. 
As help me verray god omnipotent, 
Thogh I right now sholde make mj- 

testament, 
I ne owe hem nat a word that it nis qiiit. 
I broghte it so aboute by my wit, 426 

That they moste yeve it up, as for the 

beste ; 
Or elles hadde we never been in reste. 
For thogh he loked as a wood leoun. 
Yet sholde he faille of his conclusioun. 430 
Thanne wolde I seye, "gode lief, tak 

keep 
How mekely loketh Wilkin oure sheep ; 
Com neer, my spouse, lat me ba thy 

cheke ! 
Ye sholde been al pacient and meke, 
And ban a swete spyced conscience, 4?^ 
Sith ye so preche of Jobes iiacience. 
SufFreth alwey, sin ye so wel can preche : 
And but ye do, certein we slial yow 

teche 
That it is fair to have a wyf in pees. 
Oon of us two moste bowen, doutelees ; 440 
And sith a man is more resonable 
Than womman is, yc moste been suffrable. 



T. 6025-61 ic] D. ZU (VOift of (ga06 (f)rofoa[ue. 



What eyleth yow to gx'ucclie thus and 

grone '? 
Is it for ye wolde have my quejnte alloiio? 
Why taak it al, lo, have it every-ileel ; 445 
Peter ! I shrewe yow but ye h)vo it weel ! 
For if I wolde selle my bele chose, 
I coude walke as fresh as is a rose ; 
But I wol kepe it for your owene tooth. 
Ye be to blame, by god, I sey yow sooth." 
Swiche maner wordes hadde we on 

honde. 451 

Now wol I speken of my fourthe hous- 

bonde. 
My fourthe hoiisbonde was a revelour, 
This is to seyn, he hadde a paramour ; 
And I was j'ong and ful of ragerye, 455 
Stiborn and strong, and joly as a pye. 
Wei coude I daiince to an harpe smale, 
And singe, y-wis, as any nightingale. 
Whan I had dronke a draughte of swete 

vryn. 
Metelliu-S, the foule cherl, the swyn, 460 
That with a staf birafte his wyf hir lyf. 
For she drank wyn, thogh I hadde been 

his wyf, 
He sholde nat han daunted me fro drinke ; 
And, after wyn, on Venus moste I thinke : 
For al so sikor as cold engendreth hayl, 
A likerotis mouth moste han a likerous 

tayl. 466 

In womman vinolent is no defence, 
Tliis knowen lechours by e.xperience. 
But, lord Crist ! whan tliat it remem- 

breth me 
Up-on my yowthe, and on my jolitee, 470 
It tikleth me aboute myn herte rote. 
Unto this day it dooth myn herte bote 
That I have had my world as in my tyme. 
But age, alias ! that al wol envenyme, 474 
Hath me biraft my beautee and my pith ; 
Lat go, fare-wel, the devel go therwith ! 
The flour is goon, ther is na-more to telle, 
The bren, as I best can, now moste I selle ; 
But yet to be right niery wol I fonde. 
Now wol I tellen of my fourthe hous- 

bonde. 480 

I seye, I hadde in herte greet despyt 
That he of any otlicr had delyt. 
But he was quit, by god and by seint 

Joce ! 
I made him of the same wode a croce ; 



Nat of my body in no foul manere, 485 
But certeiuly, I made folk swich chere, 
That in his owene grece I made him frye 
For angre, and for verray jalousye. 
By god, in erthe I was his purgatorie, 481) 
For which I hope his soule be in glorie. 
For god it woot, he sat ful ofte and song 
Whan that his shoo ful bitterly him 

wrong. 
Ther was no wight, save god and he, that 

wiste, 
In many wyse, how sore I him twiste. 
He deyde whan I cam fro Jerasalem, 495 
And lyth y-grave iinder the rode-beem, 
Al is his tombe noght so curious 
As was the sepulcre of him, Darius, 
Wliich that Appelles wroghte subtilly ; 
It nis biit wast to bvirie him preciously. 5(k> 
Lat him fare-wel, god yeve his soule reste. 
He is now in the grave and in his cheste. 
Now of my fifthe housbond wol I telle. 
God lete his soule never come in helle ! 
And yet was he to me the moste shrewe ; 
That fele I on my ribbes al hy rewo, 506 
And ever shal, un-to myn ending-daj-. 
But in our bed he was so fresli and gay. 
And tlier-with-al so wel coude he me glose. 
Whan that he wolde han my bele chose, 510 
That thogh he hadde me bet on every 

boon. 
He coude winne agayn my love anoon. 
I trowe I loved him beste, for tliat he 
Was of his love daungerous to me. 
We wommen han, if that I shal nat lye. 
In this matere a quej^nte fantasye ; 516 
Wayte what thing we may nat lightly 

have, 
Ther-after wol we crye al-day and crave. 
Forbede us thing, and that desyren we ; 
Frees on us faste, and thanne wol we flee. 
With daunger oute we al our chaffare ; 52 1 
Greet prees at market maketh dere ware, 
And to greet cheep is holde at litel prys ; 
This knoweth every womman that is wys. 
My fiftlio housbonde, god his soule 

blesse ! eij-i 

Which that I took for love and no 

richesse. 
He som-tymo was a clerk of Oxenford, 
And had left scole, and wente at boom to 

bord 



572 



ZU £:anfer6urp Zake. 



[t. 6iii-6if 



With my gossib, dwellinge in oure toun, 
God have hir soule ! hir name was 

Alisoun. 530 

She knew myn herte and eek my privetee 
Bet than our parisshe-preest, so moot 

I tliee ! 
To hir hiwreyed I my conseil al. 
For liad myn housbonde pissed on a wal, 
Or doon a thing that sliolde han cost his 

lyf) 535 

To hir, and to another worthy wyf, 

And to my nece, which that I loved 

weel, 
I wolde han told his conseil every-deel. 
And so I dide ful often, god it woot. 
That made his face ful often i-eed and 

hoot 540 

For verray shame, and blamed him-self 

for he 
Had told to me so greet a privetee. 

And so bifel that ones, in a Lente, 
(So often tjanes I to my gossib wente. 
For ever yet I lovede to be gay, 545 

And for to walke, in March, Averille, and 

May, 
Fro hous to hous, to here sondry talis\ 
That Jankin clerk, and my gossib dame 

Alis, 
And I my-self, in-to the feldes wente. 
Myn hoxTsbond was at London al that 

Lente ; 550 

I hadde the bettre leyser for to pleye. 
And for to see, and eek for to be seye 
Of lusty folk ; what wiste I wher my grace 
Was shapen for to be, or in what place ? 
Therefore I made my visitaciouns, 555 
To vigilies and to processiouns. 
To preching eek and to thise pilgrimages. 
To pleyes of miracles and mariages. 
And wered upon my gaye scarlet gytes. 
Thise wormes, ne thise motthes, ne thise 

mytes, 560 

Upon my peril, frete hem never a deel ; 
And wostow why? for they were used 

weel. 
Now wol I tellen forth what happed me. 
I seye, that in the feeldes walked we. 
Til trewely we hadde swich daliance, 565 
This clerk and I, that of my purveyance 
I spak to him, and seyde him, how that he, 
If I were widwe, sholde wedde me. 



For certeinly, I sey for no bobance. 
Yet was I never with-outen piirveyance 
Of mariage, n'of othere thinges eek. 571 
I holde a mouses herte nat worth a leek, 
Tliat hath but oon hole for to sterte to. 
And if that faille, thanne is al y-do. 
I bar him on honde, he hadde en- 
chanted me ; 575 
My dame taughte me that soutiltee. 
And eek I seyde, I mette of him al night ; 
He wolde han slayn me as I lay up-right. 
And al my bed was ful of verray blood, 
But yet I hope that he shal do me 

good ; 580 

For blood bitokeneth gold, as me was 

taught. 
And al was fals, I dremed of it right 

naught. 
But as I folwed ay my dames lore. 
As wel of this as of other thinges more. 
But now sir, lat me see, what I shal 

seyn? 585 

A ! ha ! by god, I have my tale ageyn. 
Whan that my foiirthe housbond was 

on here, 
I weep algate, and made sory chere. 
As wyves moten, for it is iisage. 
And with my coverchief covered my 

visage ; 55,0 

But for that I was purveyed of a make, 
I weep but smal, and that I ^^ndertake. 
To chirche was myn housbond born 

a-morwe 
With neighebores, that for him maden 

sorwe ; 
And Jankin oure clerk was oon of tho. 595 
As help me god, whan that I saugh 

him go 
After the here, me thoughte he hadde a 

paire 
Of legges and of feet so clene and faire. 
That al myn herte I yaf un-to his hold. 
He was, I trowe, a twenty winter old, 600 
And I was fourty, if I shal seye sooth ; 
But yet I hadde alwey a coltes tooth. 
Gat-tothed I was, and that bicam me 

weel ; 
I hadde the prente of seynt Venus seel. 
As help me god, I was a lusty oon, 605 
And faire and riche, and yong, and wel 

bigoon ; 



T. 6189-6276.] D. ZH (H)ife of (gat^'e (Profo^ue. 



573 



And trewely, as myne housbondes tolde 

me, 
I had the beste quoniam mighte be. 
For certes, I am al Venerien 609 

In felinge, and tnyn herte is Marcien. 
Venus me yaf my lust, my likerousnesse, 
And Mars yaf me my sturdy hardinesse. 
Myn ascendent was Taur, and Mars ther- 

inne. 
Alias ! alias ! that ever love was sinne ! 
I folwed ay myn inclinacioiin 615 

By vertvi of my constellacioun ; 
That made me I coude noght withdrawe 
My chambre of Venus from a good felawe. 
Yet have I Martes mark iip-on my face. 
And also in another privee place. 620 

For, god so wis be my savacioun, 
I ne loved never by no discreciouu, 
But ever folwede myn appetyt, 
Al were he short or long, or blak or 

whyt ; 
I took no kepe, so that he lyked me, 625 
How pore he was, ne eek of what degree. 
What sholde I seye, but, at the monthes 

ende, 
This joly clerk Jankin, that was so hende. 
Hath wedded me "vvith greet solempnitee. 
And to him yaf I al the lond and fee 630 
That ever was me yeven ther-bifore ; 
But afterward repented me ful sore. 
He nolde suffre nothing of my list. 
By god, he smoot me ones on the list. 
For that I rente out of his book a leef, 635 
That of the strook mjra ere wex al deef. 
Stiborn I was as is a leonesse, 
And of my tonge a verray jangleresse. 
And walke I wolde, as I had doon biforn, 
From hous to hous, al-though he had it 

sworn. 640 

For which he often tymes wolde preche, 
And me of oldo Romayn gestes teche, 
How he, Simplicius Gallus, lefte his wj'f, 
And hir forsook for terme of al his Ijrf, 
Noght but for open-heeded he hir say 645 
Lokinge out at his dore upon a day. 

Another Romayn tolde he me by name. 
That, for his wyf was at a someres game 
With-oute his witing, he forsook hir eke. 
And than wolde he up-on his Bible seke 
That ilke i^roverbe of Ecclesiaste, 651 

Wher he comandeth and forbedeth faste, 



Man shal nat suffre his wyf go roule 

abovite ; 
Than wolde he seye right thus, with- 

outen doute, 
" Who-so that buildeth his hous al of 

salwes, 655 

And priketh his blinde hors over the 

falwes. 
And suffreth his wyf to go seken halwes. 
Is worthy to been hanged on the gal- 

wes ! " 
But al for noght, I sctte noght an hawe 
Of his proverbes n'of his olde sawe, 660 
Ne I wolde nat of him corrected be. 
I hate him that my vices telleth me. 
And so do mo, god woot ! of us than I. 
This made him with me wood al outrely ; 
I nolde noght forbere him in no cas. 665 
Now wol I seye yow sooth, by seint 

Thomas, 
Wliy that I rente out of his book a leef. 
For which he smoot me so that I was 

deef. 
He hadde a book that gladly, night and 

day. 
For his desport he wolde rede alway. 670 
He cleped it Valerie and Theofraste, 
At whiche book he lough alwey ful faste. 
And eek ther was som-tyme a clerk at 

Rome, 
A cardinal, that highte Seint Jerome, 
That made a book agayn Jovinian ; 675 
In whiche book eek ther was Tertulan, 
Crisippus, Trotula, and Helowys, 
That was abbesse nat fer fro Parys ; 
And eek the Parables of Salomon, 
Ovydes Art, and bokes many on, 680 

And alle thise wer bounden in o volume. 
And every night and day was his custume. 
Whan he had leyser and vacacioun 
From other worldly occupacioun, 684 

To reden on this book of wikked wyves. 
He knew of hem mo legendes and lyves 
Than been of gode wyves in the Bible. 
For trusteth wel, it is an impossible 
That any clerk wol speke good of wyves, 
But-if it be of holy seintes lyves, 690 

Ne of noon other womman never the mo. 
Who peyntede the leoun, tel me who ? 
By god, if wommen hadde writen stories, 
As clerkes han with-inne hir oratories, 



574 



TT. 



ZU tanitt^uv^ Zaks. 



[t. 6277-6354. 



They wolde lian -writen of men more 

wikkednesse 695 

Than all the mark of Adam may redresse. 
The children of Mercnrie and of Ventis 
Been in hir wirking i'ul contrarious ; 
Mercurie loveth wisdom and science, 
And Veniis loveth ryot and dispenoe. 700 
And, for hir diverse disposicionn, 
Eeh falleth in otheres exaltacioun ; 
And thus, god woot ! Mercurie is desolat 
In Pisces, wher Venus is exaltat ; 
And Venus falleth ther Mercurie is 

reysed ; 705 

Tlierfore no womman of no clerk is preysed. 
The clerk, whan he is old, and may noght 

do 
Of Veniis werkes worth his olde sho. 
Than sit he doun, and writ in his dotage 
That wommen can nat kepe hir mariage ! 

Brit now to purpos, why 1 tolde thee 
That I was beten for a book, pardee. 712 
Ul5-on a night Jankin, that was our 

syre, 
Redde on his book, as he sat by tlie fyre, 
Of Eva first, that, for hir wikkednesse, 
AVas al mankinde broght to wrecched- 

nesse, 716 

For whicli that Josii Crist him-self was 

slayn, 

That boghte lis with his herte-bloodagayn. 

Lo, here expres of womman may ye finde. 

That womman was the los of al mankinde. 

Tho redde he me how Sampson loste 

his heres, 721 

Slepinge, his lemman kitte hem with hir 

sheres ; 
Thurgh whiche tresoun loste he bothe 

his j^en. 
Tho redde he me, if that I shal nat lyen. 
Of Herciiles and of his Dianyre, 725 

That caused him to sette himself a-fyre. 
No-thing forgat he the penaunce and 

wo 
That Socrates had with hise wyves two ; 
How Xantippa caste 23isse iip-on his heed ; 
This sely man sat stille, as he were deed ; 
He wyped his heed, namore dorste he seyn 
But "er that thonder stinte, comth a 

reyn." 732 

Of Phasipha, that was the quene of 

Crete, 



For shrewednesse, him thoughte the tale 

swete ; 
Fy ! spek na-more — it is a grisly thing — 
Of hir horrible lust and hir lyking. 736 

Of Clitemistra, for hir lecherye, 
That falsly made hir housbond for to dye, 
He redde it with ful good devocioun. 

He tolde me eek for what occasioun 740 
Amphiorax at Thebes loste his lyf ; 
Myn housbond haddo a legende of his wyf, 
Eriphilem, that for an ouche of gold 
Hath prively un-to the Grekes told 
Wher that hir housbondo hidde him in a 

place, 745 

For which he hadde at Thebes sory grace. 

Of Lyma tolde he me, and of Lucye, 
They bothe made hir housbondes for to 

dye; 
That oon for love, that other was for 

hate ; 
Lyma hir housbond, on an even late, 750 
Empoysoned hath, for that she was his fo. 
lAicya, likerous, loved hir housbond so. 
That, for he sholde alwey up-on liir thinke, 
She yaf hini swich a maner love-drinke, 
That he was deed, or it were by the 

niorwe ; 755 

And thus algates housbondes han sorwe. 
Than tolde he me, how oon Latumius 
Compleyned to his felawe Arrius, 
That in his gardin growed swich a tree. 
On which, he seyde, how that his wyves 

three 760 

Hanged hem-self for herte despitous. 
" O leve brother," quod this Arrius, 
" Yif me a plante of thilke blissed tree, 
And in my gardin planted shal it be ! " 
Of latter date, of wyves hath he red. 
That somme han slayn hir housbondes in 

hir bed, 766 

And lete hir lechour dighte liir al the 

night 
Whyl that the corps lay in the floor up- 
right. 
And somme han drive nayles in hir brayn 
Whyl that they slepte, and thus they han 

hem slayn. 770 

Somme han hem j'eve poysoun in hir 

drinke. 
He spak more harm than herte may 

bithinke. 



T. 6;,55-642S.] D. ZU (^tfc of (gaf^'e (pvofogue. 



i75 



And ther-\vitli-al, he knew of mo pro- 

verbes 
Than in this world ther growen gras or 

herbes. 
" Bet is," qtiod he, " thyn habitacionn 775 
Be with a leoun or a fonl dragoun, 
Than with a womman nsinge for to chyde. 
Bet is," qnod he, " hye in the roof abyde 
Than with an angry wyf doun in the 

hens ; 
They been so wikked and contrarioi^s ; 7S() 
They haten that hir hoiisbondes loveth 

ay.' 
He seyde, "a womman cast hir slianie 

away, 
Wlian she cast of liir smok ; " and forther- 

mo, 
" A fair womman, bnt she be chaast also, 
Is lyk a gold ring in a sowes nose." 785 
Wlio wolde wenen, or who wolde suppose 
The wo that in myn herte was, and pyne ? 
And whan I saugh he wolde never fyne 
To reden on this cursed book al night, 
Al sodeynly three leves have I plight 790 
Out of his book, right as he radde, and 

eke, 
T with my fist so took him on the cheke. 
That in our fjT ho fil bakward adoun. 
And he iip-stirte as dooth a wood leoun, 
And with his fist he smoot me on the 

heed, 795 

That in the floor I lay as I were deed. 
And when he saugh how stille that I lay. 
He was agast, and wolde han fled his 

way, 
Til atte laste out of my swogh I breyde : 
" O ! hastow slayn me, false theef ? " I 

seyde, 8or> 

" And for my l.ind thus hastow mordred 

me? 
Er I be deed, yet wol I kisse thee." 

And neer he cam, and kneled faire 

adoun, 
And sej'de, " dere svister Alisoun, 804 

As help me god, I shal thee never sruyte ; 
That I have doon, it is thy-self to wyte. 
Foryeve it me, and that I thee biseke " — 
And yet eft-sones I hitte him on the cheke, 
And seyde, "theef, thus muchel am I 

wreke ; 809 

Now wol I dye, I may no lenger speke," 



But atte laste, with muchel care and wo. 
We fiUe acorded, by us selven two. 
He yaf me al the brydel in myn hond 
To han the governance of hous and lond. 
And of his tonge and of his hond also, 815 
And made him brenno his book anon 

right tho. 
And whan that I hadde get en un-to nae. 
By maistrie, al tlie soverajaietee, 
And that he seyde, "myn owene trewe 

wyf, 
Do as thee lust the terme of al thy lyf. 
Keep thyn honour, and keep eek myn 

estaat" — 821 

After that day we hadden never debaat. 
God help me so, I was to him as kinde 
As any wyf from Denmark un-to Inde, 
And also trewe, and so was he to nie. 825 
I prey to god that sit in magestee. 
So blesse his soule, for his mercy dere ! 
Now wol I seye my tale, if ye wol here.' 

Biholde the wordes bitween the 
Sonionour and the Frere. 

The Frere lough, whan ho haddo herd 

al this, 
' Now^, dame,' quod he, ' so have I joye or 

blis, 830 

This is a long preamble of a tale ! ' 
And whan the Somnour horde the Frere 

gale, 
' Lo ! ' quod the Somnour, ' goddes amies 

two ! 
A frere wol entremette him ever-mo. 
Lo, gode men, a flye and eek a frere S35 
Wol falle in every dish and eek matere. 
Wliat spekestow of iireambulacioun ? 
What ! amble, or trotte, or pecs, or go 

sit doiin ; 
Thou lettest our disport in this manere.' 
' Ye, woltow so, sir Somnour ? ' qiiod 

the Frere, 840 

' Now, by my feith, I shal, er that I go, 
Telle of a Soinnour swich a tale or two. 
That alle the folk shal laugiien in this 

place,' 
' Now elles, Frere, I bishrowe thy 

face,' 
Quod this Somnour, ' and I Ijishrewe me, 
But-if I telle tales two or three 846 



576 



tU tanUv&uv^ Zdke. 



[t. 6429-648' 



Of freres er I come to Sidingborne, 
That I shal make thyn herte for to morne ; 
For wel I woot thy pacience is goon.' 

Out hoste ci-yde ' pees ! and that anoon ! ' 

And seyde, ' lat the womman telle hir 

tale. 851 

Ye fare as folk that dronken been of ale. 



Do, dame, tel forth your tale, and that 
is best.' 
' Al redy, sir,' quod she, 'right as yow 
lest, 
If I have licence of this worthy Frere.' 
'Yis, dame,' quod he, 'tel forth, and 
I wol here.' 856 



Here endeth the Wyf of Bathe hir Prologe. 



THE TALE OF THE WYF OF BATHE, 



Here biginneth the Tale of the Wyf of Bathe. 



In th'olde dayes of the king Arthour, 
Of which that Britons speken greet 

honour, 
Al was this land fulflld of fayerye. 859 
The elf-queen, with hir joly companye, 
Datinced ful ofte in many a grene mede ; 
This was the olde opinion, as I rede. 
I speke of manye hundred yeres ago ; 
But now can no man see none elves mo. 
For now the grete charitee and prayeres 
Of limitoiirs and othere holy freres, (10) 
That serchen every lond and every streem. 
As thikke as motes in the sonne-beem, 
Blessinge halles, chambres, kichenes, 

boures, 
Citees, biirghes, castels, hye toures, 870 
Thropes, bernes, shipnes, dayeryes, 
This maketh that tlier been no fayeryes. 
For ther as wont to walken was an elf, 
Ther walketh now the limitour him- 
self 
In undermeles and in morweninges, 875 
And seyth his matins and his holy thinges 
As he goth in his limitacioun. (21) 

Wommen may go saufly tip and doun, 
In every btish, or under every tree ; 
Ther is noon other incubus but he, 880 
And he ne wol doon hem but dishonour. 
And so bifel it, that this king Arthour 
Hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler, 



That on a day cam rydinge fro river ; 
And happed that, allone as she was 

born, (29) 885 

He saugh a mayde walkinge him biforn, 
Of whiche mayde anon, maugree hir heed, 
By verray force he rafte hir maydenheed ; 
For which oppressioun was swich clamour 
And swich pursute vin-to the king Ar- 
thour, 890 
That dampned was this knight for to be 

deed 
By cours of lawe, and sholde han lost his 

heed 
Paraventure, swich was the statut tho ; 
But that the qviene and othere ladies mo 
So longe preyeden the king of grace, 895 
Til he his lyf him graunted in the place, 
And yaf him to the quene al at hir 

wille, (41) 

To chese, whether she ■wolde him save or 

spille. 
The quene thanketh the king with al 

hir might, 899 

And after this thus spak she to the knight, 
Wlian that she saugh hir tyme, up-on a 

day: 
' Thou standest yet,' quod she, ' in swich 

array, 
That of thy lyf yet hastow no suretee. 
I grante thee lyf, if thou canst tellen me 



T. 6487-6565.] D. ZH ^<^f^ of (6e (m^f of (gAtU- 



577 



Wliat thing is it that wommen most 

desyren ? 9^5 

Be war, and keep thy nekke-boon from 

yren. (50) 

And if thou canst nat tellen it anon, 
Yet wol I yeve thee leva for to gon 
A twelf-month and a day, to seche and 

lere 
An answers suffisant in this matere. 910 
And suretee wol I han, er that thovi pace, 
Thy body for to yeklen in this iilace.' 
Wo was this knight and sorwefully he 

syketh ; 
But what ! he rnay nat do al as him lyketh. 
And at the laste, he chees him for to 

wende, 915 

And come agayn, right at the yeres ende. 
With swich answere as god wolde him 

purveye ; (61) 

And taketli his leve, and wendeth forth 

his weye. 
He seketh every hous and every place, 
Wher-as he hopetli for to finde grace, 920 
To lerne, what thing wommen loven 

most ; 
But he ne coude arryven in no cost, 
Wher-as he mighte finde in this matere 
Two creatures accordinge in-fere. 

Somme seyde, wommen loven best 

richesse, 925 

Somme seyde, honour, somme seyde, joly- 

nesse ; (70) 

Somme, riche array, somme seyden, lust 

abedde. 
And ofte tyme to be widwe and wedde. 
Somme seyde, that our hertes been 

most esed, 
WHian that we been y-flatered and y- 

filesed. 930 

He gooth ful ny the sothe, I wol nat lye ; 
A man shal winne us best with flaterye ; 
And with attendance, and with bisinesse. 
Been we y-lymed, bothe more and lesse. 
And somme seyn, how that we loven 

best 935 

For to be frse, and do right as us lest, (So) 
And that no man repreve iis of our vyce. 
But seye that we be wyse, and no-thing 

nyce. 
For trewely, ther is noon of us alle, 939 
If any wight wol clawe us on the galle, 



That we nil kike, for he seith us sooth ; 
Assay, and he shal finde it that so dooth. 
For be we never so vicious with-inne. 
We wol been holden wyse, and clene of 

sinne. 
And somme seyn, that greet delyt han 

we (89) 945 

For to ben holden stable and eek secree, 
And in o purjios stedefastly to dwelle. 
And nat biwreye thing that men us telle. 
But that tale is nat worth a rake-stele ; 
Pardee, we wommen conne no-thing hele ; 
Witnesse on Myda ; wol ye here the tale ? 

Ovyde, amonges othere thinges smale, 
Seyde, Myda hadde, under his longe heres, 
Growinge up-on his heed two asses eres, 
The whiche vyce he hidde, as he best 

mighte, 955 

Ful subtilly from every mannes sighte, 
That, save his wyf, ther wiste of it na- 

mo. (101) 

He loved hir most, and trusted hir also ; 
He preyede hir, that to no creature 
She sholde tellen of his disfigure. 960 

She swoor him ' nay, for al this world 

to winne. 
She nolde do that vileinye or sinne. 
To make hir housbond han so foul a name ; 
She nolde nat telle it for hir owene shame.' 
But nathelees, hir thoiighte that she dyde, 
That she so longe sholde a conseil hyde ; 
Hir thoughte it swal so sore aboute hir 

herte, (iii) 

That nedely som word hir moste asterte ; 
And sith she dorste telle it to no man, 
Doun to a mareys faste by she ran ; 970 
Til she came there, hir herte was a-fyre. 
And, as a bitore bombleth in the myre. 
She leyde hir mouth un-to the water doun : 
' Biwreye me nat, thou water, with thy 

soun,' (118) 974 

Qnod she, ' to thee I telle it, and namo ; 
Myn housbond hath longe asses eres two ! 
Now is mj'n herte all hool, now is it oute ; 
I mighte no lenger kepe it, out of doute.' 
Heer may ye se, thogh we a tyroe abyde, 
Yet out it moot, we can no conseil hyde ; 
The remenant of the tale if ye wol here, 
Redeth Ovyde, and ther ye may it lere. 
This knight, of which my tale is spe- 
cially, 983 



U 



578 



Clje ^antet-Bur^ 'Zaite, 



[t. 6566-663: 



Whan that lie saugh he mighte nat come 

therby, 
Tliis is to seye, what wommen loven moost, 
With-inne his brest ful sorwefol was the 

goost ; ( 130) 986 

Bvit hoona he gooth, he mighte nat 

sojoiirne. 
The day was come, that hoomward moste 

he tonrne, 
And in his wey it happed him to ryde, 
In al this care, under a forest-syde, 990 
Wher-as he saugh iip-on a daunce go 
Of ladies foure and twenty, and yet mo ; 
Toward the whiche daunce he drow ful 

yerne, 
In hoiDe that som wisdom sholde he lerne. 
But certeinly, er he came fully there, 995 
Vanisshed was this daunce, he niste where. 
No creature saugh he that bar lyf, (141) 
Save on the grene he saugh sittinge a wyf ; 
A fouler wight ther may no man devyse. 
Agayn the knight this olde wyf gan ryse, 
And seyde, ' sir knight, heer-forth ne lyth 

no wey. looi 

Tel me, what that ye seken, by your fey ? 
Paraventure it may the bettre bo ; 
Thise olde folk can muchel thing,' quod 

she. 
' My leve mooder,' qiiod this knight 

certeyn, 1005 

' I nam but deed, but-if that I can seyn 
^Vliat thing it is that wommen most 

desyre ; (151) 

Covide ye me wisse, I wolde wel quyte 

yovir hyre." 
' Plight me thj^ trouthe, hecr in myn 

hand,' quod she, 
' The nexte thing that I requere thee, loio 
Thou shalt it do, if it lye in thy might ; 
And I wol telle it yow er it be night.' 
' Have heer my trouthe,' quod the knight, 

' I grante.' 
' Thanne,' quod she, ' I dar mo wel 

avante, 1014 

Thy lyf is sauf, for I wol stondo therby, 
Up-on my lyf, the queen wol seye as I. 
Lat see which is the proudeste of hem 

aUe, (161) 

That wereth on a coverchief or a calle, 
That dar seye nay, of that I shal theo 

teche ; 



Lat us go forth with-outen longer speche.' 
Tho rouned she a pistol in his ere, lo.'i 
And bad him to be glad, and have no 

fere. 
Whan they be comen to the court, this 

knight 
Seyde, ' he had holde his day, as he 

haddo hight, 
And redy was his answere,' as he sayde. 
Ful many a noble wyf, and many a 

mayde, (170) lojo 

And many a widwo, for that thej- ben 

wyse, 
The quene hir-self sittinge as a justyse. 
Assembled been, his answere for to here ; 
And afterward this knight was bode 

appere. 1030 

To every wight comanded was silence. 
And that the knight sholde telle in 

audience, 
What tiling that worldly wommen loven 

best. 
This knight no stood nat stille as doth 

a best, 
But to his questioun anon answerdo 1035 
With manly voj-s, that al the court it 

horde : ( i So) 

' My ligo lady, generally,' quod he, 
' Wommen desyren to have sovoreyntee 
As wel over hir housbond as hir love. 
And for to been in maistrie him above ; 
This is your moste desyr, thogli ye me 

kille, 1 04 1 

Doth as yow list, I am heer at your wille.' 

In al the court ne was ther wyf ne 

mayde, 
Ne widwo, that contraried that he sayde. 
But seyden, ' he was worthy han his 

lyf 1045 

And with that word up stirte the olde 

wyf, (190) 

Which that the knight saugh sittinge in 

the grene : 
'Mercy,' quod she^ 'niy sovereyn lady 

quene ! 
Er that your court departe, do me right. 
I taughte this answere un-to the knight ; 
For which he plighte me his trouthe 

there, 105 1 

The firste thing I wolde of him requere, 
He wolde it do, if it lay in his might. 



6636-6712.] D. ZU Cafe of tU (3»?f of (fat^e. 



579 



Bifore the court than preye I thee, sir 

knight,' 
Quod she, ' that thoii mo take un-to thy 

wyf; 1055 

For wel thoii wost that I have kejat thy 

lyf. (2CX5) 

If I sey fals, say nay, up-on thy fey ! ' 
This knight answercle, ' alias ! and 

weylawey ! 
I woot right wel that swich was my 

bilieste. 1059 

For goddes love, as chees a newe requeste ; 
Tak al my good, and lat my body go.' 
' Nay than,' quod she, ' I shrewe us 

bothe two ! 
For thogh that I be foul, and old, and 

pore, 
I nolde for al the m.etal, ne for ore. 
That under erthe is grave, or Ij'th above, 
But-if thy wyf I were, and eek thy 

love.' (210) 1066 

' My love? ' qiiod he ; ' nay, my damp- 

nacioun ! 
Alias ! that any of my nacioun 
Sholde ever so foule disparaged be ! ' 
Bu^t al for noglit, the ende is this, that he 
Constreyned was, he nedes moste hir 

wedde ; 1071 

And taketh his olde wyf, and gooth to 

bedde. 
Now wolden som men seye, paraventure, 
That, for my necligence, I do no cure 
To tellen yow the joye and al th'array 
That at the feste was that ilke day. (220) 
To which e thing shortly answere I shal ; 
I seye, ther nas no joye ne feste at al, 
Ther nas but hevinesse and muche sorwe ; 
For j)rively he wedded hir on a morwe. 
And al day after hidde him as an oule ; 
So wo was him, his wyf looked so foule. 
Greet was the wo the knight hadde in 

his thoght. 
Whan he was with his wyf a-bedde y- 

broght ; 1084 

He walweth, and he turneth to and fro. 
His olde wyf lay smylinge evermo, (230) 
And seyde, 'o dere housbond, ben^cite! 
Fareth every knight thus with his wyf 

as ye ? 
Is this the lawe of king Arthures hous ? 
Is every knight of his so dangerous ? 1090 



I am your owene love and eok j-our wyf; 
I am she, which that saved hath your lyf; 
And certes, yet dide I yow never unright ; 
Why fare ye thus with me this firste night? 
Ye faren lyk a man had lost his wit ; 1095 
What is my gilt? for godd's love, tel 
me it, (240) 

And it shal been amended, if I may.' 
' Amended ? ' quod this knight, ' alias ! 
nay, nay ! 
It wol nat been amended never mo ! 
Thou art so loothly, and so old also, iioo 
And ther-to comen of so lowe a kinde, 
That litel wonder is, thogh I walwe and 

winde. 
So wolde god myn herte wolde breste ! ' 
'Is this,' quod she, 'the cai^se of your 
unreste ? ' 1 104 

' Ye, certainly,' quod he, ' no wonder is.' 
' Now, sire,' quod she, ' I coude amende 
al this, (250) 

If that me liste, er it were dayes three. 
So wel ye mighte here yow un-to me. 

But for ye speken of swich gentillesse 
As is descended out of old richesse, 11 10 
That therfore sholden ye be gentil men, 
Swich arrogance is nat worth an hen. 
Loke who that is most vertuous alway, 
Privee and apert, and most entendeth ay 
To do the gentil dedes that he can, 1115 
And tak him for the grettest gentil 
man. (260) 

Crist wol, we clajtne of him ovir gentil- 
lesse, 
Nat of our eldres for hir old richesse. 
For thogh they yeve us al hir heritage. 
For which we clayme to been of heigh 
parage, 1120 

Yet may they nat biquethe, for no-thing, 
To noon of us hir vertuous living, 
That made hem gentil men y-called be ; 
And bad lis folwen hem in swich degree. 

Wel can the wyse poete of Florence, 
That highte Dant, speken in this sentence; 
Lo in swich maner rym is Dantes tale : 
"Ful selde up ryseth by his branches 
smale (272) 112S 

Prowesse of man ; for god, of his good- 

nesse, 
Wol that of him we clayme our gentil- 
lesse ; " 1 130 



U 2 



580 



ZU tanUv&vLt^ Zahe. 



[t. 6713-6802. 



eldres may we no-tliino 



, that man may liurte 



For of owr 

clayme 
But temporel thin 
and mayme. 
Eek every wight wot this as wel as I, 
If gentillesse were planted naturelly 
Un-to a certeyn linage, doun the lyne, 
Privee ne apert, than wolde they never 
fyne (280) 1136 

To doon of gentillesse the faire offyce ; 
They mighte do no vileinye or vyce. 

Tak fyr, and ber it in the derkeste hous 
Bitwix this and the mount of Caucasus, 
And lat men shette the dores and go 
thenne ; "4i 

Yet wol the fyr as faire lye and brenne, 
As twenty thousand men mighte it biholde ; 
His office naturel ay wol it holde. 
Up peril of my lyf, til that it dye. 1145 
Heer may ye see wel, how that genterye 
Is nat annexed to possessioun, (291) 

Sith folk ne doon hir operacioun 
Alwey, as dooth the fyr, lo ! in his kinde. 
For, god it woot, men may wel often finde 
A lordes sone do shame and vileinye ; 1 151 
And he that wol han prys of his gentrye 
For he was boren of a gentil hous, 
And hadde hise eldres noble and vertuous, 
And nil him-selven do no gentil dedis, 1 155 
Ne folwe his gentil auncestre that deed is, 
He nis nat gentil, be he diik or erl ; (301) 
For vileyns sinfiil dedes make a cherl. 
For gentillesse nis but renomee 1159 

Of thyne .auncestres, for hir heigh bountee. 
Which is a strange thing to thy persone. 
Thy gentillesse cometh fro god alien e ; 
Than comth our verray gentillesse of grace, 
It was no-thing biquethe us with our place. 
Thenketh how noble, as seith Valeriiis, 
Was thilke Tiillius Hostilius, (310) 1166 
That out of povert roos to heigh noblesse. 
Redeth Senek, and redeth eek Boece, 
Ther shul ye seen expres that it no drede is, 
That he is gentil that doth gentil dedis ; 
And therfore, leve housbond, I thus con- 
clude, 1 1 71 
Al were it that myne auncestres were rude, 
Yet may the hye god, and so hope I, 
G-rante ine grace to liven vertuously. 11 74 
Thanne am I gentil, whan that I biginne 
To liven vertuously and weyve sinne. (320) 



And ther-as ye of povert me repreve. 
The hye god, on whom that we bileve, 
In wilfvil povert chees to live his lyf. 1 1 79 
And certes every inan, mayden, or wyf. 
May understonde that Jesus, hevene king, 
Ne wolde nat chese a vicious living. 
Glad povert is an honest thing, certeyn ; 
This wol Senek and othere clerkes seyn. 
Wlio-so that halt him payd of his poverte, 
I holde him riche, al hadde he nat a 
sherte. (330) 1186 

He that coveyteth is a povre wight. 
For he wolde han that is nat in his might. 
Buthethat noght hath, ne coveyteth have, 
Is riche, al-though ye holde him but a 
knave. 119" 

Verray povert, it singeth proprely ; 
Juvenal seith of povert merily : 
" The povre man, whan he goth by the 

weye, 
Bifore the theves he may singe and pleye." 
Povert is hateftil good, and, as I gesse, 1 195 
A ful greet bringer out of bisinesse ; (340) 
A greet amender eek of sapience 
To him that taketh it in pacience. 
Povert is this, al-tliough it seme elenge : 
Possessioun, that no wight wol chalenge. 
Povert fill ofte, whan a man is lowe, 1201 
Maketh his god and eek him-self to knowe. 
Povert a spectacle is, as thinketh me, 
Thurgh which he may his verray frendes 

see. 
And therfore, sire, sin that I noght yow 
greve, 1205 

Of my povert na-more ye me repreve. (350) 

Now, sire, of elde ye repreve me ; 
And certes, sire, thogh noon auctoritee 
Were in no book, ye gentils of honour 
Seyn that men sholde an old wight doon 
favour, 1210 

And clepe him fader, for your gentillesse ; 
And auctours shal I flnden, as I gesse. 

Now ther ye seye, that I am foul and old. 
Than drede yoii noght to been a cokewold ; 
For filthe and elde, al-so mote I thee, 1215 
Been grete wardeyns ui>on chastitee. (360) 
But nathelees, sin I knowe your delyt, 
I shal fulfille your worldly appetyt. 

Chees now,' quod she, ' oou of thise 
thinges tweye, 1219 

To han me foul and old til that I deye. 



T. r.803-6862.] 



D. ZH S^iav'a (Profo^ue. 



5«i 



And be to yow a trewe humble w\vf, 
And never yow displese in al my lyf, 
Or elles ye wol han me yong and fair, 
And take your aventure of the repair 1224 
That shal be to your hous, by-cause of me, 
Or in som other place, may wel be. (370) 
Now chees yoiir-selven, whether that yow 

lyketh.' 
This knight avyseth liim and sore 

syketh. 
But atte laste he seyde in this manere, 
' My lady and my love, and wyf so dere, 
I put me in your wyse governance ; 1231 
Chesetli your-self, which may be most 

plesance, 
And most honour to yow and me also. 
I do no fors the whether of the two ; 
For as j'ow lyketh, it suffiseth me.' 1235 
' Thanne have I gete of yow maistrye,' 

quod she, (380) 

' Sin I may chese, and governe as me lest ? ' 

' Ye, certes, wyf,' quod he, ' I holde it 

best.' 
' Kis me,' quod she, ' we be no lenger 

wrothe ; 1239 

For, by my trouthe, I wol be to yow bothe, 
This is to seyn, ye, bothe fair and good. 
I prey to god that I mot sterven wood. 



But I to yow be al-so good and trewe 
As ever was wyf, sin that the world was 

uewe. 
And, but I be to-morn as fair to sene 1245 
As any lady, emperyce, or quene, (390) 
That is bitwixe the est and eke the west. 
Doth with my lyf and deeth right as yow 

lest. 
Cast up the curtin, loke how that it is.' 
And whan the knight saugh verraily al 

this, 1250 

That she so fair was, and so yong ther-to. 
For joye he hente hir in his armes two. 
His herte bathed in a bath of blisse ; 
A thousand tyme a-rewe he gan hir 

kisse. 
And she obeyed him in every thing 1255 
That mighte doon him plesance or lyking. 
And thus they live, un-to hir lyves 

ende, (401) 

In parfit joye ; and Jesu Crist us sende 
Housbondes meke, yonge, and fresshe a- 

bedde, 1259 

And grace t'overbyde hem that we wedde. 
And eek I preye Jesu shorte hir lyves 
That wol nat be governed by hir wyves ; 
And olde and angry nigardes of dispence, 
God sende hem sone verray pestilence. 



Here endeth the Wyves Tale of Bathe. 



THE FRIAR'S PROLOGUE. 



The Prologe of the Freres tale. 



This worthy limitour, this noble Frere, 1265 
He made alwey a maner louring chere 
Upon the Somnour, but for honestee 
No vileyns word as yet to him spak he. 
But atte laste he seyde un-to the Wyf, 
' Dame,' quod he, ' god yeve yow right 
good lyf! 1270 

Ye han heer touched, al-so mote I thee, 
In scole-matere greet difficultee ; 



Ye han seyd muchel thing right wel, I 
seye ; (5) 

But dame, here as we ryden by the weye. 
Us nedeth nat to speken biit of game, 1275 
And lete auctoritees, on goddes name, 
To preching and to scole eek of clergye. 
But if it lyke to this companye, 
I wol yow of a somnour telle a game. 1279 
Pardee, ye may wel knowe by the name. 



582 



ZU CanferBurp Zake. 



[t. 6863-691 



That of a somnour may no good be 

sayd ; 
I praye that noon of you be yvel apayd. 
A somnoiir is a renner up and douu 
With niandements for fornicacioun, (20) 
And is y-bet at every tonnes ende.' 1285 
Our host tho spak, ' a ! sire, ye shokle 

be hende 
And curteys, as a man of you.r estaat ; 
In companye we wol have no debaat. 
Telleth your tale, and lat the Somnour 

be.' 



' Nay,' quod the Somnour, ' lat him 
seye to me 1290 

What so him list ; whan it comth to my lot. 
By god, I shal him quyten every grot. 
I shal him tellen which a greet honour (29) 
It is to be a flateringe limitour ; [T. 6876 
And his offyce I shal him telle, y-wis.' 

[T. 6879 
Our host answerde, ' pees, na-more of 
this.' 1296 

And after this he seyde un-to the Frere, 
' Tel forth your tale, leve maister deere.' 



Here endeth the Prologe of the Frere. 



THE FRERES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Freres tale. 



WiiiLOxi tlier was dwellinge in my contree 

An erchedoken, a man of heigh degree, 

That boldely dide execucioun 1301 

In punisshinge of fornicacioun. 

Of wicchccraft, and eek of baiiderye, 

Of diffamacioun, and avoutrye, 

Of chirche-reves, and of testaments, 1305 

Of contractes, and of lakke of sacraments. 

And eek of many another maner cryme 

[T. om. 
A\'hich nodeth nat reliercen at tliis tyjne ; 

[T. om. 
Of usure, and of symonye also. (11) 

But certes, lechours dide he grettest wo ; 
They sholde singen, if that they were 

hent; 1311 

And smale tytheres weren foulo y-shent. 
If any persone wolde up-on hem pleyne, 
Tlier mighte asterte him no pecu.nial 

peyne. 
For smale tythes and for snial offringe 1315 
He made the peple pitously to singe. 
For er the bisshop caughte hem with his 

hook, 



They weren in the erchedeknes book. (20) 
Thanne hadde he, thurgh his jurisdic- 

cioun, 
Power to doon on hem correccioun. 1320 
He hadde a Somnour redy to his hond, 
A slyer boy was noon in Engelond ; 
For subtilly he hadde his espiaille, 
Tliat taughte him, wher that him mighte 

availle. 1324 

He coude spare of lechours oon or two. 
To techen him to foure and twenty mo. 
For thogli this Somnour wood were as an 

hare, 
To telle his harlotrye I wol nat spare ; (30) 
For we been out of his correccioun ; 
They han of us no jurisdiccioun, 1330 

No never shullen, terme of alle hir lyves. 
' Peter ! so been the wommen of the 

styves,' 
Quod the Somnour, 'y-put out of my cure ! ' 
' Pees, with mischance and with mis- 

aventure,' 
Thus seyde our host, ' and lat him telle 

his tale. 1335 



T. 6918—6997.] 



D. Z2)i. ^vtrzQ Zak, 



583 



Xow telletli forth, thogh that the Soni- 

novir gale, 
Ive spareth nat, myn owene maister dere.' 
This false theef, this Somuour, quod, 
the Frere, (40) 

Hadde alwey baudes redy to his hond. 
As any hauk to lure in Eugelond, 1340 
That tolde him al the secree that they 

knewe ; 
For hir acqueyntance was nat come of- 

iiewe. 
They weren hise approwours prively ; 
He took him-self a greet profit therbj' ; 
His maister knew nat alwey what he wan. 
With-outen mandement, a lewed man 1346 
He coude somne, on peyne of Cristes curs, 
And they were gladde for to fille his 
purs, (50) 

And make him grete festes atte nale. 
And right as Judas hadde purses smale, 
And was a theef, right swich a theef was 
he; 1 35 1 

His maister hadde but half his duetee. 
He was, if I shal yeven him his laude, 
A theef, and eek a Somnour, and a baude. 
He hadde eek wenches at his retenue, 1355 
That, whether that sir Robert or sir Huwe, 
Or Jukke, or Kauf, or who-so that it were. 
That lay by hem, they tolde it in his ere ; 
Thus was the wenche and he of oon as- 
sent. (61) 
And ho wolde fecche a feyued mande- 
ment, 1360 
And somne hem to the chapitre bothe two. 
And pile the man, and lete the wenche go. 
Thanne wolde he seye, ' frend, I shal for 
thy sake 1363 
Do stryken hir out of our lettres blake ; 
Thee thar na-more as in tliis cas travaille ; 
I am thy freend, ther I thee may availle.' 
Certeyn he knew of bryberyes mo 
Than possible is to telle in yeres two. (70) 
For in this world nis dogge for the bowe. 
That can an hurt deer from an hool 
y-knowe, 1370 
Bet than this Somnour knew a sly leohour. 
Or an avouter, or a paramour. 
And, for that was the fruit of al his rente, 
Therfore on it he sette al his entente. 

And so bifel, that ones on a day 1375 
This Somnour, ever waiting on his pray. 



Eood for to somne a widwe, an old ribybe, 
Feyninge a cause, for he wolde brybe. (80) 
And happed that he saugh bifore him ryde 
A gay yeman, under a forest-syde. 1380 
A bowe he bar, and arwes brighte and 

kene ; 
He hadde up-on a courtepy of grene ; 
An hat up-on his heed with frenges blake. 
'Sir,' quod this Somnour, ' hayl ! and 

wel a-take ! ' 
' Wel-come,' quod he, ' and every good 

felawe ! 13 85 

Wlier rydestow under this grene shawe ? ' 
Seyde this yeman, ' wiltow fer to day ? ' 
This Somnour him answerde, and seyde, 

' nay ; (90) 

Heer faste by,' quod he, ' is myn entente 
To ryden, for to rej'sen up a rente 1390 
That longeth to my lordes duetee.' 

' Artow thanne a bailly ? ' ' Ye ! ' quod 

he. 
He dorste nat, for verray filthe and shame, 
Seye that he was a somnour, for the 

name. 
' Depardieux,^ quod this yeman, ' dere 

brother, 1395 

Thou art a bailly, and I am another. 
I am unknowen as in this contree ; (99) 
Of thyn aqueyntance I wolde praye thee. 
And eek of brotherhede, if that yow leste. 
I have gold and silver in my cheste ; 1400 
If that thee happe to comen in our shyre, 
Al shal be thyn, right as thou wolt desyre.' 
' Grantmercy,' qu.od this Somnour, ' by 

my feith ! ' 

Everich in otheres hand his trouthe leith. 

For to be sworue bretheren til they deye. 

In daliance they ryden forth hir weye. 1406 

This Somnour, which that was as ful 

of jangles. 
As fu.1 of venim been thise wariaugles, (no) 
And ever enquering up-on every thing, 
' Brother,' quod he, ' where is now your 

dwelling, 1410 

Another day if that I sholde yow seche?' 

This yeman him answerde in softe 

speche, 
' Brother,' quod he, ' fer in the north 

contree, 
Wher, as I hope, som-tymc I shal thee see. 
Er we departe, I shal thee so wel wisse, 



584 



ZU ^anterBurj ZciUe, 



[t. 6998-7078. 



That of myn lious ne shaltow never 

misse.' 1416 

' Now, brother,' quod this Somnour, ' I 

yow preye, 
Teche me, whyl that we ryden by the 

weye, (120) 

Sin that ye been a baillif as am 1, 
Som subtiltee, and tel me feithfully 1420 
In myn ofFyce how I may most winne ; 
And spareth nat for conscience ne sinne, 
But as my brother tel me, how do ye ? ' 
' Now, by my trouthe, brother dere,' 

seyde he, 
'As I shal tellen thee a feithful tale, 1425 
My wages been ful streite and ful smale. 
My lord is hard to me and daungerous. 
And myn offyce is ful laborous ; (130) 

And therfore by extorcions I live. 
For sothe, I take al that men wol me 

yive ; 1430 

Algate, by sleyghte or by violence. 
Fro yeer to yeer I winne al my dispence. 
I can no bettre telle feithfully.' 

'Now, certes,' quod this Somnour, 'so 

fare I ; 
I spare nat to taken, god it woot, 1435 
But-if it be to lievy or to hoot. 
What I may gete in conseil prively, 
No maner conscience of that have I ; (140) 
Nere myn extorcioun, I mighte nat liven, 
Ne of swiche japes wol I nat be shriven. 
Stomak ne conscience ne knowe I noon ; 
I shrewe thise shrifte-fadres everichoon. 
Wei be we met, by god and by seint 

Jame ! 

But, leve brother, tel me than thy name,' 

Quod this Somnour ; and in this mene 

_ -whyle, J445 

This yeman gan a litel for to smyle. 

' Brother,' quod he, ' wiltow that I thee 

telle ? 
I am a feend, my dwelling is in helle. (150) 
And here I ryde about my purchasing. 
To wite wher naen wolde yeve me any 

thing. 1450 

My purchas is th'effect of al my rente. 
Loke how thou rj'dest for the same en- 
tente, 
To winne good, thou rekkest never how ; 
Eight so fare I, for ryde wolde I now 
Un-to the worldes ende for a preye.' 1455 



' A,' quod this Somnour, ' ben'cite, what 

sey ye ? 
I wende ye were a yeman trewely. 
Ye han a mannes shap as wel as I ; (i6o) 
Han ye figure than determinat 
In helle, ther ye been in your estat ? ' 1460 
' Nay, certeinly,' quod he, ' ther have 

we noon ; 
But whan u.s lyketh, we can take vis oon. 
Or elles make yow seme wo ben shape 
Som-tyme lyk a man, or lyk an ape ; 
Or lyk an angel can I ryde or go. 1465 
It is no wonder thing thogh it be so ; 
A lousy jogelour can deceyve thee. 
And pardee, yet can I more craft than 

he.' (170) 

' Why,' quod the Somnour, ' ryde ye 

thanne or goon 1469 

In sondry shap, and nat alwey in oon ? ' 
' For we,' quod he, ' wol us swich formes 

make 
As most able is our preyes for to take.' 
' What maketh yow to han al this 

labour ? ' 
' Ful many a cause, leve sir Somnour,' 
Seyde this feend, ' but alle thing hath 

tyme. 1475 

The day is short, and it is passed pryme. 
And yet ne wan I no-thing in this tlay. 
I wol entende to winnen, if I may, (180) 
And nat entende oivr wittes to declare. 
For, brother myn, thy wit is al to bare 1480 
To understonde, al-thogh I tolde hem thee. 
But, for thou axest why labouren we ; 
For, som-tyme, we ben goddes instru- 
ments. 
And menes to don his comandements. 
Whan that him list, up-on his creatures, 
In divers art and in divers figures. J486 
With-outen him we have no might, cer- 

tayn, (189) 

If that him list to stonden ther-agayn. 
And som-tyme, at our prayere, han we leve 
Only the body and nat the soule greve ; 
Witnesse on Job, whom that we diden 

wo. 1 49 1 

And som-tyme han we might of bothe two. 
Til is is to seyn, of sovile and body eke. 
And somtyme be we suffred for to seke 
Ilp-on a man, and doon his soule unreste, 
And nat his body, and al is for the beste. 



T- 7079-7151-] 



D. ZU S^etree Zak, 



585 



"Wlian he withstandetli our temptacioun, 
It is a cause of liis savaciotin ; (200) 

Al-be-it that it was nat our entente 
He sholde be sauf, but that we wolde 

him hente. 1500 

And soni-tyme be we servant un-to man, 
As to the erchebisshop Seint Dunstan 
And to the apostles servant eek was I.' 
' Yet tel me,' quod the Somnour, ' feith- 

fuUy, 
Make j^e yow newe bodies thus alway 1505 
Of elements?' the feend answerde, 'nay; 
Som-tyme we feyne, and som-tyme we 

aryse 
With dede bodies in ful sondry wyse, (210) 
And speke as renably and faire and wel 
As to the Phitonissa dide Samuel. 1510 
And yet wol som men seye it was nat he ; 
I do no fors of your divinitee. 
But o thing warne I thee, I wol nat jape, 
Thou wolt algates wite how we ben shape ; 
Thou shalt her-afterward, my brother 

dere, 15 15 

Com ther thee nedeth nat of me to lere. ' 
For thou shalt by thyn owene experience 
Conne in a chayer rede of this sentence 
Bet than Virgyle, whyl he was on lyve, 
Or Dant also ; now lat us ryde blyve. 1520 
For I wol holde companye with thee (223) 
Til it be so, that thou forsake me.' 

■ Nay,' quod this Somnour, ' that shal 

nat bityde ; 
I am a yeman, knowen is ful wyde ; 
My trouthe wol I holde as in this cas. 1525 
For though thou were the devel Sathanas, 
Mj' trouthe wol I holde to my brother. 
As I am sworn, and ech of us til other (230) 
For to be trewe brother in this cas ; 
And botlie we goon abouten our j)urchas. 
Tak thou thy part, what that men wol 

thee yive, 153 1 

And I shal myn ; thus may we bothe live. 
And if that any of us have more than 

other, 
Lat him be trewe, and parte it with his 

brother.' 
' I graunte,' quod the devel, ' by my fey.' 
And with that word they rydeu forth hir 

wey. 1536 

And right at the entring of the tounes 

ende, 



To which this Somnour shoox) him for to 

wende, (240) 

They saugh a cart, that charged was with 

liey, 

Which that a carter droof forth in his wey. 

Deep was the wey, for which the carte 

stood. 154 1 

The carter smoot, and cryde, as he were 

wood, 
' Hayt, Brok ! haj't, Scot ! what spare ye 

for the stones ? 
The feend,' quod he, 'yow fecche body 

and bones, 

As ferforthly as ever were ye foled ! 1545 

So muche wo as I have with yow tholed ! 

The devel have al, bothe hors and cart 

and hey ! ' 

This Somnour seyde, ' heer shal we 

have a pley ; ' (250) 

And neer the feend he drough, as noglit 

ne were, 
Ful prively, and rouned in his ere : 1550 
' Herkne, my brother, herkne, by thy 

feith ; 
Herestow nat how that the carter seith ? 
Hent it anon, for he hath yeve it thee, 
Bothe hey and cart, and eek hise caples 
three.' 
' Nay,' quod the devel, ' god wot, never 
a deel ; 1555 

It is nat his entente, trust me weel. 
Axe him thy-self, if thou nat trowest me, 
Or elles stint a while, and thou shalt 
see.' (260) 

This carter thakketh his hors upon the 
croiipe. 
And they bigonne drawen and to-stoupe ; 
'Hej't, now!' quod he, 'ther Jesu Crist 
yow blesse, i^^6i 

And al his handwerk, bothe more and 

lesse ! 
That was wel twight, myn owene Ij'ard 

boy! 
I pray god save thee and seynt Loy ! 
Now is my cart out of the slow, pardee ! ' 
' Lo ! brother,' qiiod the feend, 'what 
tolde I thee ? 1566 

Heer may ye see, myn owene dere brother, 
The carl spak 00 thing, but he thoghte 
another. (270) 

Lat us go forth abouten our viage ; 



u 3 



586 



^U CarxUv^ut^ Zcike, 



[t. 7152-7225. 



Heer -winne I no-thing up-on cariage.' 
Whan that they comen som-what out 

of toune, i57« 

This Somnour to his brother gan to roune, 
'Brother,' quod he, 'heer woueth an old 

rebeldie, 
That hadde almost as lief to lese hir nekke 
As for to yeve a peny of hir good. 1575 

I wol han twelf xiens, though that she be 

wood, 
Or I wol sompne hir un-to our oifyce ; 
And yet, god woot, of hir knowe I no 

vyce. (280) 

But for thou canst nat, as in this contree, 
Winne thy cost, tak heer ensaniple of 

me.' 1580 

This Somnour clappeth at the widwes 

gate. 
'Com out,' quod he, 'thou olde viritrate ! 
I trowe thou hast som frere or preest 

with thee ! ' 
'Who clappeth?' seyde this widwe, 

' ben'cite ! 
God save you, sire, what is your swete 

wille ? ' 1585 

' I have,' quod he, ' of somonce here 

a bille ; 
Up peyne of cursing, loke that thou be 
To-morn bifore the erchedeknes knee (290) 
T'answere to the court of certeyn thinges.' 
' Now, lord,' quod she, ' Crist Jesu, king 

of kiuges, 1590 

So wisly helpe me, as I ne may. 
I have been syk, and that ful many a day. 
I may nat go so fer,' quod she, ' ne ryde, 
Bvit I be deed, so priketli it in my syde. 
May I nat axe a libel, sir Somnour, i-;o5 
And answcre there, by my procutour. 
To swich thing as men wol opposen me ? ' 
'Yis,' quod this Somnour, 'pay anon, 

lat se, (3U0) 

Twelf pens to me, and I wol thee acquyte. 
I shall no profit han ther-by but lyte ; 1600 
My maister hath the profit, and nat I, 
Com of, and lat me ryden hastily ; 
Yif me twelf pens, I may no lenger tarie.' 
' Twelf pens,' quod she, ' now lady 

Seinte Marie 
So wisly help me out of care and sinne, 
This wyde world thogh that I sholde 

winne, 1606 



Ne have I nat twelf pens with-inne myn 

hold. (309) 

Ye knowen wel that I am povre and old ; 

Kythe your almesse on me povre wrecche.' 

' Nay than,' quod he, ' the foule feend 

me fecche 1610 

If I th'excuse, though thou shul be spilt ! ' 

' Alas,' quod she, ' god woot, I have no 

gilt.' 
' Pay me,' quod he, ' or by the swete 

seinte Anne, 
As I wol bere awey thy newe panne 
For dette, which that thou owest me of 

old, 1615 

Whan that thou madest thyn housbond 

cokewold, 
I payde at boom for thy correccioun.' 
' Thou list,' quod she, ' by my sava- 

cioun ! (320) 

Ne was I never er now, widwe ne wyf, 
Somoned un-to your court in al my lyf ; 
Ne never I nas but of my body trewe ! 1621 
Un-to the devel blak and roiigh of hewe 
Yeve I thy body and my panne also ! ' 

And whan the devel herde hir cursen so 

Up-on hir knees, he seyde in this manere, 

' Now Mabely, myn owene moder dere, 1626 

Is this your wil in ernest, that ye seye ? ' 

' The devel,' quod she, ' so fecche him 

er he deye, (330) 

And panne and al, but he wol him re- 

pente ! ' 1629 

' Nay, olde stot, that is nat myn entente,' 
Quod this Somnour, ' for to repente me, 
For any thing that I have had of thee ; 
I wolde I hadde thy smok and every 

clooth ! ' 
' Now, brother,' quod the devel, ' be nat 

wrooth ; 
Thy body and this panne ben myne by 

right. 1635 

Thou shalt with me to helle yet to-night. 
Where thovi shalt knowen of our privetee 
More than a maister of divinitee : ' (340) 
And with that word this foule feend him 

hente ; 1639 

Body and soule, he with the devel wente 
Wher-as that somnours han hir heritage. 
And god, that maked after his image 
Mankinde, save and gyde us alle and 

some ; 



T. 7226-727S.] D. ^0e ^otttnour'0 (profo^ue. 



587 



And leve this Somnoxir good man to 

bicome ! 
Lordinges, I coude lian told yow, quod 

this Frere, 1645 

Hadde I had leyser for this Somuour here, 
After the text of Crist [and] Powland John, 
And of our othere doctours many oon, 
Swiche peynes, that your hertes mighte 

agryse, (351) 

Al-be-it so, no tonge may devyse, 1650 
Thogh that I mighte a thousand winter 

telle, 
The peyne of thilke cursed hous of heUe. 
But, for to kepe us fro that cursed place, 
Waketh, and preyeth Jesu for his grace 



So kepe us fro the temptour Sathanas. 1655 
Herketh this word, beth war as in this 

cas; 
The leoun sit in his await alway 
To slee the innocent, if that he may. (360) 
Disposeth ay your hertes to withstonde 
The feend, that yow wolde make thral 

and bonde. 1660 

He may nat tempten yow over your might ; 
For Crist wol be your champion and 

knight. 
And prayeth that thise Somnours hem 

repente 
Of hir misdedes, er that the feend hem 

hente. 



Here endeth the Freres tale. 



THE SOMNOUR'S PROLOGUE. 



The prologe of the Somnours Tale. 



This Somnour in his stiropes hye stood ; 
Up-on this Frere his herte was so wood. 
That lyk an aspen leef he quook for yre. 
' Lordinges,' quod he, ' but o thing I 
desyre ; 
I yow biseke that, of your curteisye. 
Sin ye han herd this false Frere lye, 1670 
As suffereth me I may my tale telle ! 
This Frere bosteth that he knoweth helle. 
And god it woot, that it is litel wonder ; 
Freres and feendes been but lyte a-sonder. 
For pardee, ye han ofte tyme herd telle, 
How that a frere ravisshed was to helle 
In spirit ones by a visioun ; (13) 1677 

And as an angel ladde him up and doun, 
To shewen him the peynes that ther were. 
In al the place saugh he nat a frere ; 1680 
Of other folk he saugh y-nowe in wo. 
Uu-to this angel spak the frere tho : 



" Now, sir," quod he, " han freres swich 

a grace (19) 

Thatnoonof hem shalcome to this place?" 

" Yis," quod this angel, " many a mil- 

lioun ! " 1685 

And un-to Sathanas he ladde him doun. 
" And now hath Sathanas," seith he, 

" a tayl 
Brodder than of a carrik is the sayl. 
Hold up thy tayl, thou Sathanas ! " quod 

he, 1689 

' ' Shewe forth thyn ei'S, and lat the frere see 
Wher is the nest of freres in this place ! " 
And, er that half a furlong- wey of space. 
Eight so as bees out swarmen from an 

hyve, 
Oiitof the develes ers thergonne dryve (30) 
Twenty thousand freres in a route, 1695 
And thurgh-out heUe swarmeden abouto 



u 5 



588 



ZU tankvBuv^ Zake. 



[t. 7279-7343. 



And comen agayn, as faste as they may 

Aiid in liis ers they crepten everichon. 
He cliipte his tayl agayn, and lay iul stille. 
This frere, whan he loked hadde his fiUe 
L'j)on the torments of this sory place, 1701 
His spirit god restored of his grace 



Un-to his body agayn, and he awook ; 
But natheles, for fere yet he qnook, (40) 
So was the develes ers ay in his minde. 
That is his heritage of verray kinde. 1706 
God save yow alle, save this cursed 

Prere ; 
My prologe wol I ends in this manere.' 



Here endeth the Prologe of the Somnours Tale, 



THE SOMNOURS TALE. 



Here biginneth the Somonour his Tale. 



LoRDiNGES, ther is in Yorkshire, as I 

gesse, 
A mersshy contree called Holdernesse, 
In which ther wente a limitour about e, 171 1 
To proche, and eek to begge, it is no doute. 
And so bifel, that on a day this frero 
Had preched at a chirche in his manere, 
And specially, aboven every thing, 1715 
Excited he the peple in his preehing 
To trentals, and to yeve, for goddes sake, 
Wher-with men mighten holy houses 

make, (10) 

Ther as divyne service is honoured, 
Nat ther as it is wasted and devoured, 1720 
Ne ther it nedeth nat for to be yive, 
As to possessioners, that mowen live. 
Thanked be god, inweleandhabundaunce. 
'Trentals,' seydo he, ' deliveren fro pen- 

aunce 1724 

Hir freendes soiiles, as wel olde as yonge, 
Ye, whan that they been hastily y-songo ; 
Nat for to holde a preest joly and gay. 
He singeth nat but o masse in a day ; (20) 
Delivereth out,' quod he, 'anon the soules ; 
Ful hard it is with fleshhook or with oules 
To been y-clawed, or to brenne or bake ; 
Now spede yow hastily, for Cristes sake.' 
And whan this frere had seyd al his 

entente, 
WithijMi cumxKitre forth his wey he wente. 



Whan folk in chirche had yeve him 

what hem leste, 1735 

He wente his wey, no lenger wolde he 

reste. 
With scrippe and tipped staf, y-tukked 

hye ; (29) 

In every hous he gan to poure <and prye, 
And beggeth mele, and chese, or elles corn. 
His felawe hadde a staf tipped with horn, 
A peyre of tables al of yvory, 1741 

And a poyntel polisshed fetisly. 
And wroot the names alwey, as he stood, 
Of alle folk that yaf him any good, 1744 
Ascaunces that he wolde for hem preye. 
' Yeve us a busshel whete, malt, or reye, 
A goddes kechil, or a trip of chese. 
Or elles what yow list, wo may nat chese ; 
A goddes halfpeny or a masse-peny, (41) 
Or yeve us of your brawn, if ye have eny ; 
A dagon of your blanket, leve dame, 1751 
Our suster dere, lo ! here I write your name ; 
Bacon or beef, or swich thing as ye finde.' 
A sturdy harlot wente ay hem bihinde. 
That was hir hostes man, and bar a sak. 
And what men yaf hem, leyde it on his 

bak. 1756 

And whan that he was out at dore anon. 
He planed awey the names everichon (50) 
That he biforn had writen in his tables ; 
He served hem with nyfles and with fables. 



'343- 



-7420.] 



D. ZH ^ownoure Zdk, 



589 



' Nay, tlicr tliou lixt, tliou Somnoiir,' 

quod the Frere. 1761 

'Pees,' quod our Host, 'for Cristes 

moder dere ; 
Tel forth thy tale and spare it nat at al.' 
Sothryvel, quod this Somnour, sol shal. — 
So longe he wente hous by hous, til he 
Cam tn an hous ther he was wont to he 
Eefresshed more than in an hundred 

placis. 1 767 

Sik lay the gode man, wlios that the place 

is ; (60) 

Bedrede up-on a couche lowe he lay. 
'Deus hie,' quod he, ' O Thomas, freend, 

good day,' 1770 

Seyde this frere curteisly and softe. 
' Thomas,' quod he, ' god yelde yow ! ful 

ofte 
Have I up-on this heneh faren ful woel. 
Here have I eten many a mery meel ; ' 
And fro the bench he droof awey the cat. 
And leyde adoun liis potente and his hat. 
And eek his scrippe, and sette him softe 

adoun. 1 777 

His felawe was go walked in-to toun, (70) 
Forth with his knave, in-to that hostelrye 
Wher-as he shoop him thilke night to lye. 

' O dere maister,' quod this syke man, 
' How han j'o fare sitli that March bigan ? 
I saugh yow noght this fourtenight or 

more.' 
' God woot,' quod ho, ' laboxired have I ful 

sore ; 
And specially, for thy savacioun 1785 

Have I seyd many a precious orisoun. 
And for our othere frendes, god hem 

blesse ! 
I have to-day been at your chirche at 

messe, (80) 

And seyd a sermon after my simple wit, 
Nat al after the text of holy writ ; 1790 
For it is hard to yow, as I suppose, 
And therfore wol I teche yow al the glose. 
Glosinge is a gloriovxs thing, certeyn, 
For lettre sleeth, so as we clerkes seyn. 
Ther have I taiight hem to be charitable, 
And spende hir good ther it is resonable, 
And ther I saugh our dame ; a ! wher 

is she?' (89)1797 

' Yond in the yerd I trowethat she be,' 

Seyde this man, ' and she wol come anon.' 



' Ey, maister ! wel-come be ye, by seint 

John ! ' 1800 

Seyde this wyf, ' how fare ye hertely ? ' 

The frere aryseth tip ful curteisly, 
And hir embracetli in his armes narwe, 
And kiste hir swete, and chirketh as 

a sparwe 
With his lippes : ' dame,' quod he, ' right 

weel, 1805 

As he that is your servant every deel. 
Thanked be god, that yow yaf soule and lyf, 
Yet saugh I nat this day so fair a wyf (100) 
In al the chirche, god so save me ! ' 

' Ye, god amende defautes, sir,' qiiodshe, 
' Algates wel-come be ye, by my fey ! ' 1811 
' Graunt mercy, dame, this have I founde 

alwey. 
But of your grete goodnesse, by your 

leve, 
I wolde prey yow that ye nat yow greve, 
I wol with Thomas speke a litel throwe. 
Thise curats been ful necligent and slowe 
To grope tendrely a conscience. (109) 1817 
In shrift, in iireching is my diligence, 
And studie in Petres wordes, and in Poules. 
I walke, and iisshe Cristen menncs soules, 
To yeldenJesu Crist his propre rente ; 1S21 
To sprede his word is set al myn en- 
tente.' 
' Now, by your leve, o dere sir, ' quod she, 
' Chydeth him weel, for seinte Trinitee. 
He is as angry as a pissemyre, 1825 

Though that he have al that he can 

desyre. 
Though I him wrye a-night and make 

him warm, (119) 

And on hym leye my leg oiither myn arm, 
He groneth lyk our boor, lyth in our sty. 
Other desport right noon of him have I ; 
I may nat plese him in no maner cas.' 
' O Thomas ! Je vous dy, Thomas ! 

Thomas ! 
This maketh the feend, this moste ben 

amended. 
Ire is a thing that hyo god defended, 1834 
And ther-of wol I speke a word or two.' 
' Now maister,' quod the wyf, ' er that 

I go. 
What wol ye dyne ? I wol go ther-aboute.' 
' Now dame,' quod he, ' Je vous dy sanz 

doute, (13") 



59° 



ZU tcinUvBxiv^ ZakQ, 



[t. 7421-7508. 



Have T nat of a capon but the livere, 
And of yovir softe breed nat but a shivere, 
And after that a rosted pigges heed, 1841 
(But that I nolde no beest for me were 

deed), 
Thanne hadde I with yow hoomly sufR- 

saunce. 
I am a nian of litel sustenaunce. 
My spirit hath his fostring in the Bible. 
The body is ay so redy and penyble 1846 
To wake, that my stomak is destroyed. 
I prey yow, dame, ye be nat anoyed, (140) 
Though I so freendly yow my conseil 

shewe ; 'S49 

By god, I wokle nat telle it but a fewe.' 

' Now, sir,' quod she, ' but o word er I go ; 
My child is deed with/-inne thise^ wykes 

two, 
Sone after that ye wente out of this toun.' 
' His deeth saugh I by revelacioun,' 1854 
Seith this frere, ' at hoom in our dortour. 
I dar wel soyn that, er that half an hour 
After his deeth, I saugh him born to blisse 
In myn avisioun, so god me wisse ! (150) 
So dide our sexteyn and our fermerer. 
That ban been trewe freres fifty yeer ; 
They may now, god be thanked of his 

lone, 1 86 1 

Maken hir jubilee and walko allone. 
And lip I roos, and al our covent eke, 
With many a tere trikling on my cheke, 
Without en noyse or clateringe of belles ; 
Te dezim was our song and no-thing elles. 
Save that to Crist I seyde an orisoun, 
Thankinge him of his revelacioun. (160) 
For sir and dame, trusteth me right w^eel. 
Our orisons been more effectueel, 1870 
And more we seen of Cristes secree thinges 
Than burel folk, al-though they weren 

kinges. 
We live in povert and in abstinence, 
And burel folk in richesse and despence 
Of mete and drinke, and in hir foul delyt. 
We ban this worldes lust al in despyt. 
Lazar and Dives liveden diversly, 1877 
And diverse guerdon haddenthey ther-by. 
Who-so wol preye, he moot faste and be 

clene, (171) 1S79 

And fatte his soule and make his l)ody lene. 
We faro as seith th'apostle ; cloth and fode 
Suflfysen us, though they be nat ful gode. 



The clennesse and the fastinge of us freres 

Maketh that Crist accepteth our preyeres. 

Lo, Moyses fourty dayes and fourty 

night 18S5 

Pasted, er that the heighe god of might 
Spak with him in the mountain of Sinay. 
With empty wombe, fastinge many a day, 
Receyved he the lawe that was writen (181) 
With goddes finger ; and Elie, wel ye 

witen, 1890 

In mount Oreb, er ho hadde any speohe 
With bye god, that is oiir Ij'ves leche, 
He fasted longe and was in contemplauncc. 
Aaron, that hadde the temple in govern- 

aunco, 1S94 

And eek the othere preestes everichon, 
In-to the temple whan they sholde gon 
To preye for the peple, and do servyse, 
They nolden drinken, in no maner wyse, 
No drinke, which that mights hem dronke 

make, (191) 1899 

But there in abstinence preye and wake. 
Lest that they deyden ; tak heed what 

I soj-o. 
But they be sohre that for the peple preye, 
Warthat Iseye; namore! for it suffyseth. 
Our lord Jesu, as holy writ devyseth, 1904 
Yaf us ensample of fastinge and preyeres. 
Therfor we mendinants, we sely freres, 
Been wedded to poverte and continence. 
To charitee, humblcsso, and abstinence, 
To persecucion for rightwisnesse, (201) 1909 
To wepinge, misericorde, and clennesse. 
And therfor may ye see that our preyeres — 
I speke of tis, we mendinants, we freres — - 
Ben to the bye god more acceptable 
Than youres, with your festes at the table. 
Fro Paradys first, if I shal nat lye, 1915 
Was man out chaced for his glotonye ; 
And chaast was man in Paradys, certeyn. 
But herkne now, Thomas, what I shal 

seyn. (210) 

I ne have no text of it, as I suppose, 
But I shall finde it in a maner glose, 1920 
That specially our swete lord Jesus 
Spak this by freres, whan lie seyde thtis : 
" Blessed be they that povre in spirit 

been." 
And so forth al the gospel may ye seen, 
Wher it be lyker our professioun, 1925 
Or hirs that swimmen in possessioun. 



T- 7509-7586.] 



D. ZU ^omnoure Zak. 



591 



Fy on liir pompe and on hir glotonye ! 
And for hir lewednesse I hem diffye. (220) 

Me thinketh they ben lyk Jovinian, 
Fat as a whale, and walkinge as a swan ; 
Al vinolent as hotel in the spence. 1931 
Hir preyer is of ful gret reverence ; 
Whan they for soules seye the psalm of 

Davit, 
Lo, "buf!" they seye, ^^ cor menm eruc- 

tavit ! " 
Who folweth Cristes gospel and his fore, 
But we that humble been and chast and 

pore, 1936 

Werkers of goddes word, not anditonrs ? 
Therfore, right as an hauk up, at a 

sours, (230) 

Up springeth in-to their, right so prayeres 
Of charitable and chaste bisy freres 1940 
Maken hir sours to goddes eres two. 
Thomas ! Thomas ! so mote I ryde or go, 
And by that lord that clepid is seint Yve, 
Nere thou our brother, sholdestou nat 

thryve ! '944 

In our chapitre praye we day and night 
To Crist, that he thee sonde hele and 

might. 
Thy body for to welden hastily.' 

' God woot,' quod he, ' no-thing ther-of 

fele I ; (240) 

As help me Crist, as I, in fewe yeres, 1949 
Han spended, up-on dyvers maner freres, 
Ful many a pound ; yet fare I never the 

bet. 
Certeyn, my good have I almost biset. 
Farwel, my gold ! for it is al ago ! ' 

The frere answerde, ' O Thomas, dostow 

so ? 1954 

MHiat nedeth yow diverse freres seche ? 
What nedeth him that hath a parfit leche 
To sechen othere leches in the toun ? 
Your inconstance is your confusioun. (250) 
Holde ye than me, or elles our covent. 
To praye for yow ben insufficient ? i960 
Thomas, that jape nis nat worth a myte ; 
Your maladye is for we ban to lyte. 
" A ! yif that covent half a quarter otes ! " 
" A ! yif that covent four and twenty 

grotes ! " 
" A ! yif that frere a peny, and lat him 

go ! " 1965 

Nay, nay, Thomas ! it may no-thing be so. 



What is a ferthing worth parted in twelve ? 
Lo, ech thing that is oned in him-selve 
Is more strong than whan it is to- 

scatered. (261) 

Thomas, of me thou shalt nat been y- 

flatered ; 1970 

Tliou woldest han our labour al for noght. 
The hye god, that al this world hath 

wroght, 
Seith that the werkman worthy is his 

hyre. 
Thomas ! noght of your tresor I desyre 
As for my-self, but that al our covent 1975 
To preye for yow is ay so diligent. 
And for to builden Cristes owene chirche. 
Thomas ! if ye wol lernen for to wirche. 
Of buildinge up of chirches may ye 

finde (271) 

If it be good, in Thomas lyf of Inde. 1980 
Ye lye heer, ful of anger and of yre. 
With which the devel set your herte 

a-fyre. 
And chyden heer this sely innocent. 
Your wyf, that is so meke and pacient. 
And therfor, Thomas, trowe me if thee 

leste, 1985 

Ne stryve nat with thy wyf, as for thy 

beste ; 
And ber this word awey now, by tbyfeith, 
Touchinge this thing, lo, what the wyse 

seith : (280) 

" With-in thyn hous ne be thou no leoun ; 
To thy siibgits do noon oppressioun ; 1990 
Ne make thyne aqueJ^ltances nat to flee." 
And Thomas, yet eft-sones I charge thee, 
Be war from hir that in thy bosoni slepeth ; 
War fro the serpent that so slyly crepeth 
Under the gras,and stingeth subtilly. 1995 
Be war, my sone, and herkne paciently. 
That twenty thousand men han lost hir 

lyves. 
For stryving with hir lemmans and hir 

wyves. (29<;) 

Now sith ye han so holy and meke a wyf. 
What nedeth yow, Thomas, to maken 

stryf? 2000 

Ther nis, y-wis, no serpent so cruel, 
Whan man tret on his tayl, ne half so fel, 
As womman is, whan she hath caught 

an ire ; 
Vengeance is thanne al that they desyre. 



592 



^^e CanferBuvp Zake. 



[t. 7587-766S. 



Ire is a sinne, oon of the grete of sevene, 
Abhominable im-to the god of hevene ; 
And to him-self it is destruccion. 
This every lewed viker or person {300) 
Can seye, how Ire engendreth homicyde. 
Ire is, in sooth, execiitour of pryde. 2010 
I coude of Ire seye so muche sorwe. 
My tale sholde laste til to-morwe. 
And therfor preye I god bothe day and 

night, 2013 

An irons man, god sende him litel might ! 
It is greet harm and, certes, gret pitee, 
To sette an irons man in heigh degree. 
Whilom ther was an irons potestat, 
As seith Senek, that, duringe his estaat, 
Up-on a day ont riden knightes two, (311) 
And as fortune wolde that it were so, 2020 
That oon of hem cam hoom. that other 

noght. 
Anon the knight bifore the juge is broght. 
That seyde thus, " thou hast thy felawe 

slayn. 
For which I deme thee to the deeth, cer- 

tayn." 
And to another knight comanded he, 2025 
" Golede him to the deeth, I charge thee." 
And happed, as they wente by the weye 
Toward the place ther he sholde deye. 
The knight cam, which men wenden had 

be deed. (321) 

Thanne thoughte they, it was the beste 

reed, 2030 

To lede hem bothe to the juge agayn. 
They seiden, "lord, the knight ne hath 

nat slayn 
His felawe ; here he standeth hool alyve." 
" Ye shul be deed," quod he, " so moot I 

thryve ! 
That is to seyn, bothe oon, and two, and 

three ! " 2035 

And to the firste knight right thus spak he, 
" I dampned thee, thou most algate be 

deed. 
And thou also most nodes leso thyn heed. 
For thou art catise why thy felawe deyth." 
And to the thridde knight right thus he 

seytii, (332) 2040 

" Thou hast nat dooii that I comanded 

thee." 
And thus he dido don sleen hem alio three. 
Irons Cambyses was eek dronkelewe. 



And ay delytod him to been a shrewe. 
And so bifel, a lord of his meynee, 2045 
That lovede vertuous moralitee, 
Seyde on a day bit'wix hem two right thus : 
' ' A lord is lost, if he be vicious ; (340) 

And dronkenesse is eek a foul record 
Of any man, and namely in a lord. 2050 
Ther is ful many an eye and many an ere 
Aw^aiting on a lord, and he noot where. 
For goddes love, drink more attemprely ; 
Wyn maketh man to lesen wrecchedly 
His minde, and eek his limes everichon." 
"Thereversshaltouse,"ciiiodhe, " anon; 
And preve it, by thyn owene experience. 
That wyn ne dooth to folk no swich 

offence. (350) 205S 

Ther is no wyn bireveth me my might 
Of hand ne foot, ne of myn eyen sight " — 
And, for despyt, he drank ful muchel more 
An hondred part than he had doon bifore ; 
And right anon, this irons cursed wreoche 
Leet this knightes sone bifore him fecche, 
Comandinge him he sholde bifore him 

stonde. 2065 

And sodeynly he took his bowo in honde. 
And lip the streng he pulled to his ere, 
And with an arwe he slow the child right 

there : (360) 

"Now whether have I a siker hand or 

noon ? " 
Quod he, "is al my might and minde 

agoon ? 2070 

Hath wyn bireved me niyn eyen sight ? " 

What sholde I telle th'answere of the 

knight ? 
His sone was slayi^, ther is na-more to seye. 
Beth war therfor with lordes howyepleye. 
Singeth Placebo, and I shal, if I can, 2075 
But if it be un-to a povre man. 
To a povre man men sholde hise vyces telle, 
But nat to a lord, thogh he sholde go to 

helle. (370) 

Lo irons Cirus, thilke Percien, 
How he destroyed the river of Gysen, 20S0 
For that an hors of his was drej'nt ther- 

inne. 
Whan that he wente Babiloigne to winne. 
He made that the river was so smal. 
That wommen mighte wade it over-al. 
Lo, what seyde he, that so wel teche can? 
" No be no felawe to an irons man, 20S6 



T. 7669-774S.] 



D. ZU ^omnoure Zak, 



593 



Ne with no wood man walke by the weye, 
Lest thee repente ; " ther is na-more to 

seye. (380) 

M'ow Thomas, leve brother, lef thyn ire ; 
Thoushalt me finde as jnst as is a squire. 
Hold natthedevelesknyf ayatthjm lierte ; 
Thyn angre dooth thee al to sore smerte ; 
Bnt shewe to me al thy confessioun.' 
' Nay,' qiiod the syke riian, ' by Seint 

Simoun ! 2094 

I have be shriven this day at my curat ; 
I have him told al hoolly myii estat ; 
Nedeth na-more to speke of it,' seith he, 
' But if me list of myn luimilitee.' (390) 
' Yif me thanne of thy gold, to make 

our cloistre,' 
Quod he, ' for many a muscle and many 

an oistre, 2100 

"Whan other men han ben ful wel at eyse, 
Hath been our fode, our cloistre for to reyse. 
And yet,godwoot,iinnetho thefnndement 
Parfoumed is, ne of our pavement 2104 
Nis nat a tyle yet with-inne our wones ; 
By god, we owen fourty pound for stones ! 
Now help, Thomas, for him that harwed 

helle ! 
For elles moste we our bokes selle. (400) 
And if ye lakke our predicacioun, 2109 
Than gooth the world al to destruecioun. 
For who-so wolde us fro this world bireve. 
So god me save, Thomas, by your leve, 
He wolde bireve out of this world the sonne. 
For who can teche and werchen as we 

conne? 21 14 

And tliat is nat of litel tyme,' quod he ; 
' But sith that Elie was, or Elisee, 
Han freres been, that finde I of record, 
In charitee, y-thanked be oiir lord. (410) 
Now Thomas, help, for seinte Charitee ! ' 
And doun anon he sette him on his knee. 
This syke man wex wel ny wood for ire ; 
He wolde that the frere had been on-fire 
With his false dissimulacioun. 
' Swich thing as is in my possessioun,' 
Quod he, ' that may I yeven, and non 

other. 2125 

Ye sey me thus, how that I am your 

brother ? ' 
' Ye, certes,' quod the frere, ' trusteth 

weel ; 
I took our dame our lettre with our seel.' 



' Now wel,' quod he, ' and som-what 

shal I yive (42 

Un-to your holy covent whjd I live, 2130 
And in thyn hand thou shalt it have 

anoon ; 
On this condicioun, and other noon. 
That thou departe it so, my dere brother, 
That every frere have also muche as other. 
This shaltou swere on thy professioun, 
With-outen fraude or cavillacioun.' 2136 
' I swere it,' quod this frere, ' upon my 

feith ! ' 
And ther-with-al his hand in his he leith : 
' Lo, heer my feith ! in me shal be no lak.' 
' Now thanne, put thyn hand doun by 

my bak,' (432)2140 

Seyde this man, ' and grope wel bihinde ; 
Bynethe my buttok ther shaltow finde 
A thing that I have hid in privetee.' 
' A ! ' thoghte this frere, ' this shal go 

with me ! ' 
And doun his hand he launcheth to the 

clitte, 2145 

In hope for to finde ther a yifte. (438) 

And whan this syke man felte this frere 
Aboute his tuwel grope there and here, 
Amidde his hand he leet the frere a fart. 
Ther nis no capul, drawinge in a cart, 2150 
That mighte have le1|^ a fart of swicli 

a soun. 
The frere up stirte as doth a wood 

leoun : 
' A ! false cherl,' quod he, ' for goddes 

bones. 
This hastow for despj't doon, for the 

nones ! 
Thou shalt abye this fart, if that I may ! ' 
His meynee, whicho that herden this 

affray, 2156 

Cam lepinge in, and chaced out the frere ; 
And forth he gooth, with a ful angry 

chere, (450) 

And fette his felawe, ther-as lay his stoor. 
He looked as it were a wilde boor ; 2160 
He grinte with his teeth, so was lie wrooth. 
A sturdy pas doun to the court he gooth, 
Wher-as ther woned a man of greet 

honour. 
To whom that he was alwey confessour ; 
This worthy man was lord of that village. 
This frere cam, as he were in a rage, 2166 



594 



ZH ^anUvBuv^ Cafe©. 



[t. 7749-7830. 



"NMier-as this lord sat eting at his bord. 
Unnethes mighte the frere speke a word, 
Til atte laste he seyde : ' god yow see ! ' (461 ) 
This lord gan loke, and seide, 'ben'- 

cite! 2170 

^\1iat, frere John, what maner world is 

this? 
I see wel that som thing ther is amis. 
Ye loken as the wode were ful of thevis, 
Sit doun anon, and tel me what your 

greef is, 
And it shal been amended, if I may.' 2175 
' I have,' quod he, ' had a despj't this day, 
God yelde yow ! adoun in your village. 
That in this world is noon so povre a page. 
That he nolde have abhominacioun (471) 
Of that I have receyved in your toiin. 2180 
And yet ne greveth me no-thing so sore. 
As that this olde cherl, with lokkes hore, 
Blasphemed hath our holy covent eke.' 
' Now, maister,' quod this lord, ' I yow 

hiseke.' 
' Xo maister, sire,' quod he, ' but sers-i- 

tour, 2185 

Thogh I have had in scole swich honour. 

God lyketh nat that "Raby" men us calle, 

Neither in market ne in your large hallo.' 

' No fors,' quod he, ' but tel me al your 

grief.' (481) 

' Sire,' quod this frere, ' an odious mes- 

chief 2190 

Tliis day bitid is to myn ordre and me, 
And so per consequens to ecli degree 
Of holy chirche, god amende it sone ! ' 
'Sir,' quod the lord, 'ye woot what is 

to done. 
Distempre yow noght, ye be my con- 

fessour ; 2195 

Ye been the salt of the erthe and the 

savoiir. 
For goddes love your pacience ye holde , 
Tel me your grief:' and he anon him 

tolde, (490) 

As ye han herd biforn, ye woot wel what. 

The lady of the hous ay stille sat, 2200 

Til she had herd al what the frere sayde : 

' Ey, goddes moder,' quod she, ' blisful 

mayde ! 
Is ther oght elles? telle me feithfuUy.' 
' Madame,' quod he, ' how thinketh yow 

her-by ? ' 



'How that me thinketh?' quod she; 

' so god me speede, 2205 

I seye, a oherl hath doon a cherles dede. 
Wliat shold I seye ? god lat him never 

thee ! 
His syke heed is ful of vanitee, (500) 

I hold him in a maner frenesye.' 

' Madame,' qviod he, ' by god I shal nat 

lye; 2210 

But I on other weyes may be wreke, 
I shal diffame him over-al ther I speke. 
This false blasphemour, that charged ine 
To parte that wol nat departed be. 
To every man y-liche, with meschaunce ! ' 
The lord sat stille as he were in a 

traunce, 2216 

And in his herte he rolled vip and doun, 
' How hadde this cherl imaginacioun (510) 
To shewe swich a probleme to the frere ? 
Never erst ernowherde lof swichmatere; 
I trowe the devel piitte it in his niinde. 
In ars-meti-yke shal ther no man finde, 
Biforn this day, of swich a qiiestioun. 
Wlio sholdo make a demonstracioun. 
That every man sholde have y-liche his 

part 2225 

As of the soun or savour of a fart ? (518) 

nyce proude cherl, I shrewe his face ! 
Lo, sires,' quod the lord, with harde grace, 
' Who ever herde of swich a thing er now? 
To every man y-lyke ? tel me how. 2230 
It is an inpossible, it may nat be ! 

Ey, nyce cherl, god lete him never thee ! 
The rumblinge of a fart, and every soun, 
Nis biit of eir reverberaciovin, 2234 

And ever it wasteth lyie and lyte awey. 
Ther is no man can demen, by my fey. 
If that it were departed equally. (529) 

Wliat, lo, my cherl, lo, yet how shrewedly 
Un-to my confessovir to-day he spak ! 

1 holde him certeyn a demoniak ! 2240 
Now ete your mete, and lat the cherl go 

pleye, 
Lat him go honge himself, a devel weye ! ' 
Now stood the lordes sqviyer at the bord, 
That carf his mete, and herde, word by 

word, 2244 

Of alle thinges of which I have yow sayd. 
' My lord,' quod he, ' be ye nat yvel apayd ; 
I coude telle, for a goune-clooth. 
To yoAv, sir frere, so ye be nat wrooth, (540) 



T. 7831-7876.] 



D. ZU ^ontnoure Zak, 



595 



How that this fart sholcle even deled he 
Among yonr covent, if it lyked me.' 2250 
'Tel,' qtiod the lord, 'and thou shalfc 

have anon 
A goune-cloth, hy god and hy Seint .John ! ' 
'My lord,' qnod he, 'whan that the 

weder is fiiir, 
With-oiiten wind or perturbinge of air, 
Tjat hringe a cartwheel here in-to this 

halle, 2255 

But loke that it have his spokes alle. 
Twelf spokes hath a cartwheel comunly. 
And bring me than twelf freres, woot ye 

why ? (550) 

For thrittene is a covent, as I gesse. 
The confessour heer, for his worthinesse, 
Shal xiarfourne tip the nombre of his 

covent. 2261 

Than shal they knele doun, by oon assent. 
And to every spokes ende, in this manere, 
Ful sadly leye his nose shal a frere. 
Yonr noble confessour, ther god hint save, 
Shal holde his nose upright, under the 

nave. 2266 

Than shal this cherl, with belj' stif and 

toght 
As any tabour, hider been y-broght ; (560) 
And sette him on the wheel right of this 

cart, 2269 

Ui^on the nave, and make him lete a fart. 



And ye shul seen, up peril of my lyf. 
By preve which that is demonstratif. 
That equally the soun of it wol wende. 
And eek the stink, un-to the spokes 

ende ; 
Save that this -worthy man, your con- 
fessour, 2275 
By-cause he is a man of greet honour, 
Shal have the firste fruit, as reson is ; 
The noble usage of freres yet is this, (570) 
The worthy men of hem shul first be 
served ; 2279 
And certeinly, he hath it weel deserved. 
He hath to-day taught us so muchel good 
With prechingin the pulpit ther he stood. 
That I may vouche-sauf, I sey for me. 
He hadde the firste smel of fartes three, 
And so wolde al his covent hardily ; 2285 
He bereth him so faire and holily.' 

The lord, the lady, and eeh man, save 
the frere, (579) 

Seyde that .Tankin spak, in this matere, 
As wel as Euclide or [a.s] Ptholomee. 
Touchinge this cherl, they seyde, subtiltee 
And heigh wit made him speken as he 
spak; 2291 

He nis no fool, no no demoniak. 
And .Jankin hath y-wonne a newe goune. — 
My tale is doon we been almost at 
toune. 2294 



Here endeth the Somnours Tale. 



596 



ZU CanUvBuv^ Zake, 



[t. 7S77-79; 



GEOUP E. 



THE CLERK'S PROLOGUE. 



Here folweth the Prolose of the Clerkes Tale of Oxenford. 



' Sir clerk of Oxenford,' onr hoste sayde, 
'Ye ryde as coy and stille as dooth a 

mayde, 
Were newe spoused, sitting at the bord ; 
Tliis day ne herde I of your tonge a word. 
I trowe ye studie aboute som sophyme, 5 
But Salomon seith, "every thing liath 

tj-nie." 
For goddes sake, as betli of bettro cliero. 
It is no tynie for to studien here. 
Telle us som mery tale, by your fey ; 
For what man that is entred in a pley, 10 
He nodes moot unto the pley assente. 
But precheth nat, as freres doon in Lente, 
To make us for our olde sinnes wepe. 
No that tliy tale make us nat to slepe. 

Telle us som mery thing of aventures ; — 
Your tcrmes, your colours, and your 

figures, 16 

Kex30 hem in stoor til so be ye endyte 
Heigh style, as wlian that men to kinges 

wryte. 
Speketli so pleyn at this tyme, I yow preye. 
That we may understonde what ye seye. ' . 
This worthy clerk henignoly answerde, 
' Hoste,' qiaod he, ' I am iinder your yerde ; 
Ye ban of us as now the governaunce. 
And therfor wol I do yow obeisaunce. 
As fer as reson axeth, hardily. 25 

I wol yow telle a tale which that I 
Lerned at Padowe of a worthy clerk, 
As preved by his wordes and his work. 



He is now deed and nayled in his cheste, 
I prey to god so yeve his soule reste ! .^o 

Fraunceys Petrark, the laureat poete, 
Highte this clerk, whos I'ethoryke sweete 
Enlumined al Itaille of poetrye, 
As Linian dido of philosoiihyo 
Or lawe, or other art particuler ; 35 

But deeth, that wol nat suffre tis dwollen 

heer 
Bvit as it wore a twinkling of an ye, 
Hem bothe hath slayn, and alle shul we 

dye. 
But forth to tollen of this worthj' man, 
That tatighte me this tale, as I bigan, 40 
I seye that first with heigh style he 

endj'teth, 
Er he the body of his tale wryteth, 
A prohemo, in the which discryveth he 
Pemond, and of Saluces the contree, 44 
And speketh of Aponnyn, the hilles'hye, 
That been the boundes of West LxT.m- 

bardye. 
And of Mount Vesulus in special. 
Where as tho Poo, out of a welle smal, 
Taketli his firste springing and his sours. 
That estward ay encresseth in his cours 50 
To Emelward, to Perrare, and Venyse : 
The which a long thing were to devyse. 
And trewely, as to my jugement. 
Me tliinketh it a thing impertinent. 
Save that he wol convej'on his niatere : 55 
But this his tale, which that ye may here.' 



T- 7933-7993-] 



E. ZU tkvUs Zak. 



597 



THE CLERKES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Tale of the Clerk of Oxenford. 



Ther is, at the west syde of Itaille, 
Donn at the rote of Vesnlns the colde, 
A lusty playne, habundant of vitaille, 
"Wlier many a tour and toun thou niayst 
liiholde, 60 

That founded were in tyme of fadres olde, 
And many another delitable sighte, 
And Saluces this noble contree highte. 

A markis whylom lord was of that londe, 
As were his worthy eldres him bifore ; 65 
And obeisant and redy to his houde (10) 
Were alle his liges, bothe lasse and more. 
Thus in delyt he liveth, and hath don yore, 
Biloved and drad, thurgh favour of for- 
tune, 69 
Bothe of his lordes and of his commune. 

Therwith he was, to speke as of linage, 

The gentilleste y-born of Lumbardye, 

A fair persone, and strong, and yong of 

age, 
And ful of honour and of curteisye ; 
Discreet y-nogh his contree for to gye, 75 
Save in somme thinges that he was to 

blame, (20) 

And Walter was this yonge lordes name. 

I blame him thus, that he considereth 
noght 78 

In tyine cominge what mighte him bityde, 
But on his lust present was al his thoght. 
As for to hauke and hunte on every syde ; 
Wei ny alle othere cures leet he slyde. 
And eek he nolde, and that was worst of 
aUe, (27) 

Wedde no wyf, for noght that may bifalle. 

Only that point his peple bar so sore, 85 
That flokmele on a day they to him wente. 
And oon of hem, that wysest was of lore. 
Or elles that the lord best wolde assente 



That he sholde telle him what his peplo 
mente, Sy 

Or elles coiidc he shewe wel swich matere. 
He to the markis seyde as ye shul here. 

' O noble markis, your humanitee 
Assureth us and yeveth us hardinesse. 
As ofte as tyme is of necessitee 94 

That we to yow mowo telle our hevinesse ; 
Accepteth, lord, now for your gentillesse. 
That we with pitous herto iin-to yow 
pleyne, (41) 

And lete your eres nat my voys disdeyne. 

Al have I noght to done in this matere 
More than another man hath in this place. 
Yet for as muche as ye, my lord so 

dere, loi 

Han alwey shewed me favour and grace, 
I dar the better aske of yow a space 
Of audience, to shewen our requeste. 
And ye, my lord, to doon right as yow 

leste. 105 

For certes, lord, so wel us lyketh j-ow (50) 
And al your werk and ever han doon, 

that we 
Ne coude nat us self devyseu how 
We mighte liven in more felicitee. 
Save o thing, lord, if it your wille be, 1 10 
That for to been a wedded man yow leste, 
Than were your i^eple in sovereyu liertes 

reste. 

Boweth your nekke under that blisful yok 
Of soveraynetee, noght of servj'se. 
Which that men clepeth spousaille or 

wedlok ; 1 15 

And thenketh, lord, among your thoghtes 

wyse, (60) 

How that our dayes passe in sondry -wj-se ; 



598 



ZU CanterBurp Zake. 



[t. 7994-8069. 



For though we slepe or wake, or rome, or 

ryde, 
Ay fleeth the tyme, it nil no man abyde. 

And though your grene yoiithe floure as 
yit, 120 

In crepeth age alwey, as stille as stoon, 
And deeth manaceth every age, and smit 
In ech estaat, for ther escapeth noon : 
And al so certain as we knowe echoon 
That we shul deye, as uncerteyn we alle 
Been of that day whan deeth shal on us 
falle. (70) 126 

Accepteth than of us the trewe entente. 
That never yet refuseden your heste, 
And we wol, lord, if that ye wol assente, 
Chese yow a wyf in short tyme, atte leste, 
Born of the gentilleste and of the meste 
Of al this lond, so that it oghte seme 
Honour to god and yow, as we can deme. 

Deliver us out of al this bisy drede. 
And tak a wyf, for hye goddes sake ; 135 
For if it so bifelle, as god forbede, (80) 
That thurgh your deeth your linage 

sholde slake, 
And that a straunge successour sholde 

take 
Your heritage, o ! wo were us alyve ! 
Wherfor we pray you hastily to wyve.' 140 

Hir meke preyere and hir pitous cliere 

Made the markis herte han pitee. 

' Ye wol,' quod he, ' myn owene pejile 

dere, 
To that I never erst thoghte streyne me. 
I me rejoysed of my libertee, 145 

That selde tyme is founde in mariage ; (90) 
Ther I was free, I moot been in servage. 

But nathelees I see your trewe entente. 
And truste upon your wit, and have don ay ; 
Wherfor of my free wil I w^ol assente 150 
To wedde me, as sone as ever I may. 
But ther-as ye han profred me to-day 
To chese me a wyf, I yow relesse 
That choys, and prey yow of that profre 
cesse. 154 

For god it woot, that children ofte been 
Unlyk her worthy eldres hem bifore ; (100) 



Bountee comth al of god, nat of the streen 
Of which they been engendred andy-bore; 
I truste in goddes bountee, and therfore 
My mariage and myn estaat and reste 160 
I him bitake ; he may don as him leste. 

Lat me alone in chesinge of my wyf. 
That charge up-on my bak I wol endure ; 
But I yow preye, and charge up-on your lyf. 
That what wyf that I take, ye me assure 
To worshipe hir, whyl that hir lyf may 
dure, (no) 166 

In word and werk, bothe here and every- 
where. 
As she an emperoures doghter were. 

And forthermore, this shal ye swere, that 

ye 

Agayn my choys shul neither grucche ne 
stryve ; 170 

For sith I shal forgoon my libertee 
At your requeste, as ever moot I thrj^-e, 
Ther as myn herte is set, ther wol I wyve ; 
And but ye wole assente in swich manere, 
I prey yow, speketh na-more of this 
matere.' (119) 175 

With hertly wil they sworen,and assenten 
To al this thing, ther seyde no wight nay ; 
Bisekinge him of grace, er that they 

wenten. 
That he wolde graunten hem a certein day 
Of his spousaille, as sone as ever he may ; 
For yet alwey the peple som-what dredde 
Lest that this markis no wyf wolde wedde. 

He graunted hem a day, swich as him 

leste, 
On which he wolde be wedded sikerly, 184 
And seyde, he dide al this at hir requeste ; 
And they, with humble entente, buxomly, 
Knelinge ui>on her knees ful reverently 
Him thanken alle, and thus they han an 

ende (13^) 

Of hir entente, and hoom agayn they 

wende. 

And heei--iip-on he to his officeres 190 
Comaundeth for the feste to purveye. 
And to his privee knightes and squyeres 
Swich charge yaf, as him liste on hemleye ; 



T. S07C-8151.] 



E. tU tkvhe Cafe. 



559 



And they to his comandement obeye, 
And ech of hem doth al his diligence 195 
To doon un-to the feste reverence. (140) 

Explicit prima pars. 

Incipit secunda pars. 

Noght fer fro tliilke paleys honurable 
Ther-as this markis shoop his mariage, 
Ther stood a throp, of site delitable, 
In wliicli that povre folk of that village 200 
Hadden hir bestes and hir herbergage, 
And of hir labour took hir sustenance 
After that th'erthe yaf hem habundance. 

Amonges thise povre folk ther dwelte 

a man 
Which that was holden povrest of hem. 

aUe ; 205 

But hye god som tyme sendon can {150) 
His grace in-to a litel oxes stalle : 
Janicula men of that tlirop him calle. 
A doghter haddo he, fair y-nogh to sighte, 
And Grisildis this yonge mayden highte. 

But for to speke of vertuous beaiitee, 211 
Than was she oon the faireste under 

Sonne ; 
For povreliche y-fostred up was she, 
No likerous lust was thurgh hir herte 

y-ronne ; (158) 214 

Wei ofter of the welle than of the tonne 
She drank, and for she wolde vertu plese, 
She knew wel labour, but non ydel ese. 

But thogh this mayde tendre were of age, 

Yet in the brest of hir virginitee 

Ther was enclosed rype and sad corage ; 

And in greet reverence and charitee 221 

Hir olde povre fader fostred she ; 

A fewe sheep spinning on feeld she kepte. 

She wolde noght been ydel til she slepte. 

And whan she hoomward cam, she wolde 

bringe 225 

Wortes or othere herbes tymes ofte, (170) 

The whiche she shredde and seeth for hir 

livinge. 
And made hir bed ful harde and no-thing 

softe ; 
And ay she kepte hir fadres lyf on-lofte 
With everich obeisaunce and diligence 230 
That child may doon to fadres reverence. 



Up-on Grisilde, this povre creature, 
Ful ofte sythe this markis sette his ye 
As he on hunting rood paraventure ; 2^4 
And whan it fil that he mighte hirespye, 
He noght with wantoun loking of folye 
His yen caste on hir, but in sad wyse(i8i) 
Up-on hir chere he wolde him ofte avyse, 

Commending in his herte hir womman- 

hede, 
And eek hir vertu, passing any wight 240 
Of so yong age, as wel in chere as dede. 
For thogh the peple have no greet insight 
In vertu, he considered ful right 
Hir bountee, and disposed that he wolde 
Wedde hir only, if ever he wedde sholde. 

The day of wedding cam, but no wight 
can (190) 246 

Telle what womman that it sholde be ; 
For which mer veille wondred many a man, 
And seyden, whan they were in privetee, 
' Wol nat our lord yet leve his vanitee ? 250 
Wol he nat wedde ? alias, alias the whyle ! 
Why wol he thus him-self and us bigyle ? ' 

But natheles this markis hath don make 
Of gemmes, set in gold and in asure, 
Broches and ringes, for Grisildis sake, 255 
And of hir clothing took he the mesure 
By a mayde, lyk to hir stature, (201) 

And eek of othere ornamentes alle 
That un-to swich a wedding sholde falle. 

The tyme of undern of the same day 260 
Approcheth, that this wedding sholde be ; 
And al the paleys put was in array, 
Bothe halle and chambres, ech in his 

degree ; 
Houses of office stuffed with plentee 264 
Ther maystow seen of deyntevous vitaille, 
That may be founde, as fer as last ItaiUe, 

This royal markis, richely arrayed, (211) 
Lordes and ladyes in his companye. 
The whiche unto the feste were y-praycd, 
And of his retenue the bachelrye, 270 

With many a soun of sondry melodye, 
Un-to the village, of the which I tolde. 
In this array the righte wey han holde. 

Grisilde of this, god woot, ful innocent. 
That for hir shapen was al this array, 275 



6oo 



t^t tanttv^xkv^ ZakQ. 



[t. 8152-S231, 



To fecchen water at a welle is weut, (220) 
And cometli hoom as sone as ever she may. 
For wel she hadde herd seyd, that thilke 

day 
The markis sholde wedde, and, if she 

mighte, 
She wf)lde fayn hau seyn som of that 

sighte. 280 

She thoglite, ' I wol witli othere niaydens 

stonde, 
Tliat been my felawes, in our dore, and see 
The markisesse, and therfor wol I fonde 
To doon at hoom, as sone as it may be, 
Tlie labour which that longeth un-to me ; 
And than I may at leyser hir biholde, 286 
If she this wey un-to the castel liolde.' (231) 

And as she wolde over hir threshfold goon, 
The markis cam and gan hir for to calle ; 
And she set doun hir water-pot anoon 290 
Bisyde the threshfold, in an oxes stalle. 
And doun up-on hir knees she gan to falle, 
And with sad contenance kneleth stille 
Til she had herd what wasthelordes wille. 

This thoghtful markis spak un-to this 
mayde (239) 295 

Ful sobrely, and seyde in this manere, 
' Wher is your fader, Grisildis ? ' he sayde, 
And she with reverence, in humble chere, 
Answerde, ' lord, he is al redy here.' 
And in she gooth with-oiaten lenger lette. 
And to the markis she hir fader fette. 30: 

He by the hond than took this olde man, 
And seyde thus, whan he him hadde 

asyde, 
' Janioula, I neither may ne can 304 

Lenger the plesance of myn lierte hyde. 
If that thou vouche-sauf, what-so bityde. 
Thy doghter wol I take, er that I wende. 
As for my wyf, un-to hir lyves ende. (252) 

Thou lovest me, I woot it wel, certeyn. 
And art my feithful lige man y-bore ; 310 
And al that lyketh me, I dar wel seyn 
It lyketh thee, and specially therfore 
Tel me that poynt that I have seyd bifore. 
If that thou wolt un-to that purpos drawe. 
To take me as for thy sone-in-la\ve ? ' 315 



This sodeyn cas this man astoned so, (260) 
That reed he wex, abayst, and al quaking 
He stood ; unnethes seyde he wordes mo. 
But only thus : ' lord,' quod he, ' my wil- 
ling 
Is as ye wole, ne ayeines your lyking 320 
I wol no-thing ; ye be my lord so dere ; 
Eight as yow lust governeth this matere.' 

' Yet wol I,' quod this markis softely, 
' That in thy ohambre I and thou and she 
Have a collacion, and wostow why? 325 
For I wol axe if it hir wille be (270) 

To be my wyf, and reule hir after me ; 
And al this shal be doon in thy presence, 
I wol noght speke out of thyn audience. ' 

And in the chambre whyl they were 
aboute 330 

Hir tretis, which as ye shal after here. 
The pe^Dle cam un-to the hous with-oute, 
And wondred hem in how honest manere 
And tentifly she kepte hir fader dere. (278) 
But outerly G-risildis wondre mighte, 335 
For never erst ne saugh she swich a sighte. 

No wonder is thogh that she were astoned 
To seen so greet a gest come in that place ; 
She never was to swiche gestes woned. 
For which she loked with ful pale face. 
But shortly forth this tale for to chace, 
Thise arn the wordes that the markis 
sayde 342 

To this benigne verray feithful mayde. 

' Grisilde,' he seyde, ' ye shul wel under- 

stonde 
It lyketh to your fader and to me 345 
That I yow wedde, and eek it may so 

stonde, (290) 

As I suppose, ye wol that it so be. 
But thise demandes axe I first,' quod he, 
' That, sith it shal be doon in hastif wyse, 
Wol ye assente, or elles yow avyse ? 350 

I seye this, be ye redy with good herte 

To al my lust, and that I frely may. 

As me best thinketh, do yow laughe or 

smerte, 
And never ye to grucche it, night ne day ? 
And eek whan I sey "ye," ne sey nat 

"nay," 355 



T. 8232-8305.] 



E. ZU titvUe tTafe. 



601 



Neither by word ne frowning contenance ; 
Swer this, and here I swere our alliance.' 

Wondring upon this word, quaking for 
drede, (302) 

She seyde, 'lord, undigne and unworthy 
Am I to thilke honour that ye me bede ; 360 
But as ye wol your-self, right so wol I. 
And heer I swere that never willingly 
In werk ne thoght I nil yow disobeye, 
For to be deed, thougli me were looth to 
deye.' (308) 364 

' This is y-nogh, Grisilde myn ! ' quod he. 
And forth he gooth with a ful sobre chere 
Out at the dore, and after that cam she. 
And to the pex)le he seyde in this manere, 
' This is my wyf,' quod he, ' that standeth 

here. 369 

Honoureth hir, and loveth hir, I preye, 
Wlio-so me loveth ; ther is na-more to 

seye.' 

And for that no-thing of hir olde gere 
She sholde bringe in-to his hous, he bad 
That womnien sholde dispoilen hir right 
there ; (318) 374 

Of which thise ladyes were nat right glad 
To handle hir clothes wher-in she was clad. 
But natheles this mayde bright of hewe 
Fro foot to heed they clothed han al newe. 

Hir heres han they kembd, that lay un- 

tressed 
Ful rudely, and with hir fingres smale 380 
A corone on hir heed they han y-dressed. 
And sette hir fid of nowches grete and 

smale ; 
Of hir array what sholde I make a tale ? 
Unnethe the peple hir knew for hir fair- 

nesse. 
Whan she translated was in swich rich- 

esse. 385 

Tliis markis hath hir spoused with a ring 
Broght for the same cause, and than liir 
sette (331) 

Up-on an hors, snow-whyt and wel am- 
bling, 
And to his paleys, er he lenger lette, 
With joyful peple that hir ladde and 
mette, 390 



Conveyed hir, and thus the day they 

spende 
In revel, til the sonne gan descende. 

And shortly forth this tale for to chace, 
I seye that to tliis newe markisesse 
God hath swich favoiir sent hir of his 
grace, 395 

That it ne semed nat by lyklinesse (34>)) 
That she was born and fed in rtidenesse. 
As in a cote or in an oxe-stalle. 
But norished in an emperoures halle. 

To every wight she woxen is so dere 400 
And worshipful, that folk tlier she was 

bore 
And from hir birthc knewe hir yeer by 

yere, 
Unnethe trowed tliey, but dorste han 

swore 
That to Janicle, of which I spak bifore. 
She doghter nas, for, as by conjecture, 405 
Hem thoughte she was another creature. 

For thogh that ever vertuoiis was she, (351) 
She was encressed in swich excellence 
Of thewes gode, y-set in heigh bountee, 
And so discreet and fair of eloquence, 410 
So benigne and so digne of reverence. 
And coude so the peples herte embrace. 
That ech hir lovede that loked on hir face. 

Noght only of Saluces in the toun 
Publiced was the bountee of hir name, 415 
But eeli bisyde in many a regioun, (360) 
If oon seyde wel, another seyde the same ; 
So spradde of hir heigh bountee the fame, 
That men and wommen, as wel yonge as 

olde, 
Gon to Saluce, upon hir to biholde. 420 

Thus Walter lowly, nay biit roj'ally. 
Wedded with fortunat honestetee, 
In goddes pees liveth ful esily 
At hoom, and outward grace y-nogh had 
he; (368) 424 

And for he saugh that tinder low degree 
Was ofte vertu hid, the jieple him helde 
A prudent man, and that is seyn ful selde. 

Nat only this Grisildis thurgli hir wit 
Coude al the feet of wyfly hoomUnesse, 



6o2 



ZU tankv^uv^ Zake. 



[t. S306-8376. 



But eek, whan that the cas requyred it, 
The commune profit conde she redresse. 
Ther nas discord, rancour, ne lieviuesse 
In al tliat lond, tliat slie no coiide apese, 
And wysly bringe hem alio in reste and 
ese. 

Tliougli that liir housbonde absent were 
anoon, 435 

If gentil men, or othere of hir contree 
Were wrotlie, she wokle bringen hem 
atoon ; (381) 

So wyse and rype wordes hadde slie. 
And jugements of so greet equitee, 
Tliat she from heven sent was, as men 
wende, 440 

Peple to save and every wrong t'amcnde. 

Nat longe tyme after that this Grisikl 
Was wedded, slie a doughter hatli y-bore, 
Al had hir lever have born a knave child. 
Grlad was this markis and the folk ther- 
fore ; 445 

For though a mayde child come al bifore. 
She may unto a knave child atteyne (391) 
By lyklihed, sin she nis nat bareyne. 

Explicit sectmda pars. 
Incipit tercia pars. 

Tlier fil, as it bifalleth tymes mo. 

Whan that this child had sou^ked but 

a throwe, 450 

This markis in his herte longeth so 
To tempte his wyf, hir sadnesse for to 

knowe. 
That he ne mighte out of his herte throwe 
This merveillous desyr, his wyf t'assaye, 
Needless, god woot, he thoughte hir for 

t'affraye. 455 

He hadde assayed hir y-nogh bifore, (400) 
And fond hir ever good ; what neded it 
Hir for to tempte and alwey more and 

more ? 
Though som men preise it for a siibtil wit, 
But as for me, I seye that yvel it sit 460 
T'assaye a wyf whan that it is no nede. 
And putten her in angviish and in drede. 

For which this markis wroghte in this 

manere ; 
Ho cam alone a-night, ther as she lay. 



With steme face and with ful trouble 
chere, 465 

And seyde thus, ' Grisild,' quod he, 'that 
day (410) 

That I yow took out of yoiir povre array. 
And putte yow in estaat of heigh noblesse, 
Ye have nat that forgeten, as I gesse. 

I seye, Grisild, this present dignitee, 470 
In which that I have put yow, as I trowe, 
Maketh yow nat foryetful for to be 
That I yow took in povre estaat ful lowe 
For any wele ye moot your-selven knowe. 
Tak hede of every word that I yow seye, 
Ther is no wight that hereth it but we 
tweye. (420) 476 

Ye woot your-self wel, how that ye cam 

here 
In-to this hous, it is nat longe ago. 
And though to me that ye be lief and 

dere, 
Un-to my gentils ye be no-thing so ; 48r) 
They seyn, to hem it is greet shame and 

wo 
For to be subgets and ben in servage 
To thee, that boi-n art of a smal village. 

And namely, sith thy doghter was y-bore, 
Thise wordes han they spoken doutelees ; 
But I desyre, as I have doon bifore, (430) 
To li^e my lyf with hem in reste and 

pees ; 
I may nat in this caas be recchelees. 
I moot don with thy doghter for the 

beste, 
Nat as I wolde, but as my peple leste. 490 

And j'et, god wot, this is ful looth to me ; 
But nathelees with-oute your witing 
I wol nat doon, but this wol I,' quod he, 
' That ye to me assente as in this thing. 
Shewe now your pacience in your werking 
That ye me highte and swore in your 
village (440) 496 

Tliat day that maked was our mariage.' 

"V\'lian she had herd al this, she noght 

anieved 
Neither in word, or chere, or couuten- 

annce ; 
For. as it semed. she was nat agreved : 500 



T. S377-S45C.] 



E. ZU tkvUe Zak, 



603 



She seyde, 'lord, al lytli in your ples- 

aunce, 
My child and I with hertly obeisaunce 
Ben yoiires al, and ye mowe save or spUle 
Your owene thing ; werketh after your 

wille. 504 

Ther may no-thing, god so my soule save, 
Lj'ken to yow that may displese me ; (450) 
Xe I desyre no-thing for to have, 
Ne drede for to lose, save only ye ; 
This wil is in-myn herte and ay shal be. 
No lengthe of tyme or deeth may this 
deface, 5'o 

Ne chaunge my corage to another place.' 

Glad was this markis of hir answering, 
But yet he feyned as he were nat so ; 
Al drery was his chere and his loking 
Whan that he sholde out of the chambre 
go. 515 

Sone after this, a furlong wey or two, (+60) 
He prively hath told al his entente 
I'n-to a man, and to his wyf him sente. 

A maner sergeant was this privee man. 
The which that feithful ofte he founden 

hadde 520 

In thinges grete, and cek swich folk wel 

can 
Don execucioun on thinges badde. 
The lord knew wel that he him loved and 

dradde ; 
And whan this sergeant wiste his lordes 

wille, 
In-to the chambre he stalked him ful 

stille. 525 

' Madame,' he seyde, ' ye mote foryeve it 

me, (470) 

Thogh I do thing to which I am con- 

strejTied ; 
Ye ben so wys that ful wel knowe ye 
That lordes hestes mowe nat been y- 

feyned ; 
They mowe wel been biwailled or com- 

pleyned, 530 

But men m.ot nede un-to her lust obeye. 
And so wol I ; ther is na-more to seye. 

This child I am comanded for to take ' — 
And spak na-more, but out the child he 
hente 



Despitously, and gan a ehero make ^^^ 
As though he wolde han slayn it er he 
wente. (4S0) 

Grisildis mot al suffren and consente ; 
And as a lamb she sitteth meke and stille. 
And leet this cruel sergeant doon his wille. 

Suspecious was the diffame of this man. 
Suspect his face, suspect his word also ; 541 
Suspect the tyme in which he this bigan. 
Alias ! hir doghter that she lovede so 
She wende he wolde han slawen it right 
tho. 544 

But natheles she neither weep ne syked. 
Consenting hir to that the markis lyked. 

But atte laste speken she bigan, (491) 

And mekely she to the sergeant preyde. 
So as he was a worthy gentil man. 
That she moste kisse hir child er that it 
deyde ; 550 

And in her barm tliis litel child she Icyde 
With ful sad face, and gan tho child to kisse 
And lulled it, and after gan it blisse. 

And thiis she seyde in hir benigne voys, 
' Far weel, my child ; I shal thee never 

see ; 555 

But, sith I thee have marked with the 

croys, (500) 

Of thilke fader blessed mote thou be, 
That for us deyde iip-on a croys of tree. 
Thy soiile, litel child, I him bitake, 
For this night shaltow dyeu for my sake.' 

I trowe that to a norice in this cas 561; 
It had ben hard this rewthe for to so ; 
Wel mighte a mooder than han cryed 

' alias ! ' 
But nathelees so sad stedfast was she. 
That she endured all adversitee, 565 

And to the sergeant mekely she sayde,(5io) 
' Have heer agasm your litel yonge mayde. 

Goth now,' quod she, ' and dooth my 

lordes heste. 
But o thing wol I preye j'ow of your grace, 
That, but my lord forbad yow, atte leste 
Burieth this litel body in som place 571 
That bestes ne no briddes it to-race.' 
Btit he no word wol to that purpos seye. 
But took tho child and wento vipon his 

weye. 



6o4 



tU €anter6ur^ Zake. 



[t. 8451-S520. 



This sergeant cam tm-to his lord ageyn, 575 
And of Grisildis wordes and hir chere (520) 
He tolde him point for point, in short and 

playn, 
And him presentetli with his doghter 

dere. 
Somwhat tliis lord hath rewthe in his 

manere ; 
But nathelees his purpos heeld he stille, 
As lordes doon, wlian they wol han hir 

wille ; 581 

And bad his sergeant that he prively 
Sholde this child ful softe winde and 

wrappe 
With alle circtimstances tendrely, 
And carie it in a cofre or in a lappe ; 585 
But, tip-on peyne his heed of for to 

swappe, (53") 

That no man sholde knowe of his entente, 
Ne whenne he cam, ne whider that he 

wente ; 

But at Boloigne to his suster dere. 

That thilke tyme of Panik was countesse, 

He sholde it take, and shewe hir this 

matere, 591 

Bisekinge hir to don hir bisinesse 
This child to fostre in alle gentilesse ; 
And whos child that it was he bad hir 

hyde 
From every wight, for oght that may 

bityde. 595 

The sergeant gooth, and hath fulfild this 
thing ; (540) 

But to this markis now retourne we ; 
For now gotli he iul faste imagining 
If by his wyves chere he mighte see. 
Or by hir word aperceyve that she 600 
Were chaunged ; but he never hir coude 

iinde 
But ever in oon y-lyke sad and kinde. 

As glad, as humble, as bisy in servyse, 
And eek in love as she was wont to be. 
Was she to him in every maner wyse ; 605 
Ne of hir doghter noght a word spak she. 
Non accident for noon adversitee (551) 
Was seyn in hir, ne never hir doghter 

name 
Ne nempned she, in ernest nor in game. 
Explicit tercia pars. 



Sequitur pars quarta. 

In this estaat ther passed been lotire 

yeer 
Er she with childe was ; but, as god woldc, 
A knave child she bar by this Walter, 
Ful gracious and fair for to biholde. 
And whan that folk it to his fader tolde, 
Nat only he, but al his contree, merie 615 
Was for this child, and god they thanke 

and herie. (560) 

Whan it was two yeer old, and fro the 

brest 
Departed of his norice, on a day 
This markis caughte yet another lest 
To tempte his wyf yet ofter, if lie may. 620 

needles was she tempted in assay ! 
But wedded men ne knowe no mesure, 
Whan that they finde a pacient creatvire. 

' Wyf,' quod this markis, ' ye han herd er 

this. 
My peple sikly berth our mariage, 62^ 
And namely, sith my sone y-boren is, ('570) 
Now is it worse than ever in al our age. 
The murmur sleeth myn lierte and my 

corage ; 
For to myne eres comth the voys so 

smerte. 
That it wel ny destroyed hath myn herte. 

Now sey they thus, "whan Walter is 

agoon, 6,^1 

Then shal the blood of Janicle succede 
And been our lord, for other have we 

noon ; " 
Swiche wordes seith my peple, out <«f 

drede. 
Wel oughte I of swich murmur taken 

hede ; 635 

For certeinly I drede swich sentence, (580) 
Though they nat pleyn sjieke in myn 

audience. 

1 wolde live in pees, if that I mighte ; 
Wherfor I am disposed outerly. 

As I his suster servede by nighte, 640 

Right so thenke I to serve him j^rively ; 
This warne I yow, that ye nat sodeynly 
Out of your-self for no wo sholde outraye; 
Beth pacient, and ther-of I yow preye.' 



t-S593.] 



E. ZU €ferfte0 Zak, 



60: 



' I have,' quod she, ' seyd thus, and ever 
shal, (589) 645 

I wol no thing, ne nil no thing, certayn, 

Bnt as yow list ; noght greveth me at al, 

Thogh that my doghter and my sone be 
slayn. 

At your comandement, this is to sayn. 

I have noght had no part of children 
tweyne 650 

But first siknesse, and after wo and peyne. 

Ye been our lord, doth with your owene 

thing 
Kiglit as yow list ; axeth no reed at me. 
For, as I lefte at boom al my clothing, 
Whan I first cam to yow, right so,' quod 

she, 655 

' Lefte I my wil and al my libertee, (600) 
And took yoiir clothing ; wherfor I yow 

preye. 
Doth your plesaunce, I wol your lust 

obeye. 

And certes, if I hadde prescience 

Your wil to knowe er ye your lust me 

tolde, 660 

I wolde it doon with-outen necligence ; 
But now I woot your lust and what ye 

wolde, 
Al your plesaunce ferme and stable 

I holde ; 
For wiste I that my deeth wolde do yow 

ese, 664 

Eight gladly wolde I dyen, yow to plese. 

Deth may noght make no comparisoun 
Un-to your love : ' and, whan this markis 

sey (611) 

The Constance of his wyf, he caste adoun 
His yen two, and wondreth that she may 
In paciencG suffre al this array. 670 

And forth he gooth with drery conten- 

aunce. 
But to his herte it was ful greet plesaunce. 

This ugly sergeant, in the same wyse 
That he hir doghter caughte, riglit so he. 
Or worse, if men worse can devyse, 675 
Hath hent hir sone, that ful was of 
beautee. (620) 

And ever in oon so pacient was she, 
That she no chere made of hevinesso. 
But kiste hir sone, and after gan it blesse ; 



Save this ; she preyed him that, if he 
mighte, 680 

Hir litel sone he wolde in erthe grave, 

His tendre limes, delicat to sighte. 

Fro foules and fro bestes for to save. 

But she non answer of him migbto have. 

He wente his wey, as him no-tliing ne 
roghte ; 685 

But to Boloigne he tendrely it broghte. 

This markis wondreth ever longer the 
more ((131) 

Up-on hir pacience, and if that he 
Ne hadde soothly knowen ther-bifore, 
That parfitly hir children lovede slie, 6go 
He wolde have wend that of som subtiltee. 
And of malice or for cruel corage, 
That she had suffred this with sad visage. 

But wel he knew that next him-self, 
certayn, 694 

She loved hir children best in every wyse. 

But now of wommen wolde I axen fayn. 

If thise assayes mighte nat suffyse ? (641) 

Wliat coude a sturdy housbond more 
devyse 

To preve hir wyfliod and hir stedfast- 
nesse, 699 

And ho continiiing ever in sturdinesse ? 

But ther ben folk of swich condicioun. 
That, whan they have a certein purpos 

take, 
They can nat stinte of hir entencioun, 
But, right as they were bounden to 

a stake, 
They wol nat of that firste purpos slake. 
Right so this markis fulliche hath i>ur- 

posed (650) 706 

To tempte his wyf, as he was first disposed. 

He waiteth, if by word or contenance 
Tliat she to him was changed of corage ; 
But never coude he finde variance ; 710 
She was ay oon in herte and in visage ; 
And ay the forther that she was in age. 
The more trewe, if that it were possible, 
She was to him in love, and more penible. 

For which it semed thus, that of hem two 
Ther nas but o wil ; for, as Walter leste, 
The same lust was hir plesance also, (661) 



6o6 



ZU C(xrxkv&\iv^ Zake. 



[t. 8594-86; 



And, god be thanked, al fil for the beste. 
She shewed wcl, for no worldly imreste 
A wj^f, as of hir-self, no-thing ne sliolde 
Wille in effect, bnt as hir housbond wolde. 

The sclaiindre of Walter ofte and wyde 
spradde, -'22 

That of a cruel herte he wikkedly. 
For he a povre womman wedded hadde, 
Hath mordred bothe his children prively. 
Swich mnrmtir was among hem comimly. 
No wonder is, for to the peples ere (<>70 
Ther cam no word but that they mordred 
were. 

For which, wher-as his peple ther-bifore 
Had loved him wel, the sclaundre of his 
diffame 730 

Made hem that they him hatede therfore ; 
To been a mordrer is an hateful name. 
But natheles, for ernest ne for game 
He of his cruel purpos nolde stente ; 734 
To tempte his wyf was set al his entente. 

Whan that his doghter twelf yeer was of 
age, (680) 

He to the court of Rome, in subtil wyse 
Enformed of his wil, sente his message, 
Comaunding hem swiche bulles to devj'se 
As to his cruel purpos may suiFyse, 740 
How that the pope, as for his peples reste, 
Bad him to wedde another, if him leste. 

I seye, he bad they sholde countrefete 
The popes biiUes, making mencioun 
That he hath leve his firste wyf to lete, 745 
As by the ]3opes dispensacioun, (690) 

To stinte rancour and dissencioun 
Bitwixe his peple and him ; thus seydc 

the bulle. 
The which they lian publiced atte fulle. 

The rude peple, as it no wonder is, 750 
Wenden ful wel that it had been right so ; 
But whan thise tydinges cam to Grisildis, 
I deme that hir herte w^as ful wo. 
But she, y-lyke sad for evermo. 
Disposed w^as, this humble creature, 755 
Th'adversitee of fortune al t'endure. (700) 

Abyding ever his lust and his plesaunce, 
To whom that she was yeven, herte and al, 
As to hir verray worldly suffisaunce ; 



But shortly if this storie I tellen shal, 760 
This markis writen hath in special 
A lettre in which he showcth his entente, 
And secrely he to Boloigne it sente. 

To th'erl of Panilc, which that hadde tho 
Wedded his suster, preyde he specially y65 
To bringen hoom agayn his children two 
In honurable estaat al openly. f'/ii) 

But o thing he him prcyede outerly, 
That he to no wight, though men wolde 

enquere, 
Sholde nat telle, whos children that they 

were, 770 

But seye, the mayden sholde y-wedded be 
Un-to the markis of Saluce anon. 
And as this erl was preyed, so dide he ; 
For at day set he on his wey is goon 
Toward Saluce, and lordcs many oon, 775 
In riche arraj-, this mayden for to gyde ; 
Hir yonge brother ryding hir bisyde. (721) 

Arrayed was toward hir mariage 

This fresshe mayde, ful of gemmes clere ; 

Hir brother, which that seven yeer was of 

age, 7iSo 

Arrayed eek ful fresh in his manere. 
And thus in greet noblesse and with glad 

chere, 
Toward Saluces shaping hir journey. 
Fro day to day they ryden in hir wey. 
Explicit quarta pars. 
Sequitur quinta pars. 

Among al this, alter his wikke iisage, 785 
This markis, yet his wjrf to tempte more 
To the uttereste preve of hir corage, (731) 
Fully to han experience and lore 
If that she were as stedfast as bifore, 
He on a day in open audience 790 

Ful boistously hath seyd hir this sentence : 

' Certes, Grisilde, 1 hadde y-nough ples- 
aunce 

To han yow to my wyf for your goodnesse, 

As for your trouthe and for your obeis- 
aunce. 

Nought for your linage ne for yoivr 
richesse ; 795 

But now knowe I in verray soothfast- 
nesse ' (740) 



T. 867:-8754.] 



E. ZU tkvUe Zah, 



607 



That in gret lordsliipe, if I wel avyse, 
Ther is gret servitvite in sondry wyse. 

I may nat don as every plowman may ; 
My peple me constreyneth for to take 800 
Another wyf, and cryen day by day ; 
And eek the pope, rancour for to slake, 
Consenteth it, that dar I iiiidertake ; 
And treweliche thus niuche I wol yow 

seye, 
My newe wyf is coming by the weye. S05 

Be strong of herte, and voyde anon hir 
place, (750) 

And thilke dower that ye broghten me 
Tak it agajm, I graunte it of my grace ; 
Eetourneth to your fadres hous,' quod he ; 
' No man may alwey han prosperitee ; 810 
With oveno herte I rede yow t'endure 
The strook of fortune or of aventure.' 

And she answerde agayn in pacience, 
' My lord,' quod she, ' I woot, and wiste 

alway 
How that bitwixen your magnificence 815 
And my poverte no wight can ne may (760) 
Maken comparison ; it is no nay. 
I ne heold me never digne in no manere 
To be j-our wyf, no, ne your chamberere. 

And in this hous, ther ye me lady made — 
The heigho god take I for my witnesse, 821 
And also wisly he my soule glade — 
I never heeld me lady no maistresse, 
But humble servant to your worthinesse, 
And ever shal, whyl that my lyf may 
dure, 825 

Aboven every worldly creature. (770) 

That ye so longe of your benignitee 
Han holden me in honour and nobleye, 
\Vlier-as I was noght worthy for to be, 
That thonke I god and yow, to whom 
I preye 830 

Foryelde it yow ; there is na-more to seye. 
Un-to my fader gladly wol I wende. 
And with him dwelle un-to my lyves ende. 

Ther I was fostred of a child fal smal, 
Til I be deed, my lyf ther wol I lede €835 
A widwe clene, in body, herte, and al. (780) 
For sith I yaf to yow my maydenhede, 
And am your trewe ^vyf, it is no drede, 



God shilde swich a lordes wyf to take 
Another man to housbonde or to make. 840 

And of your newe wyf, god of his grace 
So graunte yow wele and prosperitee : 
For I wol gladly yelden hir my place. 
In which that I was blisful wont to be. 
For sith it lyketh yow, my lord,' quod 

she, 845 

' That whylom weren al myn hertes reste, 
That I shal goon, I wol gon whan yow 

leste. (791) 

But ther-as ye me profre swich dowaire 
As I first broghte, it is wel in my minde 
It were my wrecched clothes, no-thing 

faire, 850 

The which to me were hard now for to 

finde. 
O gode god ! how gentil and how kinde 
Ye semed by your speche and j-our visage 
The day that maked was our mai-iage ! 

But sooth is seyd, algate I finde it trewe — 
For in eifect it preved is on me — (800) 856 
Love is noght old as whan that it is newe. 
But certes, lord, for noon adversitee, 
To dyen in the cas, it shal nat be S59 

That ever in word or werk I shal repente 
That I yow yaf myn herte in hool entente. 

My lord, ye woot that, in my fadres place, 
Ye dede me strepe out of my povre wede, 
And richely me cladden, of your grace. 
To yow broghte I noght elles, out of drede, 
But feyth and nakednesse and mayden- 
hede. (810) 866 
And here agayn my clothing I restore. 
And eek my wedding-ring, for evermore. 

The remenant of your jewels redy be 869 
In-with your chambre, dar I saufly sayn ; 
Naked out of my fadres hous,' quod she, 
' I cam, and naked moot I turne agayn. 
Al yoixr plesaunce wol I folwen faj-n ; 
But yet I hope it be nat your entente 874 
That I smoklees out of your paleys wente. 

Ye coiide nat doon so dishoneste a thing. 

That thilke wombe in which your children 

leye (821) 

Sholde, biforn the peple, in my walking, 



6o8 



ZU tcinkv^uv^ ^afee. 



[t. 8755-8831. 



Be seyn al bare ; wherfor I yow preye, 
Lat me nat lyk a worm go by the weye. S80 
Remembre yow, myn owene lord so dere, 
I was your wyf, tliogh I unworthy were. 

Wherfor, in guerdon of my maydenhede, 
Which that I broghte, and noght agayn 

I here, 884 

As voucheth sauf to yeve me, to my mede. 
But swich a smok as I was wont to were. 
That I therwith may wrye the wombe of 

here (831) 

That was your wyf ; and heer take I my 

leve 
Of yow, myn owene lord, lest I yow grave.' 

' The smok,' quod he. ' that thou hast on 
thy bak, 890 

Lat it be stille, and ber it forth with thee.' 
But wel unnethes tliilke word he spak. 
But wente his wey for rewthe and for 

pitee. 
Biforn the folk hir-selven strepeth she. 
And in hir smok, with heed and foot al 
bare, (839) 895 

Toward hir fader hous forth is she fare. 

The folk hir folwe wepinge in hir weye, 
And fortune ay they cursen as they goon; 
But she fro weping kepte hir yen dreye, 
Ne in this tyme word ne spak she noon. 900 
Hir fader, tliat this tyding herde anoon, 
Ciirseth the day and tyme that nature 
Shoop him to been a lyves creature. 

For out of doute this olde povre man 
Was ever in suspect of hir mariage ; 905 
For ever he demed, sith that it bigan,(85o) 
That whan the lord fulfild had his corage, 
Him wolde thinke it were a disparage 
To his estaat so lowe for t'alighte. 
And voyden hir as sone as ever he miglite. 

Agayns his doghter hastilich goth he, 91 1 
For he by noyse of folk knew hir cominge. 
And with hir olde cote, as it mighte be, 
He covered hir, fill sorwefully wepinge ; 
But on hir body mighte he it nat bringe. 
For rude was the cloth, and more of ago 
By dayes fele than at hir mariage. (861) 

Thus with hir fader, for a certeyn space, 
Dwelleth this floiir of wyfly pacience. 



That neither by hir wordes ne hir face 920 
Biforn the folk, ne eek in hir absence, 
Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence; 
Ne of hir heigh estaat no remembraunce 
Ne hadde she, as by hir countenaunce. 

No wonder is, for in hir grete estaat 925 
Hir goost was ever in pleyn hnmylitee ; 
No ten dre mouth, non herte delicaat, (871) 
No pompe, no semblant of royaltee, 
But fvil of pacient benignitee. 
Discreet and prydeles, ay honurable, 930 
And to hir housbonde ever meke and 
stable. 

Men speke of Job and most for his hum- 

blesse, 
As clerkes, whan hem list, can wel endyte, 
Namely of men, but as in soothfastnesse, 
Thogh clerkes preyse wommen but a 

lyte, 935 

Ther can no man in humblesse him ac- 

quyte (880) 

As womman can, ne can ben half so trewe 
As wommen been, but ifr be falle of-newe. 

[Pms Sexta.] 

Fro Boloigne is this erl of Pauik come. 
Of which the fame iip-sprang to more and 

lesse, 940 

And in the peples eres alle and some 
Was couth eek, tliat a newe markisesse 
He with him broghte, in swich pompe and 

richesse. 
That never was ther seyn with naannes ye 
So noble array in al West Lumbardye. 945 

The markis, which that shoop and knew 
al this, (890) 

Er that this erl was come, sente his message 

For thilke sely povre Grisildis ; 

And she with humble herte and glad 
visage, 949 

Nat with no swollen thoght in hir corage, 

Cam at his heste, and on hir knees hir 
sette. 

And reverently and wysly she himgrette. 

' Grisild,' quod he, ' my wille is outerly, 
This mayden, that shal wedded been to me, 
Eeceyved be to-morwe as royally 955 



T. 8832-8910.] 



E. ZU tkvUe Zak, 



609 



As it possible is in myn hoiis to be. (900) 
And eek that every wight in his degree 
Have his estaat in sitting and servyse 
And heigh plesaunce, as I can best devyse. 

I have no wommen suffisaunt certayn 960 
The chambres for t'arraye in ordinaunce 
After my hist, and therfor wokle I fayn 
That thyu were al swicli maner govern- 

aunee ; 
Thou knowest eek of old al my plesaunce ; 
Though thyn array be badde and yvel 

biseye, 965 

Do thou thy devoir at the leeste weye.' (910) 

'Nat only, lord, that I am glad,' quod she, 
' To doon your lust, but I desyre also 
Yow for to serve and plese in my degree 
'With-oiiten feyuting, and shal everino. 970 
Ne never, for no wele ne no wo, 
Ne shal the gostwitli-in myn hertestente 
To love yow best with al my trewe entente.' 

And with that word she gan the hous to 

dighte, 
And tables for to sette and Ijeddes make ; 
And peyned liir to doon al that she 

mighte, (920) 976 

Preying the chambereres, for goddes sake, 
To hasten hem, and faste swepe and shake ; 
And she, the moste servisable of alle, 
Hath every chambre arrayed and hishalle. 

Abouten undern gan this erl alighte, 981 

That with him broghte thise noble child- 
ren tweye. 

For which the peple ran to seen the sighte 

Of hir array, so richely biseye ; 

And than at erst amonges hem theyseye, 

That Walter was no fool, thogh that him 
leste (930) 986 

To chaunge his wyf, for it was for the beste. 

For she is fairer, as they demen alle. 
Than is Grisild, and more tendre of age. 
And fairer fruit bitwene hem sholde 

falle, 9170 

And more plesant, for hir heigh linage ; 
Hir brother eek so fair was of visage. 
That hem to seen the peple hath caught 

plesaunce. 
Commending now the markis govern- 

aunce. — 



Aiictor. ' O stormy i)eplo ! imsad and ever 
untrewe ! (939) 995 

Ay undiscreet and chaunging as a vane, 

Delyting ever in rumbel that is newe, 

For lyk the mone ay we.ve ye and wane ; 

Ay ful of clapping, dere y-nogh a jane ; 

Your dooni is fals, your constance yvel 
preveth, 1000 

A ful greet fool is he that on yow leveth ! ' 

Thus seyden sadde folk in that citee, 
Wlian that the peple gazed up and doun, 
For thej' were glad, right for the noveltee, 
To han a newe lady of hir toun. 1005 

Na-more of this make I now mencioun ; 
But to Grisilde agayn wol I me dresse, (951) 
And telle hir constance and hir bisinesse. — 

Ful bisy was Grisilde in every thing 
That to the feste was apertinent ; loio 
Right noghtwas she abaystof hirolothing, 
Though it were rude and somdel eek to- 
rent. 
Biit with glad chere to the yate is went, 
With other folk, to grete the markisesse, 
And afterthatdoth forth hir bisinesse. 1015 

With so glad chere hisgestesshe receyveth, 
And conningly, everich in his degree, (961) 
That no defaute no man aperceyveth ; 
But ay they wondren what she mighte be 
That in so povre array was for to see, 1020 
And coude swich honour and reverence ; 
And worthily they preisen hir prudence. 

In al this mene whyle she ne stente 
This mayde and eek hir brother to com- 

mende 
With al hir herte, in ful benigne entente, 
So wel, that no man coude hir prys 

amende. (970) 1026 

But atte laste, whan that thise lordes 

wende 
To sitten doun to mete, he gan to calle 
Grisilde, as she was bisy in his halle. 

' Grisilde,' quod he, as it were in his 
pley, 1030 

' How ly keth thee my wyf and hir beautee ? ' 

'Eight wel,' quod she, 'my loi"d; for, in 
good fey, 

A fairer say I never noon than she. 

I prey to god yeve hir prosperitee ; 1034 



6io 



ZU tanUvBuv^ Zake. 



[t. 8911-8986. 



Arnl so hope I that he wol to yow senile 
Plesance y-nogh nn-to your lyves ende. 

thing biseke I yow and warne also, (981) 
That ye ne prildie with no tormentinge 
This tendre mayden, as ye han don mo ; 
For she is fostred in hir norishinge 1040 
More tendrely, and, to my siipposinge, 
She coude nat adversitee endure 

As coude a povre fostred creature.' 

And whan this Walter say hir pacience, 
Hir glade chere and no malice at al, 1045 
And he so ofte had doon to hir offence,(99o) 
And she ay sad and constant as a wal, 
Continuing ever hir innocence overal, 
Tliis sturdy markis gan his herte dresse 
To rewen up-on hir wyfly stedfastnesse. 1 050 

'This is y-nogh, Grisilde nayn,' quod he, 
' Be now na-more agast ne yvel apayed ; 

1 have thy feith and thy benignitee. 
As wel as ever womman was, assayed. 

In greet estaat, and jaovreliche arrayed. 1055 
Now knowe I, dere wyf, thy stedfast- 
nesse,' — (icxjo) 
And hir in arnies took and gan hir kesse. 

And she for wonder took of it no keep ; 
She herde nat what thing he to hir seyde ; 
She ferde as she had stert out of a sleep. 
Til she out of hir masednesse abreyde. 1061 
'Grisilde,' quod he, 'by god that for i\s 

deyde, 
Thou art my wyf, ne noon other I ha^•e, 
Ne never hadde, as god my soule save ! 

This is thy doghter which thou hast sup- 
posed 1065 

To be my wyf; that other faithfully (loio) 

Shal be myn heir, as I have ay purposed ; 

Thou bare him in thy body trewely. 

At Boloigne have I kept hem pirively ; 1069 

Tak hem agayn, for now maystow nat 
seye 

That thou hast lorn non of thy children 
tweye. 

And folk that otherweyes han seyd of me, 
I warne hem wel that I have doon this 

dede 
For no malice ne for no cn\eltee, 11)74 



But for t'assayein thee thy wommanhede, 
And nat to sleen my children, god for- 
bede ! (1020) 

But for to kepe hem prively and stille. 
Til I thy purpos knewe and al thy wille.' 

Whan she this herde, aswowne doun she 

falleth 1079 

For pitous joye, and after hir swowninge 

She bothe hir yonge children un-to hir 

calleth, 
And in hir amies, pitously wepinge, 
Embraceth heni, and tendrely kissinge 
Ful lyk a mooder, with hir salte teres 1084 
She batheth bothe hir visage and hir heres. 

O, which a pitous thing it was to see (1030) 
Hir swowning, and hir humble voj-s to 

here ! 
' Grauntmercy, lord, that thanke I yow,' 

quod she, 
' That ye han saved me my children dere ! 
Now rekke I never to ben deed right 

here ; 1090 

Sith I stonde in your love and in your grace. 
No fors of deeth, ne whan my spirit pace ! 

O tendre, o dere, o yonge ^children myne, 
Your woful mooder wende stedfastly 1094 
That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne 
Hadde eten yow ; but god, of his mercy, 
And your benigne fader tendrely (1041) 
Hath doon yow kept ; ' and in that same 

stounde 
Al sodej^nly she swapte adoun to grounde. 

And in her swough so sadly holdeth she 
Hir children two, whan she gan hem 

t'embrace, no: 

That with greet sleighte and greet difii- 

cultee 
The children from hir arm. they gonne 

arace. (1047) 

O many a teer on many a pitous face 1104 
Doun ran of hem that stoden hir bisyde ; 
Unnethe abouten hii- mighte they abyde. 

Walter hir gladeth, and hir sorwe slaketh; 
She ryseth up, abaysed, from hir traunce, 
And every wight hir joye and feste maketh. 
Til she hath caught agayn hir conten- 
aunce. mo 



T. 8987-9058.] 



E. ZU Cferftee Zak. 



611 



Walter hir dootli so feitlifully plesamice, 
That it was deyutee for to seen the chere 
Bitwixe hem two, nowthey ben met y-fere. 

Thiso ladyes, whan tliat they hir tymesay, 
Han taken hir, and in-to chanibre goon, 
And strepen hir ont of hir rude array, ( 1060) 
And in a cloth of gold that brighte shoon, 
VVitli a coroune of many a riche stoon 
Up-on hir heed, they in-to halle hir 
broghte, 11 19 

And ther she was honoured as hir oghte. 

Tlius liatli this pitons day a blisful ende, 
For every man and womman dooth his 

might 
This day in murthe and revel to dispende 
Til on the welkne shoon the sterres light. 
For more solempne in every mannes sight 
This teste was, and gretter of costage, 1 126 
Than was the revel of hir mariage. (1071 ) 

Ful many a yeer in heigh prosperitee 
Liven thise two in concord and in reste, 
And richely his doghter maried he 1130 
Un-to a lord, oon of the worthieste 
Of al Itaille ; and than in pees and reste 
His wyves fader in his court he kepeth. 
Til that the soule out of his body crepeth. 

His sone succedeth in his heritage 1135 
In reste and pees, after his fader day ; (1080) 
And fortvinat was eek in mariage, 
Al putte he nat his wyf in greet assay. 
This world is nat so strong, it is no nay, 
As it hath been in olde tymes yore, 114.0 
And herkneth what this auctour seith 
therfore. 

This storie is seyd, nat for that wyves 

sholde 
Folwen Grisilde as in humilitee. 
For it were importable, though they wolde ; 
But for that every wight, in his degree, 1 145 
Sholde be constant in adversitee (1090) 
As was Grisilde ; therfor Petrark wryteth 
This storie, which with heigh style he 

endyteth. 

For, sith a womman was so pacient 1149 
Un-to a mortal man, wel more us oghte 
Eeceyven al in gree that god us sent ; 



For greet skile is, heprevethat he wroghte. 
But he ne temptethno man that heboghte, 
As seith seint Jame, if ye his pistel rede ; 
He preveth folk al day, it is no drede, 1 155 

And suffreth lis, as for our excercyse,(iioo) 
With sharpe scourges of adversitee 
Ful ofte to be bete in sondry wyse ; 
Nat for to knowe our wil, for certes he, 
Er we were born, knew al our freletee ; 1 160 
And for our beste is al his governaunce ; 
Lat us than live in vertuous suifraunce.* 

But o word, lordinges, herkneth er I go : — 
It were ful hard to tinde now a dayes (i 108) 
In al a toun Grisildes three or two ; 1165 
For, if that they were put to swiohe assayes, 
The gold of hem hath now so badde alayes 
With bras, that thogh the coyne be fair 

at ye. 
It wolde rather breste a-two than plye. 

For which heer, for the -wyves love of 
Bathe, 1170 

Whos lyf and al hir secte god mayntene 
In heigh maistrye, and elles were it scathe, 
I wol with lusty herte I'resshe and grene 
Seyn yow a song to glade yow, I wene, 
And lat us stinte of ernestful matere : — 
Herkneth my song, that seith in this 
manere. (ii.'oj 11 76 

Lenvoy de Chaucer. 

Grisilde is deed, and eek hir pacience, 
And bothe atones buried in Itaille ; 
For which I crye in open audience. 
No wedded man so hardy be t'assaille 1 180 
His wyves pacience, in hope to finde 
Grisildes, for in certein he shall faille ! 

* It seems to have been Chaucer's intention, 
in the first instance, to end this Taiehere. Hence, 
wc find, in MSS. E. Hn. Cm. Dd., the following 
gemdne, hut rejected stanza, suitable for insertion 
at this point : — 

Bihold the merye wordes of the Hoste. 

T}iis wort)iy Clerk, whau ended was liis tult, 

Our hoste seyde, and swoor by goddes bone-s, 

' Me were lever than a barel ale 

My wyf at hoom had herd this legende ones ; 

This is a gentil tale for the nones, 

As to my purpos, wiste ye my wille ; 

But thing that wol nat be, lat it be stille.' 

Here endeth the Tale of the Clerk 
of Oxenford. 



6l2 



ZH tanUv&nv^ Zake. 



[t. 9059-91 2C 



O noble wyves, ful of heigh prudence, 
Lat noon huniilitee your tonge naille, 1 184 
Ne lat no clerk have cause or diligence 
To wryte of yow a storie of swich niex'vaille 
As of Grisildis pacient and kinde ; ( 1 13 1 ) 
Lest Chichevache j'ow swelwe in hir en- 
traille ! 

Folweth Ekko, that holdetli no silence, 
But evere answereth at the countretaille ; 
Beth nat bidaffed for your innocence, 1191 
But sharply tak on yow the governaiUe. 
Emprinteth wel this lesson in your niinde 
For commune profit, sith it may availle. 

Ye archewyves, stondeth at defence, 1195 
Sinye be stronge as is a greet camaille; ( 1 140) 
Nesuffreth nat that men yow doon offence. 
And sclendre wyves, feble as in bataille, 



Beth egre as is a tygre yond in Inde ; 
Ay clappeth as a mille, I yowconsaille.i2cx) 

Ne dreed hem nat, do horn no reverence ; 
For though thyn housbonde armed be iu 

maille. 
The arwes of thy crabbed eloquence 
Shal perce his brest , and eek his aventaille : 
In jalousye I rede eek thoii him binde, 1205 
And thou shalt make him couche as dootli 

a quaille. (1150) 

If thou be fair, ther folk beii in presence 
Shew thou thy visage and thyn apparaille ; 
If thou be foul, be free of thy dispence,i209 
To gete thee freendes ay do thy travaille ; 
Be ay of chere as light as leef on linde, 
And lat him care, and wepe, and wringe. 
and waille ! (1156) 



Here endeth the Clerk of Oxonford his Tale. 



THE MERCHANT'S PROLOGUE. 



The Prologe of the Marchantes Tale. 



'Weping and wayling, care, and other 

soi-we 
I know y-nogh, on even and a-morwe,' 
Quod the Marchaunt, ' and so don othere 

mo 1215 

Tliat wedded been, I trowe that it be so. 
For, wel I woot, it fareth so with me. 
I have a wyf, the worste that may be ; 
Forthogh the feend to hir y-coupled were. 
She wolde him overmacche, I dar wel 

swere. 1220 

What sholde I yow reherce in special 
Hir hye malice? she is a shrewe at al. (10) 
Ther is a long and large difference 
Bitwix Grisildis grete pacience 
And of my wyf the passing crueltee. 1225 
Were I unbounden, al-so moot I thee ! 
I wolde never eft comen in the snare. 
We wedded men live in sorwe and care ; 



Assaye who-so wol, and he shal finde 
I seye sooth, by seint Thomas of Inde, 1230 
As for the more part, I sey nat alle. 
G-od shilde that it sholde so bifalle ! (20) 
A ! good sir boost ! I have y-wedded be 
Thise monthes two, and more nat, pardee ; 
And yet, I trowe, he that all his lyve 1235 
Wyfleeshath been, though that men wolde 

him ryye 
Un-to the herte, ne coude in no manere 
Tellen so muchel sorwe, as I now here 
Coude tellen of my wyves cursednesse ! ' 
' Now,' quod our hoost, ' Marchaunt, so 

god yow blesse, 1240 

Sin ye so muchel knowen of that art, 
Ful hertely I pray yow telle us part.' (30) 
' Gladly,' quod he, ' but of myn owene 

sore, 
For sory herte. I telle may na-more.' 1244 



T. 91 2 1-9188. J 



E. ZU Qllarc^anfce Zak. 



613 



THE MARCHANTES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Marchantes Tale. 



Whylom ther was dwelliiige in Lunibardye 
A worthy Juiight, that born was of Pavye, 
In which he lived in greet prosperitee ; 
And sixty year a wyflees man was he, 
And folwed ay his bodily delji; 
On wommen, ther-as was his appetyt, 1250 
As doon thise foles that ben seculeer. 
And whan that he was passed sixty yeer, 
Were it for holinesse or for dotage, 
I can natseye, but swich agreet eorage, (10) 
Hadde this knight to been a wedded man. 
That day and night he dooth al that he can 
T'espyen where he miglite wedded be ; 
Preyinge oiu* lord to granten him, that he 
Mighte ones knowe of thilke blisful lyf 
That is bitwixe an housboud and his wyf ; 
And for to live under that holy bond 1261 
With which that first god man and 

womman bond. 
' Xon other lyf,' seyde he, 'is worth a bene ; 
For wedlok is so esy and so clene, (jo) 
That in this world it is a paradys.' 1^65 
Thus seyde this olde knight, that was so 

wys. 
And certeioly, as sooth as god is king. 
To take a wyf, it is a glorious thing, 
And namely whan a man is old and hoor ; 
Thanne is a wyf the fruitof his tresor. i->7o 
Than sholde he take a yong wyf and a feir. 
On which he mighte engendreu him an 

heir. 
And lede his lyf in joye and in solas, 
Wher-as thise bacheleres singe 'alias,' (30) 
Whan that they finden any adversitee 1275 
In love, which nis but childish vanitee. 
And trewely it sit wel to be so, 
That bacheleres have often peyne and wo ; 
On brotel ground they builde, and brotel- 

nesse 1279 

They finde, whan they wene si kern esse. 



They live.biit as a brid or as a beste, 
In libertee, and vinder non areste, 
Ther-as a wedded man in his estaat 
Liveth a lyf blisful and ordinaat, (40) 
Under the yok of mariage y-bounde ; 1285 
Wel may his herte in joye and blisse 

habounde. 
For who can be so buxom as a wyf? 
Who is so trewe, and eek so ententyf 
To kepe him, syk and hool, as is his make ? 
For wele or wo, she wol him nat forsake. 
She nis nat wery him. to love and serve, 
Thogh that he lye bedrede til he sterve. 
And yet somme clerkes seyn, it nis nat so. 
Of whiche he, Theofraste, is oon of tho. {^o) 
What force thoughTheofraste liste lye V 1 295 
'Ne take no wyf,' quod he, 'for hous- 

bondrye. 
As for to spare in houshold thy dispence ; 
A trewe servant dooth more diligence. 
Thy good to kepe, than thyn owene wyf. 
For she wol clay me half part al hirlyf ; 1300 
And if that thou be syk, so god me save, 
Thy verray frendes or a trewe knave 
Wol kepe thee bet than she that waiteth ay 
After thy good, and hath don many a day.' 
And if thou take a wyf un-to thyn 
hold, (61) [T. om. 

Ful lightly maj'stow been a coke- 
wold. 1506 [T. om. 
This sentence, and an hundred thinges 

worse, 
Wryteth this man, ther god his bones 

corse ! 
But take no kepe of aL*wich vanitee ; 
Deffye Theofraste and herke me, 1310 

A wyf is goddes yifte verraily ; 
Alle other maner yiftes hardily. 
As londes, rentes, pasture, or commune, 
Or moebles, alle ben yiftes of fortune, (70) 



6i4 



C0e €attfer6uv^ ZakB. 



[t. 9189- 



9274- 



That passen as a shaclwe upon a wal. 1315 
But dredelees, if pleynly speke I shal, 
A wyf wol laste, and in thyn lions endure, 
AVel lenger than thee list, para venture. 

Mariage is a ful gret sacrement ; 
He which that hath no wyf, I holde him 

shent ; 1320 

He liveth helplees and al desolat, 
I speke of folk in seculer estaat. 
And herke why, I sey nat th is for noght,(79) 
That womman is for manneshelp y-wroght. 
The hye god, whan he hadde Adam maked, 
Andsaugh him al allone, bely-naked, 1326 
God of his grete goodnesse seyde than, 
'Lat us now make an help un-to this man 
Lyk to him-self ; ' and thaune he made 

him Eve. 1329 

Heer may ye se, and heer-hy may ye preve. 
That wjrf is mannes help and his confort. 
His paradys terrestre and his disport 
So buxom and so vertiioiis is she, 
They moste nedes live in unitee. (90) 1334 
O flesh they been, and o flesh, as I gesse, 
Hath butonherte, in wele and indistresse. 

A wj'f ! a ! Seinte Marie, hen'cite ! 
How mighte a man han any adversitee 
That hath a wyf? certes, I can nat seye. 1 339 
The blisse which that isbitwixe hemtweye 
Ther may no tonge telle, or herte thinke. 
If he be po^^-e, she helpeth him to swinlie ; 
She kepeth his good, and wasteth never 

a deel ; 
Al that hir housbonde lust, hir lyketh 
■ weel ; (icx)) 

She seith not ones ' nay,' when he seith 

'ye.' 1345 

' Do this,' seith he ; ' al redy, sir,' seith she. 
O blisful ordre of wedlok precious, 
Thou art so mery, and eek so vertuous, 
And so commended and approved eek. 
That every man that halt him worth a 

leek, 1350 

Up-on his bare knees oghte al his lyf 
Thankon his god that him hath sent a 

wyf; 
Or elles preye to god him for to sende 
A wyf, to laste un-to his Ij^'es ende. (110) 
For thanne his lyf is set in sikernesse ; 1355 
He may nat be decej'ved, as I gesse, 
S(.> that he werke after his wyves reed ; 
Than may he boldly beren lip his heed, 



They been so trewe and ther-with-al so 

wyse ; 
For which, if thoii wolt werkon as the 
wyse, 1360 

Do alwey so as woinmen wol thee rede. 

Lo, how that Jacob, as thise clerkes 
rede. 
By good conseil of his moder Eebekke, 
Bond the kides skin aboute his nekke ; (120) 
Thurgh which his fadres Ijenisoun he wan. 

Lo, Judith, as the storie eek telle can. 
By wys conseil she goddes peple kepte. 
And slow him, Olofernus, whyl he slepte. 

Lo Abigayl, by good conseil how she 1369 
Saved hir housbond Nabal, whan that lie 
Sliolde han be slayn ; and loke, Ester also 
By good conseil delivered oiit of wo 
The peple of god, and made him, Mar- 

dochee. 
Of Assuere enhaunced for to be. (130) 

Ther nis no-thing in gree superlatyf, 1375 
As seith Senek, above an humble yfyf. 

Suffre thj' wy^'es tonge, as Caton bit ; 
She shal comande, and thou shalt suffren 

it; 
And yet she wol obeye of curteisye. 
A vryf is keper of thjTi housbondrye ; 1380 
Wei may the syke man biwaille and wepe, 
Ther-as ther nis no wyf the hous to kepe. 
I warne thee, if wysly thou wolt wirche, 
Love wel thy ■vvvf, as Crist loveth his 
chirche. (140) 1384 

If thoii lovest thj'-self, thoulovest thy wyf; 
No man hatetli his flesh, but in his lyf 
He fostreth it, and therfore bidde I thee, 
Oherisse thy wyf, or thou shalt never thee. 
Housbond and wyf, what so men jape or 

pleye. 
Of worldly follt holden the siker v^^eye ; 1390 
They been so knit, ther may noon harm 

bityde : 
And namely, up-on the wyves syde. 
For which this .lanuarie, of whom I tolde. 
Considered hath, inwith his dayes olde,( r5o) 
The lusty lyf, the vertuoiis quiete, 1395 
That is in mariage hony-swete ; 
And for his freendes on a day he sente, 
To tellen hem th'effect of his entente. 

With face sad, his tale he hath hem 
told ; 1399 

He seyde, ' freendes, I ani hoor and old, 



T- 9275-9362.] 



E. ZU (nUfC^anfee Zak. 



615 



And almost, god wot, on my pittes brinke ; 
Up-on my soule somwliat moste I tliinke. 
I have my body folily despended ; (159) 
Blessed be god, that it slial been amended ! 
For I wol be, certeyn, a wedded man, 1405 
And that anoon in al the haste I can, 
Un-to som mayde fair and tendre of age. 
I prey yow, shapeth for my mariage 
Al sodeynly, for I wol nat abyde ; 
And I wolfonde t'espyen, on my syde, 1410 
To whom I may be wedded hastily. 
But for-as-muche as ye ben mo than I, 
Ye shuUen rather swich a thing espyen 
Than I, and wher me best were to allyen. 
But o thing warne I yow, my freendes 

dere, (171) 1415 

I wol non old wyf han in no manere. 
Slie shal nat passe twenty yeer, certayn ; 
Old fish and yong flesh wolde I have ful 

fayu. 
Bet is,' quod lie, ' a pyk than a pikerel ; 
And bet than old boef is the tendre veel. 
I wol no womman thrittyyeer of age, 142 1 
It is but bene-straw and greet forage. 
And eek thise olde widwes, god it woot. 
They conne so muchel craft on Wades 

boot, (iSo) 

So miichel broken harm, whan that hem 

leste, 1425 

Tliat witli hem sliolde I never live in reste. 
For sondry scolea maken sotil clerkis ; 
Womman of manye scoles half a clerk is. 
But certeynly, a yong thing may men gye, 
Eight as men may warm wex with handes 

plye. 1430 

Wherfore I sey yow pleynly, in a clause, 
I wol non old wyf han right for this 

cause. (i88) 

For if so were, I hadde swich mischaunce. 
That I in hir ne coiide han no plesaunce, 
Tlianue sliolde I lede my lyf in avoutrye, 
And go streight to the devel, whan I dye. 
Ne children sliolde I none up-on hir geten; 
Yet were me lever houndes had me eten, 
Than that myn heritage sliolde falle 1439 
In straunge hand, and this I tell yow alle. 
I dote nat, I woot the cause why 
Men sholde wedde, and fortliermore wot I, 
Ther speketh many a man of mariage, 
That woot na-more of it than woot my 

page, (200) 1444 



For whiche causes man sholde take a wyf. 
If he ne may nat liven chast his Ij-f, 
Take him a wyf with greet devocioun, 
By-cause of leveful procreacioun 
Of children, to th'onour of god above. 
And nat only for paramour or love ; 1450 
And for they sholde lecherye eschue. 
And yelde hir dettes whan that they ben 

due ; 
Or for that ecli of hem sholde helpeii 

other (209) 

In meschief, as a suster shal the brother ; 
And live in chastitee ful holily. 1455 

But sires, by your leve, that am nat I. 
For god be thanked, I dar make avaunt, 
I felo my limes stark and siiffisaunt 
To do al that a man bilongeth to ; 
I woot my-selven best what I may do. 1460 
Though I be lioor, I fare as dooth a tree 
That blosmeth er that fmyt y-wosen be ; 
A blosmy tree nis neither drye ne deed. 
I fele me nowlier lioor but on myn heed ; 
Myn herte and alle my limes been as 

grene (221) 1465 

As laurer thurgh the yeer is for to sene. 
And sin that ye han herd al myn entente, 
I prey yow to my wil ye wole assente.' 

Diverse men diversely him tolde 
Of mariage manye ensamples olde. 1470 
Somme blamed it, somme preysed it, 

certeyn ; 
But atte laste, shortly for to seyii. 
As al day falletli altercacioun 1473 

Bitwixen freendes in disputisoun, (230) 
Ther fil a stiyf bitwixe his bretheren two. 
Of whiche that oon was cleped Placebo, 
Justinus soothly called was that other. 
Placebo seyde, ' o Januarie, brother, 
Ful litel nede had ye, my lord so dere, 
Conseil to axe of any that is here ; 1480 
But that ye been so ful of sapience. 
That yow ne lyketli, for your heighe 

prudence, 
To weyven fro the word of Salomon. 
This word seyde he un-to us everichon : 
" Wirk alle thing by conseil," thus seyde 

he, (241) 1485 

" And thanne shaltow nat repente thee." 
But though that Salomon spak swich 

a word, 
Myn owene dere lirother and my lord, 



6i6 



ZU CanUvBut^ take. 



[t. 9363-9450. 



So wisly god my soiile bringe at reste, 
I hold your owene conseil is the beste. 1490 
For brother myn, of me tak this motyf, 
I have now been a court-mau al my lyf. 
And god it woot, though I \inworthy be, 
I liave stonden in ful greet degree (250) 
Abouten lordes of ful heigh estaat ; 1495 
Yet hadde I never with noon of hem 

debaat. 
I never hem contraried, trewely ; 
I woot wel that my lord can more than I. 
What that he seith, I holde it ferme and 

stable ; 
I seye the same, or elles thing semblable. 
A ful gret fool is any conseillour, 1501 
That serveth any lord of heigh honour. 
That dar prestime, or elles thenkeu it, 
That his conseil sholde passe his lordes 

wit, (260) 

Nay, lordes been no foles, by my fay ; 1505 
Ye han your-selven shewed heer to-day 
So heigh sentence, so holily and weel, 
That I consente and conferme every-deel 
Yourwordes alle, and your opiniouu. 1509 
By god, ther nis no man in al this toun 
N'in al Itaille, that coude bet han sayd ; 
Crist halt him of this conseil wel apayd. 
And trewely, it is an heigh corage 
Of any man, that stapen is in age, (270) 
To take a yong wyf ; by my fader kin. 
Your herte hangeth on a joly jjin. 1516 
Doth now in this matere right as yow 

leste, 
for finally I holde it for the beste.' 

Jiistinus, that ay stille sat and herde, 
Eight in this wyse to Placebo answerde : 
' Now brother myn, be pacient, I preye. 
Sin ye han seyd, and herkneth what I 

seye. 15.'.' 

Senek among his othere wordes wyse 
Seith, that a man oghte him right wel 

avyse, (280) 

To whom he yeveth his lond or his 

catel. 1525 

And sin I oghte avyse me right wel 
To whom I yeve my good awey fro me, 
Wel muchel more I oghte avysed be 
To whom I yeve my body ; for alwey 
I waine yow wel, it is no childes pley 1530 
To talvc a wj'f with-oute avysement. 
Men moste enquere, this is myn assent. 



Wher she Vie wys, or sobre, or dronke- 

lewe, (289) 

Or proud, or elles other-weys a shrewe ; 
A chydester, or wastour of thy good, 1535 
Or riche, or poore, or elles mannish wood. 
Al-be-it so that no man finden shal 
Noon in this world that trotteth hool 

in al, 
Ne man ne beest, swich as men conde 

devyse ; 
But nathelees, it oglite y-noughsuffise 1540 
With any wyf, if so were that she hadde 
Mo gode thewes than hir vyees badde ; 
And al this axeth leyser for fenquere. 
For god it woot, I have wept many a tere 
Fu^l prively, sin I have had a wyf. (301) 1545 
Preyse who-so wole a wedded mannes lyf, 
Certein, I finde in it but cost and care, 
And observances, of alle blisses bare. 1548 
And yet, god woot, my neighebores abotite, 
And namely of wommen many a route, 
Seyn that I have the moste stedefast wyf, 
And eek the mekeste oon that bereth lyf. 
But I wot best wher wringeth me my 

sho. (309) 

Ye mowe, for me, riglit as yow lyketli do ; 
Avyseth yow, ye been a man of age, 1555 
How that ye entren in-to mariage, 
And namely with a yong wyf and a fair. 
By him that made water, erthe, and air, 
The yongest man that is in al this route 
Is bisy y-nogh to bringen it aboute 1560 
To han his wyf allone, triistoth me. 
Ye shul nat plese hir fully yeres three, 
This is to seyn, to doon hir ful plesaunee. 
A wyf axeth ful many an observaunce. (320) 
I prey yow that ye be nat yvel apayd.' 
' Wel,' quod this Januarie, ' and hastow 

sayd ? 1566 

Straw for thy Senek, ami for thy pro- 

verbes, 
I counte nat a panier ful of herbes 
Of scole-termes ; wyser men than thow. 
As thou hast herd, assenteden right now 
To my purpos ; Placebo, what sey ye ?' 
' I seye, it is a cursed man,' quod he, 
' That letteth matrimoine, sikerly.' (329) 
And with that word they rysen sodeyiily, 
And been assented fully, that he sholde 
Be wedded whanne him list and wher he 

woldek 1576 



T. 9451-9524.] 



E. ZU (HUvc^aniee Zak. 



617 



Heigh fautasye and cnrioiis bisinesse 
Fro day to day gan in tlie soiile impresse 
Of Janiiarie aboi\te his niariage. 
Many fair shap, and many a fair visage 
Ther passeth thurgh his herte, night by 

night. (337) '581 

As who-so toke a mirour polished liright, 
And sette it in a commune market-place, 
Than sholde he see many a jBgiire pace 
Bj' his mirour ; and, in the sanae wyse, 
Gan Januarie inwith his thoght dev;\-se 
Of maydens, whiohe that dwelten him 

bisyde. 1587 

He wiste nat wher that he mighte abyde. 
For if that oon have beautee in hir face, 
Another stant so in the peples grace 1590 
For hir sadnesse, and hir benignitee, 
That of the peple grettest voys hath she. 
Aiid somn^e were riche, and hadden badde 

nanie. (349) 

But nathelees, bitwixe ernest and game, 
He atte laste apoynted him on oon, 1595 
And leet alle othere from his herte 

goon, 
And chees hir of his owene auctoritee ; 
For love is blind al day, and may nat see. 
And whan that he was in his bed y- 

broght. 
He xjurtreyed, in his herte and in his 

thoght, 1600 

Hir fresshe beautee and hir age tendre, 
Hir myddel smal, hir armes loiige and 

sclendre, 
Hir wyse governaunce, hir gentillesse, 
Hir wommanly beringe and hir sadnesse. 
And whan that he on hir was con- 
descended, (361) 1605 
Him thoughte his chois mighte nat ben 

amended. 
For whan that he him-self concluded 

hadde. 
Him thoughte ech other niannes wit so 

badde. 
That injiossible it were to replye 
Agayn his chois, this was his fantasye. 1610 
His freendes sente he to at his instaunce, 
And preyed hem to doon him that ples- 

aunce. 
That hastily they wolden to him come ; 
He wolde abregge hir laboiir, alle and 

some. (37(j) 1614 



Nedeth na-more for him to go ne ryde, 
He was apoynted ther he wolde abyde. 

Placebo cam, and eek his freendes sone, 
And alderfirst he bad hem alle a bone. 
That noon of hem none argumentes make 
Agayn the purpos which that he hath 

take ; i6jo 

' Which purpos was plesant to god,' seyde 

he, 
' And verray ground of his prosijeritee.' 
He seyde, ther was a may den in the 

toun. 
Which that of beautee hadde greet re- 
noun, (380) 
Al were it so she were of smal degree ; 1025 
Suffyseth hun hir youtlie and hir l)eautee. 
Which mayde, he seyde, he wolde han to 

his wj'f. 
To lede in ese and holinesse his lyf. 
And thanked god, that he mighte han 

hire al, 1629 

That no wight of his blisse parten shal. 
And preyde hem to laboureu in this 

nede, 
And sliapen that he faille nat to spede ; 
For thanne, he seyde, his spirit was at ese. 
'Thaune is,' quod he, 'no-thing may me 

displese, (390) 1634 

Save o thing priketh in my conscience. 
The which I wol reherce in your presence. 
I have,' quod he, ' herd seyd, ful yore 

ago, 
Ther may no man han parfite blisses two, 
This is to seye, in erthe and eek in 

heveue. 
For though he kepe him fro the sinnes 

sevene, 1640 

And eek from every branclie of thilke 

tree. 
Yet is ther so parfit felicitee. 
And so greet ese and lust in mariage, (399) 
That ever I am agast, now in myn age. 
That I shal lede now so mery a lyf, 1645 
So delicat, with-outen wo and strj-f, 
That I shal have myn hevene in erthe 

here. 
For sith that verray hevene is lioght so 

dere. 
With tribulacioun ami greet penaunce, 
How sholde I thanne, that live in swich 

plesaunce 1650 



X 3 



6 1 8 



ZU CankvBut^ Zake. 



'J'- 9525-9^'o*^- 



As alle -wedded men <lon with liir wyvis, 
Come to the blisse ther Crist eterne on 

lyve is ? 
This is my drede, and ye, my hmtheren 

tweye, (4o<)) 

Assoilleth me this qucstioun, I preye.' 

Justinus, which that hated liis folye, 1655 
Answcrde anon, right in his japerye ; 
And for he wolde his longe tale abregge. 
He wolde noon auctoritee allegge, 1658 
Bnt seyde, ' sire, so ther be noon obstacle 
Other than this, god of his liye miracle 
And of his mercy may so for yow wirche, 
That, er ye have your right of holy 

chirche, (4'^) 

Ye may repente of wedded mannes lyf, 
In which ye seyn ther is no wo ne stryf. 
And oUes, god forbedc but he sente 1665 
A wedded man liim grace to repente 
Wftl olto rather than a sengle man ! 
And thcrforc, sire, the beste reed 1 can, 
Dispeire yow noght, but have in your 

memorie, 1669 

Paraunter she may be your purgatorie ! 
She niay be goddes mene, and goddes 

whippe ; 
Than slial your soule up to hcvene skippc 
Swifter than dooth an arwe out of the 

bowe ! (4-2f)l 

I hope to gOd, her-after shiil ye knowe, 
That their nis no so greet felicitee 1675 
In mariage, ne never-mo slial be, 
Tliat yf)w shal lette of your savacioun, 
So tliat ye use, as skile is and resoun, 
The lustes of yotir wyi' attemprely, Utjt) 
And that ye plcse hir nat to amorously. 
And that ye kope yow cek from other 

sinne. 
My tale is doon : — for my wit is thinne. 
Beth nat agast her-of, my brother dere.' — 
(But lat us waden out of this matere. ("440) 
The Wyf of Bathe, if ye ban undcrstonde. 
Of mariage, which we have on honde, 1686 
Declared hath fnl wel in litel space). — 
'Paroth now wel, god have yow in his 

grace. ' 
And with this word this .Tustin and his 

brother 
Han take hir leve, and ech of hem of 

other. 1690 

For whan they sawe it moste nedes be, 



They wroghten so, by sly and wys tretee, 
Tluit she, this mayden, which that Mains 

higlite, 
As hastily as ever that slie niiglite, 1450) 
Slial wedded be un-to tliis .lanuarie. 1695 
I trowe it were to longe yow to taric, 
If I yow tolde of every scrit and bond, 
By which that she was feffed in his lond; 
Or ibr to herknen of hir riche array. 
But finally y-comen is the day i7(K) 

That to the chirche botlie be they went 
For to receyve the holy saci'ement. 
Forth comth the preest, with stole aboute 

his nekke, (4,S9) 

And bad hir l)e lyk Sarra and Rebekke, 
In wisdom and in trontlie of mariage ; 
And seyde his orisons, as is usage, 1706 
And crouched hem, and bad god sholde 

hem blesse. 
And made al siker y-nogh with holinesse. 
Tims been they wedded with solemp- 

nitee. 
And at the feste sitteth he and she 1710 
With other worthy folk up-on the dtiys. 
Al ful of joye and Idissc is the paleys. 
And ful of instruments and of vitaille, 
The moste deyntevoiis of al Itaille. (470) 
Biforn hem stoode swiche instruments of 

soun, 1715 

That Orpheu.s, ne of Thebes Amphioun, 
Ne madon never swich a molodye. 

At every cours than cam loud minstral- 

cye, 
Tliat never tromped .Joab, for to here, 
Nor he, Theodoinas, yet half soclere, 1720 
At Thohes, whan tlie citce was in doxite. 
Bacus the wyn hem skinketh al aboute, 
And Venus laugheth up-on every wight. 
For .Jannarie was bicome hir knight, (480) 
And wolde bothe assayen his corage 1725 
In libertee, and cek in mariage ; 
And with hir fyrbrond in hir hand aboute 
Daunceth biforn the bryde and al the 

route. 
And certeinly, I dar right wel seyn this, 
Ymeneus, that god of wedding is, 1730 

.Saugh never his lyf so mery a wedded 

man. 
Hold thou thy pees, thou poete Marcian, 
That wrytcst US that ilke wedding iiiurio 
Of hir, Philologye, and him, Mercurie, 



T. 9609-9688.] E. ZU QUarc^an^ce Zak. 



619 



And of the songes that the Muses soiige. 
To smal is botho thy penne, and eek thy 

tonge, (49-) '7i(> 

For to descryven of this mariage. 
Whan tendro youthe hath weddetl stopp- 
ing age, 
Ther is swich mirthe that it may nat be 

writen ; 
Assayeth it your-self, tlian may ye witen 
If that I lye or noon in this niatere. 1741 
Maius, tliat sit witli so benigne a chere, 
Hir to biholde it semed fayeryii ; (499) 
Quene Ester loked never witli swich an ye 
On Assucr, so meko a look hath she. 1745 
I may yow nat devyso al liir beautee ; 
But thus muche of hir beautee telle I 

may, 
That she was lyk the brighte morwe of 

May, 
Fulfild of alle beautee and })lesaunce. 

This Januarie is ravisshed in a traunce 
At every time he loked on hir face ; 1751 
But in his herte he gan hir to xnanace. 
That ho that night in armes wolde hir 

streyno 
Harder than ever Paris dide Eleyne. (510) 
But nathelees, yet hadde he greet pitee, 
That thilke night offenden hir moste he ; 
And thoughte, 'alias ! o tendre creature! 
Now wolde god yc mighte wel endure 
Al my corage, it is so sharp and kene ; 
I am. agast ye shul it nat sustene. 1760 
But god forbedc that I dide al my might ! 
Now wolde goil that it were woxen night, 
And that the night wolde lasten evermo. 
I wolde that al this peple were ago.' (520; 
And finally, he doth al his labour, 1765 
As he best mighte, savinge his honour, 
To haste hem fro the mete in subtil 

wyse. 
The tyme cam that reson was to ryse ; 
And after that, men daunce and drinken 

faste, 1769 

And spyces al aboute the hous they caste ; 
And ful of joye and blisse is every man ; 
All but a s<iuyer, highte Damian, 
Which carf biforu the knight ful many 

a day. 
He was so ravisshed on his lady May, (530) 
That for the verray poyne lie was ny 

wood ; 1775 



Almost ho swelte and swowned ther he 

stood. 
So sore hath Venus hurt him with hir 

brond, 
As that she bar it daunsingo in hir 

hond. 
And to his bed he wente him. hastily ; 
Na-morc of him as at this tyme speke I. 
But ther I leto him wepe y-nough and 

pleyne, (537) 17*^1 

Til fresshe May wol rewen on his peyne. 

O perilous fyr, that in the bedstraw 

bredeth ! Auctor. 

O famulier foo, that his servyce bedeth ! 
O servant traitour, false hoornly he we, 1785 
Lyk to the naddre in bosom sly untrewe, 
God shilde us alio from your aixvxeynt- 

aunce ! 
O Januarie, dronken in plesaunco 
Of mariage, see how thy Damian, 
Thyn owene squyer antl thy borno man, 
Entendeth for to do thee vileinye. 1791 
God graunte thee thyn hoomly fo t'espye. 
Eor in this world nis worse pestilence (549) 
Than hoomly foo al day in thy presence. 
Parfourned hath the sonne his ark 

iliurne, 1795 

No lenger may the body of him sojurne 
On th'orisonte, as in that latituilc. 
Night with his mantel, that is dork and 

rude, 
Gan oversprede the hemisperie aboute ; 
For which departed is this lusty route 
Fro Januarie, with thank on every syde. 
Horn to hir houses lustily they ryde, i8oj 
Wher-as they iloon Jiir thinges as henx 

leste. 
And whan they sye hir tyme, goon to 

reste. (56") 

Sone after that, this hastif Januarie 1805 
Wolde go to bedde, lie wolde no lenger 

tarie. 
He drinketh ipocras, clarree, and vernago 
Of spyces hoto, t'encrcsen his corage ; 
And many a letuarie hadde he ful fyn, 
Swiche as the cursed monk dan Con- 

stantyn 1810 

Hath writen in liis book de Coitu ; i5(>7) 
To eten hem alle, he nas no-thing eschu. 
And to his privee freendes thus seyde he : 
' For goddes love, as sone as it may be, 



X 5 



620 



ZU €anterfiuvp Zake. 



[t. 9689-9766. 



Lat yoydeu al this lious in ourteys wyse.' 
And they han doon right as he w"! 

devyse. 1S16 

Men drinken, and the travers drawe anon ; 
The bryde was broght a-bedde as stille as 

stoon ; 
And whan the bed was with the preest 

y-blessed, 
Out of the chambre liath every wight 

him dressed. 1820 

And Janiiarie hath faste in armes take 
His fresshe May, his paradys, his make. 
He lulleth hir, he kisseth liir ful ofte 
With tliilvlie bristles of his herd vmsofte, 
Lyk to the skin of houndfisli, sharp as 

brere, (581) 1825 

For he was shave al newe in his nianere. 
He rubbeth hir abonte hir tendre face, 
And seyde thus, ' alias ! I moot trespace 
To yow, my spouse, and yowgretly offende, 
Er tyme come that I wil doun descende. 
But nathelees, considereth this,' quod he, 
'Thernisno werkman, wliat-so-ever lie be. 
That may bothe werke wel and hastily ; 
This wol be doon at leyser parfitly. (59") 
It is no fors how longe that we pleye ; 1835 
In trewe wedlok wedded be we tweye ; 
And blessed be the yok that we been 

inne, 
For in our actes we mowe do no sinne. 
A man may do no sinne with his wyf, 
Ne hurte him-selven with his owene kuyf ; 
For we han leve to pleye us by the 

la we.' 1 84 1 

Thus laboureth he til that the day gan 

dawe ; 
And than he taketli a sop in fyn clarree, 
And vipright in his bed tlian sitteth he. 
And after that he sang ful loude and 
clere, (601) 1845 

And kiste his wyf, and made wantoun 

chore. 
He was al coltish, ful of ragerye. 
And ful of jargon as a flekked pye. 
The slakke skin aboute his neklce shaketh, 
Whyl that he sang ; so chaunteth he and 
craketh. 1850 

But god wot what that May thoughte in 

hir herte, 
M^ian she him saugh up sittinge in his 
slierte. 



In his night-cappe, and with his nekke 

lene ; 
Slie preyseth luit his ^ileying worth a 
bene. (610) 1854 

Than seide he thus, ' my reste wol I take ; 
Now day is come, I may no lenger wake.' 
And doun he leyde his heed, and sleep 

til pryme. 
And afterward, whan that he saugh his 

tj'me. 
Up ryseth Januarie ; but fresshe May 
Holdeth hir chambre un-to the fourthe 
day, i860 

As usage is of wyves for tlie beste. 
For everj- labour som-tyme moot han 

reste, 
Or elles longe may he nat endure ; 
This is to seyn, no lyves creature, (620) 
Be it offish, or brid, or beest, or man. 1865 

Auctor. 
Now wol I speke of woful Damian, 
That languissheth for love, as ye shul 

here ; 
Therfore I speke to him in this manere : 
I seye, ' O sely Damian, alias ! 
Answere to my demaunde, as in this cas, 
How shaltow to thy lady fresshe May 1871 
Telle thy wo? She wole alwey seye "nay" ; 
Eek if tliou speke, she wol thy wo bi- 
wreye ; (629) 

God be tliyn help, I can no bettre seye. 

Tliis syke Damian in Venus fyr 1875 
So brenneth, that he dyeth for desyi- ; 
For which he piTtte his lyf in aventure. 
No lenger mighte he in this wyse endure ; 
But prively a penuer gan he borwe. 
And in a lettre wroot he al his sorwe, 1880 
In manere of a compleynt or a lay, 
Un-t(/ his faire fresshe lady May. 
And in a pvirs of silk, heng on his sherte. 
He hath it put, and leyde it at his 
herte. (640) 1884 

The mone that, at noon, was, thilke day 
That Januarie hath wedded fresshe May, 
In two of Taur, was in-to Cancre gliden ; 
So longe hath Mains in hir chambre 

biden, 
As custume is un-to thise nobles alle. 
A bryde shal nat eten in the halle, 1890 
Til dayes foure or three dayes atte leste 
Y-passed been ; than lat hir go to feste. 



T. 9767-9848.] 



E. Z^t (r\Xav4anU& Zak. 



621 



The fonrtlie clay compleet iro noon to 
noon, (649) 

Wlian that the heighe masse "was y-doon, 
In halle sit this Januarie, and May 1895 
As fresh as is the brighte someres day. 
And so bii'el, how that tliis gode man 
Kemembred him upon this Damian, 
Andsoyde, 'Seinte Marie I how may this be, 
That Damian entendeth nat to me ? 1900 
Is he ay syk, or how may this bityde? ' 
His sfjuyeres, whiche that stoden ther 
bisyde, (658) 

Excused him by-cause of his siknesse, 
Which letted him to doon his bisinesse ; 
Noon other cause mighte make hini tarie. 
' That me forthinketh,' quod this Jan- 
uarie, 1906 
' He is a gentil squyer, by my ti'oiithe ! 
Ifthat he deyde, it were harm androuthe ; 
He is as wys, discreet, and as secree 
As any man I woot of his degree ; 1910 
And ther-to manly and eek servisable, 
And for to been a thrifty man right able. 
But after mete, as sone as ever I may, 
I wol my-self visyte him and eek May, 
To doon him al the confort that I can.' 
And for that word him blessed every man, 
That, of his bouutee and his gentillesse. 
He wolde so conforteu in siknesse (674; 
His squyer, for it was a gentil dede. 
Dame,' quod this Januarie, ' tak good 
hede, 1920 
At-after mete ye, with your wommen alle, 
Wlian ye han been in chambre oxit of 

this halle. 
That alle ye go see this Damian : 
Doth liim disport, he is a gentil man ; (680) 
And teUeth him that I wol him visyte, 
Have I no-thing but rested me a lyte ; 
And spede yow faste, for I wole abyde 
Til that ye slepe faste by my syde.' 
And with that word he gan to him to calle 
A squyer, that was march al of his halle. 
And tolde him certeyn thinges, what he 
wolde. iQ^i 

This fresshe May hath streight hir wey 
y-holde. 
With alle hir wommen, un-to Dam.ian. 
Doun by his beddes syde sit she than, (690) 
Confortinge him as g<xxlly as she may. 
This Damian, whan that his tyme he say. 



In secree wise his jjurs, and eek his bille. 
In which that he y-writen hadde his 

wille, 193S 

Hath put in- to hir hand, with-outen more, 
Save that he syketh wonder depe and sore, 
And softely to hir right thus seyde he : 
' Mercy ! and that ye nat discovere me ; 
For I am deed, if that this thing be kid.' 
This purs hath she inwith hir bosom hid, 
And wente hir wey ; ye gete namore of me. 
But un-to Januarie y-comen is she, 1946 
That on his beddes syde sit ful softe. (703) 
He taketh hir, and kisseth hir ful ofte. 
And leyde him doun to slepe, and that 

anon. 
She feyned hir as that she moste gon 1950 
Ther-as ye woot that every wight mot 

nede. 
And whan she of this bille hath taken 

hede. 
She rente it al to cloutes atte laste. 
And in the privee softely it caste. (710) 
Who studieth now but faire fresshe 

May? 1955 

Adoun by olde Januarie she lay, 
That sleep, til that the coughe hath him 

awaked ; 
Anon he preyde hir strepen hir al naked ; 
He wolde of hir, he seyde, han som ple- 

saunce, 
And seyde, hir clothes diile him encom- 

braunce, i960 

And she obeyeth, be hir lief or looth. 
But lest that precious folk be with me 

wrooth. 
How that he wroghte, I dar nat to yow 

telle ; 
Or whether hir thoughte it paradys or 

helle ; (7.'o> 

But here I lete hem werkeu in hir wyse 
Til evensong rong, and that they moste 

aryse. 1966 

Were it by destinee or aventure, 
Were it by influence or by nature. 
Or constellacion, that in swich estat 
The hevene stood, that tyme foi-tunat 1970 
Was for to putte a bille of Venus werkes 
(For alle thing hath tyme, as seyn thise 

clerkes) 
To any womman, for to gete hir love, 
I can nat seye ; but grete god above, (730) 



622 



Z^i CanfetBurp Zake. 



[t. 98^9-9930. 



That knoweth that non act is caiaselees, 
He deme ofal, for I wol holde my ])oes. 
But sooth is this, how that this fresshe 

May 1977 

Hath take swich impression that day, 
For pitee of tliis syke. Daniian, 
That from hir lierte she ne dryve can 1980 
The rememhrannce for to doon liim cse. 
'Certeyn,' thoj^lite she, 'whom that this 

thing displese, 
T rekke noght, for here T liim assure. 
To love him })est of any creature, (740) 
Though hena-morehaddethan hissherte.' 
Lo, pitee renneth sone in gentil lierte. 

Heer may ye so liow excellent franchyse 
In wommen is, whan they hem narwe 

avyse. 1988 

Som tyrant is, as ther he many oon, 
Tliat hath an herte as hard as any stoon. 
Which wolde han lete liim sterven in 

tlie place 1991 

Wei rather than han grannted him hir 

grace ; 
And hem rejoysen in hir cruel pryde. 
And rekke nat to lieen an homicydo. (750) 
This gentil May, fuliilled of pitee, 1995 
Right of hir hande a lettre made she, 
In which she graunteth him hir verray 

grace ; 
Ther lakketh noght but only day and 

place, 
Wher that she mighte un-to his lust 

suffyse : 
For it shal be right as he wol devyse. 2fxx) 
And whan she saugh hir time, up-on aday. 
To visite this Damian goth May, 
And sotilly this lettre doun she threste 
I'nder his pilwe, rede it if him leste. (760) 
She taketh him by the hand, and harde 

him twiste 2005 

80 SRcrely, that no wight of it wiste, 
And bad him been al liool, and forth she 

wente 
To Januarie, whan that he for hir sente. 

Up ryseth Damian the nexte morwe, 
Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe. 
He kembeth him, he proyneth him and 

pyketh, 20 u 

He dooth al that his lady lust and lyketh ; 
And eek to Januarie he gooth as lowe 
As ever dide a dogge for the bowe. (770) 



He is so plesant nn-to every man, 2015 
(For craft is al, who-so that do it can) 
That every wight is i'a.yn to speke him 

good ; 
And I'ully in his lady grace he stood. 
Thus leto I Damian aboute his nede. 
And in my tale forth I wol procede. 2020 

Somme clerkes holden that felicitee 
Stant in delyt, and therefor certeyn he. 
This noljle Januarie, with al his might, 
In honest wyse, as longeth to a knight, 
Shoop him to live ful dalicionsly. (781) 2025 
His housinge, his array, as honestly 
To his degree was maked as a kinges. 
Amonges othere of his honest thinges. 
He made a gardin, walled al with stoon ; 
Sofaira gardin woot I nowher noon. 20^0 
For out of doute, I verraily suppose. 
That he that wroot the Romance of the 

Rose 
Ne coude of it the beaiitee wel devyse ; 
Ne Priapus ne mighte nat suffyse, (790) 
Though he be god of gardins, for to 

telle 2035 

The beautee of the gardin and the welle, 
That stood under a laurer alwey grene. 
Ful ofte tyme he, Pluto, and his queue, 
Proserpina, and al hir fayerye 
Disporten hem and maken melodye 2040 
Aboute that welle, and daunced, as men 

tolde. 
This nobloknight, this Januarietheolde, 
Swich deintee hath in it to walke and 

pleye, (799) 

That he wol no wight suffren here the keye 
Save he him-self ; for of the smale wiket 
He bar alwey of silver a snial eliket, 2046 
With which, whan that him leste, he it 

i^nshette. 
And whan he wolde p.ayo his wyf hir dette 
In somer seson, thider wolde he go. 
And May his wyf, and no wight bitt they 

two ; 2050 

And thinges whiche that were nat doon 

a-bedde. 
He in the gardin parfonrnod hem and 

spe<lde. 
And in this wyse, many a mei-y day. 
Lived this Januarie and fresshe May. (810) 
But worldly joye may nat alwey dure 2055 
To Januarie, ne to no creature. 



T. 9931-10014.] E. ZU QHatc^Attfee Z<ik. 



623 



Auctor. 

sodeyn hap, o thou fortune instable, 
Lyk to tlie scorpioun so deceivable, 
That flaterest with thyn heed when thoix 

wolt stinge ; 
Thy tayl is deeth, thurj^h thyn envcni- 

minge. 2060 

O brotil joye ! o swete venim queynte ! 
O raonstre, that so subtilly canst peynte 
Tliy yiftes, under hewe of stedfastnesse. 
That thou deceyvest bothe more and lesse ! 
Whyhastow Januarie thus deceyved, (821) 
That haddest him for thy ful frend re- 

ceyved ? 2066 

And now thoii hast biraft him bothe hise 

yen, 
Por sorwe of whicli dcsyreth he to dyen. 

Alhis ! this ni)l)le Januarie free, 
A)nidde iiis liast and his prosperitee, 2070 
Is woxen ))lind, and that al sodeynly. 
Ho wepeth and he wayletli pitously ; 
And tlier-with-al the fyr of jahnisye, (829) 
Lest that his wyf sholde falle in som folye, 
So l)rente his hei-te, that he wolde fayn 2075 
That som man bothe him and hir liad 

slayn. 
For neitlier after liis deeth, nor in his lyf, 
Ne wokle he that slie were love ne wyf, 
But ever live as widwe in clothes blake. 
Soul as the turtle that lost hath hir malie. 
But atte laste, after a monthe or tweye, 
H is sorwe gan aswage, sooth to seye ; 2082 
For whan he wiste it may noon other be, 
He paciently took his adversitee ; (840) 
Save, out of doute, he may nat forgoou 
That lie nas jalons evermore in oon ; 
\^'hich jalousye it was so outrageou.s, 
Tliat neither in halle, n'in noon other hous, 
Ne in noon other place, never-the-mo, 
He nolde suffre hir for to ryde or go, 2090 
But-if that he had hand on hir alway ; 
For whicli ful ofte wepeth fresshe May, 
That lovoth Damian so benignely, 
Tliat she mot outher dyen sodeynly, (850) 
Or elles she mot han him as hir loste ;.2()95 
Slie wayteth wlian hir herte wolde breste. 

Up-on that other syde Damian 
Bicomen is the sorwefulleste man 
That ever was ; for neither night ne day 
Ne mighte he speke a word to fresshe 

May, 2100 



As to his purpos, of no swich matere, 
But-if that Januarie moste it hero, 
That hadde an hand up-on hir evermo. 
But natlielees, hy wryting to and fro (86o> 
And privee signes, wiste he what she 

mente : 2105 

And she knew eek the fyu of his entente. 

Auctor. 
O Januarie, whatmighte it thee availle, 
Tliou mightest see as fcrasshippes saille ? 
For also good is blind deceyved be. 
As be decej'ved whan |i man may see. 21 10 
Lo, Argus, which that hadde an hondred 

yf'ii, 
For al that ever he coude poure or pryen. 
Yet was he blent ; and, god wot, so ben 

mo. 
That wenen wisly tliat it be nat so. (870) 
Passe over is an ese, I sey na-more. 21 15 
This fresshe May, that I spak of so 

yore, 
In warme wex liatli emprented the cliket, 
That Januarie bar of tlie smale wiket, 
By which in-to his gardin ofte he wente. 
And Damian, that knew al hir entente, 
The cliket countrefeted privoly ; 2121 

Tlier nis na-more to seye, but hastily 
Som wonder by this cliket shal bityde, 
Which ye shul heren, if ye wole abyde. 
O noble Ovyde, ful sooth seystou, god 

woot ! Auctor, 

What sleighte is it, tliogh it be long and 

hoot, (882) 2126 

That he nil finde it out in som mancre ? 
By Piramus and Tesbee may men lore ; 
Thogh they wore kept ful longe streite 

overal, 
They been accorded, rouninge thurgli a 

wal, 2130 

Ther no wiglit coude han founde out 

swich a sleighte. (887) 

But now to purpos ; er that dayes eighte 
Were passed, er the monthe of Juil, bifil 
That Januarie liatli caught sogreetawil, 
Tliurgh egging of his wyf, him for to pleye 
In his gardin, and no wight but theytweye, 
Tliat in a morwe un-to this May seith ho : 
' Kys up, my wyf, my love, my lady free ; 
Tlie turtles vols is herd, my douvc sweto ; 
The winter is goon, with alle his reynes 

wete ; 2140 



624 



ZU tankv^uv^ ZakB. 



[t. 10015— 10102. 



Com forth now, with thyneyen coliimbyn ! 
How fairer been thybrestes than is wyn ! 
The gardin is enclosed al aboiite ; 
Com forth, my whyte sponse ; ont of 

doute, (900) 

Then hast me wonnded in myn herte, 

owyf! 2145 

No spot of thee ne knew I al my lyf. 
Com forth, and lat ns taken onr tlisport ; 
I chees thee for my wyf and my contort.' 

Swiche olde lewed wordes used he ; 
On Damian a signe made she, 2150 

That he sholde go biforen with his cliket : 
This Damian thanne hath opened the 

wiket, 
And in he stirte, and that in swich manere. 
That no wight mighte it see neither 

y-here ; (910) 

And stille he sit under a bush anoon. 2155 

This Januarie, as blind as is a stoon, 
With Mains in his hand, and no wight mo, 
In-to his fresshe gardin is ago, 
And clapte to the wiket sodeynly. 

' Now, wyf,' qtiod he, ' heer nis but thou 

and I, 2160 

That art the creature that I best love. 
For, by that lord that sit in heven above, 
Lever ich hadde dyen on a knyf. 
Than thee offende, trewe dere wyf! (920) 
For goddes sake, thenk how I thee chees, 
Xoght for no coveityse, doiitelees, 2166 
But only for the love I had to thee. 
And though that I be old, and may natsee, 
Beth to me trewe, and I shal telle yow why. 
Three thinges, certes, shul ye winue ther- 

by; 2170 

First, love of Crist, and to your-self honour. 
And al myn heritage, to\in and tour ; 
I yeve it yow, maketh chartres as yow 

leste ; (929) 

This shal be doon to-morwe er Sonne reste. 
So wisly god my soiile bringe in blisse, 2175 
I prey yow first, in covenant ye me kisse. 
Andthogh that I be jalous, wyteme noght. 
Ye been so depe enprented in my thoght. 
That, whan that I eonsidere your beautee. 
And ther-with-al the unlykly elde of me 
I may nat, certes, thogh I sholde dye, 
Forbere to been out of your companye 
For verray love ; this is with-outen doiite. 
Nowkis me, wyf, and lat us rome aboiite.' 



This fresshe May, whan she thise wordes 
herde, (94') 2185 

Benignely to Janiiarie answerde. 
But first and forward she bigan to wepe, 
' I have,' quod she, ' a soule for to kepe 
As wel as ye, and also myn honour. 
And of my wyfliod thilke tendre flour, 2190 
Which that I have assured in yourhond, 
Whan that the preest to yow my body 

bond ; 
Wherfore I wole answere in this manere 
By the leve of yow, my lord so dere : (950) 
I prey to god, that never dawe the day 2195 
That I ne sterve, as foiile as womman may, 
If ever I do un-to my kin that shame, 
Or elles I empeyre so my name. 
That I be fals ; and if I do that lakke, 
Do strepe me and put me in a sakke, 22(X) 
And in the nexte river do me drenche. 
I am a gentil womman and no wenche. 
Why speke ye thus ? biit men ben ever 
untrewe, (959) 

Anol wommen have r epre ve of yow ay newe. 
Ye ban non other oontenance, I leve, 2205 
But speke to us of untrtist and repreve.' 
And with that word she saugh wher 
Damian 
Sat in the bush, and coughen she bigan. 
And with hir finger signes made she. 
That Damian sholde climbe lap-on a tree. 
That charged was with fruit, and up he 
wente ; 2211 

For verraily he knew al hir entente. 
And every signe that she cou.de make 
Wel bet than Januarie, hir owene make. 
For in a lettre she had told him al 2215 
Of this matere, how he werchen shal. (972) 
And thus I lete him sitte up-on the pyrie, 
And Janiiarie and May rominge myrie. 
Briglit was the day, and blew the firma- 
ment, 
Phebus of gold his stremes doun hath 
sent. 222(j 

To gladen every flour with his warmnesse. 
He was that tyme in Geminis, as I gesse. 
But litel fro his declinacioun 
Of Cancer, Jovis exaltacioiin. (980) 

And so bifel, that brighte morwe-tyde, 2225 
That in that gardin, in the ferther syde, 
Pluto, that is the king of fayerye, 
And many a lady in his companye. 



T. ioioa-10187.] E. tU (^Uvc9>anU6 t^afe. 



625 



Folwinge his wyf, the qviene Proserpyne, 
Ech after other, right as any lyne — 2230 
Wliyl that she ga^lered floiires in the made, 
In Claudian ye may the story rede, 
How in his gi'isly carte he hir fette : — 
This king of fairye thanne adonn him 

sette (990) 2234 

Up-on a hench of turves, fresh and grene, 

And right anon thus seyde he to his quene. 

' My wyf,' qiTod he, ' ther may no wight 

sey nay ; 
Th'experience so preveth every day 
The treson whiche that wommen doon to 

man. 2239 

Ten hondred thousand [stories] telle I can 
Notable of your iintroutheandbrotilnesse. 
Salomon, wys, richest of riehesse, 2242 
Fulfild of sapience and of worldly glorie, 
Ful worthy been thy wordes to memorie 
To every wight that wit and reson can. 
Thus preiseth he yet the bountee of man : 
" Amonges a thoiTsand men yet fond I oon, 
But of wommen alle fond I noon." (1004) 
Thus seith the king that knoweth your 

wikkednesse ; 
And Jesnsjilius Sijrak, as I gesse, 2250 
Ne speketh of yow but selde reverence. 
A wilde fyr and corrupt pestilence 
So falle up-on your bodies yet to-night! 
Ne see ye nat thishonHrable knight, (loio) 
By-cause, alias ! that he is blind and old. 
His owene man shal make him cokewold ; 
Lo heer he sit, the lechour, in the tree. 2257 
Now wol I graunten, of my magestee, 
Uu-to this olde blinde worthy knight 
That he shal have ayeyn hiseyen sight, 2260 
Whan that his wyf wold doon him vileinye ; 
Than shal he knowen al hir harlotrye 
Both in repreve of hir and othere mo.' 

' Ye shal,' quod Proserpyne, ' wol ye so ; 
Now, by my modres sires soule I swere. 
That I shal yeven hir suffisant answere. 
And alle wommen after, for hir sake ; 
That, though they be in any gUt y-take. 
With face bold they shulle hem-self 

excuse. 
And bere hem doun that wolden hem 

accuse. 22-0 

For lakke of answer, noon of hem shal dyen. 
Al hadde man seyn a thing with bothe his 

yen, (J028) 



Yit shul we wommen visage it hardily, 
And wepe, and swere, and chyde subtilly, 
So that ye men shul been as lewed as gees. 
What rekketh me of your aiictoritees ? 

I woot wel that this .Tew, this Salomon, 
Fond of us wommen foles many oon. 
But though that he ne fond no good 

womman, 2279 

Yet hath ther founde many another man 
Wommen ful trewe, ful gode, and ver- 

tuous. 
Witnesse on hem that dwelle in Cristes 

hous. 
With martirdom they preved hir con- 
stance. (1039) 
The Eomayn gestes maken remembrance 
Of many a verray trewe wyf also. 2285 
But sire, ne be nat wrooth, al-be-it so, 
Though that he seyde he fond no good 

womman, 
I prey yow take the sentence of the man ; 
He mente thus, that in sovei'eyn bontee 
Nis noon but god, that sit in Trinitee. 2290 

Ey ! for verray god, that nis but oon, 
What make ye so muche of Salomon ? 
Wliat though he made a temple, goddes 

hous? (1049) 

What though he were riche and glorious ? 
So made he eek a temple of false goddis. 
How mighte he do a thing that more for- 

bode is ? 2296 

Pardee, as faire as ye his name emplastre, 
He was a lechour and an ydolastre ; 
And in his elde he verray god forsook. 
And if that god ne hadde, as seith the book, 
Y-sparedhim for his fadres sake, hesholde 
Have lost his regne rather than he wolde. 
I sette noght of al the vdleinye, (1059) 

That ye of wommen wryte, a boterflye. 
I am a womman, nedes moot I speke, 2305 
Or elles swelle til myn herte breke. 
For sitheu he seyde that we ben jan- 

gleresses. 
As ever hool I mote brouke my tresses, 
I shal nat spare, for no ciirteisye, 2309 
To speke him harm that wolde tis vileinye.' 
' Dame,' quod this Pluto, ' be no lenger 

wrooth ; 
I yeve it up ; but sith I swoor myn 00th 
That I wolde graunten him his sighte 

ageyn, (1069) 



626 



C^e tanttviuv^ Zcike. 



[t. 1018S-10262. 



Mywordslialstonde, Iwarneyow, eertejai. 
I am a king, it sit me noglit to lye.' 2315 
' And I,' quod she, ' a queene of fayerye. 
Hir auswere shal she have, I imdertake : 
Tjat lis na-niore wordes heer-of make. 
For sothe, I wol no lenger yow contrarie.' 
Now lat us turne agayn to Januarie, 2320 
That in the gardin with his faire May 
Siugeth, fvil merier than tlie papejay, 
' Yow love I best, and shal, and other 

noon.' 
So longe aboute the aleyes isliegoon, (lOcSo) 
Til he was come agaynes thilke pyrie, 2325 
Wlier-as this Damian sitteth ful myrie 
An heigh, among the fresshe leves grene. 
This fresshe May, that is so bright and 

shene, 
Gan for to syke, and seyde, ' alias, my 

syde ! 
Now sir,' quod she, ' for aught that may 

bityde, 2330 

I moste hail of the peres that I see. 
Or I mot dye, so sore longeth me 
To eten of the smale peres grene. (1089) 
Help, for hir love that is of hevene quene ! 
I telle yow wel, a womman in my 

pl.vt 2335 

May han to fruit so greet an appetyt. 
That she may dyen, but she of it have.' 
' Alias ! ' quod he, ' that I ne had heer 

a knave 
That eoude climbe ; aUas ! alias ! ' quod he, 
' That I am blind.' ' Ye, sir, no fors,' 

quod she : 2340 

' But wolde ye vouche-sauf, for goddes 

sake. 
The pyrie in with your amies for to take, 
(For wel I woot that ye mistruste me) 
Thanne sholde I climbe wel y-nogh,' quod 

she, (ii()o) 

' So I my foot mighte sette upon your bale' 

' Certes,' quod he, ' ther-on shal be no 

lak, 2346 

Mighte I yow helpen with myn herte 

blood.' 
He stoupeth doun, and on his bak she stood, 
And caughte hir l>y a twiste, and up she 

gootli. 
Ladies, I prey yow that ye be nat wrooth ; 
I can nat glose, I am a riide man. 2351 
And sodeynly anon this Damian 



Ganpullenupthe smok, and in he throng. 
And whan that Pluto saugh this grete 

■svi-ong, (iiio) 

To Januarie he gaf agayn his sighte, 2355 
And made him see, as wel as ever he 

mighte. 
And whan that he hadde caught his 

sighte agayn, 
Ne was ther never man of thing so fayn. 
But on his w^'f his thoght was evermo ; 
Up to the tree he caste his eyen two, 2360 
And saixgh that Damian his wyf had 

dressed 
In swich manere, it may nat ben ex- 
pressed 
But if I wolde speke imciirteisly : 
And xvp he yaf a roring and a cry (1120) 
As dotli the moder whan the child shal 

dye : 2365 

' Out ! help ! alias ! harrow ! ' he gan to crye, 
' O stronge lady store, what dostow?' 
And she answerde, ' sir, what eyleth 

yow ? 
Have pacience, and reson in yoiir minde, 
I have yow holpe on bothe your eyen 

blinde. 2370 

Up peril of my soule, I shal nat lyen. 
As nie was taught, to hele with yovu" yen, 
Was no-thing bet to make yow to see 
Thaiistrugle witlia manup-on atree. (1130) 
God woot, I dide it in fill good entente.' 
' Strugle ! ' quod he, ' ye, algate in it 

wente ! 2376 

God yeve yow bothe on shames deeth to 

dyen! 
He swyved thee, I saugh it with myne yen. 
And elles be I hanged by the hals ! ' 
' Thanne is,' quod she, ' my medicyne 

al fals ; 2380 

For certeinly, if that ye mighte see. 

Ye wolde nat seyn thise wordes un-to me ; 

Ye han som glimsing and no parfit sighte.' 

' I see,' quod he, ' as wel as ever I 

mighte, (1140) 

Thonked be god ! with bothe myne eyen 

two, 2385 

And by my trouthe, me thoughte he dide 

thee so.' 
' Ye maze, maze, gode sire,' quod she, 
' Tliis thank have I for I have maad yow 

see : 



T. io26^-,M4.] E. (Bpifogue to tU QUarc^anfee Zak, 



627 



Alias!' quod she, 'that ever I was so 

kinde ! ' 
' Now, dame,' quod he, ' lat al passe out 

of minde. 2390 

Com doun, my lief, and if I have missayd, 
God help me so, as I am yvel apayd. 
Biit, by my fader soule, I wende lian seyn, 
How that this Damian had liy thee lejoi, 
And that thy smok had leyn up-on his 

brest.' (1151) 2395 

' Ye, sire,' qiiod she, ' ye may wene as 

yow lest ; 
But, sire, a man that waketh out of his 

sleep. 
He may nat sodeynly wel taken keep 
Upon a thing, ne seen it parfitly. 
Til that he be adawed verraily ; 2400 

Eight so a man, that longehatli blind y-be, 
Ne may nat sodeynly so wel y-see, 



First whan his sighte is newe come ageyn, 
As he that hath a day or two y-seyn. (i 160) 
Til that your sighte y-satled be a whyle, 
Ther may fnl many a sighte yow bigyle. 
Beth war, I prey yow; for, by hevene 

king, 2407 

Ful many a man wenetli to seen a thing, 
And it is al another than it semeth. 
He that misconeeyveth, he misdemeth.' 
And with that word she leep doun fro the 

tree. 2411 

This Januarie, who is glad but he ? 
He kisseth hir, and clippeth hir ful ofte. 
And on hir wombe he stroketh hir ful 

softe, ( 1 1 70) 

And to his palays hoom he hath hir lad. 
Now, gode men, I pray yow to be glad. 2416 
Tlius endeth beer my tale of -Tanuarie ; 
G-od blesse us and his moder Seinte Marie ! 



Here is ended the Marchantes Tale of Januarie. 



EPILOGUE TO THE MARCHANTES 

TALE. 



' Ev ! goddes mercy ! ' seyde our Hoste tho, 
' Now swich a wyf I pray god kepe me fro ! 
Lo, whiche sleightes and subtilitees 2421 
In wommen been ! for ay as liisy as bees 
Ben they, us sely men for to deceyve, 
And froni a sothe ever wol they weyve ; 
By this Marchauntes Tale it jireveth weel. 
But doutelees, as trewe as any steel 2426 
I have a wyf, though that she povre be ; 
But of hir tonge a labbing shrewe is she. 
And yet she hath an heep of vyces mo ; (11) 
Ther-of no fors, lat alle swiche thinges go. 



But, wite ye what ? in conseil be it seyd, 
Me reweth sore I am iin-to hir teyd. 2432 
For, and I sholde rekenen every -v-yce 
AVliich that she hath, y-wis, I were to 

nyce. 
And cause why ; it sholde reported be 2435 
And told to hir of somme of this meynee ; 
Of whom, it nedeth nat for to declare. 
Sin wommen connen outen swich chaf- 

fare ; (20) 

And eek my wit suffyseth nat ther-to 
To tellen al ; wherfor my tale is do.' 2440 



628 



ZU €rtntcr6urp Zake. 



[t. 10315-103S4. 



(MJOUP F. 



THE SOUIERKS TALE. 



The Squire's Prologue. 

' Squiek, com noor, if it yonr willo bo, 
And soy somwliat of lovo ; for, oortos, yo 
Connon tlior-on as mucho iis any man.' 
' Nay, sir,' ([nod ho, ' but I wol soyo as I can 
Witli IiorMy willo ; for I wol nat robollo 5 
A|j;ayn yonr lust ; a talo wol I toUe. 
Havo mo excused if 1 spoko lunis, 
My wil is good ; and 1<>, my U\\c is tliis.' 

Here biginneth the Sqxderes Tale. 

At. Siu'i-ay, in flio lan<l of Tartaryo, (1) 
'I'bcr d\v(Ot(^ a kiiif;:, that woi'royc<l Knssyo, 
Thurgli wliicli tlicr dc^ydo many a douKbty 

man, 1 1 

This noblo king was cicpcd dambiiiskan, 
Which in his tymo was of so greet r'liioiin 
That thor nas no-whor in no regioun 
So oxccllont a lord in alio thing ; 15 

Him lakkcd noght that longoth to a king. 
As of tho socto of whicli that ho was horn 
Ho koiitc his lay, to which that ho was 

sworn ; (lu) 

And tli(^r-t<)ho was hardy, wys, and riclic. 
And fi)iotous and jnst, alwoy y-liche ; jo 
Sooth of hisword, benigno and IionuraMc, 
Of his corago as any centre stable ; 
Yong, fresh, and strong, in armos desirous 
As any bachelor of al h is hous. 
A fair porsono lio was and fortunat, J5 
And kepto alwoy so wol royal ostat, 
Tliat thor was nowhor swichnnntlicf man. 
Tbis noble king, this Tartro (!ambiuskan 
Hadtlo two soncs on Elphota his wyf, (.m) 
Of whicho th'oldosto highto Algarsyf, ,v> 
That other sono was clopod Cambalo. 
A (bighter h'addo this worthy king also, 
That yongost was, and highto Canacoi^ 
Hut for to telle yow al Iiir boautoo, 



It lyth nat in my tonge, n'in my conning ; 
I dar nat undcitako so heigh a tiling. 1,6 
Myn English eek is insuflicient ; 
It moste been a rethor excellent, (,V)) 

That com le his colours longing for that art, 
If he sholdo hir discryven every part. 40 
f am non swich, I moot spcdco as I can. 

And .so bifel that, whan this Cambinskau 
Hath twenty winter born his diademe, 
As ho was wont fro yoor to yoor, I dom(!. 
Ho loot tho fest(( of his nativiteo 45 

Don cryon thurgliont Sarray his citoo. 
The last l<lus of March, altcii- tho yoor. 
I'luibus the .soiuu^ fnl joly was and cloor ; 
For ho was neigh his oxaltacioun (41) 

In Maitos faco, and in his mansioun 50 
Tu Ari<>s, tho colerik hoto signo. 
I'"iil lusty was tho weder and bonigno, 
Kor which tho foulcs, agayn tho Sonne 

sheno, 
What for tho soson and tho yonge grone, 
Kul loudo songen liir adecc.iouns ; 55 

Hem semed ban gcten hem protecciouns 
Agayn the sword of winter ken(> and cobl. 
Tbis Cambinskan, of whicli I liavi^ yow 

told, (5") 

111 royal vostiment sit on his deys, 
With diademe, ful heigho in his paloys. 
And lialt his foste, so solompno and so 

liclio ()i 

That in this world no was tlier noon it 

licho. 
Of which if I slial tellen al th'array. 
Than woldo it occupyo a someros day; 
And 00k it nedeth nat for to dovyso (15 
At every cours tho ordro of hir sorvyso. 
I wol nat tellon of hir strange sowos, (59) 
Ne of liii' swannos, no of liir horonsowes. 
Kelv in that lond, as tollen knightes olde, 
TIht issoiii metetiiat is fnl deyntce bolde 



T. 103S5-10469.] F. ^0e ^C|uurc0 ^afe. 



629 



That in this lond men recohe of it but 

smal ; 71 

Ther nis no niau that may reporten al. 
I wol uat tarien yow, for it is pryme, 
And for it is no friiit biit los of tyme ; 
Un-to my firste I wol have my recours. 75 
And so liifel that, after the thridde cours. 
Whyl that this king sittlms in his nobleye, 
Herkninge his minstralles hir tliinges 

pleye (70) 

Biforu him at tlie bord deliciously, 
In at the halle-dore al sodeynly 80 

Ther cam a knight xip-on a stede of bras, 
And in his hand a brood miroiir of glas. 
Upon his thombe he hadde of gold a 

ring, 
And by his syde a naked swerd hanging ; 
And np he rydetli to the heighe bord. 85 
In al the halle ue was ther spoke a word 
For merveille of this knight ; him to bi- 

holde 
Fill bisily ther waji:eu yonge and olde. 
This strange knight, that cam thus 

sodeynly, (Si) 

Al armed save his heed ful richely, 90 
Salueth king and queen, and lordes alle, 
By ordre, as they set en in the halle, 
With so heigh reverence and obeisaunce 
As wel in speche as in contenauuce, 
That Gawain, with his olde ciirteisye, 95 
Though he were come ageyn out of Fairye, 
Ne coude him nat amende with a word. 
And after this, biforn the heighe bord, (90) 
He with a manly voys seith his message, 
After the forme used in his langage, loo 
With-outen vyce of sillable or of lettre ; 
And, for his tale sholde seme the bettre. 
Accordant to his wordes was his chere. 
As techeth art of speche hem that it 

lere ; 
Al-be-it that I can nat soune his style, 105 
Ne can nat climben over so heigh a style. 
Yet seye I this, as to commune entente. 
Thus miiche amounteth al that ever he 

mente, (100) 

If it so be that I have it in minde. 

He seyde, ' the king of Arabie and of 

Inde, 1 10 

My lige lord, on this solempne day 
Salueth yow as he best can and may. 
And sendeth yow, in honour of your teste. 



By me, that am al redy at your heste, 
This stede of bras, that esily and wel 1 15 
Can, in the space of o day uaturel, 
This is to seyn, in foure and twenty hoiires, 
WTier-so yow list, in droghte or elles 

shoures, (no) 

Beren your body iu-to every place 
To which your lierte wilneth for to pace 
With-outen wem of j'ow, t burgh foul or 

fair ; 121 

Or, if yow list to fleen as hye in the air 
As doth an egle, whan him list to sore, 
This same stede shal here yow ever-more 
With-oi\ten harni, til ye be ther yow 

leste, 125 

Though that ye slepen on his bak or reste ; 
And turne ayeyn, with -WTything of a pin. 
He that it wroghte coude ful many a gin ; 
He wayted many a constellacioun (i-^i) 
Er he had doon this operacioun ; 130 

And knew ful many a seel and many 

a bond. 
This mirour eek, that I have in myn 

hond, 
Hath swich a might, that men may in it 

see 
Wlian ther shal fallen any adversitee 
Un-to your regne or to your-self also ; 135 
And openly who is your freend or foo. 
And over al this, if any lady bright 
Hath set liir herte on any maner wight, 
If he be fals, she shal his treson see, (131) 
His newe love and al his subtiltee 140 
So openly, that ther shal no-thing hyde. 
Wherfor, ageyn this lusty someres tyde, 
This mirour and this ring, that ye may see, 
He hath sent to my lady Canacee, 
Your exceUente doghter that is here. 145 

The vertu of the ring, if ye wol here, 
Is this ; that, if hir lust it for to were (139) 
Up-on hir thombe, or in hir purs it here, 
Ther is no foul that ileeth under the 

hevene 
That she ne shal wel iiuderstonde his 

stevene, 150 

And kuowe his mening openly and pleyn, 
And answere him in his langage agejoi. 
And every gras that groweth uj)-ou rote 
She shal eek knowe, and whom it wol do 

bote, 
Al be his woundes never so depe and wyde. 



630 



ZH €anter6ur^ Zake, 



[t. I 04 7c- 105 50 



This naked swerd, that hangeth by my 

syde, i5'> 

Swich vertu hath, that what man so ye 

smyte, 
Thurgh-out his armure it wol kerve and 

byte, (150) 

Were it as thikke as is a branched 00k ; 
And what man that is woimded with tlie 

strook 160 

Shal never be hool til that yow list, of 

grace. 
To stroke him with the platte in thillie 

place 
Ther he is hurt : this is as muche to seyn 
Ye mote with the platte swerd ageyii 
Stroke him in the wounde, and it wol 

close ; 165 

This is a verray sooth, with-outen glose, 
It failleth nat whyl it is in your hold.' 
And whan this knight hath thus his 

tale told, (160) 

He rydeth out of halle, and doun he lighte. 
His stede, which that shoon as sonne 

brighte, 170 

Stant in the court, as stille as any stoon. 
This knight is to his chambre lad anon. 
And is unarmed and to mete y-set. 

The presents been ful royally y-fet, 
Tliis is to seyn, the swerd and the mirour, 
And born anon in-to the heiglie tour 176 
With certeine officers ordeyned therfore ; 
And un-to Canacee this ring was bore (170) 
Solempnely, ther she sit at the table. 
But sikerly, with-outen any fable, 180 
The hors of bras, that may nat be remewed. 
It stant as it were to the ground y-glewed. 
Ther may no man out of the place it dryve 
For noon engyn of windas or polyve ; 184 
And cause why, for they can nat the cralt. 
And therefore in the place they han it 

laft 
Til that the knight hath taught hem the 

manere 
To voyden him, as ye shal after here. (180) 
Greet was the prees, that swarmeth to 

and fro, i8() 

To gauren on this hors that stondeth so ; 
For it so heigh was, and so brood and long. 
So wel proporcioned for to ben strong. 
Eight as it were a stede of Lumbardye ; 
Ther- with so horsly, and so quik of ye 



As it a gen til Poileys courser were. 195 
For certes, fro his tayl un-to his ere. 
Nature ne art ne coude him nat amende 
In no degree, as al the peple wende. (190) 
But evermore hir moste wonder was, 
How that it coude goon, and was of 

bras ; aoo 

It was of Fairye, as the peple semed. 
Diverse folk diversely they denied ; 
As many hedes, as many wittes ther been. 
They murmureden as dooth a swarm of 

been. 
And maden skiles after hir fantasyes, J05 
Eehersinge of tliise olde poetryes, 
And seyden, it was lylc the Pegasee, 
The hors that hadde winges for to flee ; (200) 
Or eUes it was the Grekes hors Syuon, 
That broghte Troye to destrucciou, jiu 
As men may in thise olde gestes rede. 
' Myn herte,' quod oon, 'is evermore in 

drede ; 
I trowe som men of armes been ther-inne, 
That shapen hem this citee for to winne. 
It were right good that al swich thing 

were knowe.' 215 

Another rowued to his felawe lowe. 
And seyde, ' he lyeth, it is rather lyk 
An apparence y-maad by som magyk, (210) 
As jogelours pleyen at thise festes grete.' 
Of sondry doutes thus they jangle and 

trete, -'20 

As lewed peple demeth comunly 
Of thinges that ben maad more subtilly 
Than they can in her lewednes compre- 

hende ; 
They demen gladly to the badder ende. 
And somme of hem wondred on the 

mirour, 225 

That born was up in-to the maister-tour, 
How men mighte in it swiche thinges see. 
Another answerde, and seyde it mighte 

wel be (220) 

Naturelly, by composiciou.ns 
Of angles and of slye reflexiouns, 230 

And seyden, that in Eome was swich oon. 
They speken of Alocen and Vitulon, 
And Ai'istotle, that writen in hir lyves 
Of queynte mirours and of prospectyves, 
As knowen they that han hir bokes herd. 
And othere folk han wondred on the 

swerd 236 



T. 1055 1-10634.] 



r. ZU §><\\iuvt6 Zdk. 



631 



That wolde percen thurgh-out every-thing ; 
And fille in speclie of Theloplius the king, 
And of Achilles with his qiieynte spere, 
For he coude with it hothe hele and dere, 
Eight in swich wyse as men may with the 

swerd (233) 241 

Of which right now ye han yonr-selven 

herd. 
They speken of sondry harding of metal, 
And speke of medicynes ther-witli-al, 
And how, and whanne, it sholde y-harded 

be ; 245 

Which is nnknowe algates ixnto me. 

Tho speke they of Canacees ring, 
And seyden alle, that swich a wonder 

thing (240) 

Of craft of riuges herde they never non. 
Save that he, Moyses, and king Salomon 
Hadde a name of kenning in swich art. 251 
Thus seyn the peple, and drawen hem 

apart. 
But nathelees, sorame seyden that it was 
Wonder to maken of fern-asshen glas. 
And yet nis glas nat lyk asshen of fern ; 
But for they han y-knoweu it so fern, 256 
Therfore cesseth her jangling and her 

wonder. 
As sore wondxen somme on cause of 

thonder, (250) 

On ebbe, on flood, on gossomer, and on 

mist, 259 

And alle thing, til that the cause is wist. 
Tims jangle they and demen and devyse, 
Til that the king gan fro the bord aryse. 
Phebus hath laft the angle meridional. 
And yet ascending was the beest royal, 
The gentil Leon, with his Aldiran, 265 
Whan that this Tartre king, this Cam- 

binskan, (258) 

Koos fro his bord, ther that he sat fal hye. 
Toforn him gooth the loude minstralcye, 
Til he cam to his chambre of parements, 
Ther as they sownen diverse instruments, 
That it is lyk an heven for to here. 271 
Now dauncen lusty Venus children dere, 
For in the Fish hir lady sat fill hye. 
And loketh on hem with a freendly ye. 

This noble king is set up in his trone. 275 
This strange knight is fet to him ful sone. 
And on the daunce he gooth with Canacee. 
Heer is the revel and the jolitee (270) 



That is nat able a dul man to devyse. 279 
He moste han knowen love and his servyse. 
And been a festlich man as fresh as 

May, 
That sholde yow devysen swich array. 
Who coude telle yow the forme of 

daunces. 
So uncouthe and so fresshe contenaunces, 
Swich subtU loking and dissiniulinges 2S5 
For drede of jalouse menn es apercey vinges ? 
No man but Launcelot, and he is deed. 
Therefor I passe of al this Instiheed ; (280) 
I seye na^more, but in this joljaiesse 
I lete hem, til men to the soper dresse. 290 

The sty\vard bit the spyces for to hye, 
And eek the wyn, in al this melodye. 
The usshers and the sqviyers ben y-goon ; 
The spyces and the wyn is come anoon. 
They ete and drinke ; and whan this hadde 

an ende, 295 

Un-to the temple, as resou was, they 

wende. 

The service doon, they soupen al by day. 

What nedeth yow rehercen hir array?(29o) 

Ech man wot wel, that at a kinges feeste 

Hath plentee, to the moste and to the 

leeste, 3(X) 

And deyntees mo than been in my 

knowing. 
At-after soper gooth this noble king 
To seen this hors of bras, with al the route 
Of lordes and of ladyes him aboute. 

Swich wondring was ther on this hors 

of bras 305 

That, sin the grete sege of Troye was, 
Ther-as men wondreden on an hors also, 
Ne was ther swich a wondring as was tho, 
Butfynallythe kingaxeth this knight(3<)i) 
The vertu of this covirser and the might, 
And preyede him to telle his governaunce. 
This hors anoon bigan to trippe and 

daunce, 312 

Whan that this knight leyde hand up-on 

his reyne. 
And seyde, ' sir, ther is na-more to seyne. 
But, whan yow list to ryden any-where.3 15 
Ye moten trille a pin, stant in his ere, 
Wliich I shall telle yo\v bitwix vs two. (309) 
Ye mote nempne him to what place also 
Or to what contreethat yowlist to ryde.319 
And whan ye come ther as yow list abyde, 



632 



^^e €an(er6ur^) Zaka. 



'I . io^i;',5-io7i:i. 



I)i<l<lv|jiiij<l<'i«'.<iii>lc'.,iui'l lrilli^iiii<>rli<ii'|uii, 
For Ui.M'-iij lyUi tlm <,ri.rl .,( HI ll.r, ({in, 
Anil li't wol (loiui (l(iHc-i-iii|it <uj<l il'.iiii ymir 

willi^ ; 
And ill I lull, pliicit li.^ w^.l iiJiyili' Hiilli', 
TIioiikIi III III" w.iilH III.' r'ontriirii' IumIiId 

y-Hwori- ; ^J'^, 

Ml' mIiiiI mil, Mii'iiiiMi Inn y-ilriiwii n'y- 

Im.I'I'. 

Or, ilyiiw liill-i: l)ii|ili' liiiii I lii:iini!H «""'!, 
Tiilld l.liJM ))in, iiiid liii wol viiiiiHiiii iiiiooii 
Oiil, oCt.lKiHiKlitii <>('iiv(!ry iMiin(!r wi({lil./<yi) 
Anil cDiin; nKiiyii, lii) il. Iiy iliiy or nlKlil., ;ni' 
Wlii'ii lliiil. yovv lint/ 1-<» <;li'|)iin liiin ii({<iy/i 
III Hwi'di II xyHii iiH I hIiiiI U> yow h<\vii 
nil svixo yow lui'i nil), ami t.liiil. fill Hono. 
Ilyili) wliitii yiiw lint, tlii^r in nii-inori! 1,o 

iloiK..' 
Klif'oi'liK^il wliiiii I III; liin/z Willi ol lliiil, 

I'nij^lil., ',',•; 

And liiilli coiicuyv^d in liiii wil iiiif^lil 
'I'liit iniuMi'iiiid IIk' roriiiiM.I hi Ilii:; lliiiiK, 
'riiilil ^^Ind iind l.lyUns Uiin noMr d.,ii|dily 

liinp: (uo) 

Il(i))<iii'"l II t,o liin invol III) liilorn. 
'I'liD Id'ydol in nii-l,i> till: lour y liorn, iju 
And kcpf, iiiiioii^^ liiii ji^widii li'V" mid 

dlll'l!. 

Till) lioi'H viiiiiMHliDil, I iiool- ill wliiil, iiiiniDri), 
(hit, i»r liir HiKl'I'i' ; yi' Ki'li) nii^niori) of nio, 
iliil, MiiiH I IdIii in liKil, iukI lolil,"ii 
'riiirt (/'(iniliynHkiin liiii lordin rDnUiyiiixn,, 1,1,1; 
Til wid ny Uii) day liiKiin l,o n\>t'nti.',c. 
Kxpllcil priiiuj piirH. 
Scqiiitiir parM huciindn. 
Till) norii'ii 0/' di(/iinl,ioiiii, I, In, ijIi'Ih', 
(•lUi 'III lii'iii wiiiki;, mid liiid lii'in liil'.i^ii 

lw|..., f..i") 

'i'liiil, miirlnd drink mid IiiImhii woMi^ Imn 

riiul.i, ; 

And wiUl II (^M,l|iill/^ lliolllll llilll lllli: lllr 

ki)Ml,(), v;u 

And Hi\vdi), ' il, wiiH lynii) lo lyn iidoiin, 
For lilood wiiH in liiH doniiniiciniin ; 
(!liiTiHHliid,li hlood, niilnri^M IVi'i'iid,' i|iiod 

III'. 
Tliiiy lliiinki',11 liini f.^iil|iiii(fi', l,y I wo, \,y 

ilinio, 
And Dvory wi«lil, «iiu druwD liini to liin 

riiHl,!), _^55 



Ah Hl-'po Ill-Ill liiid ; limy tokn it lor iIid 

l.liMl,l,. 

Ilir dniniiiH hIiiiI nut, Imiiii y-loM Inr inn; 
ji'iil wnri) liir lii'il'M oT riiiiioiiili-i', '.<,V') 

Tliitl, riiilHDtJi diiiiii, ol wliidi tlinrnlHIio 

c.limtrii, 359 

Tlmy (diipmi til llml, il, wiiM )irynii- liil'Jfl), 
Till) imohIij )iiirt,, liiit, il, wi:ii', (Imiiici'K ; 
Kill) will) (ill niDHiinildi), ii,h wouhiidii Iid. 
l''oi' ol liii' (iidor liaddij hIid (iiki) Ii'Vd 
'I'd ({on (0 i'()H(,i), moiii: itlti^i' it, WIIH DVD ; 
(lirliHli) nut, iippiillid lor l,o Im, ,165 

Nor on 1 111! inorwi) iinrDHllicli (or l,o HDD ; 
And iili'|.li' liir llrHti) hIddji, and tliaiino 

awook. ^351;) 

For Hwii'li a joyi' hIid in liir IidiId look 
Itotli 0/' liir i)Ui)yiil,i) riiiK and liir miroiir, 
Tlial, (,wi)iity (yini) hIid i'IiihikdiI liii'iiolonr ; 
And in liirHJcjM), ri(j;li(, (or iiniiioHHioiin 171 
or liir iniioiir, hIid liaddi) a viHionn. 
WliDi Ion-, CI' (liat, (,|iDHonni) ({an up k',V"I", 
Hlio rlipid on liir niaiH(,ri)HHD liir liiMydn, 
And HDydi), tliiil, liir MhId Cor (,o ryHo. ■^75 
'I'liJHD oldo woininiiii Hint, Iiddii ({liiilly 

VvyHi), 
Ah in liir iiiitiHlrDHiH', luiHwi'idi- liir mioon. 
And iii'ydi-, ' iiiiidiiini), wliidi)!' wil yi) 

({oon (^yi,) 

TliUH Di'ly ? (or (III) (oik Iidii alli) on rDHd).' 

' I wol,' ijiiod hIid, ' aryHD, Cor niD IdmIh .iMo 

No lii/iKDr Cor (,o hIdjid, and walkn hIidmId.' 

Ilir iniiiHtriiHHi) DinpiiCli woiniiiDn a (fri)l/ 

lOllti', 

And ii{i I ln-y ryHnii, wi'i 11 t,Dii ort,WDlvi); 

I p lym-lli Iri'MHlm O'anarin) liir-Hidvi), 

Ah roily mid Iii'IkIiI, iih dooCli t,lii) yoiii^o 

((on 111), i^Hfi 

'I'liiii ill (III) Ham in Coiiri|i)({r()DH nj>-ri)iiiiD ; 
Noon liyi'i' WIIH 111), wlian hIid rmly wiiH ; 
And (ordi hIid wiilki)(,li nnily a (iiiM, (3X0) 
Arrayod aClor (Iid limty mdhoii Hofco 389 

lii).jlifly. Cor (,i) jilDyo and walkn on Coto ; 
Nut, l>ii(, wi(:li CyvD or Mix oCliir iiiDynDu; 
And in a trinrli, (oilli in (Iid park, (.;o(,li 

nil.'. 
Till) vapour, wliiili (,(iii(, (ro (do I'lt lii' ({iooil, 
Miidi) tliDHoniiD (oHDini) I'ody and lirood ; 
lint, nut IidIdi'H, it, wiiH Ho (air a Hixli(,i) 3i;.i5 
'I'liat, il, iniidi) alli) Ilir liDrl-DH Cor (.0 li«liil,D, 
Wliiit, (or llio H"Hoii mi'l till) morwi)niii(fD, 
And lor tin- lonli-ii Hint idio ln'rdi) Hin({i) ; 



T. 1071 3-10796. J 



F. ZU ^C|uicre0 tak. 



633 



For right anon she wiste what they mente 
Right byhir song, and Itnewal hir entente. 
The knotte, why that every tale is told, 
If it be taried til that lust be cold 
Of hem that han it after herkned yore, 
The savour passeth ever lenger the more, 
For fulsomnesse of his prolixitee. 405 

And by the same reson thinketh me, 
I sholde to the kn<jtte condescende. 
And maken of hir walking sone an 

ende. (40(>) 

Amidde a tree fordrye, as whyt as chalk. 
As Canacee was pleying in hir walk, 410 
Ther sat a faucon over hir heed ful hye. 
That with a pitous voys so gan to crye 
That all the wode resouned of hir cry. 
Y-beten hath she hir-self so pitously 414 
With bothe hir winges, til the rede blood 
Ean endelong the tree ther-as she stood. 
And ever in oon she cryde alwey and 

shrighte. 
And with hir beek hir-selven so she 

prighte, (4>o) 

That ther nis tygre, ne noon so cruel 

beste, 
That dwelleth either in wode or in foreste 
That nolde han wept, if that he wepe 

coude, 421 

For sorwe of hir, she shrighte alwey so 

loude. 
For ther nas never yet no man on lyve — 
If that I coude a faucon wel discryve — 
Tliat herde of swich another of fairnesse. 
As wel of plumage as of gentillesse 426 
Of shap, and al that mighte y-rekened be. 
A faucon jieregryn than semed she (420) 
Of fremde land ; and evermore, as she 

stood. 
She swowneth now and now for lakke of 

blood, 430 

Til wel neigh is she fallen fro the tree. 

This faire kinges dogliter, Canacee, 
That on hir finger bar the queynte ring, 
Thurgh which she understood wel every 

thing 
Tliat any foul may in his ledene seyn, 435 
And coude answere him in liis ledene 

ageyn. 
Hath understonde what this faucon seyde. 
And wel neigh for the rewthe almost she 

tleyde. (430) 



And to the tree she gooth ful hastily. 
And on this faiicon loketh pitously, 440 
And heeld hir lappe abrood, for wel she 

wiste 
The faucon moste fallen fro the twiste. 
When that it swowned next, for lakke of 

blood. 
A longe while to wayten hir she stood 
Till atte laste she sjaak in this manere 445 
Un-to the hauk, as ye shul atter here. 

' What is the cause, if it be for to telle. 
That ye be in this furial pyne of helle ?' 
Quod Canacee un-to this hauk above. (441) 
' Is til is for sorwe of deeth or los of love ? 
For, as I trowe, thise Ijen causes two 451 
That causen moost a gentil herte wo ; 
Of other harm it nedetli nat to speke. 
For ye your-self upon your-self yow wreke, 
Which ijroveth wel, that either love or 

drede 455 

Mot been encheson of your cruel dede. 
Sin that I see non other wight yow chace. 
For love of god, as dooth your-selven grace 
Or what may ben your help ; for west nor 

eest (45,) 

Ne sey I never er now no brid ne beest 
That ferde with him-self so pitously. 461 
Ye slee me with your sorwe, verraily ; 
I have of yow so gret compassioun. 
For goddes love, com fro the tree adoun ; 
And, as I am a kinges doghter trewe, 465 
If that I verraily the cause knewe 
Of your disese, if it lay in my might, 
I wolde amende it, er that it were night. 
As wisly helpe me gret god of kinde ! (461) 
And herbes shal I right y-nowe y-finde 
To hele with your liurtes hastily.' 471 

Tho shrighte this faucon more pitoiisly 
Than ever she dide, and fil to grounde 

anoon. 
And lyth aswowne, deed, and lyk a stoon. 
Til Canacee hath in hir lappe hir take 47:; 
Un-to the tyme she gan of swough awake. 
And, after that she of hir swoiigh gan 

breyde, 
Eight in hir haukes ledene tlius she 

seyde :— ^470) 

• That pitee renneth sone in gentil herte, 
Feling his similitude in peynessmerte, 480 
Is preved al-day, as men may it see. 
As wel by werk as by anctoritee ; 



^'34 



Z()t Canttv^viv^ take. 



[t. 10797-10880. 



For gentil lierte kythetli gentillesse. 
I see wel, that ye han of my distresse 
Compassioun, my faire Canacee, 485 

Of verray wommanly benignitee 
That nature in your principles hath set. 
But for non hope for to fare the ))et. (480) 
But for to obeye un-to your hertc free, 
And for to maken other he war by me, 
As by the whelp chasted is the leoun, 491 
Right for that cavise and that conolusioun, 
Whyl that I have a leyseraud a simce, 
Myn harm I wol confessen, er I pace.' 
And ever, whyl that oon hir sorwe tolde. 
That other weep, as she to water wolde, 
Til that the faueon bad hir to be stille ; 
And, with a syk, right thus she seyde hir 

wille. (490) 498 

' Ther I was bred (alias ! that harde 

day !) 
And fostred in a roche of marbul gray 
So tendrely, that nothing eyled me, 501 
I niste nat what was adversitee, 
Til I coude flee ful hye under the sky. 
Tho dwelte a. tercelet me faste by. 
That semed welle of alle gentillesse ; 505 
Al were he ful of treson and falsnesse. 
It was so wrapxDed under humble chere, 
And under hewe of trouthe in swich 

manere, (500) 

Under plesance, and under bisy peyne, 
That no wight coude han wend he coude 

feyne, 510 

So depe in greyn he dyed his coloures. 
Right as a serpent hit him under floures 
Til he may seen his tyme for to liyte. 
Right so this god of love, this ypoeryte, 
Doth so his cerimonies and o))eisaunces. 
And kepeth in semblant alle his obser- 
vances 516 
That sowneth in-to gentillesse of love. 
As in a toumbe is al the faire above, (510) 
And under is the corps, swich as ye woot, 
Swich was this ypoeryte, bothe cold and 

hoot, 520 

And in this wyse he served his entente, 
That (save the feend) non wiste what he 

mente. 
Til he so longe had wopen and com- 

pleyned. 
And many a yeer his service to me feyned, 
Til that myn lierte, to pitous and to nyce. 



Al innocent of his crouned malice, 526 
For-fered of his deeth, as thoughte me. 
Upon his othes and his seuretee, (520) 

Graunted him love, on this condicioun, 
That evermore myii honour and renoun 
Were saved, bothe privee aiid apert ; 531 
This is to seyn, that, after his desert, 
I yaf him al myn herte and al my 

thoght — 
God woot and he, that otherwyse noght — 
And took his herte in chaunge for myn 

for ay. 535 

But sooth is seyd, gon sithen many a day, 
" A trew wight and a theef tlienken nat 

oon." 
And, whan he saugh the thing so fer 

y-goon, (530) 

That I had graunted him fully my love. 
In swich a g.\'se as I have seyd above, 540 
And yeven him my trewe herte, as free 
As he swoor he his herte yaf to me ; 
Anon this tygre, ful of doublenesse, 
Fil on his knees with so devout hum- 

blesse. 
With so heigh reverence, and, as by his 

chere, 545 

So ]yk a gentil lovere of manere, 
So ravisshed, as it semed, for the joye. 
That never Jason, ne Parys of Troye, (540) 
Jason ? certes, ne non other man, 
Sin Lameth was, that alderfirst bigan 550 
To loven two, as writen folk biforn, 
N(; never, sin the firste man was born, 
Ne coude man, by twenty thousand part, 
Countrefete the sophimes of his art ; 
Ne were worthy uubokele his galoche, 555 
Ther doublenesse or feyning sholde ap- 

proche, 
Ne so coude thanke a wight as he did me ! 
His maner was an heven for to see (550) 
Til any womman, were she never so 

wys; 
So peynted he and kembde at i)oint-devys 
As wel his wordes as his contenaunce. 561 
And I so lovede him for his obeisaunce. 
And for the trouthe I demed in his herte, 
That, if so were that aiTy thing him 

smerte, 
Al were it never so lyte, and I it wiste, 565 
Me thoughte, I felte deeth myn herte 

twdste. 



T. 10881-10956.] F. Z^c ^quieree Zak. 



635 



And sliortly, so ferforth this thing is 

went, (559) 

That my wil was his willes instrument ; 
This is to sejTi, my wil obeyed his wil 
In alle thing, as fer as reson fil, 570 

Keping the boundes of my worship e%'er. 
Ne never hadde I thing so leef, ne lever, 
As him, god woot ! ne never shal na-mo. 
This lasteth lenger than a year or two. 
That I supposed of him noght but good. 
But fynally, thus atte laste it stood, 576 
That fortune wolde that he moste twinne 
Out of that place which that I was inne. 
■\\Tier ine was wo, that is no questioun ; 
I can nat make of it discripcioun ; 580 
For o thing dar I tellen Isoldely, (573) 

I knowe what is the ijeyne of deth ther-by ; 
Swich harm I felte for he ne mighte 

bileve. 
So on a day of me he took his leve, 
So sorwefuUy eek, that I wende verraily 
That he had felt as niuche harm as I, 586 
■\Vlian that I herde him speke, and saugli 

his hewe. (579) 

But nathelees, I thoughte he was so trewe, 
And eek that he repaire sholde ageyn 
With-inne a litel whyle, sooth to seyni ; 590 
And reson wolde eek that he moste go 
For his honour, as ofte it happeth so, 
That I made vertu of necessitee. 
And took it wel, sin that it moste be. 
As I best mighte, I hidde fro him my 

sorwe, 595 

And took him by the hond, seint John to 

borwe. 
And seyde him thus : " lo, I am youres al ; 
Beth swich as I to yow have been, and 

shal." (590) 

"Wliat he answerde, it nedeth noght re- 

herce. 
Who can sey bet than he, who can do 

werse ? 600 

Whan he hath al wel seyd, tlianne hath 

he doon. 
"Therfor liihoveth hini a ful long spoon 
That shal ete with a feend," thus herde 

I seye. 
So atte laste he moste forth his weje. 
And forth he fleeth, til he cam ther him 

leste. . 605 

"\Mian it cam him to purpos for to reste, 



I trowe he liadde tliilke text in minde, 
That " alle thing, repairing to his kinde, 
Gladeth liim-self " ; thus sajai man, as I 

gesse ; (601) 

Men loven of propre kinde newfangel- 

nesse, 610 

As briddes doon that men in cages fede. 
For though thou night and day take of 

hem liede, 
And strawe hir cage faire and softe as 

silk, 
And yeve hem sugre, liony, breed and 

milk. 
Yet I'ight anon, as that his dore is uppe, 
He with his feet wol si^urne adoun his 

cuppe, 616 

And to the wode he wol and wormes ete ; 
So newefangal been they of hir mete, (610) 
And loven novelryes of propre kinde ; 
No gentillesse of blood [ne] may hem 

binde. 620 

So ferde this tercalet, alias the day ! 
Though he were gentil born, and fresh 

and gay. 
And goodly for to seen, and humble and 

free. 
Ha saugh up-on a tyme a kyta flee. 
And sodeynly he loved this kj^;e so, 625 
That al his love is clena fro me ago, 
And hath his trouthe falsed in this wyse ; 
Thus hath the kyta my love in hir ser- 

vyse, (620) 

And I am lorn with-outen remedye !' 
And with that word this faucon gan to 

crye, 630 

And swowned eft in Canacees Ijarme. 
Greet was the sorwe, for the haukes 

harme. 
That Canacee and alle hir wommen made ; 
They niste how they mighte the faucon 

glade. 634 

But Canacee hom beretli hir in hir lappe, 
And softely in piastres gan hir wrappe, 
Ther as she with hir beok had hiirt hir- 

selve. (629) 

Ni )w can nat Canacee but herbes delve 
Out of the grounde, and make salves 

newe 
Of herbes precious, and fyne of hewe, 640 
To helen with this hau^k ; fro day to night 
She dootli hir bisinesse and al hir might. 



636 



'Z^t CdnUvBuv^ Cafee. [t. 1095 7-1 1020. 



And by hir beddes heed she made a mewe, 

And covered it with veliiettes hlewe, 

In signe of trovithe that is in wommen 

sene. 645 

And al ■witli-onte, the mewe is peynted 

grene, 
In wliich were peynted alle tliise false 

foules, (639) 

As beth thise tidifs, tercelets, and onles, 
Right for despyt were peynted hem bisyde, 
And pyes, on hem for to crye and chyde. 
Thns lete I Canacee hir hauk keping ; 
I wol na-more as now speke of hir ring, 
Til it come eft to pvirpos for to seyn 
How that this faucon gat hir love ageyn 
Repentant, as the storie telleth us, 655 
By mediaciovin of Canibalus, 
The kinges sone, of whiche I yow tolde. 
But hennes-forth I wol my proces liolde 
To speke of aventvires and of batailles, 
That never yet was herd so grete mer- 

vailles. (652) 660 

First wol I telle yow of Cambinskan, 
That in his tyme many a citee wan ; 
And aiter wol I speke of Algarsyf, 
How that he wan Theodora to his wyf. 
For whom ful ofte in greet peril he was, 
Ne hadde he ben holpen by the stede of 

bras ; 666 

And after wol I speke of Cambalo, 
That faught in listes with the bretheren 

two (660) 

For Canacee, er that he mighte hir winne. 

And ther I lefte I wol ageyn bigiune. 670 

Explicit secunda pars. 

Incipit pars tercia. 

Appollo whirleth up his char so hye, 

[T. om. 
Til that the god Mercurius hous the 

slye — [T. om. 

(Unfinished.) 

Herefolwen the wordes of the Frankelin 
to the Squier, and the wordes of the 
Host to the Frankelin. 

' In feith, Squier, thou hast thee wel 
y-quit, 



And gentilly I preise wel thy wit,' 

Quod the Frankelejoi, ' considering tliy 

youthe, 675 

So feelingly tlioii spekest, sir, I allow 

the! 
As to my doom, there is non that is 

here 
Of eloquence that shal be thy pere, 
If that thou live ; god yeve thee good 

chaunce, 679 

And in vertu sende thee continviaunce ! 
For of thy speche I have greet deyntee. 
I have a sone, and, by the Trinitee, (10) 
I hadde lever than twenty pound worth 

lond. 
Though it right now were fallen in myn 

hond. 
He were a man of swich discrecioun 685 
As that ye been ! fy on possessioun 
But-if a man be vertuous with-al. 
I have my sone snibbed, and yet shal. 
For he to vertu listeth nat entcndc ; 
But for to pleye at dees, and to despende, 
And lese al that he hath, is his usage. 691 
And he hath lever talken with a page (20) 
Than to comune with any gentil wight 
Ther he raighte lerne gentillesse aright.' 
'Straw for your gentillesse,' quod our 

h(3st ; 695 

' What, frankeleyn ? pardee, sir, wel thou 

wost 
That eche of yow mot tellen atte leste 
A tale or two, or breken his biheste.' 
'That knowe I wel, sir,' quod the 

frankeleyn ; 
' I prey yow, haveth me nat in desdeyn 
Thovigh to this man I speke a word or 

two.' 701 

' Telle on thy tale with-oiiteu wordes 

mo.' (30) 

' Gladly, sir host,' quod he, ' I wol obeye 
Un-to your wil ; now herkneth what 

I seye. 
I wol yow nat contrarien in no wyse 705 
As fer as that my wittes wol siiffyse ; 
I prey to god that it may plesen yow. 
Than woot I wel that it is good y-now.' 



T. 11021-11064. j F. Z^^ ^vanUin'6 {pvoto^ui. 



637 



THE FRANKLIN'S PROLOGUE. 



The Prologe of the Frankeleyns Tale 



TuisE olde gentil Britons in hir dayes 
Of diverse aventures maden layes, 710 
Rymeyed in hir firste Briton tonge ; 
Which layes with hir instruments they 
songe, (40) 

Or elles redden hem for hir plesauuce ; 
And oon of hem have I in remembraunce, 
Which I shal seyn with good wil as I 
can. 715 

But, sires, by-cause I am a burel man, 
At my biginning first I yow biseche 
Have me excused of my rude speche ; 



I lerned never rethoryk certeyn ; 

Thing that I speke, it moot be bare and 

pleyn. 720 

I sleep never on the mount of Pernaso, 
Ne lerned Marcus TuUius Cithero. (50) 
Colours ne knowe I none, with-outen 

drede, 
But swiche colours as growen in the mede, 
Or elles swiche as men dj'e or peynte. 725 
Colours of rethoryk ben me to queynte ; 
My spirit feleth noght of swioh matere. 
But if yow list, my tale shul ye here. 



THE FRANKELEYNS TALE. 



Here biginneth the Frankeleyns Tale. 



In Armorik, that called is Britayne, 
Ther was a knight that loved and dide 

his payne 730 

To serve a lady in his beste wyse ; 
And many a labour, many a greet empryse 
He for his lady wroghte, er she were 

wonne. 
For she was oon, the faireste under sonne, 
And eek therto come of so heigh kinrede, 
That wel unnethes dorste this knight, for 

drede, 736 

Telle hir his wo, his peyne, and his 

distresse. 
But atte laste, she, for his worthinesse, (10) 
And namely for his meke o))eysavince, 
Hath swich a pitee caught of his pen- 
unce, 740 



That prively she fll of his accord 

To take him for hir housbonde and hir 

lord. 
Of swich lordshipe as men han over hir 

wyves ; 
And for to lede the more in blisse hir 

lyves, 744 

Of his free wil he swoor hir as a knight, 
That never in al his lyf he, day ne 

night, 
Ne sholde up-on him take no maistrye 
Agayn hir wil, ne kythe hir jalousye, (20) 
But hir obeye, and folwe hir wil in al 
As any lovere to his lady shal ; 750 

Save that the name of soveraynetee, 
That wolde he have for shame of his 

degree. 



638 



Z(>t Cankvinv^ Zaka, 



[t. 1 1065— 1 1 144. 



She thanked him, and with ful greet 
hnmblesse 
She seyde, ' sire, sith of your gentillesse 
Ye profre me to have so large a reyne, 755 
Ne wohle never god bitwixe us tweyne, 
As in my gilt, were outher werre or stryf. 
Sir, I wol be your humble trewe wyf, (30) 
Have heer my trouthe, til that myn lierte 

breste.' 
Thus been they bothe in qixiete and in 
reste. 760 

For o thing, sires, saiifly dar I seye. 
That frendes everich other moot obeye. 
If they wol longe holden conapanye. 
Love wol nat ben constreyned Ijy mais- 

trye; 
Whan maistrie comth, the god of love 
anon 765 

Beteth hise winges, and farewel ! he is 

gon! 
Love is a thing as any spirit free ; 
Wommen of kinde desiren libertee, (40) 
And nat to ben constreyned as a thral ; 
And so don men, if I soth seyen shal. 770 
Loke who that is most pacient in love. 
He is at his avantage al above. 
Pacience is an heigh vertu. certeyn ; 
For it venquisseth, as thise clerkes seyn, 
Thinges that rigour sholde never atteyne. 
For every word men may nat ehyde or 
pleyne. 776 

Lerneth to suffre, or elles, so moot I goon, 
Ye sh\il it lerne, wher-so ye wole or noon. 
For in this world, certein, ther no wight 
is, (51) 

That he ne dooth or seitli soni-tyme amis. 
Ire, siknesse, or constellacioun, 781 

Wjm, wo, or chaunginge of complexioun 
Causeth ful ofte to doon amis or speken. 
On every wrong a man maynat be wi-ekeu ; 
Alter the tyme, moste be temperaunce 785 
To every wight that can on governaunce. 
And therfore hath this ^VJ'se worthy 

knight. 
To live in ese, suifrance hir bihight, (60) 
And she to him ful wisly gan to swere 
That never sholde ther be defaute in here. 
Heer may men seen an humble wys 
accord ; 791 

Thus hath she take hir servant and hir 
lord. 



Servant in love, and lord in mariage ; 
Than was he bothe in lordshiio and 

servage ; 
Servage ? nay, but in lordshipe above, 795 
Sith he hath bothe his lady and his love ; 
His lady, certes, and his wyf also. 
The which that la we of love acordeth to. 
And whan he was in this prosperitee, (71) 
Hoom with his wyf he gooth to his 

contree, 800 

Nat fer fro Penmark, ther his dwelling 

was, 
Wher-as he liveth in blisse and in solas. 

Who coude telle, but he had wedded be. 
The joye, the ese, and the prosperitee 
That is bitwixe an housbonde and his wyf? 
A yeer and more lasted this blisful lyi\ 806 
Til that the knight of which I speke of 

thus, 
Thatof Kayrrud was cleped Arveragas, (80) 
Shoop him to goon, and dwelle a yeer or 

tweyne 
In Engelond, that cleped was eek Briteyne, 
To seke in armes worship and honour; 8n 
For al his lust he sette in swich labour ; 
And dwelled ther two yeer, the book seith 

thus. 
Now wol I stinte of this Arveragus, 
And speken I wole of Dorigene his wyf, 815 
That loveth hir housbonde as hir hertes 

lyt". 

For his absence wepeth she and syketh, 
As doon thise noble wyves whan hem 

lyketh. (90) 

She moorneth, waketh, wayleth, fasteth, 

pleyneth ; 819 

Desyr of his presence hir so distresmeth. 
That al this ^vyde world she sette at noght. 
Hir frendes, wliiche that knewe hir hevy 

thoght, 
Conforten hir in al that ever they may ; 
They prechen hir, they telle hir night 

and day. 
That causelees she sleeth hir-self, alias ! 825 
And every confort possible in this cas 
They doon to hir with al hir bisinesse, 
Al for to make hir leve hir hevinesse. (100) 

By proces, as ye kuowen everichoon, 
Men may so longe gi-aven in a stoon, 830 
Til som figvire ther-inne emprented be. 
So longe ban they contorted hir, til she 



T. III45— 112: 



F. Zh ^vanUk^ne Zak, 



639 



Eeceyved hath, by hope and by resoun, 
Th'emprenting of hir consolacioun, 834 
Thiirgh which hir grete sorwe gan aswage ; 
She may nat alwey duren in swich rage. 

And eek Arveragus, in al this care, 

Hath sent hir lettres hooni of his welfare, 

And that he wol come hastily agayn ; (m) 

Or elles hadde this sorwe hir herte slayn. 

Hir freendes sawe hir sorwe gan to 

slake, 841 

And preyede hir on knees, for goddes 

sake. 
To come and romen hir in companye, 
Awey to dryve hir derke fantasye. 
And finally, she graunted that reqneste ; 
For wel she saugh that it was for the 

beste. (118) 846 

Now stood hir castel faste by the see, 
And often with liir freendes walkcth she 
Hir to disporte up-on the bank an heigh, 
Wlier-as she many a ship and barge seigh 
Seilinge hir cours, wher-as hem liste go ; 
But than was tliat a parcel of hir wo. 
For to hir-self fnl otte ' alias ! ' seith she, 
' Is ther no ship, of so manye as I see, 
Wol bringen hom my lord ? than were 

myn herte 855 

Al warisshed of his bittre peynes smerte.' 

Another tyme ther wolde she sitte and 

thinke. 
And caste hir eyen dounward fro the 

brinke. (130) 

But whan she saiigh the grisly rokkes 

blake. 
For verray fere so wolde hir herte quake. 
That on hir feet she mighte hir noght 

sustene. 861 

Than wolde she sitte adoun upon the 

grene. 
And pitously in-to the see biholde. 
And seyn right thus, with sorweful sykes 

eolde : 
' Eterne god, that thurgh thy purvey- 

aunce 865 

Ledest the world by oertein governaunee, ' 
In ydel, as men seyn, ye no-thing make ; 
But, lord, thise grisly feendly rokkes 

blake, (140) 

That semen rather a foul confusioun 
Of werk than any fair ereaeioun 870 

Of swich a parfit wys god and a stable, 



Why han ye wroght this werk unreson- 

able? 
For by this werk, south, north, ne west, 

ne eest, 
Ther nis y-fostred man, ne brid, ne beest; 
It dooth no good, to my wit, but anoyeth. 
See ye nat, lord, how mankinde it 

destroyeth ? 876 

An himdred thousand bodies of mankinde 
Han rokkes slayn, al be they nat in minde, 
Which mankinde is so fair part of thy 

werk (151) 

That thou it madest lyk to thj'n owene 

merk. 8S0 

Than semed it ye hadde a greet chiertee 
Toward mankinde ; bu.t how than ma,\- 

it be 
That ye swiche raenes make it to de- 
stroy en, 
Whiche menes do no good, but ever 

anoyen ? 
I woot wel clerkes wol seyn, as hem 

leste, 885 

By argiiments, that al is for the beste. 
Though I ne can the causes nat y-knowe. 
But thilke god, that made wind to blowe, 
As kepe my lord ! this my conclusioun ; 
To clerkes lete I al dispiitisoun. (162) 890 
But wolde god that alle thise rokkes blake 
Were sonken in-to helle for his sake ! 
Thise rokkes sleen myn herte for the fere.' 
Thus wolde she seyn, with many a pitous 

tere. 
Hir freendes sawe that it was no disport 
To romen by the see, but disconfort ; S96 
And shopen for to pleyen somwher elles. 
They leden hir by riveres and by welles, 
And eek in othere places delitables ; (171) 
They dauncen, and they pleyen at dies 

and tables. 900 

So on a day, right in the morwe-tyde, 
Un-to a gardin that was ther bisyde. 
In which that they had maad hir ordin- 

aunce 
Of vitaille and of other purveyaunce. 
They goon and pleye hem al the longe 

dJiy. 905 

And this was on the sixte morwe of May, 
Which May had peynted with his sotle 

shoures 
This gardin ful of leves and of floures ; (180) 



640 



^0e tcinUvBuv^ ^afe0. 



[t. 1 1 221— 1 1 302. 



And craft of mannes hand so curiously 
Arrayed liadde this gardin, trewely, 910 
That never was ther gardin of swich prys, 
But-if it were the verray paradys. 
Th' odour of floures and the fresshe sights 
Wohle han maad any herte for to lighte 
That ever was born, biit-if to gret sik- 

nesse, 915 

Or to gret sorwe helde it in distresse ; 
So ful it was of heautee with plesaunce. 
At-atter diner gonne they to daunce, (igo) 
And singe also, save Dorigen allone, 
'^^^lich made alwey hir compleint and hir 

mone ; 920 

For she ne saugh him on the daunce go, 
That was hir housbonde and hir love also. 
But nathelees she moste a tyme abyde. 
And with good hope lete hir sorwe slyde. 
Up-on this daunce, amonges othere men, 
Daunced a squyer biforen Dorigen, 926 
That fressher was and jolyer of array. 
As to my doom, than is the months of 

May. (200) 

He singeth, daunceth, passinge any man 
That is, or was, sith that the world bigan. 
Ther-with he was, if men sholde him 

discryve, 931 

Oon of the beste faringe man on-lyve ; 
Yong, strong, right vertuous, and riche 

and wys. 
And wel biloved, and holdsn in gret prys. 
And shortly, if the sothe I tellen shal, 935 
Unwiting of this Dorigen at al, 
This lusty squyer, servant to Venus, 
"Wliich that y-cleped was Aureliiis, (210) 
Had loved hir best of any creature 
Two yeer and more, as was his aventure, 
But never dorste he telle hir his gre- 

vauncs ; 94 1 

With-outen coppe he drank al his pen- 

aunce. 
He was despeyred, no-thing dorste he seye. 
Save in his songes somwhat wolde he wreye 
His wo, as in a general compleyning ; 945 
He seyde he lovede, and was biloved no- 
thing. (218) 
Of swich matere made he nianye layes, 
Songes, compleintes, roundels, virelayes. 
How that he dorste nat his sorwe telle, 
But langiiissheth, as a furie dooth in helle ; 
And dye he moste, he seyde, as dide Ekkf> 



For Narcisus, that dorste nat telle hir wo. 
In other manere than ye here me seye, 
Ne dorste he nat to hir his wo biwreye ; 
Save that, ^jaraventure, som-tyme at 

daiinces, 955 

Ther yonge folk kepen hir observaunces. 
It may wel be he loked on hir face 
In swich a wyse, as man that asketh grace ; 
But no-thing wiste she of his entente. (231) 
Nathelees, it happed, er they thennes 

wente, 960 

By-cause that he was hir neighebour, 
And was a man of worship and honour, 
And hadde y-knowen him of tyme yore. 
They fiUe in speche ; and forth more and 

more 
Un-to his piirpos drough Aurelius, 965 
And whan he saugh his tjTue, he seyde 

thus : 
'Madame,' qiiod he, 'by god that this 

world made. 
So that I wiste it mighte you.r herte 

glade, (240) 

I wolde, that day tbat your Arveragus 
Wente over the see, that I, Aurelius, 970 
Had went ther never I sholde have come 

agayn ; 
For wel I woot my service is in vayn. 
My guerdon is but bresting of myn herte ; 
Madame, reweth upon my pejaies smerte ; 
For with a word ye may me sleen or save, 
Heer at your feet god wolde that I were 

grave ! 976 

I ne have as now no le.vser more to 

seye ; 
Have mercy, swete, or ye wol do me deye !' 
She gan to loke up-on Aurelius : (251) 
' Is this your wil,' quod she, ' and sey ye 

thus ? 980 

Never erst,' quod she, 'ne wiste I what 

ye mente. 
But now, Aurelie, I knowe your entente. 
By thilke god that yaf me soule and lyf, 
Ne shal I never been untrewe wyf 984 
In word ne werk, as fer as I have wit : 
I wol ben his to whom that I am knit ; 
Tak this for fynal answer as of me.' 
But after that in pley thus seyde she : (260) 
' Aurelie, ' quod she, ' by heighe god 

above, 989 

Yet wolde I graunte yowtobeen your love. 



T. 11303-113S7.] F. ZU ^vanUk^rxQ Zak. 



641 



Sin I yow see so pitously complayne ; 
Loke what day that, endelong Britayne, 
Yeremoeve alle the rokkes, stoonbystoon, 
That they ne lette ship ne boot to goon — 
I seye, whan ye han maad the coost so 

clene 995 

Of rokkes, that ther nis no stoon y-sene. 
Than wol I love yow best of any man ; 
Have heer my trouthe in al that ever I 

can.' (270) 

' Is ther non other grace in yow ? ' qnod he. 
' No, by tliat lord,' quod she, ' that maked 

me ! 1000 

For wel I woot that it shal never bityde. 
Lat swiche folies out of your herte slyde. 
What deyntee sholde a man han in his lyf 
For to go love another mannes wyf. 
That hath hir body whan so that hina 

lyketh?' 1005 

Aurelius ful ofte sore syketh ; 
Wo was Aurelie, whan that he this herde. 
And with a sorweful herte he thus an- 

swerde : (280) 

' Madame,' quod he, ' this were an in- 
possible ! 1009 
Than moot I dye of sodein deth horrible.' 
And with that word he turned him. anoon. 
Tho come hir othere freendes many oon. 
And in the aleyes romeden up and doun, 
And no-thing "wiste of this conclusioun, 
But sodeinly bigonne revel newe 1015 
Til that the brighte Sonne loste his hewe ; 
For th'orisonte hath reft the Sonne his 

light ; (289) 

This is as muche to seye as it was night. 
And hoom they goon in joye and in solas. 
Save only wrecche Aurelius, alias ! 1020 
He to his hous is goon with sorweful herte ; 
He seeth he may nat fro his deeth asterte. 
Him semed that he felte his herte colde ; 
Up to the hevene his handes he gan holde, 
And on his knowes bare hesettehim doun. 
And in his raving seyde his orisoixn. 1026 
For verray wo out of his wit he breyde. 
He niste what he spak, but thus he seyde ; 
With pitous herte his pleynt hath he 

bigonne (301) 

Un-to the goddes, and first iin-to the 

Sonne : 1030 

He seyde, ' Appollo, god and governour 
Of every plaunte, herbe, tree and flour. 



That yevest, after thy declinacioun, 
To ech of hem his tyme and his sesoun, 
As thyn herberwe chaungeth lowe or hye, 
Lord Phebus, cast thy merciable ye 1036 
On wrecche Aurelie, which that am but 

lorn. (309) 

Lo, lord ! my lady hath my deeth y-sworn 
With-oute gilt, but thy benignitee 1039 
Upon my dedly herte have som pitee ! 
For wel I woot, lord Phebus, if yow lest. 
Ye may me helpen, save my lady, best. 
Now vouch eth saiif that I may yow devyse 
How that I may been holpe and in what 

wyse. 1044 

Your blisful suster, Lucina the shene. 
That of the see is chief goddesse and quene, 
Though Neptuniis have deitee in the see, 
Yet emperesso aboven liim is she : (320) 
Ye knowen wel, lord, that right as hir 

desyr 1049 

Is to be quiked and lightned of your fyr, 
For which she folweth yow ful bisily, 
Right so the see desyreth naturelly 
To folwen hir, as she that is goddesse 
Bothe in the see and riveres more and 

lesse. 
Wlierfore, lord Phebus, this is my re- 

queste— 1055 

Do this miracle, or do myn herte breste — 
That now, next at this opposicioun, (329) 
Which in the signe shal be of the Leoun, 
As preyeth hir so greet a flood to bringe. 
That fy ve fadme at the leeste it overspringe 
The hyeste rokke in Armorik Briteyne ; 
And lat this flood endure yeres tweyne ; 
Than certes to my lady may I seye : 
" Holdeth your heste, the rokkes been 

aweye." 1064 

Lord Phebus, dooth this miracle for me ; 
Preye hir she go no faster cours than ye ; 
I seye, preyeth your suster that she go 
No faster cours than ye thise yeres two. 
Than shal she been evene atte fiille alway, 
And spring-flood laste bothe night and 

day. (342) 1070 

And, biit she vouche-sauf in swiche manere 
To graunte me my sovereyn lady dere, 
Prey hir to sinken every rok adoun 
In-to hir owene derke regioun 
Under the ground, ther Phito dwelletli 

inne, 1075 



642 



ZU Canterfiufg Zaks. 



[t. 11388-11471. 



Or never-mo shal I my lady winne. 
Thy temple in Delphos wol I barefoot seke ; 
Lord Phebus, see the teres on my cheke, 
And of my peyne have som compassioun.' 
And with that word in swowne he fil 
adoun, (35^) i"8o 

And longe tyme he lay forth in a traunne. 
His brother, which that knew of his 
penaunce, 
Up caughte him and to bedde he hath 

him broght. 
Dispeyred in this torment and this thoght 
Lete I this woful creatvire lye ; 1085 

Chese he, for me, whether he wol live or 
dye. 
Arveragus, with hele and greet honour, 
As he that was of chivalrye the flour, (360) 
Is comen hoom, and othere worthy men. 
O blisfol artow now, thou Dorigen, 1090 
That hast thy lusty housbonde in thyne 

armes, 
The fresshe knight, the worthy man of 

amies, 
That loveth thee, as his owene hertes lyf. 
No-thing list him to been imaginatjrf 
If any Avight had spoke, whyl he was 
oute, 1095 

To hire of love ; he hadde of it no doiite. 
He noght entendeth to no swich matere, 
But daunceth, justeth, maketh hir good 
chere ; (370) 

And thus in joye and blisse I lete hem 

dwelle, 
And of the syke Aurelius wol I telle. 1 100 

In langour and in torment furious 
Two yeer and more lay wrecche Aurelius, 
Er any foot he miglite on erthe goon ; 
Ne confort in this tyme hadde he noon. 
Save of his brother, which that was a clerk : 
He knew of al this wo and al this werk. 
For to non other creature certeyn 1 107 
Of this matere he dorste no word seyn. 
Under his brest he bar it more secree (381) 
Than ever dide Pamphilus for Galathee. 
His brest was hool, with-oute for to sene, 
But in his herte ay was the arwe kene. 
And wel ye knowe that of a sursanure 
In surgerye is perilous the cure. 
But men mighte touche the arwe, or come 
therby. 1 1 15 

His brother weep and wayled prively. 



Til atte laste him fll in remembraimce. 
That whyl he was at Orliens in Fraunce, 
As .yonge clerkes, that been likerous (391) 
To reden artes that been curious, 1120 
Seken in every halke and every heme 
Particuler sciences for to lerne, 
He him remembred that, upon a day. 
At Orliens in studie a book he say 
Of magik naturel, which his felawe, 11 25 
That was that tyme a bachelor of lawe, 
Al were ho ther to lerne another craft, 
Had prively u.pon his desk y-laft ; (400) 
Which book spak muchel of the opera- 

ciouns, 
Touchinge the eighte and twenty man- 
siouns 1 130 

That longen to the mono, and swich folye, 
As in our dayes is nat worth a flye ; 
For holy chirches feith in our bileve 
Ne suffreth noon illusion us to greve. 
And whan this book was in his remem- 
braunce, 1135 

Anon for joye his herte gan to daiince. 
And to him-self he seyde prively : 
' My brother shal be warisshed hastily ; 
For I am siker that ther be sciences, (4.1 1) 
By whiche men make diverse apparences 
Swiche as thise subtile tregetoures pleye. 
For ofte at festes have I wel herd seye, 
That tregetoxu'S, with-inne an halle large, 
Have maad come in a water and a barge, 
And in the halle rowen up and doun. 1145 
Somtynie hath semed come a grim leoun ; 
And somtyme floures springe as in a mede ; 
Somtyme a vyne, and graxses whyte and 
rede ; (420) 

Somtyme a castcl, al of lym and stoon ; 
And whan hem lyked, voyded it anoon. 
Thus semed it to every niannes sighte. 
Now than conclude I thus, that if I 
mighte 1 152 

At Orliens som old felawe y-finde. 
That hadde this mones mansions in minde. 
Or other magik naturel above, 1155 

He sholde wel make my brother haji his 

love. 
For with an apparence a clerk may 

make 
To mannes sighte, that alle the rokkes 
blake (430) 

Of Britaigne weren y-voyded overichon, 



T. 1 147 2-1 1 542.] F. Z^i. JranRePe^ne ^afe. 



643 



And shippes by the brinke comen and 

gun, n6o 

And in swieh forme endure a day or two ; 
Than were my brother warisshed of his 

wo. 
Than moste she nedes holden hir biheste, 
Or elles he shal shame hir atte leste.' 
What sholde I make a longer tale of 

this? 1 165 

Un-to his brotheres bed he comen is, 
And swieh confort he yaf him for to gon 
To Orliens, that he np stirte anon, (440) 
And on his wey forthward thanne is he 

fare. 
In hope for to ben lissed of his care. 11 70 
Whan they were come almost to that 

citee, 
But-if it were a two furlong or three, 
A yong clerk rominge by him-self they 

mette, 
Wliich that in Latin thriftily hem grette, 
And after that he seyde a wonder thing : 
' I knowe,' quod he, ' the cause of your 

coming ' ; 1176 

And er they ferther any fote wente, (449) 

He tolde hem al that was in hir entente. 

This Briton clerk him asked of felawes 

The whiclie that he had knowe in olde 

dawes ; 1180 

And he answerde him thatthey dede were, 
For which he "weep ful ofte many a tere. 
Doun of his hors Aurelius lighte anon, 
And forth with tliis magicien is he gon 
Hoom to his hous, and made hem wel at 

ese. 1185 

Hem lakked no vitaille that mighte hem 

plese ; 
So wel arrayed hous as ther was oon 
Aurelius in his Ij'f saugh never noon. (460) 
He shewed him, er he wente to sopeer, 
Forestes, parkes ful of wilde deer ; 1 190 
Ther saugh he hertes with hir homes 

hye, 
The gretteste that ever were seyn with ye. 
He saugh of hem an hondred slayn with 

hou^ndes, 
And somme with arwes blede of bittre 

woundes. 
He saugh, whan voided were thise wilde 

deer, 1195 

Thise fauconers iipon a fair river, 



That with hir haiikes han the heron 

slayn. 
Tho saugh he knightes jvisting in a playn : 
And after this, he dide him swieh ple- 

saunce, (471.' 

That he him shewed his lady on a daunce 
On which him-self he daunced, as him 

thoughte. 1201 

And whan this maister, that this magik 

wroughte, 
Saugh it was tyme, he clapte his handes 

two, 
And farewel ! al our revel was ago. 
And yet reraoeved they never out of the 

hous, 1205 

Whyl they saugh al this sighte merveillous, 
But in his stiidie, ther-as his bookes be, 
They seten stille, and no wight but they 

three. (480) 

To him this maister called his squyer. 
And seyde him thus : ' is redy our soper V 
Almost an houre it is, I undertake, 121 1 
Sith I yow bad our soper for to make. 
Whan that thise worthy men wenten 

with me 
In-to my studie, ther-as my bookes be." 
' Sire, ' quod this squyer, ' whan it lyketh 

yow, 1 2 15 

It is al redy, though ye wol right now.' 
' Go we than sonpe,' quod he, ' as for the 

beste ; 
This amorous folk som-tjTne mote han 

reste.' (490.) 

At-after soper fille they in tretee, 
Wliat somme sholde this maistres guer- 
don be, 1220 
To remoeven alle the rokkes of Britayne, 
And eek from Gerounde to the mouth of 

Sayne. 
He made it straunge, and swoor, so god 

him save, 
Lasse than a thousand pound he wolde 

nat have, 
Ne gladly for that somme he wolde nat 

goon. 1225 

Aurelius, with blisful herte anoon, 
Answerde thus, ' fy on a thousand pound ! 
Tliis wyde world, which that men seye is 

round, (500) 

I wolde it yeve, if I were lord of it, 1229 
This bargayn is ful drive, for we ben knit. 



y 2 



544 



ZU CanferBurp Zako. 



[t. 1 1 543— I 162 2. 



Ye shal be payed trewely, by my troutlie ! 
But loketh now, for no necligence or 

slouthe, 
Yo tarie us hecr no longer than to-morwe.' 
' Nay,' quod this clerk, ' have heer my 

feith to borwo.' 

To bedde is goon Aurelius whan him 

leste, 1235 

And wel ny al that night he hadde his 

reste ; (508) 

What for his labour and his hope of blisse, 

His woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse. 

Upon the morwe, whan that it was day. 

To Britaigne toke they the righteway, 1240 

Aurelius, and this magicien bisyde, 

And been descended ther they wolde 

abyde ; 
And this was, as the bokes me remembre, 
The colde frosty seson of Decembre. 

Phebtis wex old, and hewod lyk latoun. 
That in his hote declinacioun 1246 

Shoon as the burned gold with stremes 
bright e ; (519) 

But now in Capricorn adoun he liglite, 
Wher-as he shoon ful pale, I dar wel seyn. 
The bittre frostes, with the sleet and reyn. 
Destroyed hath the grene in every yerd. 
Janus sit by tlie fyr, with double herd. 
And drinketh of his bugle-horn the wyn. 
Biforn him stant braun of the tusked 
swyn, 1254 

And ' Nowel ' cryeth every lusty man. 

Aurelius, in al that ever he can, 
Doth to his maister chere and reverence, 
And preyeth him to doon his diligence 
To bringen him out of his peynes smerto, 
Or with a Swerd that he wolde slitte his 
herte. (532) 1260 

This subtil clerk swich routhe had of 
this man. 
That night and day he spedde him that 

he can, 
To wayte a tyme of his conclusioun ; 
This is to seye, to make illusioun, 
By swich an apparence or jogelrye, 1265 
I ne can no termes of astrologye, 
That she and every wight sholde wene 
and seye, (539) 

That of Britaigne the rokkes were aweye, 
Or elles they were sonken under grounde. 
So atte laste he hath his tyme y-founde 



To maken his japes and his wrecched- 
nesse 1271 

Of swich a supersticious cursednesse. 
His tables Toletanes forth he broght, 
Ful wel corrected, ne ther lakkod noght. 
Neither his collect ne his expans yeres, 
Ne his rotes no his othere geres, 1276 

As been his centres and his arguments. 
And his j)roporcionels convenients (550) 
For his equacions in every thing. 
And, by his eighte spere in his wirking. 
He knew ful wel how fer Alnath was 

shove 1281 

Fro the heed of thilke fixe Aries above 
That in the ninthe speere considered is ; 
Ful subtilly he oalculed al this. 

Whan he had founde his firste man- 

sioun, 1285 

He knew the remenant by proporcioun ; 
And knew the arysing of his mono 

weel. 
And in whos face, and terme, and every- 

deel ; (560) 

And knew ful weel the mones mansioun 
Acordaunt to his operacioun, 1290 

And knew also his othere observaunces 
For swiche illusiouns and swiohe mcs- 

chaunces 
As hethen folk used in thillie dayes ; 
For which no lenger maked he delaycs. 
But thurgh his magik, for a wyke or 

tweye, 1295 

It semed that alle the rokkes were aweye. 

Aurelius, which that yet desi)eired is 
Wher he shal han his love or lare amis, 
Awaiteth night and day on this miracle ; 
And whan he knew that ther was noon 

obstacle, (572) 1300 

That voided were thiso rokkes everichon, 
Doun to his maistres feet he lil anon, 
And seyde, ' I woful wrecche, Aurelius, 
Thanke yow, lord, and lady myn Venus, 
That me han holpen fro my cares colde :' 
And to the temple his wey forth hath he 

holde, 1306 

Wher-as he knew he sholde his lady see. 
And whan he saugh his tyme, anon-right 

he, (580) 

With dredful herte and with ful hunible 

chere, 
Salewed hath his sovereyn lady dere : 13 10 



T. 11623-11698.] F. ■^^e jftanRefe^ne Zak. 



645 



' My righte lady,' qviod this woful man, 
' Whom I most drede and love as I best 

can, 
And lothest were of al this world displese, 
Nere it that I for yow have swich disese, 
That I moste dyen heer at your foot 

anon, 13 15 

Noght wolde I telle how me is wo bigon ; 
But certes outher moste I dye or plejoie ; 
Ye slee me giltelees for verray peyne. (590) 
But of my decth, thogh that ye have no 

routhe, 
Avyseth yow, er that yo breke your 

trouthe. 13-20 

Eepenteth yow, for thilke god above, 
Er ye me sleen Vty-cause that I yow love. 
For, madame, wel ye woot what ye han 

hight ; 
Nat that I chalange any thing of right 
Of yow my sovereyn lady, but your grace ; 
But in a gardin yond, at swich a place. 
Ye woot right wel what yo biliighten me ; 
And in myn hand your trouthe plighten 

ye (600) 

To love me best, god woot, ye seyde so, 
Al be that I unworthy be therto. 1330 

Madame, I speke it for the honour of yow, 
More than to save myn hertes lyf right 

now ; 
I have do so as ye comanded me ; 
And if ye vouehe-sauf, ye may go see. 
Doth as yow list, liave your biheste in 

minde, 1335 

For quik or deed, riglit ther ye shul mo 

finde ; 
In yow lytli al, to do me live or deye ; — • 
But wel I woot the rokkes been aweye ! ' 
He taketh his leva, and she astonicd 

stood, (611) 

In al hir face nas a drope of blood ; 1340 
She wende never han come in swich a 

trappe : 
' Alias ! ' quod she, ' that ever this sholdc 

happe ! 
For wende I never, by possibilitee. 
That swich a monstre or merveille might* 

be! 
It is agayns the proces of nature : ' 1345 
And hoom she gootli a sorweful creature. 
For verray fere vinnethe may she go, 
She wepeth, wailleth, al a day or two, (620) 



And swowneth, that it routhe was to see ; 
But why it was, to no wight tolde she ; 1350 
For out of toune was goon Arveragus. 
But to hir-self she spak, and seyde thus, 
With face pale and with fill sorwefnl 

chore. 
In hir compleynt, as ye shul after here : 
' Alias,' quod she, ' on thee, Fortune, 

I pleyne, 1355 

That unwar wi'apped hast me in thy 

cheyne ; 
For which, t'escape, woot I no socour 
Save only deeth or elles dishonour ; (630) 
Oon of thise two bihoveth me to chese. 
But nathelees, yet have I lever lose :36() 
My lyf than of my body have a shame. 
Or knowc my-selven fals, or lese my name, 
And with my deth I may be quit, y-wis. 
Hath ther nat many a noble wyf, er 

this, 1364 

And many a mayde y-slayn hir-self, alias ! 

Rather than with hir body doon trespas ? 

Yis, certes, lo, thise stories beren wit- 

nesse ; 
Whan thretty tyraiints, ful of cursetl- 

nesse, (640,1 

Had slayn Phidoun in Athenes, atte feste. 
They comanded his doghtres for t'areste. 
And bringtn hem biforn hem in despyt 
Al naked, to fulfille hir fovil delyt, 1372 
And in hir fadrcs V^lood they made hem 

daunce 
Upon the pavement, god yeve hem mJs- 

chaunce ! 
For which thise woful maydens, ful of 

drede, 1375 

Riither than they wolde lese hir mayden- 

hede. 
They prively ben stirt in-to a welle. 
And dreynte hem-selven, as the bokes 

telle. (650J 

Tliey of Messene lete enquere and seke 
Of Lacedomie fifty maydens eke, 1380 

On whiche they wolden doon hir lecherye : 
But was ther noon of al that companye 
That she nas slayn, and witli a good 

entente 
Ghees rather for to dye than assente 
To been oppressed of hir maydenhede. 1385 
Why sholde I thanne to dye been ia 

drede ? 



646 



ZU CanterBurj ^afee. 



[t. 1 1699-1177F:. 



Lo, eek, the tiraunt Aristoclides (659) 
That loved a mayden, heet Stimphalides, 
Whan that hir fader slayn was on a night, 
Un-to Dianes temple goth she right, 1390 
And hente the image in hir handes two, 
Fro which image wolde she never go. 
No wight ne mighte hir handes of it arace, 
Til she was slayn right in the selve j)lace. 
Now sith that maydens hadden swicli 

despj-t 1395 

To been defonlcd with mannes foul delyt, 
Wei oghte a wyf rather hir-selven slee 
Than be defouled, as it thinketh me. (670) 

■Wliat shal I seyii of Hasdrubales wyf, 
That at Cartage birafte hir-self hir lyf ? 
For whan she saugh that Romayns wan 

the toun, 1401 

She took hir children alio, and skipte 

adoun 
In-to the fyr, and chees rather to dye 
Than any llomayn dide hir vileinye. 
Hath nat Lncresse y-slayn hir-self, 

alias ! 1405 

At Rome, whanne she oppressed was 
Of Tarquin, for hir thoughte it was 

a shame 
To liven whan she hadde lost hir name ? 
The sevene majalens of Milesie also (6cSi) 
Han slayn hem-self, for verray drede and 

wo, 1410 

Rather than folk of Gaule hem sholde 

oppresse. 
Mo than a thousand stories, as I gesse, 
Coude I now telle as touchinge this 

matere. 
"Wnian Habradate was slayn, his w^yf so 

dere 
Hirselven slow, and leet hir blood to 

glyde 14 15 

In Habradates woundes depe and wyde, 
And seyde, " my body, at the leeste way, 
Ther shal no wight defoulen, if I may." 
What sholde I mo ensamples heer-of 

sayu, (691) 1419 

Sith that so manye han hem-selven slayn 
Wei rather than they wolde defouled be ? 
I wol conclude, that it is bet for me 
To sleen mj'^-self, than been defouled thus. 
I wol be trewe un-to Arveragus, 
Or rather sleen my-self in som manere. 
As dide Demociones doghter dere, 1426 



By-caiise that she wolde nat defouled be. 

O Cedasus ! it is ful greet pitee, (700) 

To reden how thy doghtren deyde, alias ! 

That slowe hem-selven for swich maner 

cas. 1430 

As greet a pitee was it, or wel more. 
The Theban mayden, that for Nichanore 
Hir-selven slow, right for swich maner 
wo. 

Another Theban mayden dide right so ; 
For oon of Macedoine hadde hir oi^pressed, 
She with hir deeth hir maydenhede re- 
dressed. 1436 

What shal I seye of Nicerates wyf, 
That for swich cas birafte hir-self hir lyf? 

How trewe eek was to Alcebiades (711) 
His love, that rather for to dyen chees 1440 
Than for to suffre his body unburied be ! 
Lo which a wyf was Alcestfe,' quod she. 

' What seith Omer of gode Penalopee ? 
Al Grece knoweth of hir chastitee. 

Pardee, of Laodomya is writen thus, i.)45 
That whan at Troye was slayn Prothe- 

selaus, 
No longer wolde she live after his day. 

The same of noble Porcia telle I may ; 
With-oute Brutus coude she nat live, (721) 
To whom she hadde al hool hir herte 
yive. 145" 

The parflt wyfliod of Arthemesye 
Honoured is thurgh al the Barbarye. 

O Teuta, queen ! thy wyfly chastitee 
To alle wy\-cs may a mirour be. 1454 

The same thing I seye of Bilia, [T. oni. 
Of Rodogone, and eek Valeria.' [T. om. 

Thus pleyned Dorigene a day or tweye, 
Purposinge ever that she wolde deye. (730) 

But nathelees, upon the thridde night, 

Hom cam Arveragus, this worthy knight, 

And asked hir, why that she weep so 

sore? 146 1 

And she gan wepen ever lenger the more. 

' Alias ! ' quod she, ' that ever was 
I born ! 
Thus have I scyd,' quod she, ' thus have 

I sworn ' — ■ 
And told him al as ye han herd bifore ; 1465 
It nedeth nat reherce it yow na-more. 

This housbond with glad chere, in 
freendly wyse, 
Answerde and seydo as I shal yow devyse : 



T. 1 1 779-1 1846. J 



r. 



ZH §vanUk^m Zak. 



647 



' Is ther oght elles, Dorigen, but this ? ' (741 ) 
'Nay, nay,' quod she, 'god help me so, 
as wis ; 147'^ 

This is to muche, and it were goddes wille.' 
' Ye, wyf,' quod he, ' lat slepen that is 
stille ; 
It may be wel, jiaraventure, yet to-day. 
Ye shul your trouthe holden, by my fay ! 
For god so wisly have mercy on me, 1475 
I hadde wel lever y-stilied for to be. 
For verray love which that I to yow have, 
But-if ye sholde your trou.the kepe and 
save. {75^) 

Trouthe is the hyesto thing that man 

may kepe : ' — • 
But with that word he Ijrast anon to 
wepe, 1480 

And seyde, ' I yow forbede, up peyne of 

deeth. 
That never, whyl thee lasteth lyf ne 

breeth. 
To no wight tel thoti of this aventure. 
As I may best, I wol my wo endure, 
Ne make no contenance of hevinesse, 1485 
That folk of yow may demen harm or 
gesse.' 
And forth he cleped a squyer and 
a maydo : 
' Goth forth anon with Dorigen,' he 
sayde, (760) 

' And bringeth liir to swich a place 

anon.' 
They take hir leve, and on hir wey they 
gon ; 1490 

But they ne wiste why she thider wente. 
He nolde no wight tellen his entente. (764) 
Paraventure an beep of yow, y-wis, 

[T. om. 
Wol holden him a lewcd man in this, 

[T. 07n. 
That he wol putte his wyf in jupartye ; 

[T. om. 
Herkneth the tale, er ye up-on hir crye. 

[T. om. 

She may have bettre fortune than yow 

semeth ; [T. cm. 

And whan that ye ban herd the tale, 

demeth. [T. om. 

Tliis sqviyer, which that highte Aurelius, 

On Dorigen that was so amorous, (772) 1500 

Of aventure happed hir to mete 



Amidde the toun, right in the quikkest 

strete. 
As she was boitn to goon the wey forth- 
right 
Toward the gardin ther-as she had hight. 
And he was to the gardinward also ; 1505 
For wel he spyed, whan she wolde go 
Out of hir hous to any maner place. 
But thus they mette, of aventvire or 

grace ; (780) 

And he saleweth hir with glad entente, 
And asked of hir whiderward she wente ? 
And she answerde, half as she were mad, 
' Un-to the gardin, as mjni housbond bail, 
My trouthe for to holde, alias ! alias ! ' 

Aurelius gan wondren on this eas. 
And in his herte had greet comxsassioun 
Of hir and of hir lamentacioun, 1516 

And of Arveragus, the worthy knight, 
That bad hir holden al that she had 

hight, (7Qo) 

So lootli him was his wyf sholde breke 

hir trouthe ; 
And in his herte he caughte of this greet 

routhe, 1520 

Consideringo the beste on every syde. 
That fro his lust yet were him lever abyde 
Than doon so heigh a cherlish wrecched- 

nesse 
Agayns franchyse and alle gentillesse ; 
For which in fewe wordes seyde he thus : 
' Madame, seyth to your lord Arveragus, 
That sith I see his grete gentillesse (800) 
To yow, and eek I see wel your distresse. 
That him were lever ban shame (and that 

were routhe) 
Than ye to me sholde breke thus your 

trouthe, 1530 

I have wel lever ever to suflfre wo 
Than I departe the love liitwix yow two, 
I yow relesse, madame, in-to your bond 
Quit every surement and every bond, 1534 
That ye ban maad to me as heer-biforn, 
Sith thilke tyme which that ye were born. 
My trouthe I pliglite, I shal yow never 

repreve 
Of no bilieste, and here I take my leve, 
As of the treweste and the beste wyf (811) 
That ever yet I knew in al my lyf. 1540 
But every wyf be-war of hir biheste. 
On Dorigene remembreth atte leste. 



648 



ZU CanUvBuv^ Zake. 



[t. I1847-II928. 



Thus can a squyer doon a gentil dede, 
As well as can a knight, with-outen drede.' 
She thonketh liim up-on hir knees al 

bare, 1545 

And hoora un-to hir housbond is she fare, 
And tolde him al as ye han herd me sayd ; 
And be ye siker, lie was so vveel apayd, (820) 
That it were inpossible me to wryte ; 
What sholde I lenger of this cas endyte ? 
Arveragus and Dorigene his wyf 1551 
In sovereyn blisso leden i'orth hir lyf. 
Never eft ne was ther angre hem bitwene ; 
He cherisseth hir as though she weie 

a quenc : 1554 

And she was to him trowc for evermore. 
Of thise two folk ye gete of me na-morc. 
Aurelius, that his cost hath al forlorn, 
Curseth the tyme that ever he was born : 
' Alias,' quod he, ' alias ! that I bihighte 
Of pured gold a thousand pound of 

wighto (832) 1560 

Un-to this philosophre ! how shal I do? 
I see na-more but that I am fordo. 
Myn heritage moot I nedes selle, 
And been a begger ; heer may I nat 

dwelle, 
And shamen al my kinrede in this place. 
But I of him may gete bettre grace. 1566 
But nathelees, I wol of him assaye, (839) 
At certeyn dayes, yeer by yeer, to paye, 
And thanke him of his grete curteisye ; 
My trouthe wol I kepe, I wol nat lye.' 1570 
With herte soor he gooth un-to his cofre. 
And broghte gold un-to this philosophre, 
The value of fyve hundred pound, I gesse. 
And him bisecheth, of his gentillesse, 
To gi-aunte him dayes of the remenaiint. 
And seyde, ' maister, I dar wel make 

avaunt, 1576 

I failled never of my trouthe as yit ; 
For sikerly my dette shal be quit (S50) 
Towardes yow, how-ever that I fare 
To goon a-begged in my kirtle bare. 1580 
But wolde ye vouche-sauf, up-on seurtee. 
Two yeer or three for to respyten me. 
Than were I wel ; for olles moot I selle 
Myn heritage ; ther is na-more to telle.' 
This philosophre sobrelj' answerde, 1585 



And seyde thus, whan he thise wordes 

herde : (858) 

' Have I nat holden covenant un-to thee?' 
' Yes, certes, wel and trewely,' quod he. 
' Hastow nat had thy lady as thee lyketh?' 
' No, no,' quod he, and sorwefully lie 

syketh. 1590 

' What was the cause ? tel me if thou can.' 
Aurelius his tale anon bigan. 
And tolde him al, as ye han herd bifore ; 
It nedeth nat to yow reherce it more. 

He seide, 'Arveragus, of gentillesse, 1595 
Had lever dye in sorwe and in distresse 
Than that his wyf were of hir trouthe 

fals.' (869) 

The sorwe of Dorigen he tolde him als. 
How looth hir was to been a wikked wyf. 
And that slio lever had lost that day hir 

lyf, i6po 

And that hir trouthe she swoor, thurgh 

innocence : 
' She never erst herde speke of apparence ; 
Tliat made me han of hir so greet pitee. 
And right as froly as he sente hir me, 
As frely sente I hir to him ageyn. 1605 
This al and som, ther is na-more to seyn.' 
This philosophre answerde, ' leve 

brother, 
Everich of yow dide gentilly til other. (880) 
Thou art a squyer, and he is a knight ; 
But god forbede, for his blisful might, 1610 
But-if a clerk coude doon a gentil dede 
As wel as any of yow, it is no drede ! 

Sire, I relesse thee thy thousand pound. 
As thou right now were cropen out of the 

ground, 1614 

Ne never er now ne haddest knowen me. 
For sire, I wol nat take a peny of thee 
For al my craft, ne noght for my travaille. 
Thou hast y-payed wel for my vitaille ; (S90) 
It is y-nogh, and farewel, have good daj':' 
And took his hors, and forth lie gooth 

his way. 1620 

Lordinges, this question wolde I aske 

now, 
Wliich was the moste free,as thinketh yow? 
Now tellcth me, er that ye ferther wende. 
I can na-more, my tale is at an ende. (896) 



Here is ended the Frankeleyns Tale. 

*,).* The six lines, numbered 11929-34 in Tyrwhitt's text, are spurious; for his 
11. ii93!;-i2902, sec pp. 551-564 ; for 11. 12903-15468, see pp. 492-551 



T. 15469- 1 55 1 9.] G. ZU ^econ^e (Itonnee Zak. 



649 



GKOUP G. 



THE SECONDE NONNES TALE. 



The Prologe of the Seconde Nonnes Tale. 



The ministre and tlio norice vin-to vyee?, 
AVliich that men clepe in English ydel- 

nesse, 
That porter of the gate is of delyces, 
T'eschiie, and hy hir contrarie hir op- 

presse, 
That is to scyn, by levefnl bisinesse, 5 

Wei oghten we to doon al our entente, 
Lest that the feend thurgh ydelnesse us 

hente. 

For he, that with his thousand cordes slye 
Continuelly us waiteth to biclappe, 
Whan he may man in ydelnesse espye, lo 
Ho can so lightly cacclie him in his trajape, 
Til that a man be hent right by the lappe. 
Ho nis nat war the feend hath hin\ in 

honde ; 
Wei oughte us werche, and ydelnes with- 

stonde. 

And though men dradden never for to dye, 
Yet seen men wel by reson doutelees, 16 
That ydelnesse is roten slogardye, 
Of which ther never comth no good 

encroes ; 
And seen, that sloutho hir holdeth in 

a lees 
Only to slepe, and for to ete and drinke. 
And to devouren al that othere swinke. 21 

And for to putte us fro swich ydelnesse. 
That cause is of so greet confusioun, 
I have heer doon my foithfnl bisinesse. 
After the legende, in translacioun 25 

Right of thy glorious lyf and passioun. 
Thou with thy garland wroght of rose 

and lilie ; 
Thee mene I, mayde and martir, seint 

Cecilie ! 



Tnuocacio ad Mariam. 

And thou that flour of virgines art alle, 
Of whom that Bernard list so wel \o 

wryte, 30 

To thee at my biginning first I calle ; 
Thou comfort of us wrecches, do me 

endyte 
Thy maydens deeth, than wan thurgh hir 

meryte 
The eternal lyf, and of the feend victorie, 
As man may after reden in hir storie. 35 

Thou mayde and mooder, doghter of thy 

sone, 
Thoii welle of mercy, sinful soules cure, 
In whom that god, for bountee, chees t<> 

wone. 
Thou humble, and heigh over every 

creatiire. 
Thou nobledest so ferforth our nature, 40 
That no desdeyn the maker hadde of 

kinde. 
His sone in blode and flesh to clothe and 

winde. 

Within no the cloistre blisful of thj^ sydes 
Took mannes shap the eternal love and 

pees. 
That of the tryne compas lord and gyde 

is. 45 

Whom erthe and see and heven, out of 

relees. 
Ay herien ; and thou, virgin wemmelees, 
Bar of thy body, and dweltest mayden 

pure. 
The creatour of every creature. 

Assembled is in thee magnificence 50 

With mercy, goodnesse, and with swich 
pitee 



Y 3 



6nO 



ZU Can^erfiurp Zake. 



[t. 15520-155S9. 



That thou, that art the soniie of excel- 
lence, 
Nat only helpest hem that preyen thee, 
But ofte tyme, of thy benignitee, 54 

Ful frely, er that men thyn help biseche. 
Thou goost biforn, and art hir lyves leche. 

Now help, thou meke and blisful fayre 

mayde, 
Me, flamed wrecche, in this desert of galle ; 
Think on the womman Cananee, that 

sayde 
That whelpes eten somnie of the crommes 

alle 60 

That from hir lordes table been y-falle ; 
And though that I, unworthy sone of Eve, 
Be sinful, yet accepte my bileve. 

And, for that feith is deed with-outen 

werkes. 
So for to werken yif me wit and space, 65 
Tliat I be quit fro thennes that most derk 

is! 
O thou, that art so fayr and ful of grace, 
Be myn advocat in that heighe place 
Ther-as withouten ende is songe 'Osanne,' 
Tliou Cristes niooder, doghter dere of 

Anne ! 70 

And of thy light my soule in prison lighte. 

That troubled is by the contagioun 

Of my body, and also by the wighte 

Of erthly luste and fals afFeccioun ; 

O haven of refut, o salvacioun 75 

Of hem that been in sorwe and in dis- 

tresse, 
Now help, for to my werk I wol me dresse. 

Yet preye I yow that reden that I wryte, 
Foryeve me, that I do no diligence 
This ilke storie subtilly to endyte ; 80 

For both have I the wordes and sentence 
Of him that at the seintes reverence 
The storie wroot, and folwe hir legende, 
And prey yow, that ye wol my werk 
amende. 

Interpretacio nominis Cecilie, quam ponit 
frater lacohus lanuenais in Legenda 
Aurea. 

First wolde I yow the nanie of seint 
Cecilie 85 

Expoune, as men may in hir storie see, 



It is to seye in English ' hevenes lilie,' 
For pure chastnesse of virginitee ; 
Or, for she whytnesse hadde of honestee, 
And grene of conscience, and of good 
fame 90 

The sote savour, ' lilie ' was hir name. 

Or Cecile is to seye 'the wey to blinde,' 
For she ensample "was by good techinge ; 
Or elles Cecile, as I writen finde, 
Is joyned, by a maner conjoininge 95 

Of ' hevene ' and ' Lia ' ; and heer, in 

figuringe. 
The ' heven ' is set for thoght of holinesse, 
And ' Lia ' for hir lasting bisinesse. 

Cecile may eek be seyd in this manere, 
' Wanting of blindnesse,' for hir grete 

light 100 

Of sapience, and for hir thewes clere ; 
Or elles, lo ! this luaydens name bright 
Of ' hevene ' and ' leos ' comth, for which 

by right 
Men mighte hir wel ' the heven of peple ' 

calle, 104 

Ensample of gode and wyse werkes alle. 

For ' leos ' ' peple ' in English is to seye, 
And right as men may in the hevene see 
The Sonne and mone and sterres every 

weye. 
Right so men gostly, in this mayden free, 
Seyen of feitli the magnanimitee, no 

And eek the cleernesse hool of sapience, 
And sondry werkes, brighte of excellence. 

And right so as tliise philosophres wryte 
That heven is swift and round and eek 

brenninge, 
Right so was fayre Cecilie the whyte 115 
Ful swift and bisy ever in good werkinge, 
Ajid round and hool in good perseveringe. 
And brenning ever in charitee ful brighte ; 
Now have I yow declared what she liighte. 
E.rplicit. 

Here biginneth the Seconde Nonnes 
Tale, of the lyf of Seinte Cecile. 

This mayden bright Cecilie, as hir lyf 
seith, 120 

Was comen of Romayns, and of noble 
kinde, 



T. 1559C-15666.] G. Z^n ^econbe (llonneg Zak, 



651 



And from hir cradel up fostred in tlic 

feith 
Of Crist, and bar his gospel in Mr minde ; 
She never cessed, as I writen finde, 
Of hir preyere, and god to love and drede, 
Bisekinghim to kepe hir maydenhede. 126 

And when this niayden sholde vinto a man 
Y-wedded be, that was ful yong of age. 
Which that y-cleped was Valerian, 
And day was comen of liir mariage, 130 
She, fnl devout and hiinible in hir corage, 
Under hir robe of gold, that sat ful fayre, 
Had next hir flesh y-elad hir in an heyre. 

And whyl the organs niaden melodye, 
To god alone in herte thus sang she ; 135 
' O lord, my soule and eek my body gye 
Unwemmed, lest that I confovinded be :' 
And, for his love that deyde upon a tree. 
Every seconde or thridde day she faste, 
Ay biddinge in liir orisons ful faste. 140 

The night cam, and to bedde moste she 

gon 
With hir housbonde, as ofte is the manere. 
And prively to him she seyde anon, 
' O swete and wel Ijiloved spouse dere, 
Ther is a conseil, and ye wolde it here, 
Which that right fain I wolde unto yow 

seye, 146 

So that ye swere ye shul me nat biwreye. ' 

Valerian gan faste unto hir swere, 
That for no cas, ne thing that mighte be, 
He sholde never-mo biwreyen here ; 150 
And thanne at erst to him thus seyde she, 
' I have an angel which that loveth me. 
That with greet love, wher-so I wake or 

slepe. 
Is redy ay my body for to kepe. 154 

And if that he may felen, out of drede. 
That ye me louche or love in vileinye, 
He right anon wol slee yow with the dede, 
And in your yowthe thus ye shulden dye ; 
And if that ye in clene love me gye. 
He wol yow loven as me, for your clen- 

nesse, 160 

And shewen yow his joye and his bright- 

nesse.' 



Valerian, corrected as god wolde, 
Answerde agayn, ' if I shal trusten thee, 
Lat me that angel see, and him biholde ; 
And if that it a verray angel be, 165 

Than wol I doon as thou hast preyed me ; 
And if thou love another man, for sothe 
Right with this swerd than wol I slee yow 
bothe.' 

Cecile answerde anon right in this wyse, 
' If that yow list, the angel shul ye see, 170 
So that ye trowe on Crist and yow bap- 

tyse. 
Gotli forth to Via Apia,' quod she, 
' That fro this toun ne stant but myles 

three. 
And, to the povre folkes that ther dwelle, 
Sey hem right thus, as that I shal yow 

telle. 175 

Telle hem that I, Cecile, yow to hem sente. 

To shewen yow the go<.le Urban the olde. 

For secree nedes and for good entente. 

And whan that ye seint Urban han bi- 
holde. 

Telle him tlie wordes whiche I to yow 
tolde; 180 

And whan that he hath purged yow fro 
sinne, 

Thanne shul ye see that angel, er ye 
twinne.' 

Valerian is to the place y-goii. 

And right as him was taught bj- liis 

lerninge. 
He fond this holy olde Urban anon 185 
Among the seintes buriels lotinge. 
And he anon, with-outen taryinge, 
Dide his message ; and whan that he it 

tolde. 
Urban for joye his hondes gan up hokle. 

The teres from his yen leet he falle — igo 
' Almighty loz'd, O Jesu Crist,' qu.od he, 
' Sower of chast conseil, herde of us alle. 
The fruit of thilke seed of chastitee 
That thou hast sowe in Cecile, tak to thee ! 
Lo, lyk a bisy bee, with-outen gyle, 195 
Thee serveth ay thyn owene thral Cecile ! 

For thillie spouse, that she took but now 
Ful lyk a fiers leoun, she sendeth here, 



Y 5 



652 



ZU CanterBurp Zake. 



T. 15667-1573(1. 



As meke as ever was any lamb, to yow !' 
And with that wordo, anon thcr gan 

appere 200 

An old man, clad in wlij-te clothes clere, 
That hadde a hook with lettre of golde in 

honde, 
And gan hiforn Valerian to stonde. 

Valerian as deed fil dovin for dredc 
Whan he him sangh, and he up hento 

him tho, 205 

And on his book right tluis he gan to 

rede — 
• Oo Lord, 00 feith, 00 god with-outen mo, 
Oo Cristendom, and fader of alle also, 
Aboven alle and over al everywhere ' — 
Tliise wordes al with gold y-writen were. 

Whan this was rad, than seyde this oldc 
man, 211 

■ Leveitow this thing or no ? sey ye f>r 

nay.' 

■ I leve al this thing,' quod Valerian, 

' For sother thing than this, I dar wel say. 
Under the hevcnc no wight thinke m.ay.' 
Tho vanisshed th'oldo man, he nisto 

where, 216 

And pope Urban him cristened right 

there. 

Valerian goth hoom, and fint Cecilie 
With-inne his chambre with an angel 

stonde ; 
This angel hadde of roses and of lilie 220 
Ooronos two, tho which he bar in honde ; 
And first to Cecile, as I understonde. 
He yaf that oon, and after gan he take 
That other to Valerian, hir make. 

■ With body clene and with unwemniod 

thoght 225 

Kepeth ay wel thise corones,' quod ho ; 
' Fro Paradys to yow have I hem broght, 
Ne never-mo ne shal they roten be, 
Ne lese her sote savour, trusteth me ; 
Ne never wight shal seen hem with his ye, 
But ho be chaast and hate vileinye. 231 

And thou. Valerian, for thou so sone 
Assentedest to good conseil also, 
Sey what theo list, and thou shalt lian 
thy bone.' 



' I have a brother,' quod Valerian tho, 235 

' That in this world I love no man so. 

I pray yow that my brother may ban 

grace 
To knowo the trouthe, as I do in this 

place.' 

The angel seyde, ' god lyketh thy requeste. 
And bothe, with tho palm of martirdom. 
Ye shuUen come unto his blisful teste.' 
And with that word Tiburco his brother 

com. 
And whan that he the savour undernom 
Which that the roses and the lilies caste, 
Witli-inne his herte he gan to wondre 

faste, 245 

And spyile, ' I wondre, this tyme of tho 

yeer, 
Whennes that sote savour cometh so 
Of rose and lilies that I smelle heer. 
For though I haddo hem in myn hondes 

two, 249 

The savour mighte in nie no depper go. 
Tlie sote smel that in myn herte I findo 
Hath chaunged me al in another kinde.' 

Valerian seyde, ' two corones han wo, 
Snow-whyto and rose-reed, that shyneu 

clere, 
Whiche that thyn yen han no might to 

see ; 255 

And as thou smellost hem tliurgh my 

preyere, 
So shaltow seen hem, leve brother dcre. 
If it so be thou wolt, withouten slouthe, 
Bileve aright and knowen verray trovithe.' 

Tiburce answerde, ' seistow this to me 260 
In soothnesse, or in dreem I herkne this?' 
' In dremes,' quod Valerian, ' han we be 
Unto this tyme, brother myn, y-wis. 
But now at erst in trouthe our dwelling is.' 
' How woostow this,' quod Tiburce, ' in 
what wyse ? ' 265 

Quod Valerian, ' that shal I thee devyse. 

The angel of god hath nic tho trouthe 

y-tauglit 
Wliich thou shalt seen, if that thoii wolt 

reneye 



'J^- 15737-1580^-] G. Z-U ^econie (Jlonnee 'Zak. 



653 



The ydoles and be clene, and elles 
naught.' — 269 

And of the miracle of thise corones tweye 
Seint Ambrose in his preface list to seye ; 
Solempnely this noble doctour dere 
Commend eth it, and seith in this manere: 

The palm of martirdoni for to recey ve, 
Seinte Cecile, fulfild of goddes yifte, 275 
The world and eek hir chambre gan she 

weyve ; 
Witnes Tyburces and f Valerians shrifte, 
To •whiche god of his bountee wolde 

shifte 
Corones two of floures wel smellinge, 
And made his angel hem the corones 

bringe : 280 

Tlie mayde hath broght thise men to 

blisse above ; 
The world hath wist what it is worth, 

certeyn, 
Devocioun of chastitee to love. — • 
Tho shewede him Cecile al open and pleyn 
That alle ydoles nis but a thing in \eyn ; 
For they been dombe, and therto they 

been deve, 286 

And charged him his ydoles for to leve. 

' Who so that troweth nat this, a beste 

he is,' 
Quod tho Tiburce, 'if that I shal nat lye.' 
And she gan kisse his brest, that herdo 

this, 290 

And was ful glad he coude troiithe espye. 
'This day I take thee for myn allye,' 
Seyde this blisful fayre mayde dere ; 
And after that she seyde as ye may here : 

'Lo, right so as the love of Crist,' quod 

she, 295 

' Made me thy brotheres wyf, right in 

that wyse 
Anon for myn allye heer take I thee, 
Sin that thou wolt thyn ydoles despyse. 
Go with thy brother now, and thee baj)- 

tyse, 
And make thee clene ; so that thou mowe 

biholde .^( kj 

The angels face of which thy brother 

tolde.' 



Tiburce answerde and seyde, ' broth tr 

dere, 
First tel me whidcr I shal, and to what 

man?' 
'To whom?' quod he, 'com forth with 

right good chere, 
I wol thee lede unto the pope Urban.' 305 
' Til Urban ? brother myn Valerian,' 
Quod tho Tiburce, ' woltow me thider lede ? 
Me tliinketh that it were a wonder dede. 

Ne menestow nat Urban,' qviod he tho, 
' That is so ofte dampned to be deed, 310 
And woneth in halkes alwey to and fro. 
And dar nat ones pvitte forth his heed ? 
Men sholde him brojinen in a fyr so reed 
If he were founde, or that men mighte him. 

spye ; 
And we also, to here him companye — 315 

And whyl we seken thilke divinitee 
That is y-liid in hevene prively, 
Algate y-brend in this world shul we be ! ' 
To whom Cecile answerde boldely, 319 
' Men mighten dreden wel and skilfully 
This lyf to lese, myn owene dere brother, 
If this were livinge only and non other. 

But ther is better lyf in other place. 
That never shal be lost, ne drede thee 

noght, 
Which goddes sone us tolde thurgh his 

grace ; 325 

That fadres sone hath alle thinges wroght ; 
And al that wroght is with a skilful thoght, 
The goost, that fro the fader gan precede, 
Hath sowled hem, withouten any drede. 

By word and by miracle goddes sone, 330 
Whan he was in this world, declared here 
That ther was other lyf ther men may 

wone.' 
To whom answerde Tiburce, ' O suster dere, 
Ne seydestow right now in this manere, 
Ther nis but o god, lord in soothfastnesse ; 
And now of three how maystow here 

witnesse?' 336 

' That shal I telle,' quod she, ' er I go. 
Right as a man hath sapiences three, 
Memorie, engjm, and intellect also. 
So, in o being of divinitee, 34(:: 



654 



ZU tdnkvBuv^ Zake. 



T. I5809-I587S. 



Three persones may ther right wel be.' 
Tho gan she him ful bisily to preche 
Of Cristes come and of his peynes teche, 

And inanj' pointes of his passioun ; 

How goddes sone in this world was with- 

holde, 345 

To doon mankinde plej-n roniissioun, 
That was y-bonnde in sinne and cares 

colde : 
Al this thing she nnto Tiburce tolde. 
And after this Tiburce, in good entente, 
With Valerian to pope Urban he wente. 

That thanked god ; and with glad herte 
and light 351 

He cristned him, and made him in that 
place 

Parfit in his lerninge, goddes knight. 

And after this Tiburce gat swich grace. 

That every day he saugh, in tyme and 
space, 355 

The angel of god ; and every maner bone 

That he god axed, it was sped ful sone. 

It were ful hard by ordre for to seyn 
How many wondres Jesus for horn 

wroghte ; 
But atte laste, to tellen short and pleyn, 
The sergeants of the toun of Kome hem 

soghte, 361 

And hem biforn Almache the prefect 

broghte, 
Which hem apposed, and knew al hir 

entente, 
And to the image of Jupiter hem sente, 

And seyde, ' who so wol nat sacrifyse, 365 
Swap of his heed, this is my sentence 

here.' 
Anon thise martirs that I yow devyse, 
Oon Maximus, that was an oflicere 
Of the prefectes and his corniculere, 
Hem hente ; and whan he forth the 

seintes ladde, 370 

Him-self he weep, for pitee that he hadde. 

Whan Maximus had herd the seintes lore, 
He gat him of the tormentoures leve, 
And ladde hem to his hous withoute 
more ; 374 

And with hir preching. er that it were eve, 



They gonnen fro the tormentours to reve, 
And fro Maxime, and fi-o his folk echone 
The false feith, to trowe in god allone. 

Ceoilie cam, whan it was woxen night, 
With preestes that hem cristned alle 

y-fere; 380 

And afterward, whan day was woxen 

light, 
Cecile hem scyde with a ful sobre chore, 
' Now, Cristes oweno knightes leve and 

dere. 
Caste alle awey the werkes of derknesse. 
And armeth yow in arniure of hright- 

nesse. 385 

Ye ban for sothe y-doon a greet bataille, 
Your cours is doon, your feith han ye 

conserved, 
Goth to the corone of lyf that may nat 

faille ; 
The rightful juge, which that ye han 

served, 3 89 

Shall yeve it yow, as ye han it deserved.' 
And whan this thing was seyd as I devyse, 
Men ladde hem forth to doon the sacrilyse. 

But whan they weren to the place broght. 
To tellen shortly the conclusioun. 
They nolde encense no sacrifice right 
noght, 395 

But on hir knees they sctten hem adoun 
With humble herte and sad devocioun. 
And losten bothe hir hcdes in the place. 
Hir soules wenten to the king of grace. 

This Maximus, that saugh this thing 
bityde, 400 

With pitous teres tolde it anon-right, 
That he hir soules saugh to heven glyde 
With angels ful of cleernesse and of light, 
And with his word converted many a 

wight ; 
For which Almachius dide him so to-bete 
With whippe of leed, til he his lyf gan 
lete. 406 

Cecile him took and buried him anoon 
By Tiburce and Valerian softely, 
Withinne hir bitrying-place, under the 

stoon. 
And after this Almachius hastily 410 



T. 15S79-15953.] G. ZU ^econbe (ltottttC0 Z<xk. 



655 



Bad his ministres fecchen openly 
Cecile, so that she mighte in his presence 
Doon sacrifyee, and Jupiter encense. 

But they, converted at hir wyse lore, 
Wepten ful sore, and yaven ful credence 
Unto hir word, and cryden more and 

more, 416 

' Crist, goddes sone ■withoviten difference, 
Is verray god, this is al our sentence. 
That hath so good a servant him to serve ; 
This with o voys we trowen, thogh we 

sterve ! ' 420 

Almachius, that herde of this doinge, 
Bad fecchen Cecile, that he might hir see. 
And alderfirst, lo ! this was his axinge, 
' What maner womman artow?' tho quod 
he. 424 

' I am a gentil womman born,' quod she. 
' I axe thee,' quod he, ' thogh it thee greve, 
Of thy religioun and of thy bileve.' 

' Ye han bigonne your question folilj-,' 
Qiiod she, ' that wolden two answeres 

conclude 
In 00 demande ; ye axed lewedly.' 430 
Almache answerde unto that similitude, 
' Of whennes comth thyn answering so 

rude ? ' 
'Of whennes?' quod she, whan that she 

was freyned, 
' Of conscience and of good feith un- 

feyned.' 434 

Almachius sej'de, ' ne takestow non hede 
Of my power?' and she answerde him 

this— 
' Your might,' q^^od she, ' ful litel is to 

drede ; 
For every mortal mannes power nis 
But lyk a bladdre, ful of wind, y-wis. 439 
For with a nedles poynt, whan it is blowe. 
May al the boost of it be leyd ful lowe.' 

' Ful wrongfully bigonne thou,' quod he, 
' And yet in wrong is thy perseveraunce ; 
Wostow nat how our mightj^ princes free 
Han thus comanded and maad ordin- 

aunce, 445 

That every Cristen wight shal han pen- 

aunce 



But-if that he his Cristendom withseye, 
And goon al quit, if he wol it reneye ? ' 

' Your princes erren, as your nobley dooth,' 
Quod tho Cecile, ' and with a wood 
sentence 450 

Ye make us gilty, and it is nat sooth ; 
For ye, that knowen wel our innocence, 
For as muche as we doon a reverence 
To Crist, and for we bere a Cristen name. 
Ye putte on us a cryme, and eek ablame. 

But we that knowen thilke name so 456 
For vertuous, we may it nat withseye.' 
Almache answerde, ' chees oon of thise 

two, 
Do sacrifyee, or Cristendom reneye. 
That thou mowe now escapen by that 

weye. ' 460 

At which the holy blisful fayre mayde 
Gan for to laughe, and to the jiige seyde, 

' O juge, confvis in thy nycetee, 
Woltow that I reneye innocence, 464 

To make me a wikked wight ? ' quod she ; 
' Lo ! he dissimuleth here in audience, 
He stareth and woodeth in his advertence ! ' 
To whom Almachius, ' iinsely wrecche, 
Ne woostow nat how far my might may 
strecche ? 

Han noght our mighty princes to me 
yeven, ^yo 

Ye, bothe power and auctoritee 
To maken folk to dyen or to liven ? 
Why spekestow so proudly than to me ?' 
' I speke noght but stedfastly,' quod she, 
' Nat proudly, for I seye , as for my syde. 
We haten deedly thilke vyce of pryde. 

And if thou drede nat a sooth to here, ' 
Than wol I shewe al openly, by right. 
That thou hast maad afulgret lesinghere. 
Thou seyst, thy princes han thee yeven 

might 4cSo 

Bothe for to sleen and for to quiken a 

wight ; 
Thou, that ne mayst but only ]yf bireve. 
Thou hast non other power ne no leve ! 

But thou mayst seyn, thj' princes han 

thee maked 484 

Ministre of deeth ; for if thou speke of mo, 



656 



ZU taniivBuv^ Zako, 



[t. 15954-16221. 



Thou lyest, for thy power is ful naked.' 
' Bo wey thy lioldnes,' seyde Almachius 

the, 
' And sacrifyce to our goddes, er thou go ; 
I recche nat what wrong that thou me 

profre, 
For I can suifre it as a philosoplire ; 490 

But thilke wronges may I nat endure 
That thou spekest of our goddes here,' 

quod he. 
Cecilo answerede, ' O nyce creature, 
Thou seydest no word sin thou spak to me 
That I ne knew therwith thy nycetee ; 495 
And that thou were, in every maner 

wyse, 
A lewed officer and a veyn justyse. 

Ther lakketh no-thing to thyn utter yen 
That thou nart blind, for thing that we 

seen alle 499 

That it is stoon, tliat men may wel espyen, 
That ilke stoon a god tliou wolt it calle. 
I rede thee, lat thyn liand upon it falle. 
And taste it wel, and stoon thou shalt it 

finde. 
Sin that thou seest nat with thyn yen 

blinde. 

It is a shame that the peple shal 505 

So scorne thee, and laughe at thy folye ; 
For comunly men woot it wel overal. 
That mighty god is in his hevenes hye. 
And thise images, wel thou mayst espye. 
To thee ne to hem-self mowe nought 
profyte, 510 

For in effect they been nat worth a myte.' 

Thise wordes and swiche othere seyde she. 
And he weex wroth, and bad men sholde 

• hir lede 
Horn til hir lious, ' and in hir hous,' quod 

he, 
' Brenno hir right in a bath of flambes 

rede.' 515 

And as he bad, right so was doon in detle ; 
For in a bath they gonne hir faste shettcn. 
And night and day greet fyr they under 

betten. 



The longe night and eek a day also, 
For al the fyr and eek the bathes hete, 
She sat al cold, and felede no wo, 52 1 

It made hir nat a drope for to swete. 
But in that bath hir lyf she moste lete ; 
For he, Almachius, with ful wikko entente 
To sleen hir in the bath his sonde sente. 

Tliree strokes in the nekke he smoot hir 

tho, 526 

The tormentour, but for no maner chaunce 
He mighte noght smyte al hir nekke 

a-two ; 
And for ther was that tyme an ordin- 

aunce, 
That no man sholde doon man swich 

penaunce 530 

The fertile strook to smyten, softe or sore, 
This tormentour ne dorste do na-more. 

But half-deed, with hir nekke y-corven 

there. 
He lefte hir lye, and on his wey is went. 
The Cristen folk, which that aboute hir 

■were, 535 

With shetes han the blood ful faire y-hent. 
Three dayes lived she in this torment, 
And never cessed hem the feith to teche ; 
That she hadde fostred, hem she gan to 

isreche ; 

And hem she yaf hir moebles and hir 
thing, 540 

And to the pope Urban bitook hem tho. 
And seyde, ' I axed this at hevene king. 
To han respyt three dayes and na-mo. 
To recomende to yow, er that I go, 
Thise soules, lo ! and that I mighte do 
werche 545 

Here of myn hous perpetuelly a cherche.' 

Seint Urban, with his deknes, prively 
The body fette, and buried it by nighte 
Among his othere seintes honestly. 
Hir hous the chirche of seint Cecilie 
highte ; 550 

Seint Urban halwed it, as he wel mighte; 
In which, into this day, in noble wyse, 
Men doon to Crist and to his seint servyse. 



Here is ended the Seconde Nonnes Tale. 



T. 16022-160S7.] G. ■^^e £:anon'0 'l)eoman'0 (pvofo^ue. 



657 



THE CANON'S YEOMAN'S PROLOGUE. 



The prologe of the Chanons Yemannes Tale. 



Whan ended was the lyf of saint Cecyle, 
Er we had riden fully i'yve myle, 555 

At Boghton under Bloe us gan atake 
A man, that clothed was in clothes blake, 
And undernethe he hadde a whyt surplys. 
His hakeney, that was al pomely grys, 
So swatte, that it wonder was to see ; 560 
It semed he had priked myles three. 
The hors eek that his yenian rood upon 
So swatte, that unnethe niighte it gon. (10) 
Alxmte the peytrol stood the foom ful hye, 
He was of fonie al flekked as a pye. 565 
A male tweyfold on his croper lay, 
It semed that he caried lyte array. 
Al light for somcr rood this worthy man. 
And in myn herte wondren I higan 
What that he was, til that I understood 
How that his cloke was sowed to his 

hood ; 571 

For which, when I had longe avysed me, 
I denied him soni chanon for to be. (20) 
His hat heng at his bak doun by a laas. 
For he had riden more than trot or paas ; 
He had ay priked lyk as he were wood. 
A clote-leef he hadde under his hood 577 
For swoot, and for to kepe his heed from 

hete. 
But it was joye for to seen him swete ! 
His forheed dropped as a stillatorio, 580 
Were ful of jilantain and of paritorio. 
And whan that ho was come, he gan to 

crye, 
' God save,' quod he, ' this joly companye ! 
Faste have I prikod,' quod he, ' for your 

sake, (31) 

By-cause that I wolde yow atake, 585 

To i-yden in this mery companye.' 
His yeman eek was ful of curteisye. 
And seyde, ' sires, now in the morwe-tyde 
Out of your hostelrye I saugh you ryde, 



And warned heer my lord and my 

soverayn, 590 

Which that to ryden with yow is fulfayn. 
For his dcsport ; ho loveth daliaunce.' 
' Freend, for thy warning god yeve thee 

good chaunce,' (40) 

Than seyde our host, ' for certes, it wolde 

seme 
Thy lord were wys, and so I may wol 

deme ; 5^5 

He is ful jocund also, dar I leye. 
Can he oght telle a mery tale or tweye. 
With which he glade may this companye? ' 
' Who, sire ? my lord ? ye, ye, withoxiten 

lye, 

He can of murthe, and eek of jolitee 600 
Nat but ynough ; also sir, trusteth me, 
And ye him knewe as wcl as do I, 
Ye wolde wondre how wel and craftily (50) 
He coude werke, and that in sondry wyse. 
He hath take on him many a greet 

empryse, 605 

Which were ful hard for any that is 

here 
To bringe aboute, but they of him it lere. 
As homely as he rit amonges yow. 
If ye him knewe, it wolde be for your 

prow ; 6( 9 

Ye wolde nat forgoon his aqueyntaunce 
For mochel good, I dar leye in balaunce 
Al that I have in my possessioun. 
He is a man of heigh discrecioun, (60) 
I warne you wel, he is a passing man.' 
' Wel,' quod our host, ' I pray thee, tel 

me than, 615 

Is he a clerk, or noon ? tel what he is.' 

'Nay, ho is gretter than a clerk, y-wis,' 
Sey-le this yeman, ' and in wordes fewe. 
Host, of his craft som-what I wol yow 

she we. 619 



Z^t tanUvBuv^ Zaks. 



[t. i6o88-ir,i7o. 



I seye, my lord can swich subtilitee — 
(But al his craft j-e raay nat wite at me ; 
And som-wliat helpe I yet to his werking) — 
That al this ground on which we been 

ryding, (71)) 

Til that we come to Caunterbury toun, 
Ho coude al clene turne it up-so-doun, 625 
And pave it al of silver and of gold.' 

And whan this yeman hadde thus y-told 
Unto our host, he sej'de, ' ben'cite ! 
This thing is wonder merveillous to me, 
Sin that thy lord is of so heigh prudence, 
By-cause of which men sholde him rever- 
ence, 631 
That of his worship rekketh he so lyte ; 
His oversloppe nis nat worth a myte, (80) 
As in eifect, to him, so mote I go ! 
It is al baudy and to-tore also. 635 
Why is thy lord so sluttish, I thee preye, 
And is of power better cloth to beye, 
If that his dede accorde with thy speche? 
Telle me that, and that I thee biseche.' 
' Why ? ' quod this yeman, ' wherto axe 

ye me ? 640 

God help me so, for he shal never thee ! 
(But I wol nat avowe that I seye, 
And therfor kepe it secree, I yow preye). 
He is to wys, in feith, as I bileve ; (91) 
That that is overdoon, it wol nat preve 645 
Aright, as clerkes seyn, it is a vyce. 
Wherfor in that I holde him lewed and 

nyce. 
For whan a man hath over-greet a wit, 
Ful oft him happeth to misusen it ; 
So dooth my lord, and that me greveth 

sore. 650 

God it amende, I can se,y yow na-more.' 
' Ther-of no fors, good yeman,' qiiod our 

host; 
' Sin of the conning of thy lord thou 

wost, (100) 

Tel how he dooth, I pray thee hertely. 
Sin that he is so crafty and so sly. 655 

Whor dwellen ye, if it to telle be ? ' 

' In the suburbes of a toun,' quod he, 
' Lurkinge in hemes and in lanes blinde, 
Wher-as thise robbours and thise theves 

by kinde 
Holden hir privee fereful residence, 660 
As they that dar nat shewen hir presence ; 
So faren we, if I shal seye the sotho.' 



' Now,' quod oiir host, ' yit lat me talke 

to the ; ('lo) 

Why artow so discoloiired of thy face ? ' 
' Peter ! ' quod he, ' god yeve it liarde 

grace, 665 

I am so used in the fyr to blowe, 
That it hath chaunged my colour, I trowc. 
I am nat wont in no mirour to prye, 
But swinke sore and lerne multiplye. 
We blondren ever and pouren in the fyr. 
And for al that we fayle of our desyr, 671 
For ever we lakken otir conclusioun. 
To mochel folk we doon illusioun, (120) 
And borwe gold, be it a pound or two. 
Or ten, or twelve, or many sommes mo, 675 
And make hem wenen, at the leeste weye. 
That of a pound wo coude make tweye ! 
Yet is it fals, but ay we han good hope 
It for to doon, and after it we grope. 
But that science is so fer lis biforn, 680 
We mowen nat, al-though we hadde it 

sworn. 
It overtake, it slit awey so faste ; 
It wol us maken beggers atte laste.' (130) 
Whyl this yeman was thus in his 

talking. 
This chanoun drough him neer, and herde 

al thing 685 

Which this yeman spak, for suspecioun 
Of mennes speche ever hadde this cha- 
noun. 
For Catoun seith, that he that gilty is 
Demeth al thing be spoke of him, y-wis. 
That was the cause he gan so ny him drawe 
To his yeman, to herknen al his sawe. 691 
And thvis he seyde nn-to his yeman tho, 
' Hold thou thy pees, and spek no wordes 

mo, (140) 

For if thou do, thoii shalt it dere abye ; 
Thou sclaundrest me heer in this com- 

panye, 695 

And eek discoverest that thou sholdest 

hyde.' 
' Ye,' quod oiir host, ' telle on, what so 

bityde ; 
Of al his threting rekke nat a mj-te ! ' 
' In feith,' quod he, 'namore I do biit lyte.' 
And whan this chanon saugh it wolde 

nat be, 700 

But his yeman wolde telle his privetee. 
He flodde awey for verray sorwe and shame. 



T. i6i 71-16235.] G. 'Z^t <£^anoun0 '^emannee Tak. 



^59 



' A ! ' quod the yeman, ' heer shal aryse 
game, ( 150) 

Al that I can anon now wnl 1 telle. 704 
Sin he is goon, the foule feend him quelle ! 
For never licr-after wol I with him mete 
For peuy ne for pound, I yow bihete I 
He that me broghte first unto that game, 
Er that he dye, sorwe ha\e he and shanie ! 
For it is ernest to me, by my feitli ; 710 
That fele I wel, what so any man seith. 



And yet, for al my smerte and al my 

grief, 
For al my sorwe, labour, and meschief, 
I coi\de never leve it in no wyse. (161) 
Now wolde god my wit mights suifyse 715 
To tellen al that longeth to that art ! 
But uatheles yow wol I tellen part ; 
Sin that my lord is gon, I wol nat spare ; 
Swich thing as that I knowo, I wol de- 
clare.' — 719 



Here endeth the Prologe of the Chanouns Yemannes Tale. 



THE CHANOUNS YEMANNES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Chanouns Yeman his Tale. 



[Prima Pars.] 

With this chanouu I dwelt have seven 
yeer, 720 

And of his science am I never the neer. 
Al that I hadde, I have y-lost ther-by ; 
And god wot, so hath mans'^ mo than I. (170) 
Ther I was wont to be right fresh and gay 
Of clothing and of other good array, 725 
Now may I were an hose upon myn heed ; 
And wher my colour was bothe fresh and 

reed, 
Now is it wan and of a leden hewe ; 
Who-so it iiseth, sore shal he rewe. 
And of my swink yet blered is myn ye, 730 
Lo ! which avantage is to multiplye ! 
That slyding science hath me maad so bare, 
That I have no good, wher that ever I fare ; 
And yet I am endetted so ther-by (181) 
Of gold that I have borwed, trewely, 735 
That whyl 1 live, I shal it quyte never. 
Lat every man be war by me for ever ! 
What maner man that casteth him ther-to, 
If he continue, I holde his thrift y-do. 
Sohelpe megod, ther-by shalhe nat winne, 
But empte his purs, and make his wittes 
thinne. (188) 741 

And whan he,thurgh his madnes and folye, 



Hatli lost his owene good thurgh jupartye, 
Thanne he excyteth other follt ther-to, 
To lese hir good as he him-self hath do. 745 
For unto shrewes joye it is and ese 
To have hir felawes in peyne and disese ; 
Thus was I ones lerued of a clerk. 
Of that no charge, 1 wol sxseke of our werk. 
Whan we been ther as we shul exercyso 
Ou^r elvish craft, we semen wonder wyse. 
Our termes been so clergial and so 
queynte. (199) 752 

I blowe the fyr til that myn herte feynte. 

What sholde I tellen ech proporcioun 
Of thinges whiche that we werche iipon. 
As on fyve or sixe ounces, may wel be. 756 
Of silver or som other quantitee. 
And bisie me to telle yow the names 
Of orpiment, brent bones, yren squames, 
That into poudre groimden been ful smal ? 
And in an erthen potte how put is al. 761 
And salt y-put in, and also papeer, (209) 
Bitbrn thise poiidres that I spoke of heer. 
And wel y-covered with a lampe of glas. 
And mochel other thing which that ther 
was ■? 765 

And of the pot and glasses enluting. 
That of the eyre mighte passe out no-thing f 



66o 



ZU tankv^uv^ Zcik6. 



[t. 16236— i6.',27. 



And of tlie esy fyr and smart also, 
Which that was maad, and of the care 
and wo 769 

That we hadde in our matires snhlyming, 
And in amalgaming and calcening 
Of quik-silvor, y-clept Mercurie crude ? 
For alle our sleightes we can nat con- 
clude. (220) 
Our orpiment and sublymed Mercurie, 
Our grouuden litarge eek on the porphurie, 
Of ech of thise of ounces a certeyn 776 
Nought helpeth lis, our labour is in veyn. 
Ne eok our spirites ascencioun, 
Ne our materes that lyen al fixe adoun, 
Mowe in our werkiug no-thing us avayle. 
For lost is al our labour and travayle, 781 
And al the cost, a twenty devel weye, 
Is lost also, which we upon it lej'e. (230) 

Ther is also ful many another thing 
That is unto our craft apertening ; 785 
Though I by ordre hem nat reherce can, 
By-cause that I am a lewed man. 
Yet wol I telle hem as they come to minde. 
Though I ne can nat sette hem in hir 

kinde ; 
As bole armoniak, verdegrees, boras, 790 
And sondry vessels maad of erthe and glas. 
Our urinales and our descensories, 
Violes, croslets, and sublymatories, (240) 
Cucurbites, and alembykes eek, 
And othere swiche, dere y-nough a leek. 
Nat nedeth it for to reherce hem alle, 796 
Watres rubifying and boles galle, 
Arsenik, sal armoniak, and brimstoon ; 
And herbos coude I telle eek many oon. 
As egremoine, valerian, and lunarie, 800 
And othere swiche, if that me liste tarie. 
Our lampesbrenning bothe night and day. 
To bringe aboute our craft, if that we 
may. (250) 

Our fourneys eek of calcinacioun. 
And of watres albificacioun, 805 

Unslekked lym, chalk, and gleyre of an ey, 
Poudres diverse, asshes, dong, pisse, and 

cley, 
Cered pokets, sal peter, vitriole ; 
And divers fyres maad of wode and cole ; 
Sal tartre, alkaly, and sal preparat, 810 
And combust materes and coagulat, 
Cley maad with hors or mannes heer, and 
oile 



Of tartre, alum, glas, berm, wort, and 

argoile, (260) 

Resalgar, and our materes enbibing ; 
And eek of our materes encorporing, 815 
And of our silver citrinacioun. 
Our cementing and fermentacioun. 
Our ingottes, testes, and many mo. 

I wol yow telle, as was me taught also, 
The foure spirites and the bodies sevene. 
By ordre, as ofte I herde my lord hem 

nevene. 821 

The flrste spirit quik-silver called is, (269) 
The second orpiment, the thridde, y-wis, 
Sal armoniak, and the ferthe brimstoon. 
The bodies sevene eek, lo ! hem heer anoon : 
Sol gold is, and Luna silver we threpe, 826 
Mars yreu, Mercurie quik-silver we clepe, 
Sattirnus leed, and Jupiter is tin, 
And Venus coper, by my fader kin ! S29 

This cursed craft who-so wol exercyse. 
He shal no good han that him may suffyse ; 
For al the good he spendeth ther-aboute, 
He lese shal, ther-of have I no doute. (280) 
Who-so that listeth outen his folye, 834 
Lat him come forth, and lerne mi^ltiplye ; 
And every man that oght hath in his cofre, 
Lat him appere, and wexe a philosofre. 
Ascaunce that craft is so light to lere ? 
Nay, nay, god woot, al be he monk or 

frere. 
Freest or chanoun, or any other wight, 840 
Though he sitte at his book bothe day and 

night. 
In lornyng of this elvish nyce lore, 
Al is in veyn, and parde, mochel more ! 
To lerne a lewed man this subtiltee, (291) 
Fy ! spek nat ther-of, for it wol nat be ; 845 
Al conne he letterure, or conne he noon, 
As in effect, he shal finde it al oon. 
For bothe two, b3' my savacioun, 
Concluden, in multiplicacioun, 
Y-lyke wel, whan they han al y-do ; 850 
This is to seyn, they faylen bothe two. 

Yet forgat I to maken rehersaille 
Of watres corosif and of limaille, (300) 
And of bodyes mollificacioun. 
And also of hir induracioun, 855 

Oiles, ablucions, and metal fusible. 
To tellen al wolde passen any bible 
That o-wher is ; wherfor, as for the beste, 
Of alle thise names now wol I me reste. 



T. 16328-16409.J G. ■^^e €0anoun0 'X)einannC0 'Zak. 



66 r 



For, as I trowe, I have yow told y-nowe 860 
To reyse a feend, al loke he never so rowe. 
A ! nay ! lat be ; the philosophres stoon^ 
Elixir clept, we sechen faste echoon ; (310) 
For hadde we him, than were we siker 

y-now. 
But, nuto god of heven I make avow, 865 
For al our craft, whan we han al y-do. 
And al our sleighte, he wol uat come us to. 
He hath y-maad us spenden mochel good. 
For sorwe of which almost we w^exen wood , 
But that good hope crepeth in our herte, 
Supposinge ever, though we sore smerte, 
To he releved by him aiterward ; 872 

Swich supposing and hope is sharp and 

hard ; (320) 

I warne yow wel, it is to seken ever ; 
That futur temps hath maad men to dis- 
sever, 875 
In trust ther-of, from al that ever thej' 

hadde. 
Yet of that art they can nat wexen sadde, 
For unto hem it is a bitter swete ; 
So semeth it ; for nadde they but a sliete 
Which that they mighte wrappe hem inne 

a-night, 880 

And a bak to walken inne by day-light, 
They wolde hem selle and spenden on this 

craft ; (329) 

They can nat stinte til no-thing be laft. 
And evermore, wher that ever they goon. 
Men may hem knowe by smel of brim- 

stoon ; 885 

For al the world, they stinken as a goot ; 
Her savour is so ranimish and so hoot. 
That, though a man from hem a myle be, 
The savour wol infecte him, trusteth me; 
Lo, thus by smelling and threedbare array, 
Ifthat men liste, this folk they knowe may. 
And if a man wol aske hem prively, 892 
Wliy they been clothed so unthriftily, (340) 
They right anon wol rownen in his ere, 
And seyn, that if that they espyed were, 
Men wolde hem slee, by-cause of hir 

science ; 896 

Lo, thus this folk bitrayen innocence ! 
Passe over this ; I go my tale im-to. 
Er than the pot be on the fyr y-do, 
Of metals with a certein quantitee, 900 
My lord hem tempreth, and no man but 

he— 



Now he is goon, I dar seyn boldely — - 
For, as men seyn, he can don craftily ; (350) 
Algate I woot wel he hath swich a name, 
And yet ful ofte he renneth in a blame ; 905 
And wite ye how ? ful ofte it hapi^eth so, 
The pot to-breketh, and farewel ! al is go ! 
Thise metals been of so greet violence, 
Ourwalles mowe natmakohem resist ence, 
But if they weren wroglit of lym and stoon ; 
They percen so, and thurgli the wal they 

goon, 911 

And somme of hem sin ken in-to the 

ground— (359) 

Thus han we lost by tymes many a ]pound— ^ 
And somme are scatered al the floor aboiite, 
Somme lepe in-to the roof; with-outen 

doute, 915 

Though that the feend noght in our sighte 

him shewe, 
I trowe he with us be, that ilke shrewe ! 
In helle wher that he is lord and sire, 
Nis ther more wo, ne more rancour ne ire. 
Whan that oiir pot is broke, as I have 

sayd, 920 

Every man chit, and halt him yvel apayd. 

Som seyde, it was long on the fyr- 

making, (369) 

Som seyde, nay ! it was on the blowing ; 
(Than was Ifered, for that was myn office) ; 
' Straw ! ' quod the thridde, 'ye been lewed 

and nj'ce, 925 

It was nat tempred as it oghte be.' 
' Nay ! ' quod the ferthe, ' stint, and lierkne 

me ; 
By-cause our fyr ne was nat maad of beech, 
That is the cause, and other noon, so 

theech ! ' 
I can nat telle wher-on it was long, 930 
But wel I wot greet strj^f is us among. 
' What ! ' quod my lord, ' ther is na-more 

to done. 
Of thise perils I wol be war eft-sone ; (380) 
I am right siker that the pot was erased. 
Be as be may, be ye no-thing amased ; 935 
As i^sage is, lat swepe the floor as swythe, 
Plukke VLp your hertes, and beth gladde 

and blythe.' 
The muUok on an hepe y-sweped was, 
And on the floor y-cast a canevas, 
And al this mullok in a sive y-throwe, 940 
And sifted, and y-i:)iked many a throwe. 



662 



Z^i tanUx6uv^ Zake. 



[t. 16410-16^93. 



' Pardee,' qnod oon, ' somwhat of onr 

metal 
Yet is tlierlieer, though that we han iiat al. 
Al-though this thing misliapped have as 

now, (391) 

Another tyme it may bo wel y-now, 945 
Us moste pntte our good in aventui'e ; 
A marchant, parde ! may nat ay endure 
Trvisteth me wel, in his prosperitee ; 
Somtyme his good is drenched in the see. 
And sonitym comth it sauf un-to the 

londe.' 950 

' Pees ! ' quod my lord, ' the next tyme 

I wol fonde (398) 

To bringe our craft al in another plyte ; 
And but I do, sirs, lat me han the wyte ; 
Ther was defaute in som-what, wel I woot.' 
Another seyde, the fyr was over hoot : — 
But, be it hoot or cold, I dar seye this, 956 
That we concluden evermore amis. 
We fayle of that which that we wolden 

have. 
And in our madnesse evermore we rave. 
And whan we been togidres everichoon, 
Every man semeth a Salomon. 961 

But al thing which that shyneth as the 

gold (409) 

Nis nat gold, as that I have herd it told ; 
Ne every appel that is fair at ye 
Ne is nat good, what-so men clappe or 

crye. 965 

Right so, lo ! fareth it amonges us ; 
He that semeth the wysest, by Jesus ! 
Is most fool, whan it cometh to the preef ; 
And he that semeth trewest is a theef ; 
That shul ye knowe, er that I fro yow 

wende, 970 

By that I of my tale have maad an ende. 
Explicit prima pars. 
Et sequitur pars secunda. 
Tlier is a chanouu of religioun 
Amonges us, wolde infecte al a toun, (420) 
Though it as gi-eet were as was Ninivee, 
Rome, Alisaundre,Troye, and othere three. 
His sleightes and his infinit falsnesse 976 
Ther coude no man wryten, as I gesse, 
Thogh that he mighte liven a thousand 

yeer. 
In al this world of falshede nis his peer ; 
For in his termes so he wolde him winde, 



And speke his wordes in so sly a kinde, 981 
Whan he commune shal with any wight, 
^hat lie wol make him doten anon right, 
But it a feend be, as him-selven is. (431) 
Pul many a man hath he bigyled er this, 
And wol, if that he live may a whyle ; 986 
And yet men ryde and goon ful many a 

myle 
Him for to seke and liave his aqueynt- 

aunce, 
Noght knowinge of his false governaunce. 
And if yow list to yeve me avidience, 990 
I wol it tellen heer in your presence. 
But worshipftil chanouns religious, 
Ne demeth nat that I sclaundre your hous, 
Al-though my tale of a chanotin be. (441) 
Of every ordre som shrewe is, parde, 995 
And god forbede tliat al a companye 
Sholde rewe a singuler mannes folye. 
To sclaundre yow is no-thingmyn entente. 
But to correcten that is mis I mente. 
This tale was nat only told for yow, 1000 
But eek for othere mo ; ye woot wel how 
That, among Cristes apostelles twelve, 
Ther nas no traytour but Judas him-selve. 
Than why sholde al the remenant have 

blame (451) 

That giltlees were ? by yow I seye the same. 
Save only this, if ye wol lierkue me, ioc6 
If any Judas in your covent be, 
Remeveth him bitymes, I yow rede, 
If shame or los may causen any drede. 1009 
And beth no-thing displesed, I yow preye. 
But in this cas herkneth what I shal seye. 

In London was a preest, an annueleer, 
Tliat therin dwelled hadde many a yeer. 
Which was so plesaunt and so servisable 
Unto the wyf, wher-as he was at table, (462) 
That she wolde suffre him no-thing for to 



paye 



1016 



For bord ne clothing, wente he never so 

gaye ; 
And spending-silver hadde he right y-now. 
Therof no fors ; I wol precede as now, 1019 
And telle forth my tale of the chanoun, 
That broghte this preest to confusioun. 
This false chanoun cam up-on a day 
Unto this preestes chambre, wher he lay, 
Biseching him to lene him a certeyn (471) 
Of gold, and he wolde quyte it him ageyn. 



T. 16494-16576.] G. ZU t^cinoune 'Xjimannce Zak. 



66^ 



' Lene me a mark,' quod he, ' biit dayes 

three, 1026 

And at my day I wol it quj-ten thee. 
And if so be that Thou me finde f'als. 
Another day do hange me by the hals ! ' 
This ijreest him took a mark, and that 

as swythe, 1030 

And this chanoun him thanked ofte sythe, 
And took his leve, and wente forth his 

weye, (4 79) 

And at the thridde day broghte his moneye, 
A.nd to the preest he took his gold agayn, 
Wherof this preest was wonder glad and 

fayn. 1035 

' Certes,' quod he, 'no-thing anoyeth me 
To lene a man a noble, or two or tliree. 
Or what thing were in my possessioun, 
Whan he so trewe is of condicioun, 
That in no wyse he breke wol his day ; 1040 
To swich a man I can never seye nay. ' 
' What ! ' quod this chanoun, ' sholde I 

be untrewe ? (489) 

Nay, that were thing y-fallen al of-newe. 
Trouthe is a thing that I wol ever kepe 
Un-to that day in which that I shal crepe 
In-to my grave, and elles god forbede ; 1046 
Bileveth this as siker as is your crede. 
God thanke I, and in good tyme be it sayd. 
That ther was never man yet yvel apa.yd 
For gold ne silver that he to me lente, 1050 
Ne never falshede in myn herte I mente. 
And sir,' quod he, ' now of my privetee, 
Sin ye so goodlich ban been un-to me, (500) 
And kythed to me so greet gentillesse, 1054 
Somwhat to quyte with your kindenesse, 
I wol yow shewe, and, if .yow list to lere, 
I wol yow teche pleynly the manere. 
How I can werken in philosophye. 
Taketh good heed, ye shul wel seen at ye. 
That I wol doon a maistrie er I go.' 1060 
' Ye,' quod the preest, ' ye, sir, and wol 

ye so? 
Marie ! ther-of I pra.v yow hertely ! ' (509) 

' At your comandement, sir, trewely,' 
Quod the chanoun, ' and elles god forbede ! ' 
Lo, how this theef coude his servyse 

bede ! 1065 

Ful sooth it is, that swich profred servyse 
Stinketh, as witnessen thise olde wyse ; 
And that ful sone I wol it verifye 
In this chanoun, rote of al trecherye, 1069 



That ever-more delyt hath and gladnesse — 
Swich feendly thoughtes in his herte im- 

presse — 
How Cristes peple he may to mesehief 

bringe ; (519) 

God kepe us from his fals dissimulinge ! 
Noght wiste this preest with whom that 

he delte, 
Ne of his harm cominge he no-thing felte. 
O sely preest ! O sely innocent ! 1076 

With coveityse anon thou shalt be blent ! 
O gracelees, ful blind is thy conceit. 
No-thing ne artow war of the deceit 
Which that this fox y-shapen hath to thee ! 
His wyly wrenches thou ne mayst nat flee. 
Wherfor, to go to the conclusioun 1082 
That refereth to thy confusioun, (530) 

Unhappy man ! anon I wol me hye 
To tellen thyn unwit and thy folye, 1085 
And eek the falsnesse of that other 

wrecche, 
As ferforth as that my conning may 

strecche. 
This chanoun w^as my lord, ye wolden 

wene ? 
Sir host, in feith, and by the hevenes 

queue. 
It was another chanoun, and nat he, 1090 
That can an hundred fold more subtiltee ! 
He hath bitrayed folkes many tyme ; 
Of his falshede it dulleth me to ryme. (540) 
Ever whan that I speke of his falshede, 
For shame of him my chekes wexen rede ; 
Algates, they biginnen for to glowe, 1096 
For reednesse have I noon, right wel I 

knowe. 
In my visage ; for fumes dyverse 
Of metals, which ye han herd me reherce. 
Consumed and wasted han my reednesse. 
Now tak heed of this chanouns cursed- 

nesse ! iioi 

' Sir,' quod he to the preest, ' lat your 

man gon (549) 

For quik-silver, that we it hadde anon ; 
And lat him bringen ounces two or three ; 
And whan he comth, as faste shul ye see 
A wonder thing, which ye saugh never er 

this.' 1 106 

'Sir,' qviod the preest, 'it shal be doon, 

y-wis.' 
He bad his servant fecchen him this th ins', 



664 



ZU ^cinkvBuv^ Z<xk6. 



[t. 16577-16656. 



And he al redy was at his bidding, 

And wente him lortli, and cam anon 

agayn mo 

With this qiiik-silver, soothly for to sayn, 
And took tbise ounces three to tlie cha- 

nonn ; (559) 

And he hem leyde fayre and wel adoun, 
And bad the servant coles for to bringe, 
That he anon niighte go to his werkinge. 
The coles right anon weren y-fet, 1116 
And this chanoun took out a crosselet 
Of his bosom, and shewed it the preest. 
'This instrument,' quod he, 'which that 

thou seest, 
Tak in thyn hand, and put thy-self ther- 

inne 11 -!o 

Of this quik-silver an ounce, and beer bi- 

ginne. 
In the name of Crist, to wexe a philosofre. 
Ther been ful fewe, whiche that I wolde 

profre (570) 

To shewen hem thus muche of my science. 
For ye shul seen heer, by experience, 1125 
That this quik-silver wol I mortifye 
Right in your sighte anon, withouten lye, 
And make it as good silver and as fyn 
As ther is any in your purs or myn. 
Or elleswher, and make it malliable ; 1130 
And elles, holdeth me fals and unable 
Amonges folk for ever to appere ! (579) 
I have a poudre heer, that coste me dere, 
Shal make al good, for it is cause of al 
My conning, which that I yow shewen 

shal. 1 135 

Voydeth your man, and lat him be ther- 

oute, 
And shet the dore, whyls we been aboiite 
Our privetee, that no man us espye 
Whyls that we werke in this philosophyo.' 
Al as he bad, fulfilled was in dede, 1140 
This ilke servant anon-right out yede, 
And his maister shette the dore anon, 
And to hir labour speedily they gon. (590) 
This preest, at this cursed chanouns 

bidding, 
Up-on the fyr anon sette this thing, 1145 
And blew the fyr, and bisied him ful faste ; 
And this chanoun in-to the croslet caste 
A poudre, noot I wher-of that it was 
Y-maad, other of chalk, other of glas, 
Or som-what elles, was nat worth a flye 



To blynde with the preest ; and bad him 

bye 1151 

The coles for to couchen al above (599) 
The croslet; 'for, in tokening I thee 

love,' 
Quod this chanoun, ' thyn owene hondes 

two 
Sbul werche al thing which that shal beer 

be do.' 1155 

' Graunt mercy,' quod the preest, and 

was ful glad, 
And couched coles as the chanoun bad. 
And whyle be bisy was, this feendly 

wrecche. 
This fals chanoun, the foule feend him 

fecche ! 
Out of his bosom took a becben cole, 1160 
In which ful subtilly was maad an hole, 
And ther-in piit was of silver lymaille 
An ounce, and stopped was, with-oitten 

fayle, (610) 

The hole with wex, to kepe the lymail in. 
And understondeth, that this false gin 
Was nat maad tlier, but it was maad 

bifore ; 1166 

And othere tbinges I shal telle more 
Herafterward, which that he with him 

broghte ; 
Er he cam ther, him to bigyle he thoghte, 
And so he dide, er that they wente 

a-twinne ; 1170 

Til be had terved bim, coude be not blinne. 
It duUeth me wban that I of him speke, 
On bis falsbede fayn wolde I mo wrekc, 
If I wiste bow ; but he is heer and ther : 
He is so variaunt, be abit no-wher. 11 75 
But taketh heed now, sirs, for goddes 

love ! (623) 

He took bis cole of which I spak above, 
And in his bond be baar it prively. 
And whyls the preest couchede busily 
The coles, as I tolde yow er this, luSti 

This chanoiin seyde, ' f reend, ye doon amis ; 
This is nat couched as it oghte be ; 
But sone I shal amenden it,' quod he. (630) 
' Now lat me medle tberwith but a wbyle. 
For of yow have I pitee, by seint Gyle ! 1 185 
Ye been right hoot, I see wel how ye swete. 
Have heer a cloth, and wype awey the 

wete.' 
And wbyles that the preest wyped his face, 



T. 16657-16737.] G. 'ZU €^anoun0 "^einannee Za(<t. 



66} 



This clianoun took his cole with harde 

grace, 1189 

And leyde it above, up-011 the middeward 
Of the croslet, and blew wel afterward. 
Til that the coles gonne faste brenne. 
' Now yeve us drinke,' qviod the chanoun 

thenne, (640) 

' As swythe al shal be wel, I undertake ; 
Sitte we douu, and lat us mery make.' 1 195 
And whan that this chanounes bechen 

cole 
Was brent, al the lymaille, out of the hole, 
Into the croslet fil anon adoun ; 
And so it moste nedes, by resoun, 
Sin it so even aboven couched was ; 1200 
Butther-of wistethe preest no-thing, alas! 
He denied alle the coles y-liche good. 
For of the sleighte he no-thing under- 
stood. (650) 
And whan this alkamistre saugh his tyme, 
' Rys up,' quod he, ' sir preest, and stondeth 

by me ; 1205 

And for I woot wel ingot have ye noon, 
Goth, walketh forth, and bring us a chalk- 

stoon ; 
For I wol make con of the same shap 
That is an ingot, if I may lian hap. 
And bringeth eek with yow a boUe or 

a panne, 1210 

Ful of water, and ye shiil see wel thanne 
How that our bisinesse shal thryve and 

preve. 
And yet, for ye shul ban no misbileve (660) 
Ne wrong conceit of me in your absence, 
I ne wol nat been out of your presence, 1215 
But go with yow, and come with yow 

ageyn.' 
The chambre-dore, shortly for to seyn. 
They opened and shette, and wente hir 

weye. 
And forth with hem they carieden the 

keye, 1219 

And come agayn with-outen any delay. 
What sholde I tarien al the longe day ? 
He took the chalk, and shoop it in the 

^vyse 
Of an ingot, as I shal yow devyse. (670) 

I seye, he took out of his owene sieve 
A teyne of silver (yvele mote he cheve !) 
Which that ne was nat but an ounce of 

weighte ; 1225 



And taketh heed now of his cursed 

sleighte ! 
He shoop his ingot, in lengthe and eek 

in brede, 
Of this teyne, with-outen any drede, 
So slj'ly, that the preest it nat osj)yde ; 1230 
And in his sieve agayn ho gan it hj'de ; 
And fro the fyr he took up his matere. 
And in th 'ingot putte it with mery chere. 
And in the water-vessel he it caste (681) 
Whan that him luste, and bad the preest 

as faste, 1235 

' Look what ther is, put in thyn hand and 

grope, 
Thow finde shalt ther silver, as I hope ; 
Wliat, devel of belle ! sholde it elles be ? 
Shaving of silver silver is, jiardee ! ' 
He putte his bond in, and took iip a teyne 
Of silver fyn, and glad in every veyne 1241 
Was this preest, whan he saugh that it 

was so. 
' Goddes blessing, and his modres also, (690) 
And alle halwes have ye, sir chanoun,' 
Seyde this preest, ' and I hir malisoun, 1245 
But, and ye vouche-sauf to techen me 
This noble craft and this subtilitee, 
I wol be youre, in al that ever I may ! ' 

Quod the chanoun, ' yet wol I make assay 
The second tyme, that ye may taken hede 
Aiid been expert of this, and in your nede 
Another day assaye in niyn absence 1252 
This disciplyne and this crafty science. 
Lat take another ounce,' quod he tho, (701) 
' Of quik-silver, with-outen wordes mo, 1255 
And do ther-with as ye ban doon er this 
With that other, which that now silver is.' 
This preest him bisieth in al that he can 
To doon as this chanoun, this cursed man, 
Conianded him, and faste he blew the fyr, 
For to come to th'effect of his desyr. 1261 
And this chanoun, right in the mene 

whyle, 
Al redy was, the preest eft to bigyle, (710) 
And, for a countenance, in his hande he bar 
An holwe stikke (tak keep and be war !) 
In the ende of which an ounce, and 

na-more, 1266 

Of silver lymail put was, as bifore 
Was in his cole, and stopped with wex 

weel 
For to kepe in his lymail every deel. 



666 



ZU tanttv^uv^ Zcike. 



[t. 16738-16817, 



And whyl this preest was in his bisinesse, 
This chanotin with his stilike gan liim 

dresse 1271 

To him anon, and his pouder caste in (719) 
As he did or ; (tlie devel ovit of his skin 
Him terve, I pray to god, for his falshedc ; 
For he was ever fals in thoght and dede) ; 
And with this stikke, above the croslet. 
That was ordeyned with tliat false get, 
He stired the coles, tU relente gan 
The wex agayn the fyr, as every man, 
But it a fool be, woot wel it mot nede, 1280 
And al that in the stikke was out yede. 
And in the croslet hastily it fel. (729) 

Now gode sirs, what wol ye bet than wel ? 
Whan that this preest thus was bigyled 

ageyn, 1284 

Supposing noght but trovithe, soth to seyn. 
He was so glad, that I can nat expresse 
In no manere his mirthe and his glad- 

nesse ; 
And to the chanoun he profred eftsone 
Body and good ; ' ye,' quod the chanoun 

sone, 
' Though povre I be, crafty thou shalt me 

finde ; 1290 

I warne thee, yet is ther more bihinde. 
Is ther any coper her-inne ? ' seyde he. 
' Ye,' quod the preest, ' sir, I trowe wel 

ther be.' (74") 

' EUes go bye us som, and that as swythe, 
Now, gode sir, go forth thy wey and 

hy the.' 
He wente his wey, and with the cojier 

cam, 1296 

And this chanoun it in his handes nam. 
And of that coper weyed out but an ounce. 
Al to simple is my tonge to pronounce, 
As ministre of my wit, the doublenesse 
Of this chanoun, rote of al cursednesse. 1301 
He semed freendly to hem that knewe 

him noght, 
But he was feendly bothe in herte and 

thoght. (750) 

It wericth me to telle of his falsnesse. 
And nathelees yet wol I it expresse, 1,^05 
Toth'entente that men may be war therby, 
And for noon other cause, trewely. 

He putte his ounce of coper in the 

croslet. 
And on the fyr as swythe he hath it set. 



And caste in pondre, and made the preest 

to blowe, 13 10 

And in his werking for to stoupe lowe, 
As he dide er, and al nas but a jape ; 
Eight as him liste, the preest he made 

his ape ; (760) 

And afterward in th'ingot he it caste. 
And in the panne pvitte it at the laste 13 15 
Of water, and in he putte his owene hond. 
And in his sieve (as ye bifom-hond 
Herde me telle) he hadde a silver teyne. 
He slyly took it out, this cursed heyne — 
Unwiting this preest of his false craft — 
And in the pannes botmo he hath it laft ; 
And in the water rombled to and fro. 
And wonder ijrively took tip also (770) 
The coper teyne, noght knowing this 

preest. 
And liidde it, and him hente by the breest, 
And to him spak, and thvis seyde in his 

game, 1326 

' Stoupeth adoun, by god, ye be to blame, 
Helpeth me now, as I dide yow whyl-er, 
Putte in your hand, and loketh what is 

ther.' 1329 

This preest took up this silver teyne anon. 
And thanne seyde the chanoim, ' lat lis 

gon 
With thise three teynes, which that we 

han wroght. 
To som goldsmith, and wite if they been 

oght. (780) 

For, by my feith, I nolde, for myn hood, 
But-if that they were silver, fyn and 

good, 1335 

And that as swythe preved shal it be.' 
Un-to the goldsmith with thise teynes 

three 
They wente, and putte thise teynes in assay 
To fyr and hamer ; mighte no man sey nay. 
But that they weren as hem oghte be. 
This sotted preest, who was gladder 

than he? 134 1 

Was never brid gladder agajm the day, 
Ne nightingale, in the sesoun of May, (790) 
Nas never noon that luste bet to singe ; 
No lady lustier in carolinge 1345 

Or for to speke of love and wommanhede, 
Ne knight in armes to doon an hardy dede 
To stonde in grace of his lady dere, 
Than had tliis preest this sory craft to lere ; 



T. 16818-1^895.] G. C0e £3<^noun0 'X)<im<xnnt6 Zcik. 



66^ 



And to the chanoun thus he spalc and 

seyde, 1350 

' For love of god, that for us alio doyde, 
And as I may deserve it un-to yow, 
What shal this receit coste ? telleth now ! ' 
' By our lady,' quod this chanoun, ' it is 

dere, (801) 

I warne yow wel ; for, save I and a frere, 
In Engeloud ther can no man it make.' 
' No fors,' quod he, ' now, sir, forgoddes 

sake, 1357 

What shal I payo? telleth me, I preye.' 

' Y-wis,' quod he, ' it is ful dere, I seye ; 
Sir, at o word, if that thee list it have,. 
Ye shul paye fourty povmd, so god me 

save ! 1361 

And, nere the freendship that yo dide er 

this 
To me, ye sholde paye more, y-wis.' (810) 
This preest the somme of fourty pound 

anon 
Of nobles fette, and took hem everichon 
To this chanoun, for this ilke receit ; 1366 
Al his werking nas but fraude and deceit. 
' Sir preest,' he seyde, ' I keise han no loos 
Of my craft, lor I wolde it kept were cloos; 
And as ye love me, kepeth it secree ; 1370 
For, and men knewe al my subtilitee, 
By god, they wolden han so greet envyo 
To me, by-cavise of my philosophye, (820) 
I sholde be deed, ther were non other 

weye.' 
' God it forbede ! ' qtiod the preest, 

' what sey ye ? ' 1375 

Yet hadde I lever spenden al the good 
Which that I have (and elleswexelwood!) 
Than that ye sholden falle in swich mes- 

cheef.' 
' For your good wil, sir, have ye right 

good preef,' 
Quod the chanoun, ' and far-wel, grant 

mercy ! ' 13S0 

He wente his wey and never the pi'eest 

him sy 
After that day ; and whan that this preest 

sholde (829) 

Maken assay, at swich tyme as he wolde, 
Of this receit, far-wel ! it wolde nat be ! 
Lo, thus bj'japed and bigyled was he ! 1385 
Thiis maketh he his iiitroduccioun 
To bringe folk to hir destruccioun. — 



Considereth, sirs, how that, in ech 

estaat, 
Bitwixe men and gold ther is debaat 
So forforth, that unnethes is ther noon. 
This multiplying blent so many oon, 1391 
That in good feith I trowe that it be 
The cause grettest of swich scarsetee. (840) 
Philosophres speken so mistily 
In this craft, that men can nat come 

ther by, 1395 

For any wit that men han now a-dayes. 
They mowe wel chiteren, as doon thise 

jayes, 
And in her termessette hir lust and peyne. 
But to hir purpos shul they never atteyne. 
A man may lightly lerne, if he have aught, 
To multiplye, and bringe his good to 

naught ! (848) 1401 

Lo ! swich a lucre is in this lusty game, 
A mannes mirthe it woltorne un-to grame, 
And empten also grete and hevy purses. 
And maken folk for to purchasen curses 
Of hem, that han hir good therto y-lent. 
O ! fy ! for shame ! they that han been 

brent, 1407 

Alias ! can they nat flee the fyres hete ? 
Ye that it use, I rede ye it lete, 
Lest ye lese al ; for bet than never is 

late. 14,0 

Never to thryve were to long a date. 
Though ye proUe ay, ye shul it never 

finde ; (S59) 

Ye been as bolde as is Bayard the blinde, 
That blundreth forth, and peril casteth 

noon ; 
He is as bold to renne agayn a stoon 14 15 
As for to goon besydes in the weye. 
So liiren ye that multiplye, I sej-e. 
If that your yen can nat seen aright, 
Loke that your minde lakke nought his 

sight. (866) 

For, though ye loke never so brode, and 

stare, 1420 

Ye shul nat winnea mjiieonthat chaffare, 
But waston al that ye may rape and renne. 
Withdrawe the fyr, lest it to faste brenne ; 
Medleth na-more with that art, I mene. 
For, if ye doon, your thrift is goon ful 

clene. 1425 

And right as swythe I wol yow tellen here, 
What i^hilosophres seyn in this matcre. 



668 



ZU €anfct*6ut^ Zake. 



[t. 1681)6-16949. 



Lo, thus seith Arnold of the Newe Toun, 
As his Rosarie maketh mencionn ; 
He seith right thus, with-outen any lye, 
'Ther may nomanMercnrie mortifye, 1431 
But it be with liis brother knowleching. 
How tliat he, which that first seyde this 

thing, (880) 

Of philosophres fader was, Hermes ; 
He seith, how that the dragoun, doutelees, 
Ne deyeth nat, bnt-if that he be slayn 1436 
With his brother ; and that is for to sayn, 
By the dragoun, Mercuric and noon other 
He imderstood ; and brimstoon by his 

brother. 
That out of sol and luna were y-drawe. 
And therfor,' seyde he, ' tak heed to my 

sawe, 1 44 1 

Let no man bisy him this art for to seche, 
But-if tliat he th'entencioun and spcche 
Of philosoplires iinderstonde can ; (891) 
And if he do, he is a lewed man. 1445 

For tliis science and this conning,' quod he, 
' Is of the secree of secrees, parde.' 
Also ther was a disciple of Plato, 
That on a tyme seyde his maister to. 
As his book Senior wol bere witnesse, 1450 
And this was his demands in soothfast- 

nesse : 
' Tel me the name of the privy stoon ? ' 
And Plato answerde tinto him anoon, 
' Tak the stoon that Titanos men name.' 
' Which is that ?' quod he. ' Magnesia 

is the same,' (902) 1455 



Seyde Plato. ' Ye, sir, and is it thus ? 

This is ujnotinn per ujnotitis. 

What is Magnesia, good sir, I yow preye?' 

' It is a water that is maad, I seye. 
Of elementes fovire,' quod Plato. 1460 

' Tel me the rote, good sir,' quod he tho, 
' Of that water, if that it be yoxir wille ? ' 
' Nay, nay,' qaod Plato, ' certein, that 
I nille. (910) 

The philosophres sworn were everichoon. 
That they sliolden discovere it un-to 
noon, 1465 

Ne in no book it wryte in no manere ; 
For un-to Crist it is so leef and dere 
That he wol nat that it discovered be, 
But wher it lyketh to his deitee 
Man for fenspyre, and eek for to defende 
Whom that him lyketh ; lo, this is the 
cnde.' 1471 

Thanne conclvide I thus ; sith god of 
hevene 
Ne wol nat that the philosophres nevene 
How that a man shal come un-to this 
stoon, (921) 

I rede, as for the beste, lete it goon. 1475 
For who-so maketh god his adversarie. 
As for to wei'ken any thing in contrarie 
Of his wil, certes, never shal he thryve, 
Thogh that he multiplye terme of his 

lyve. 
And ther a poynt ; for ended is my tale ; 
God sendo every trewe naan bote of his 
bale ! — Amen. (928) 1481 



Here is ended the Chanoiins Yemannes Tale. 



T. 1695C-17009.] H. Z^c QlUncipfc'o (profogue. 



669 



GROUP H. 



THE MANCIPLE'S PROLOGUE. 

Here folweth the Prologe of the Maunciples Tale. 



WiTE ye nat whcr ther stant a litel touii 
Which that y-cleped is Bob-up-and-doun, 
Under the Blee, in Caunterbiiry weye '? 
Ther gan our hoste for to jape and pleye, 
And seyde, ' sirs, what ! Dnn is in the 

myre ! 5 

Is ther no man, for preyere ne for hj^ro, 
That wol awake our fclawe heer bihinde ? 
A theef mighte him ful lightly robbe and 

binde. 
See how he nai^peth ! see, for cokkes bones, 
As he wol falle from his hors at ones. 10 
Is that a cook of Londoun, with mes- 

chaunce ? 
Do him come forth, he knoweth his iien- 

aunce. 
For he shal telle a tale, by my fey ! 
Al-though it be nat worth a hotel hey. 
Awake, thou cook,' quod he, ' god yeve 

thee sorwe, 15 

Wlaat eyleth thee to slex^e by the morwe ? 
Hastow had ileen al night, or artow 

dronke. 
Or hastow witli som quene al night y- 

swonke. 
So that thou mayst nat holden vip thyn 

heed ? ' 
This cook, that was ful pale and no- 
thing reed, 20 
Seyde to our host, ' so god my soule blesse. 
As ther is falle on me swich hevinesse, 
Noot I nat why, that me were lever slepe 
Than the bcste galoiin wyn in Chepe.' 
' Wei,' quod the maunciple, ' if it may 

doon ese 25 

To thee, sir cook, and to no wight displese 
Wlaicli that heer rydeth in this companye, 
And that our host wol, of his curteisye, 
I wol as now excuse thee of thy tale ; 
For, in good feith, thy visage is ful pale. 



Thyn yen daswen eek, as that me 

thinketh, 3 1 

And wel I woot, thy breeth ful souro 

stinketh, 
That sheweth wel thoii art not wel dis- 
posed ; 
Of me, certein, thou shalt nat been 

y-glosed. 
Se how he ganeth, lo, this dronken wight, 
As though he wolde us swolwe anon-right. 
Hold cloos thy mouth, man, by thy fader 

kin ! 37 

Tlie devel of helle sette his foot thor-in ! 
Thy cursed breeth infecte wol us alle ; 
Fy, stinking swyn, fy ! foule moot thee 

falle! 40 

A ! taketh heed, sirs, of this Ivisty man. 
Now, swete sir, wol ye justen atte fan ? 
Ther-to me thinketh ye been wely-shai^e ! 
I trowe that ye dronken han wyn ape, 
And that is whan men pleyen with a 

straw.' 45 

And with this speche the cook wex wrooth 

and wraw. 
And on the maunciple he gan nodde faste 
For lakke of speche, and doun tlie hors 

him. caste, 
Wher as he lay, til that men up him took ; 
This was a fayr chivachee of a cook ! 50 
Alias ! he nadde holde liim by his ladel ! 
And, er that he agayn were in his sadel, 
Ther was greet showving botlie to and fro, 
To lifte him up, and muchcl care and wo, 
So unweldy was this sory palled gost, 55 
And to the maunciple thanne spak our 

host, 
' By-cause drink hath dominacioun 
Upon this man, by my savacioun 
I trowe he lewedly wolde telle his tale. 
For, were it wyn, or old or nioysty ale, 60 



670 



ZU tanUvB\iv^ take. 



[t. 170IC— 17065. 



That he liath dronke, lie si^eketh in his 

nose, 
And fneseth faste, and eek he hath the 

pose. 
He hath also to do more than y-noiigh 
To kepe him and his capel out of slough ; 
And, if he falle from his capel eft-sone, 65 
Than shvil we alle have y-nough to done. 
In lifting up his he\'y dronken cors. 
Telle on thy tale, of him make I no fors. 
But yet, maunciple, in feith thou art to 

nyce, 
Thus openly repreve him of his vyce. 70 
Another day he wol, peraventure, 
Reclayme thee, and bringe thee to lure ; 
I mene, he speke wol of smale thinges, 
As for to pinchen at thy rekeninges, 
That wer not honeste, if it cam to preef.' 
' No,' quod the maunciple, ' that were 

a greet mescheef ! 76 

So mighte he lightly bringe me in the 

snare. 
Yet hadde I lever payen for the mare 
Which he rit on, than he sholde with me 

stryve ; 79 

I wol nat wratthe him, al-so mote I thryve ! 
That that I sp.ak, I seyde it in my bourde ; 
And wite ye what? I have heer, in 

a gourde. 



A draught of wyn, ye, of a rype grape. 
And right anon ye shul seen a good jape. 
This cook shal drinke ther-of, if I may ; 85 
Up peyne of deeth , he wolnat seye me nay ! ' 

And certeinly, to telleu as it was, 
Of this vessel the cook drank faste, alias ! 
What neded him ? he drank y-nough 

biforn. 
And whan he hadde pouped in this horn. 
To the maunciple he took the gourde 

agayu ; 91 

And of that drinke the cook was wonder 

fayn, 
And thanked him in swich wyse as he 

coude. 
Than gan our host to laughen wonder 

loude, 
And seyde, ' I see wel, it is necessarie, 95 
Wher that we goon, good drink we with 

ns carie ; 
For that wol tnrne rancour and disese 
T'acord and love, and many a wrong apese. 
O thou Bachus, y-blessed be thy name. 
That so canst turnen ernest in-to game ! 
Worship and thank be to thy deitee ! loi 
Of that matere ye gete na-more of me. 
Tel on thy tale, maunciple, I thee preye.' 
' Wel, sir,' quod he, ' now herkneth 

what I seye.' 



Thus endeth the Prologe of the Manciple. 



THE MAUNCIPLES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Maunciples Tale of the Crowe. 



Whan Phebus dwelled here in this erthe 
adoun, . 105 

As olde bokes maken mencioun, 
He was the moste lusty bachiler 
In al this world, and eek the beste archer ; 
He slow Phitoun, the serpent, as he lay 
Slepinge agayn the Sonne upon a day; no 



And many another noble worthy dede 
He with his bowe wroghte, as men may 
rede. 
Pleyen he coude on every minstrakye. 
And singen, that it was a melodye, (10) 
To heren of his clere vols the soun. 115 
Certes the king of Thebes, Amphioun, 



T. 17066-17153-] H. ^^e QUauncti^fee ^afe. 



671 



That with his singing walled that citee, 
Coiide never singen half so wel as he. 
Thei-to he was the semelieste man 119 
That is or was, sith that the world bigan. 
Wliat nedeth it his fetures to discryve ? 
For in this world was noon so fair on lyve. 
He was ther-with fulfild of gentillesse, 
Of honoiir, and of parfit worthinesse. (20) 
ThisPhebus, that was flour of bachelrye, 
As wel in fredom as in chivalrye, 126 

For his dcsport, in signe eek of victorie 
Of Phitoun, so as telleth us the storie, 
Was wont to beren in his hand a bowe. 

Now had this Phebus in his hous a crowe, 
Which in a cage he fostred many a day, 
And taughte it speken, as men teche a jay. 
Whyt was this crowe, as is a snow-whyt 

swan, (29) 

And countrofete the speche of every man 
He coude, whan he sholde telle a tale. 135 
Ther-with in al this world no nightingale 
Ne coude, by an hondred thousand deel, 
Singen so wonder merily and weel. 

Xow had this Phebus in his hous a 'svj'f, 
Which that he lovede more than his lyf, 
And night and day dide ever his diligence 
Hir for to plese, and doon hir reverence. 
Save only, if the sotlie that I shal sayn, 
Jalous he was, and wolde have kept hir 

fayn ; (40) 

For him were looth by-japed for to be. 145 
And so is every wight in svsdch degree ; 
But al in ydel, for it availleth noght. 
A good wyf, that is clene of work and 

thoght, 
Sholde nat been kept in noon await, 

certayn ; 
And trewely, the labour is in vayn 150 
To kepe a shrewe, for it wol nat be. 
This holde I for a verray nycetee, 
To spille labour, for to kepe wyves ; 
Thus writen olde clerkes in hir lyves. (50) 
But now to purpos, as I first bigan : 155 
This worthy Phebus dooth all that he can 
To plesen hir, weninge by swich plesaunce, 
And for hismanhedeandhis governaunce, 
That no man sholde han put him from 

hir grace. 
But god it woot, ther may no man embrace 
As to destreyne a thing, Avliich that nature 
Hath naturelly set in a creature. 162 



Tak any brid, and put it in a cage. 
And do al thyn entente and thycorage(6o) 
To fostre it tendrely with mete and 
drinke, 165 

Of alle deyntees that thou canst bithinke. 
And keep it al-so clenly as thou may ; 
Al-though his cage of gold bo never so gay, 
Yet hath this brid. by twenty thousand 

fold, 
Lever in a forest, that is rude and cold, 170 
Gon ete wormes and swich wrecchednesse. 
For ever this brid wol doon his bisinesse 
To escape out of his cage, if he may ; 
His libertee this brid desireth ay. (70) 
Lat take a cat, and fostre him wol with 
milk, 175 

And tendre flesh, and make his coucho 

of silk, 
And lat him seen a mous go by the wal ; 
Anon he weyveth milk, and flesh, and al. 
And every deyntee that is in that hous, 
Swich appetyt hath he to ete a mous. iSo 
Lo, here hath lust his domiuacioun. 
And appetyt flemeth disci'ecioun. 

A she-wolf hath also a vileins kinde ; 
The lewedeste wolf that she may finde, (80) 
Or leest of reputacion wol she take, 185 
In tyme whan hir lust to han a make. 
Alle thise ensamples speke I by thise 
men 
That been untrewe, and no-thing by wom- 

men. 
For men han ever a likerous appetyt 
On lower thing to parfourne hir delyt 190 
Than on hir wyves, be they never so faire, 
Ne never so trewe, ne so debonaire. 
Flesh is so newefangel, with meschaunce, 
That we ne conne in no-thing han ple- 
saunce (90) 
That souneth in-to vertu any whyle. 195 
This Phebus, which that thoghte upon 
no gyle, 
Deceyved was, for al his jolitee ; 
For under him another hadde she, 
A man of litel reputacioun, 199 
Noght worth to Phebus in comparisoun. 
The more harm is ; it happeth ofte so. 
Of which ther cometh muchel harm and 
wo. 
And so bifel, whan Phebus was absent, 
His wyf anon hath for hir lemman sent : 



672 



Z^i tankvBuv^ Zak6. 



[t. 171=4-17237, 



Hir lemman? certes, this is a knavish 

speche ! (loi) 205 

Foryeveth it me, and that I yow biseche. 

Tlie wyse Plato seith, as ye may rede, 
The word mot nede accorde with the 

dede. 
If men shal telle proprely a thing, 
The word mot cosin be to the werking. 210 
I am. a boistons man, right thus seye I, 
Ther nis no difference, trewely, 
Bitwixe a wyf that is of heigh degree, 
If of hir body dishonest she be, (no) 

And a povre wenche, other than this — 
If it so be, they werke bothe amis — 216 
But that the gentile, in estaat above, 
She shal be cleped his lady, as in love ; 
And for that other is a povre womman, 
She shal be cleped his wenche, or his 
lemman. 220 

And, god it woot, myn owene dere brother, 
Men leyn that oon as lowe as lyth that 
other. 
Eight so, bitwise a titlelees tiraunt 
And an outlawe, or a theef erraunt, (120) 
The same I seye, ther is no difference. 225 
To Alisaundre told was this sentence ; 
That, for the t3Tant is of gretter might. 
By force of meynee for to sleen donn-right, 
And brennen hous and hoom, and make 

al plain, 
Lo ! therfor is he cleped a capitain ; 230 
And, for the outlawe hath but smal mey- 
nee, 
And may nat doon so greet an harm as he, 
Ne bringe a eontree to so greet mescheef, 
Men clepen him an oiitlawe or a theef. 
But, for I am a man noght textuel, 235 
I wol noght telle of textes never a del ; 
I wol go to my tale, as I bigan. (133) 

Whan Phebus wyf had sent for hir lem- 
man, 
Anon they wroghten al hir lust volage. 
The whyte crowe, that heng ay in the 
cage, 240 

Biheld hir werk, and seyde never a word. 
And whan that hoom was come Phebus, 

the lord. 
This crowe sang ■ cokkow ! cokkow ! 
cokkow ! ' 
' Wliat, brid ? ' quod Phebus, ' what 
song singestowV ('4") 



Ne were thow wont so merily to singe 245 
That to myn herte it was a rejoisinge 
Tohere thy vois? alias! what song is this?' 

' By god,' quod he, ' I singe nat amis ; 
Phebus,' qiiod he, ' for al thy worthinesse, 
For al thy beautee and thy gentilesse, 250 
For al thy song and al thy minstralcye, 
For al thy waiting, blered is thyn ye 
With oon of litel reputacioun, (149) 

Noght worth to thee, as in comparisoun. 
The mountance of a gnat ; so mote I thry ve ! 
For on thy bed thy wyf I saugh him swj-ve.' 
What wol ye more ? the crowe anon 

him tolde, 257 

By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde. 
How that his 'wyf had doon hir lecherye. 
Him. to gret shame and to gret vileinye ; 
And tolde him ofte, he saugh it with his 

yen. 261 

This Phebus gan awey-ward for to wryen, 
Him thoughte his sorweful herte brast 

a-two ; 
His bowe he bente, and sette ther-inne 

a flo, (160) 

And in his ire his wy{ thaune hath he 

slayn. 265 

This is th'eifect, ther is na-more to sayn ; 
For sorwe of which he brak his min- 
stralcye, 
Bothe harpe, and lute, and giterne, and 

sautrye ; 
And eek he brak his arwes and his 

bowe. 
And after that, thus spak he to the crowe : 
' Traitour,' quod he, 'with tonge of 

soorpioun, 271 

Thou hast me broght to my confusioun ! 
Alias !' that I was wroght ! why nere I 

deed ? 
O dere wjrf, O gemme of lustiheed, (170) 
That were to me so sad and eek so trewe. 
Now lystow deed, with face pale of hewe, 
Ful giltelees, that dorste I swere, y-wis ! 
O rakel hand, to doon so foule amis ! 
O trouble wit, ire recchelees, 
That unavysed smytest giltelees ! 280 

O wantrust, ful of fals suspecioun. 
Where was thy wit and thy discrecioun ? 
O every man, be- war of rakelnesse, 
Ne trowe no-thing with-outen strong wit- 

nesse ; (180) 



T. 1 7234-1 731 !.] H. ZU Qllaunctpfee ZaU. 



673 



Smyt nat to sone, er that ye witen why, 
And beeth avj'sed wel and sobrely 286 
Er ye doon anj' execucioitn, 
Up-on your ire, for suspecioun. 
Alias ! a thousand folk hath rakel ire 289 
Fully fordoon, and broglit hem in the mire. 
Alias ! for sorwe I wol my-selven slee ! ' 
And to the crowe, 'O false theef!' 

seyde he, (188) 

' I wol thee qnyte anon thy false tale ! 
Thou songe whylom lyk a nightingale ; 
Now shaltow, false theef, thy song forgon, 
And eek thy whyte fetheres everichon, 
Ne never in al thy lyf ne shaltovi speke. 
Thus shal men on a traitour been awreke ; 
Thou and thjai of-spring ever shul be blake, 
Ne never swete noise shul ye make, 300 
But ever crye agayn tempest and rayn. 
In tokeninge that thurgh thee my wyi is 

slayn.' 
And to the crowe he stirte, and that anon, 
And pulled his whyte fetheres everichon, 
And made him blak, and refte him al his 

song, (201) 305 

And eek his speche, and out at dore him 

slong 
Un-to the devel, which I him bitake ; 
And for this caas ben alle crowes blake. — 
Lordings, by this ensample I yow preye, 
Beth war, and taketh kepe what I seye : 
Ne telleth never no man in your lyf 311 
How that another man hath dight his wyf ; 
He wol yow haten mortally, certeyn. 
Daun Salomon, as wyse clerkes seyn, (210) 
Techeth a man to kepe his tonge wel ; 315 
But as I seyde, I am noght textuel. 
But nathelees, thus taughte me my dame : 
' Mj' sone, thenk on the crowe, a goddes 

name ; 
Mj' sone, keep wel thy tonge and keep 

thy freend. 
A wikked tonge is worse than a feend. 320 
My sone, from a feend men may hem 

blesse ; 
My sone, god of his endelees goodnesse 
Walled a tonge with teeth and lijipes eke. 
For man sholde him avyse what he speke. 
My sone, ful ofte, for to miiche speche, 



Hath many a man ben spilt, as clerkes 

teche ; (222) 326 

But for a litel speche avysely 
Is no men shent, to speke generally. 
My sone, thy tonge sholdestow restreyne 
At alle tyme, but whan thou doost thy 

peyne 330 

To speke of god, in honour and preyere. 
The firste vertu, sone, if thou wolt lere. 
Is to restreyne and kepe wel thy tonge. — ■ 
Thiis lerne children whan that they ben 

yonge.— (230) 33+ 

My sone, of mtichel speking yvel-avj'sed, 
Ther lasse speking hadde y-nough suffysed, 
Comth muchel harm, thus was me told 

and taught. 
In muchel speche sinne wanteth naught. 
Wostow wher-of a rakel tonge serveth ? 
Eight asaswerdforcutteth and forkerveth 
An arm a-two, my dere sone, right so 341 
A tonge cutteth frendshii^ al a-two. 
A jangler is to god abhominable ; (■J39) 
Heed Salomon, so wys and honurable ; 
Heed David in his psalmes, reed Senekke. 
My sone, spek nat, bu.t with thyn heed 

thou bekke. 346 

Dissimule as thou were deef, if that thou 

here 
A jangler speke of perilous raatere. 
The Fleming seith, and lerne it, if thee 

leste, 349 

That litel jangling causeth muchel reste. 
My sone, if thou no wikked word hast seyd, 
Thee thar nat drede for to be biwreyd ; 
But he that hath misseyd, I dar wel sayn, 
He may by no wey clepe his word agayn. 
Thing that is seyd, is seyd ; and forth it 

gooth, (251) 355 

Though him repente, or be him leef or 

looth. 
He is his thral to whom that he hath sayd 
A tale, of which he is now yvel apayd. 
My sone, be war, and be non auctour newe 
Of tydinges, whether they beu false or 

trewe. 360 

Wlier-so thou come, amonges hye or lowe, 
Kepe wel thy tonge, and thenk up-on the 

crowe.' 



Here is ended the Maunciples Tale of the Crowe. 
Z 



674 



'ZSfi. (CantctBurp ^afee. [t. i 731 2-1; 



GEOUP I. 



THE PARSON'S PROLOGUE. 

Here folweth the Prologe of the Persones Yale. 



Bv that the mannciple hadde Lis tale al 

ended, 
The Sonne fro the sonth lyne was de- 
scended 
So lowe, that he nas nat, to my sighte, 
Degrees nyne and twenty as in highte. 4 
FoTire of the dokke it was tho, as I gesse : 
For eleven fvA, or litel more or lesse, 
My shadwe was at thilke tyme, as there, 
Of swich feet as rny lengthe parted were 
In six feet equal of proporcionn. 
Ther-with the mones exalta/iionn, 10 

I mene Libra, alwey gan ascende, 
As we were cntringe at a th ropes cnde ; 
For which our host, as he was wont to gye. 
As in this caas, our joly companye, 
Seyde in this wyse, ' lordings everichoon, 
Now laliketh ns no tales rno than f)f>n. 16 
Fulfild is my sentence and my decree ; 
I trowe that we han herd of ech degree. 
Almost fulfild is al myn ordinannce ; 
I j)rey to grA, so yeve him right good 
chaunce, 20 

That telleth this tale to us lustily. 
Sir preest,' qnod he, ' artow a vicary ? 
Or art a person ? sey sooth, hy thy fey ! 
Be what thou be, ne breke thon nat onr 

pley ; 
For every man, save thon, hath told his 
tale, 25 

Unbokel, andshewenswhat isinthymale ; 
For trewely, me thinketh, Vjy thy chere, 
Thon sh oldest knitte np wel a greet rnatere. 
Tel us a tale anon, for cokkes bones ! ' 

ThLs Persone him answerde, al at ones, 
' Thou getest fable nrjftn y-told for me ; 31 
For Paul, that wryteth nnto Timothee, 
Eexjreveth hem that weyven soothfast- 

nesse. 

And tellen fables and swich wrecched- 

nesse. 34 

A\'hy sholde I sowen draf out of my fest, 

Whan I may sowen whete, if that me lest ? 



For which I seye, if that yow list to here 
Moral itee and vertuons rnatere. 
And thanne that ye wol yeve me audience, 
I wol ful fayn, at Cristes reverence, 40 
Do yow plesannce leefful, as I can. 
But trusteth wel, I am a Southren man, 
I can nat geste— rurn, ram, ruf — by lettre, 
Ne. god wot, rj'm holde I but litel bettre ; 
And therfor, if yow list, I wol nat glose. 
I wol yow telle a rnery tale in prose 46 
To knitte np al this feeste, and make an 

ende. 
And .Tesu, for his grace, wit me sende 
To shewe yow the wey, in this viage, 
Of thilke parfit glorious pilgrimage 50 
That highte .Jerusalem celestial. 
And, if ye vouche-sauf, anon I shal 
Biginne uj'On my tale, for whiche I preye 
Telle your a-vys, I can no bettre seye. 
But nathelees, thLs me'litacif/un 55 

I putte it ay under correccioun 
Of derkes, for I am nat textuel ; 
I take but the sentens, trusteth weL 
Therfor I make protestaci^nm 
That I wol stonde to correccioun.' 60 

Up-on this word we han assented sone, 
For, as us semed, it was for to done, 
To en den in som vertuous sentence. 
And for to yeve him space and audience ; 
And bede ottr host he sholde to him 
seye, ''■5 

That alle we to telle his tale him preye. 
Our host ha^lde the wordes for us alle : — 

' Sir preest,' quod he, ' now fayre yow 
hifaUe! 

Sey what yow list, and we wol gla'Jly 
here ' — 

And ^th that word he seyde in this 
manere — 70 

' Telleth,' quod he, 'your meditacioun. 

But hasteth yow, the sonne wol adoun ; 

Beth fmctuous, and that in litel spfu;e, 

And to do wel god sende yow his grace '. ' 



Explicit prohemiumi 



5 I-2-J 



ZU Cpergonee Zait, 



675 



THE PERSONES TALE. 



Here biginneth the Pernonea Tale. 



./er. (/'. StafA guper xi/iji ^ xUMa «< itttfr- 
rofj'iM i1^, xii^ anf.i'/uiii, qiJA nii, vi/i h'/wi.; 
^f, ').m>/u.MA in f/i.. cJ. imji/im/ilM refrvj^friufa 
'inim/Jroji vfjtl/rU. /for. 

g ]. Onrsfwctf; I'/rd j?od of iMivene, that 
no man wol itt^rimt:, Vmt wole that we 
c/TftfeTi all* to the kju/Wfelfcche of him, 

75 arid t'/ the Miafnl lyf thiat ia j<*;rdnrahlA, / 
arooritateth ixa >/y the pr^/f^liete Jeremie, 
t>iat Sfcith in thw wyfio : / ' aV/n'leth ujK/n 
the weyea, an/1 »feeth an/l axeth of ol/Je 
f/Hthes ''that i» t^^ »e>7j, '/f olde sen ten c<^; 
A hieh i» the g'xxle wey ; / an/1 walketh 
jfi that wey, and ye ahnl finde refrea«h- 
inge for y/nr ic/nles,' Ac. / Manye Ti<;en 
the weyea esspirita/;l» tliat le'l/;n folk t^> 
oure I>/rd Jesra Cri«t, and to the rej^e f/f 
tjl</rie. / Of whir;he -way en, ther is a fal 
rioble wey and a ful c//venable, whi/;h 
roay nat faile to n»an ne to w/rriinan, 
that t?inr(fh niuiiii hath nii»;{'xm fro the 

go riifhUi wey of Jemjjalem celestial ; / arid 
tliia wrfy i» elep<yl Periitence, '^f whieh 
/nan aholde t^hully herknen and en/joere 
v,-ith al hiji herte ; / to witen what w 
Penitence, and whennesit in clej^e'l I'f^/ji- 
tenee, and in h'/w joanye xftarj/;r<;a V^;n 
the aft/;ion» or werking*^ '/f Periitene^j, / 
ji.nd how nianye Kj/yr^ea ther l>een of Peni- 
t^Tif^:, and whiehe thingea apertenen and 
bjhrr.'en to VhJiiUiiu-ji:, arid -whitiiih thirij^ea 
'l/rfjtf/nrben Penitence. / 

§ 2. Seint Aiohr'^ae Heith, that ' Perii- 
t/jTiee ij« the i>le>Tjin<;e of man for the 
^t that he hath doon, and na-rnore t/^ 
do any thing for which him r^ite to 
(to) pleyne.' / Arid jc/m doetonr $teith : ' Peni- 
tence i« the wayroentin^e of man, tliat 
sorweth f'/r hi.H Kinne and pyrw^h hirn- 
^5 (fjlf for he Ijath mijclr^'^n.' / Penit^inr^, 
with certeyne cir'rurojrtaneea, ij» veiray 
repentarxce of a man ttiat halt hirn-$ielf 



in Borwe and other peyne for hi»e giltea. / 
And fif/r he «hal be verray penitent, he 
«hal /ir»t biwailen the mnJUin that he 
hath d/x>n, and Kti/lefa«tly puiTX/»en in 
hix herte t/> have Hhrift of ir«ontlie, arj/1 
to '1/x/n aati»fac^n//nn, / and never to doon 
thing fir/r wh'u^h him <rg)tijk m//re t/>biwayle 
or t/> c/^rnpleyrje, and t/* r^/ntinue in goode 
werkea : or ellea hi» r<^;*;ntance niay riat 
availle. / For aa is'jith (jeirit I.-iJdre : ' he is 
a jaf/fjr and a gablxir, ari d no verray rexxm- 
tant. that eft<KX/ne iWAh thins?, for whieh 
him<-^iterfepente,'/ Wepinge.andnatfor 
t^/ Ht'tTiUi to do<^n ainne, rnay nat ava.y]\ti. / y 
But natheleea, nien »hal h//i>e that <ivtnry 
tyme that man ikUnt-h, \>b it never so 
ofte, that he rriay ariae tburgh Periiterice, 
if he have graee ; 1/nt c<n^'>;inly it ia greet 
doate. / i'or a» «*;ith H<;int Orej?orie : ' nn- 
netlie aryij<;th he f/ut of ainne, that i« 
charg'^1 with the charj<e f»f yvel naage.' / 
And therfore rfej<entAnt folk, that sdixtUt 
i't/e to ainne, and iorhitjn »inne er that 
ainrih forlete h<jm, holy chirche hold<<th 
hem aik/jr of hir ftavaei'mn. / And he 
tliat ainneth, and verraily rei»enteth him 
in hia laate ende, holy chirche y<?t h'/j.eth 
hia Hava/riotin, 1/y the gret.e m/;rcy '/f oure 
h;rd ./eau Criat, for hia rejieutannee ; hnt 
tak the «iker wey. / (a>) 

§ .^. An/1 now. Kith I have /leclar<:<l 
yc/w what thing ia Penit/jnce, n//w Khtjl 
ye tm/leratz/n/le that ther W;n thrwj 
A/^-AffitH //f Peniten/;/;. / Tlie /irate itcc'nm f)S 
f/f Penitents i», that a roan l^s bai/tiz/j/l 
after that he liath ti'mrnA. / 8eint An- 
gnatin aeith : ' 1/at lie 1^5 \KiidU^it for hia 
ol/le ainfal lyf, lie may nat biginne the 
newe ck-rie lif.'/ For rn-.Tijca, if he 1^; 
}/apti»^l ■witlif/nUm penit<;nce //f hia olde 
gilt, he r*:ceiveth the TnArk of baptiwrne, 
but nat the gra/:/j ne the remiasion of hia 
HJnnea, til he liave reiJ^jntance verray. / 

2 



676 



Tt^t (JDanferBur^ 'Zahe. 



[t. §§ 4-r- 



Another defante is this, that men doon 
deedly sinne after that they han received 
haptisme. / The thridde defaute is, that 
men fallen in venial sinnes after hir 
loo baptisme, fro day to day. / Ther-of seith 
Seint Augnstin, that ' penitence of goode 
and humble folk is the penitence of every 
day.' / 

§ 4. The spyces of Penitence been three. 
That oon of hem is solempne, another is 
commune, and the thridde is privee. / 
Thilke penance that is solempne, is in 
two maneres ; as to be put out of holy 
chirche in lente, for slaughtre of children, 
and swich maner thing. / Another is, 
whan a man hath sinned openly, of which 
sinne the fame is openly spoken in the 
contree ; and thanne holy chirche by 
jugement destreineth him for to do open 
( ^o) penaunce. / Commune penaunce is that 
preestes enjoinen men comunly in certeyn 
caas ; as for to goon, peraventure, naked 
105 in pilgrimages, or bare-foot. / Privee 
penaunce is thilke that men doon alday 
for privee sinnes, of whiche we shryve us 
j)rively and receyve privee penaunce. / 

§ 5. Now shaltow understande what is 
bihovely and necessarie to verray parfit 
Penitence. And this stant on three 
thinges ; / Contricioun of herte, Con- 
fessioun of Mouth, and Satisfaccioun. / 
For which seith Seint John Crisostom : 
' Penitence destreyneth a man to aocepte 
benignely every peyne that him is en- 
joyned, with contricion of herte, and 
shrift of mouth, with satisfaccion ; and 
in werkinge of alle maner humilitee.' / 
And this is fruitful Penitence agayii 
three thinges in whiche we wratthe oure 
no lord Jesu Crist : / this is to seyn, by delyt 
in thinkinge, by recchelesnesse in spek- 
inge, and Ijy wikked sinful werkinge. / 
And agayns thise wikkede giltes is Peni- 
tence, that may be lykned un-to a tree. / 
§ 6. The rote of this tree is Contricion, 
that hydeth him in the herte of him that 
is verray repentant, right as the rote of 
a tree hydeth him in the erthe. / Of the 
rote of Contricion spi-ingeth a stalke, 
that bereth braunches and leves of Con- 
(40) fession, and fruit of Satisfaccion. / For 



which Crist seith in his gospel : ' dooth 
digne fruit of Penitence ' ; for by this 
fruit may men knowe this tree, and nat 
by the rote that is hid in the herte of 
man, ne by the braunches ne by the 
leves of Confession./ And therefore 115 
oure Lord Jesu Crist seith thiis : ' by the 
fruit of hem ye shul knowen hem.'/ Of 
this rote eek springeth a seed of grace, 
the which seed is moder of sikernesse, 
and this seed is egre and hoot. / The 
grace of this seed springeth of god, 
thurgh remembrance of the day of dome 
and on the peynes of helle. / Of this 
matere seith Salomon, that ' in the drede 
of god man forleteth his sinne.' / The 
hete of this seed is the love of god, and 
the desiring of the joye perdurable. / 120 
This hete draweth the herte of a man to 
god, and dooth him haten his sinne. / 
For soothly, ther is no-thing that savour- 
eth so wel to a child as the milk of his 
norice, ne no-thing is to him more abho- 
minable than thilke milk whan it is 
medled with other mete. / Eight so the 
sinful man that loveth his sinne, him 
semeth that it is to him most swete of 
any-thing ; / but fro that tyme that 
he loveth sadly our lord Jesu Crist, and 
desireth the lif perdurable, ther nis to 
him no-thing more abhominable. / For (50) 
soothly, the lawe of god is the love of 
god ; for which David the prophete seith : 
' I have loved thy lawe and hated wikked- 
nesse and hate ' ; he that loveth god 
kepeth his lawe and his word. / This 125 
tree saugh the prophete Daniel in spirit, 
up-on the avision of the king Nabugo- 
donosor, whan he conseiled him to do 
penitence. / Penaunce is the tree of lyf 
to hem that it receiven, and he that 
holdeth him in verray penitence is 
blessed ; after the sentence of Salomon. / 
§ 7. In this Penitence or Contricion 
man shal understonde foure thinges, 
that is to seyn, what is Contricion : and 
whiche been the caiases that moeven a 
man to Contricion : and how he sholde 
be contrit : and what Contricion availleth 
to the soule. / Thanne is it thus : that 
Contricion is the verray sorwe that a 



T. 



§§ S, 9-] 



I. ZU (ptVQOMQ Z(Xk. 



677 



man receiveth in his lierte for his sinnes, 
with sad piirpos to shryve him, and to 
do penannce, and nevermore to do sinne./ 
And this sorwe shal been in this manere, 
as seith seint Bernard : ' it shal been 
he\'j^ and grevous, and ful sliarj^e and 

130 poinant in lierte.' / First, for man hath 
agilt his lord and his creatour ; and more 
sharpe and poinant, for he hath agilt his 
fader celestial ; / and yet more sharpe 
and poinant, for he hath wrathed and 
agilt him that boghte him ; -which with 
his preciovis blood hath delivered ns fro 
the bondes of sinne, and fro the cruel- 
tee of the devel and fro the peynes of 
helle. / 

§ 8. The causes that oghte moeve a 
man to Contricion been six. First, a 
man shal remembre him of hise sinnes ; / 
but loke he that thilke remembrance ne 
be to him no delyt by no wey, but greet 
shame and sorwe for his gilt. For Job 
seith : ' sinful men doon werkes worthy 

(60) of Confession.' / And therfore seith 
Ezechie : ' I wol remembre me alle the 
yeres of my lyf, in bitternesse of mjoi 

135 lierte.' / And god seith in the Apocalips : 
' remembreth yow fro whennes that ye 
been falle ' ; for biforn that tyme that ye 
sinned, ye were the children of god, and 
limes of the regne of god ; / but for your 
sinne ye been woxen thral and foul, and 
membres of the feend, hate of aungels, 
sclaundre of holy chirche, and fode of 
the false servient ; perpetuel matere of 
the fyr of helle. / And yet more foul 
and abhominable, for ye trespassen so 
ofte tyme, as doth the hound that re- 
tourneth to cten his spewing. / And 
yet be ye fouler for your longe con- 
tinuing in sinne and yowr sinful usage, 
for which ye be roten in your sinne, 
as a beest in his dong. / Swicho manere 
of thoghtes maken a man to have shame 
of his sinne, and no delyt, as god seith 

140 by the prophete Ezechiel : / 'ye shal 
remembre yow of youre weyes, and they 
shuln displese yow.' Sothly, sinnes been 
the weyes that leden folk to helle. / 

§ 9. The seconde cause that oghte make 
a man to have desdeyn of sinne is this : 



that, as seith seint Peter, 'who-so that 
doth sinne is thral of sinne ' ; and sinne 
put a man in greet thraldom. / And 
therfore seith the prophete Ezechiel : 
'I wente sorweful in desdayn of my-self.' 
And certes, wel oghte a man have des- 
dajni of sinne, and withdrawc him from 
that thraldom and vileinye./ Andlo,wliat 
seith Seneca in this matere. He seith 
thus : ' though I wiste that neither god 
ne man ne sholde nevere knowe it, yet 
wolde I have desdayn for to do sinne.' / (-0) 
And the same Seneca also seith : ' I am 
born to gretter thinges than to be thral 
to my body, or than for to maken of my 
body a thral.' / Ne a fouler thral may 145 
no man ne womman maken of his body, 
than for to yeven his body to sinne. / 
Al were it the fouleste cherl, or the foul- 
este womman that liveth, and leest of 
value, yet is he thanne more foule and 
more in servitute. / Evere fro the hyer 
degree that man falleth, the more is he 
thral, and more to god and to the world 
vile and abhominable. / O gode god, 
wel oghte man have desdayn of sinne ; sith 
that, thvirgh sinne, ther he was free, now 
is he maked bonde. / And therfore seytli 
Seint Augustin : ' if thou hast desdayn 
of thy servant, if he agilte or sinne, 
have thou thanne desdayn that thou 
thj'-selfsholdest do sinne.'/ Take reward 150 
of thy value, that thou ne be to foul to 
thy-self. / Alias ! wel oghten they thanne 
have desdayn to been servauntz and 
tliralles to sinne, and sore been ashamed 
of hem-self, / that god of his endelees 
goodnesse hath set hem in heigh estaat, 
or yeven hem wit, strengthe of body, hele, 
beautee, prosperitee, / and boghte hem 
fro the deeth with his lierte blood, that 
they so unkindely, agayns his gentilesse, 
quyten him so vileinsly, to slaughtro of 
hir owene soules. / O gode god, ye (80) 
wommen that been of so greet beaiitee, 
remembreth yow of the proverbe of 
Salomon, that seith : / 'he lykneth a 155 
fair womman, that is a fool of hir body, 
lyk to a ring of gold that were in the 
groyn of a sowe.' / For right as a sowc 
wroteth in everich ordxire, so wroteth 



678 



ZU CanferBufp ZaUs. 



[t. § 10. 



she liir beautee in the stinkinge ordure 
of sinne. / 

§ 10. The thridde cause that oghte 
moeve a man to Contricioii, is drede of 
the day ©f dome, and of the horrible 
peynes of helle. / For as seint Jerome 
scitli : ' at every tyme that me remem- 
breth of the day of dome, I qnake ; / for 
■whan I ete or drinke, or what-so that 
I do, evere semeth me that tlie trompe 
i6o sownetli in myn ere : / riseth up, ye that 
been dede, and cometh totlie jugement.'/ 
O gode god, muchel oghte a man to drede 
swich a jugement, ' tlier-as we shullen 
been alle,' as seint Poul seith, ' biforn tlie 
sete of oure lord Jesu Crist ' ; / wher-as 
he shal make a general congregacion, 
■wher-as no man may been absent. / For 
certes, there availleth noon essoyne ne 
(90) excusacion. / And nat only that oure 
defautes shullen be juged, but eek that 

165 alle oure werkes shnllen openly be kno'we. / 
And as seith Seint Bernard : ' tlier ne 
shal no jiledinge availle, ne no sleighte ; 
■we shnllen yeven rekeninge of evorich 
ydel ■word.'/ Ther shul we ban a jnge 
that may nat been deceived ne corrupt. 
And why? For, certes, alle our thoghtes 
been discovered as to him ; ne for preyere 
ne for mede he shal nat been corrupt. / 
And therfore seith Salomon : 'the^wratthe 
of god ne wol nat spare no wight, for 
preyere ne for yifte ' ; and therfore, at 
the day of doom, ther nis noon hope to 
escape. / Wlierfore, as seith Seint 
Anselm : ' ful greet angwissh shul the 
sinfu.1 folk have at that tyme ; / ther 
shal the sterne and wrothe juge sitte 
above, and under him the horrible put 
of helle open to destroyen him that moot 
biknowen hise sinnes, whiclie sinnes 
openly been shewed biforn god and bi- 

170 forn every creature. / And on the left 
syde, mo develes than herte may bithinke, 
for to harie and drawe the sinful soules 
to the pyne of helle. / And with-inne 
the -hertes of folk shal be the bytinge 
conscience, and with-oute-forth shal be 
the world al brenninge. / Whider shal 
thanne the wrecched sinful man flee to 
hyden him ? Certes, he may nat hyden 



him ; he moste come fortli and shewen 
him.'/ For certes, as seith seint Jerome: 
' the erthe shal casten him out of him, 
and the see also ; and the eyr also, that 
shal be ful of thonder-clappes and light- 
ninges.' / Now sothly, who-so wel re- (100) 
membreth him of thise thinges, I gesse 
that his sinne shal nat turne him in-to 
delyt, but to greet sorwe, for drede of the 
peyne of helle. / And therfore seith Job 175 
to god : ' suffre, lord, that I may a whyle 
biwaille and wepe, er I go with-oute 
returning to the derke lond, covered with 
the derknesse of deeth ; / to the lond of 
misese and of derknesse, where-as is the 
shadwe of deeth ; where-as ther is noon 
ordre or ordinance, but grisly drede that 
evere shal laste.' / Lo, here may ye seen 
that Job preyde respyt a whyle, to biwepe 
and waille his trespas ; for soothly oon 
day of resp3d; is bettre than al the tresor 
of the world. / And for-as-mucho as 
a man may acquiten him-self biforn god 
by penitence in this world, and nat by 
tresor, therfore sholde he preye to god 
to yeve him respyt a whyle, to biwepe 
and biwaillen his trespas. / For certes, 
al the sorwe that a man mighte i"nake 
fro the beginning of the world, nis but 
a litel thing at regard of the sorwe of 
helle. / The cause why that Job clepeth 180 
helle 'the lond of derknesse '; / under- 
stondeth that he clepeth it 'londe' or 
erthe, for it is stable, and nevere shal 
faille ; ' derk,' for he that is in helle hath 
dofaute of light material. / For certes, 
the derke light, that shal come out of the 
fyr that evere shal brenne, shal turne 
him al to peyne that is in helle ; for it 
sheweth him to the horrible develes that 
him tormenten. / ' Covered with the 
derknesse of deeth ' : that is to seyn, that 
he that is in helle shal have defaute of 
the sighte of god ; for certes, the sighte 
of god is the lyf perdurable./ 'The(iiO; 
derknesse of deeth ' been the sinnes that 
the ^vreoched man hath doon, whiche 
that destourben him to see the face of 
god ; right as doth a derk clonde bitwise 
lis and the Sonne. / ' Lond of misese ' : / i85 
by-cause that ther been three maneres 



§ 10.] 



ZU (peteone© Zak, 



679 



of clefaiites, agayn three thinges that folk 
of this world han in this present lyf, 
that is to seyn, hononrs, delyces, and 
richesses. / Agayns honour, liave they 
ill lielle sliame and confvision. / For wel 
yc woot that men clepen ' honour ' the 
reverence that man doth to man ; but in 
helle is noon honour ne reverence. For 
certes, na-more reverence shal be doon 
there to a king than to a knave. / For 
which god seith by tlie prophete Jeremye : 
' thilke folk that me despysen shul been 
in despyt.' / ' Honour ' is eek cleped 
greet lordshipe ; ther shal no man serven 
other but of liarm and torment. ' Honour' 
is eek cleped greet dignitee and heigh- 
nesse ; but in helle shiil they been al 
190 fortroden of develes. / And god seith : 
' tlie horrible develes shuUe goon and 
comen up-on the hevedes of the dampned 
folk.' And this is for-as-muche as, the 
hyer that they were in this present lyf, 
tlie more shulle they been abated and 
defoiiled in helle. / Agayns the richesses 
of this world, shul they han misese of 
poverte ; and this poverte shal been in 
foure thinges : / in defatite of tresor, of 
wliicli that David seith ; ' the riche folk, 
that embraceden and oneden al hir herte 
to tresor of this world, shul slepe in the 
slepinge of deeth ; and no-thing ne shul 
they finden in hir handes of al hir 
tresor.' / And more-over, the miseise of 
helle shal been in defaute of mete and 
(120) drinke. / For god seitli thus by Moyses ; 
' they shul been wasted with hunger, and 
the briddes of helle shul devouren hem 
with bitter deeth, and the galle of the 
dragon shal been hir drinke, and the 
195 venim of the dragon hir morsels.' / And 
forther-over, hir miseise shal been in 
defante of clothing: for they shulle be 
naked in body as of clothing, save the fyr 
in which they breiine and othere filthes ; / 
and naked shul they been of soule, of alle 
manere vertues, which that is the cloth- 
ing of the soule. Where been tlianno tlie 
gaye robes and the softe shetes and the 
smale shertes ? / Lo, what seith god of 
hem by the prophete Isaye : ' that under 
hem shul been strawed motthes, and hir 



covertures shulle been of wormes of 
hello.' / And forther-over, hir miseise 
shal been in defaute of freendes ; for he 
nis nat povre that hath goode freendes, 
but there is no freend ; / for neither god 
ne no creature shal been freend to hem, 
and everich of hem shal haten other 
with deedly hate. / ' The sones and the 200 
doghtren shullen rebellen agayns fader 
and mooder, and kinrede agayns kinrede, 
and chyden and despysen everich of hem 
otlier,' bothe day and night, as god seith 
by tlie prophete Michias. / And the 
lovinge children, that whylom loveden 
so fleshly everich other, wolden everich 
of hem eten other if tliey miglite. / For 
how sliolden they love hem togidre in the 
peyne of helle, whan they hated ech of 
hem other in the prosperitee of this lyf? / 
For truste wel, hir fleshly love was deedly 
hate ; as seith the prophete David: ' who- 
so that loveth wikkeduesse he liateth his 
sovile.' / And who-so hateth his owene (130) 
soule, certes, he may love noon other 
wight in no manere. / And therefore, 205 
in helle is no solas ne no frendshipe, but 
evere the more fleshly kinredes that been 
in helle, the more cursinges, the more 
chydinges, and the more deedly hate ther 
is among hem. / And forther-over, they 
shul have defaute of alle manere delyces ; 
for certes, delyces been after the appe- 
tytes of the fyve wittes, as sighte, heringe, 
smellinge, savoringe, and touchinge. / 
But in lioUe hir sighte shal be ful of 
derknesso and of smoke, and therforo ful 
of teres ; and hir heringe, ful of way- 
mentinge and of grintinge of teeth, as 
seith Jesu Crist ; / hir nosethirles shullen 
be ful of stinkinge stink. And as seith 
Isaye the i^rophete : ' hir savoring shal 
be ful of bitter galle.' / And touchinge 
of al hir body, y-covered with ' fyr that 
nevero shal quenche, and with wormes 
that nevero shul dyen,' as god seith by 
the mouth of Isaye. / And for-as-niuche 210 
as they shul nat weno that they may 
dyen for peyne, and by hir deeth flee 
fro peyne, that may they understonden 
by the word of Job, that seith : ' ther-as 
is the shadwe of deeth.' / Certes, a 



68o 



^0e ^anferfiurp Zakc. 



[t. § II. 



shadwe hatli the lyknesse of the thing 
of which it is shadwe, but shadwe is nat 
the same thing of wliich it is shadwe. / 
Right so fareth the peyne of helle ; it is 
lyk deeth for the liorrible angiaissh, and 
why? For it peyneth heto evere, as 
though they sholde dye anon ; but dertes 
they shal nat dye. / For as seith Seint 
Gregorie : ' to wreeche caytives slial be 
deeth with-oute deeth, and ende witli- 
outen ende, and defaute with-oute fail- 
(140) inge. / For hir deeth shal alwey liven, 
and hir ende shal everemo biginne, and 

215 hir defaute shal nat faille.' / And ther- 
fore seith Seint John the Evangelist : 
' they shullen folwe deeth, and they shul 
nat finde him ; and they shul desyren 
to dye, and deeth shal flee fro hem.' / 
And eek Job seith : that ' in helle is 
noon ordre of rule.' / And al-be-it so 
that god hath creat alle thinges in right 
ordre, and no-thing with-outen ordre, 
but alle thinges been ordeyned and nom- 
bred ; yet nathelees they that been 
dampned been no-thing in ordre, ne 
holden noon ordre. / For the erthe ne 
shal here hem no fruit. / For, as the 
l^rophete David seith : ' god shal destroye 
the fruit of the erthe as fro hem ' ; ne 
water ne shal yeve hem no moisture ; ne 

220 the eyr no refresshing, ne fj'r no light. / 
For as seith seint Basilie : ' the brenninge 
of the fjT of this world shal god yeven in 
helle to hem that been dampned ; / but 
the light and the cleernesse shal be yeven 
in hevene to hise children '; right as the 
gode man yeveth flesh to hise children, 
and bones to his houndes. / And for 
they shullen have noon hope to escape, 
seith seint Job atte laste : that ' ther 
shal horrour and grisly drede dwellen 
with-outen ende.' / Horrour is alwey 
drede of harm that is to come, and this 
drede shal overe dwelle in the hertes of 
hem that been dampned. And therefore 
han they lorn al hir hope, for sevene 
(150) causes. / First, for god that is hir juge 
shal be with-outen mercy to hem ; ne 
they may nat plese him, ne noon of hise 
halwes ; ne they ne may yeve no-thing 

225 for hir raunson ; / no they have no vols 



to speke to him ; ne they may nat flee 
fro peyne ; ne they have no goodnesse in 
hem, that they naowe shewe to delivere 
heni fro peyne. / And therfore seith 
Salomon : ' the wikked man dyeth ; and 
whan he is deed, he shal have noon hope 
to escape fro peyne.' / Who-so thanne 
wolde wel understande these peynes, and 
bithinke him weel that he hath deserved 
thilke peynes for his sinnes, certes, he 
sholde have more talent to syken and to 
wepe than for to singen and to pleye. / 
For as that seith Salomon : ' who-so that 
hadde the science to knowe the peynes 
that been establissed and ordeyned for 
sinne, he wolde make sorwe.' / ' Thilke 
science,' as seith seint Augustin, ' maketh 
a man to waymenten in his herte. ' / 230 

§ 11. The fourthe point, that oghte 
maken a man to have contricion, is the 
sorweful remembrance of the good that 
he hath left to doon here in erthe ; and 
eek the good that he hath lorn. / Soothly, 
the gode werkes that he hath left, outlier 
they been the gode werkes that he 
wroghte er he fel in-to deedly sinne, or 
elles the gode werkes that he wroghte 
while he lay in sinne. / Soothly, the 
gode werkes, that he dide biforn that he 
fil in sinne, been al mortified and astoned 
and dulled by the oite sinning. / The 
othere gode werkes, that he wroglite 
whyl he lay in deedly sinne, they been 
outrely dede as to the lyf perdurable in 
hevene. / Thanne thilke gode werkes (160) 
that been mortified by ofte sinning, 
whiche gode werkes he dide whyl he was 
in charitee, ne mowe nevere qviiken agayn 
with-outen verray penitence. / And ther- 235 
of seith god, by the mouth of Ezechiel : 
that, ' if the rightful man returne agayn 
from his rightwisnesse and werke wikked- 
nesse, shal he live?' / Nay; for alle the 
gode werkes that he hath wroght ne shul 
nevere been in remembrance ; for he shal 
dyen in his sinne. / And up-on thilke 
chapitre seith seint Gregorie thus : ' that 
we shuUe vinderstonde this pi-incipally ; / 
that whan we doon deedly sinne, it is 
for noght thanne to rehercen or drawen 
in-to memorie the gode werkes that we 



T. § 12.] 



ZU (peraonee Za(t, 



68i 



lian wroght biforn.' / For certes, in tlie 
werkinge of the deedly sinne, ther is no 
trust to no good werk that we han doon 
biforn ; that is to seyn, as for to have 

240 tlierby the lyf perdurable in hevene. / 
But nathelees, the gode werkes quiken 
agayn, and comen agayn, and helpen, 
and availlen to liave the lyf perdurable 
in hevene, whan we han contricion. / 
But soothly, the gode werkes that men 
doon whyl they been in deedly sinne, 
for-as-muche as they were doon in deedly 
sinne, they may nevero quiken agayn. / 
For certes, thing that novere hadde Ij"!" 
may nevore quikene ; and nathelees, al- 
be-it that they no avaUle noght to han 
the lyf perdurable, yet availlen they to 
abreggo of the peyne of helle, or elles to 
geten temporal richesse, / or elles that 
god wole the rather enlumine and lightne 
the herte of the sinful man to have 

170) repentance ; / and eek they availlen for 
to usen a man to doon gode werkes, that 
the feend have the lasso power of his 

245 soule. / And thiis the curteis lord Jesu 
Crist wole that no good werk be lost ; 
for in somwhat it shal availle. / But 
for-as-mucho as the gode werkes that 
men doon whyl they been in good lyf, 
been al mortified by sinne folwinge ; and 
eek, sith that alio the gode werkes that 
men doon whyl they been in deedly 
synne, been outrely dede as for to have 
the Ij-f perdurable ; / wel may that man, 
that no good werke ne dooth, singe thilko 
newe Frenshe song : ' Jay tout perdu mon 
temps et mon labour.'' / For certes, sinne 
bireveth a man bothe goodnesse of nature 
and eek the goodnesse of grace. / For 
soothly, the grace of the holy goost 
fareth lyk fyr, that may nat been ydel ; 
for fyr faileth anoon as it forleteth his 
wirkinge, and right so grace fayleth 

250 anoon as it forleteth his werkinge. / 
Than leseth the sinful man the goodnesse 
of glorie, that only is bihight to gode 
men that labouren and werken. / Wel 
may he be sory thanne, that oweth al 
his lif to god as longe as he hath lived, 
and eek as longe as he shal live, that no 
goodnesse ne hath to payo with his dette 



to god, to wliom he oweth al his lyf. / 
For trust wel, ' he shal 5-even acountes,' 
as seith seint Bernard, ' of alle the godes 
that han bo yeven him in this present 
lyf, and how ho hath hem despended ; / 
in so muche that ther shal nat x^erisse an 
heer of his heed, ne a moment of an 
houre ne shal nat perisse of his tyme, 
that he ne shal ycve of it a rekening.' / (180) 

§ 12. The fifthe thing that oghte moeve 
a man to contricion, is remenibrance of 
the passion that oure lord Jesu Crist 
suflfred for oure sinnes. / For, as seith 255 
seint Bernard : ' whyl that I live, I shal 
have reniembrance of the travailles that 
oure lord Crist suffred in preching ; / his 
werinesse in travailling, hise temptacions 
whan he fasted, hise longe wakinges 
whan he preyde, hise teres whan that 
he weep for pitee of good peple ; / the 
wo and the shame and the filthe that 
men seyden to him ; of the foule spitting 
that men spitte in his face, of the 
buffettes that men yaven him, of the 
foule mowes, and of the reproves that 
men to him seyden ; / of the nayles with 
wliiche he was nailed to the croys, and 
of al the remenant of his passion that he 
sutfred for my sinnes, and no-thing for 
his gilt.' / And ye shul understonde, 
that in mannes sinne is every manere of 
ordre or ordinance turned np-so-doun. / 260 
For it is sooth, that god, and reson, and 
sonsualitee, and the body of man been so 
ordeyned, that everich of tliise fotire 
thinges sholde have lordshipe over that 
other ; / as thus : god sholde have lord- 
shipe over reson, and reson over sensu- 
alitee, and sensualitee over the body of 
man. / But sothlj-, whan man sinneth, 
al this ordre or ordinance is turned 
up-so-doun. / And therfore thanne, for- 
as-muche as the reson of man ne wol nat 
be subget ne obeisant to god, that is his 
lord by right, therfore leseth it the lord- 
shipe that it sholde have over sensualitee, 
and eek over the body of man. / And (190) 
why ? For sensualitee rebclleth thanne 
agajais reson ; and by tliat wey leseth 
reson the lordshipe over sensualitee and 
over the body. / For right as reson is 265 



z 3 



682 



^0e CanterBurp Zake, 



[t. § 



rebel to god, right so is bothe sensualitee 
rebel to resoii and the body also. / And 
certes, this disordinance and this re- 
bellion oure lord Jesii Crist aboghte 
vip-on his precious body ful dere, and 
herkneth in which wyse. / For-as-muche 
thanne as reson is rebel to god, therfore 
is man worthy to have sorwe and to be 
deed. / This suffred oiire lord Jesu Crist 
for man, after that he hadde be bitraysed 
of his disciple, and distreyned and 
bounde, ' so that his blood brast out at 
every nail of hise handes,' as seith seint 
Augiistin. / And forther-over, for-as- 
muehel as reson of man ne wol nat 
daunte sensualitee whan it maj-, therfore 
is man worthy to have shame ; and this 
suifred oure lord Jesu Crist for man, 
270 whan they spetten in his visage. / And 
forther-over, for-as-muchel thanne as the 
caitif body of man is rebel bothe to reson 
and to sensualitee, therfore is it worthy 
the deeth. / And this suffred oure lord 
Jesu Crist for man up-on the croys, 
where-as ther was no part of his body 
free, with-ou.ten greet peyne and bitter 
passion. / And al this suffred Jesu 
Crist, that nevere forfeted. And therfore 
resonably may be seyd of Jesu in this 
manere : ' to muchel am I peyned for 
the thinges that I nevere deserved, and 
to muche defouled for shendshipe that 
man is worthy to have.' / And therfore 
may the sinful man wel seye, as seith 
seint Bernard : ' acursed be the bitter- 
nesse of my sinne, for which ther moste 
(200) be suffred so muchel bitternesse.' / For 
certes, after the diverse discordances of 
oure wikliednesses, was the passion of 
275 Jesu Crist ordeyned in diverse thinges, / 
as tlius. Certes, sinful maunes sotile is 
bitraysed of the devel by coveitise of 
temporel prosperitee, and scorned by 
deceite whan he cheseth fleshly delyces ; 
and yet is it tormented by inpacience of 
adversitee, and bispet by servage and 
subjeccion of sinne ; and atte laste it is 
slayn fynally. / For this disordinaunee 
of sinful man was Jesu Crist first bi- 
traysed, and after that was he bounde, 
tliat cam for to unbj-nden us of sinne 



and peyne. / Thanne was he biscorned, 
that only sholde han been honoured in 
alle thinges and of alle thinges. / Thanne 
was his visage, that oghte be desired 
to be seyn of al man-kinde, in which 
visage aungels desyren to looke, vileynsly 
bispet. / Thanne was he scoiirgod that 
no-thing hadde agilt; and fynally, thanne 
was he crucified and slayn. / Thanne 280 
was acompliced the word of Isaye : ' he 
was wounded for oure misdedes, and 
defouled for oure felonies.' / Now sith 
that Jesu Crist took up-on him-self the 
peyne of alle oure wikkednesses, muchel 
oghte sinful man wepen and biwayle, 
that for hise sinnes goddes sone of 
hevene sholde al this peyne endure. / 

§ 13. The sixte thing that oghte moeve 
a man to contricion, is the hope of three 
thynges ; that is to seyn, foryifnesse of 
sinne, and the yifte of grace wel for to 
do, and the glorie of hevene, with which 
god shal guerdone a man for hise gode 
dedes. / And for-as-muche as Jesu Crist 
yeveth us thise yiftes of his largesse and 
of his sovereyn bovintee, therfore is he 
cleped Jesus Nazaremis rex Judeorum. j (210) 
Jesvis is to seyn 'saveour' or ' salvacion,' 
on whom men shul hope to have foryif- 
nesse of sinnes, which that is proprely 
salvacion of sinnes. / And therfore seyde 285 
the aungel to Joseph : ' thou shalt clepen 
his name Jesus, that shal saven his peple 
of hir sinnes.' / And heer-of seith seint 
Peter : ' ther is noon otlier name under 
hevene that is yeve to any man, by which 
a man may be saved, but only Jesus.' / 
Nazarenus is as muche for to seye as 
' florisshinge,' in which a man shal hope, 
that he that yeveth him remission of 
sinnes shal yeve him eek grace wel for to 
do. For in the flour is hope of fruit in 
tyme cominge ; and in foryifnesse of 
sinnes hope of grace wel for to do. / 
' I was atte dore of thyn herte,' seith 
Jesus, ' and cleped for to entre ; he that 
openeth to me shal have foryifnesse of 
sinne. / I wol entre in-to him by my 
grace, and soupe with him,' by the goode 
werkes that he shal doon ; whiche werkes 
been the foode of god ; ' and he shal 



T. 



14, I 



5.] 



ZU (pereonea Cafe. 



683 



soupe -witli me,' by the grete joye that 
290 I sbal yeven him. / Thus shal man hope, 
for hise werkes of penaunce, that god 
shall yeven him his regne ; as he bihoteth 
him in the gospel. / 

§ 14. Now shal a man tinderstonde, in 
which manere shal been his contricion. 
I seye, that it shal been universal and 
total ; this is to seyn, a man shal be 
verray repentant for alia hise sinnes that 
he hath doon in delyt of his thoght ; for 
delyt is ful perilous. / For tlier been 
two manere of consentinges ; that oon of 
hem is cleped consentinge of affeccion, 
whan a man is moeved to do sinne, and 
delyteth him longe for to thinke on that 
sinne ; / and his reson aperceyveth it 
wel, that it is sinne agayns the lawe of 
god, and yet his reson refreyneth nat his 
foul delyt or talent, though he see wel 
apertly that it is agayns the reverence of 
god ; al-though his reson ne consente 
220) noght to doon that sinne in dede, / yet 
seyn somme doctours that swich delyt 
that dwelleth longe, it is i'ul perilous, 
295 al be it nevere so lite. / And also a man 
sholde sorwe, namely, for al that evere 
he hath desired agayn the lawe of god 
with per fit consentinge of his reson ; for 
ther-of is no doute, that it is deedly sinne 
in consentinge. / For certes, ther is no 
deedly sinne, that it nas first in mannes 
thought, and after that in his delj^ ; and 
so forth in-to consentinge and in-to dede./ 
Wherfore I seye, that many men ne re- 
penten hem nevere of swiche thoghtes 
and delytes, ne nevere shryveu hem of it, 
but only of the dede of grete sinnes 
outward. / Wherfore I seye, that swiche 
wikked delytes and wikked thoghtes been 
subtile bigyleres of hem that shuUen be 
dampned. / More-over, man oghte to 
sorwe for hise wikkede wordes as wel as 
for hise wikkede dedes ; for certes, the 
repentance of a singuler sinne, and nat 
repente of alle hise othere sinnes, or elles 
repenten him of alle hise othere sinnes, 
and nat of a singuler sinne, may nat 
300 availle. / For certes, god almighty is al 
good ; and ther-fore he foryeveth al, or 
elles right noght. / And heer-of seith 



seint Aug^Tstin : ' I woot certeinly / that 
god is enemy to everioh sinnere ' ; and 
how thanne ? He that obser\'eth o sinne, 
shal he have foryifnesse of the reme- 
naunt of hise othere sinnes ? Nay. / 
And forther-over, contricion sholde be 
wonder sorweful and anguissous, and 
therfore yeveth him god pleynly his 
mercy ; and therfore, whan my soule 
was anguissous with-inno me, I hadde 
remembrance of god that my preyere 
mighte come to him. / Forther-over, (230) 
contricion moste be continuel, and that 
man have stcdefast purpos to shryven 
him, and for to araenden him of his lyf. / 305 
For soothly, whyl contricion lasteth, man 
may evere have hope of foryifnesse ; and 
of this comth hate of sinne, that destroy- 
etli sinne bothe in himself, and eek in 
other folk, at his power. / For which 
seith David : ' ye that loven god hateth 
wikkednesse.' For trusteth wel, to love 
god is for to love that he loveth, and 
hate that he hateth. / 

§ 15. The laste thing that man shal 
tinderstonde in contricion is this ; wher- 
of avayleth contricion. I seye, that som 
tyme contricion deliveretli a man fro 
sinne ; / of which that David seith : 
'I seye,' quod David, that is to seyn, 
' I purposed fermely to shryve me ; and 
thow. Lord, relesedest my sinne.' / And 
right so as contricion availleth noght, 
with-outen sad purpos of shrifte, if man 
have oportunitee, right so litel worth is 
shrifte or satisfaccion with-outen con- 
tricion. / And more-over, contricion 310 
destroyeth the prison of belle, and maketh 
wayk and feble alio the strengthes of the 
develes, and restoreth the yiftes of the 
holy goost and of alle gode vertues ;/ and 
it clenseth the soule of sinne, and 
delivereth the soule fro the peyne of 
helle, and fro the companye of the devel, 
and fro the servage of sinne, and restoreth 
it to alle godes espirituels, and to the 
companye and communion of holy 
chirche. / And forther-over, it maketh 
bun that whylom was sone of ire to be 
sone of grace ; and alle thise thinges been 
preved by holy writ, / And therfore, he 



Z5 



684 



tU ^mUvZuv^ Z<ik6. 



[t. § 16-1S. 



that wolde setto his entente to thise 
t hinges, he were ful wj's ; for soothly, he 
ne sholde nat thaniie in al his lyf have 
corage to sinne, but yeven his body and 
al his herte to the service of Jesu Crist, 
(240) and ther-of doon him hommage. / For 
soothly, oure swete lord Jesii Crist hath 
spared us so debonairly in ovir folies, that 
if he ne hadde pitee of mannes soule, 
315 a sory song wo mighten alle singe./ 

Explicit prima pars Penitentie; et 
sequitur secunda pars eiusdem. 

§ 16. The seconde partie of Penitence is 
Confession, that is signe of contricion. / 
Now shvil ye nnderstondo what is Con- 
fession, and whether it oghte nedes be 
doon or noon, and whiche thinges been 
covenable to verray Confession. / 

§ 17. First shaltow nnderstonde that 
Confession is verray shewinge of sinnes 
to the preest ; / this is to seyn ' verray,' 
for he nioste confessen him of alle the 
condicioiins that bilongen to his sinne, as 
ferforth as he can. / Al moot be seyd, 
and no thing excused ne hid ne for- 
wrapped, and noght avannte him of his 
320 godo werkes. / And forther over, it is 
necessarie to nnderstonde whennes that 
sinnes springen, and how they encresen, 
and whicho they been. / 

§ 18. Of the springinge of sinnes seith 
seint Paul in this wise : that ' riglit as by 
a man sinne entred first in-to this world, 
and thurgh that sinne deeth, right so 
thilke deeth entred in-to alle men that 
sinnoden.'/ And this man was Adam, 
by whom sinne entred in-to this world 
whan he brak the comanndement of 
god. / And therfore, he that first was so 
mighty that he sholde not have dyed, 
bicam swich oon that he moste nedes dye, 
whether he wolde or noon ; and all his 
progenie in this world that in thilke man 
(250) sinneden. / Loke that in th'estaat of 
innocence, when Adam and Eve naked 
weren in paradys, and no-thing ne hadden 
325 shame of liir nakednesse, / how that the 
serpent, that was most wyly of alle othere 
bostes that god hadde maked, seyde to 



the womman : ' why comaunded god to 
yow, ye sholde nat eten of every tree in 
paradys ? ' / The womman answerde : 
'of the frnit,' quod she, 'of the trees in 
paradys we feden us ; but soothly, of the 
fruit of the tree that is in the middel of 
paradys, god forbad us for to ete, ne nat 
touchen it, lest per-aventure we should 
dyen.' / The serpent seyde to the wom- 
xaan : ' nay, nay, ye shul nat dyen of 
deeth ; for sotho, god woot, that what day 
that ye eten ther-of, youro eyen shul 
opene, and yo shul been as goddes, 
knowinge good and harm. '/ The wom- 
man thanne saugh that the tree was good 
to feding, and fair to the eyen, and 
delytable to the sighte ; she tok of the 
fruit of the tree, and eet it, and yaf to hir 
hoiisbonde, and he eet ; and anoon the 
eyen of hem bothe openeden. / And 
whan that they knewe that they were 
naked, they sowed of fige-leves a manerc 
of breches to hiden hir membres. / There 33° 
may ye seen that deedly sinne hath first 
suggestion of the feend, as sheweth hero 
by the naddre ; and afterward, the delyt 
of the flesh, as sheweth here by Eve ; and 
after that, the consentinge of resoun, as 
sheweth here by Adam. / For trust wel, 
thogh so were that the feend tempted Eve, 
that is to seyn the flesh, and the flesh hadde 
delyt in the beautee of the fruit defended, 
yet certes, til that resoun, that is to seyn, 
Adam, consented to the etingo of the 
fruit, yet stood he in th'estaat of inno- 
cence. / Of thilke Adam toke we thilke 
sinne original ; for of him fleslily de- 
scended be we alle, and engendred of vile 
and corrupt matere. / And whan the 
soule is piit in our body, right anon is 
contract original sinne ; and that, that 
was erst but only pe5-ne of concupiscence, 
is afterward bothe peyne and sinne. / (260 
And therfore be we alle born sones of 
wratthe and of damxmacion perdurable, if 
it nere baptesme that we receyven, which 
binimeth us the culpe ; but for sothe, the 
peyne dwelleth with us, as to tempta- 
cion, which pej'ne highte concupiscence. / 335 
"Wlian it is wrongfully disposed or or- 
deyned in man. it maketh him coveite, 



T. § 19-: I.] 



I. 



ZU (pereone© Zak, 



685 



by coveitise of flesh, fleshly sinne, by 
sighte of hise e.ven as to erthely thinges, 
and coveitise of hynesse by pryde of 
herte. / 

§ 19. Now as for to speken of the firste 
coveitise, that is, concupiscence after the 
lawe of onre membres, that vs^eren lawe- 
fiiUiche y-maked and by rightful juge- 
rnent of god ; / I seye, for-as-muche as 
man is nat obeisavint to god, that is his 
lord, therfore is the flesh to him dis- 
obeisaunt thurgh concupiscence, which 
yet is cleped norissinge of sinne and 
occasion of sinne. / Therfore, al the 
whyle that a man liath in liim the peyne of 
concupiscence, it is imxiossible but he be 
tempted somtyme, and moeved in his 
flesh to sinne. / And this thing may nat 
faille as longe as he liveth ; it may wel 
■\vexe feble and faille, by vertu of baptesme 
and by the grace of god thurgh peni- 
340 tence ; / but fully ne slial it nevere 
quenche, that he ne shal som tyme be 
moeved iu him-self, but-if he were al 
refreyded by siknesse, or by malefice of 
sorcerie or colde drinkes. / For lo, what 
seith seint Paul : ' the flesh coveiteth 
agayn the spirit, and the spirit agayn the 
flesh ; they been so contrarie and so 
stryven, that a man may nat alwey doon 
as he wolde.' / The same seint Paul, 
after his grete penaunce in water and in 
lond (in water by night and by day, in 
greet peril and in greet peyne, in lond, 
in famine, in thiirst, in cold and cloth- 
lees, and ones stoned almost to the 
deeth) / yet seyde ho : ' alias ! I, caytif 
man, who shal delivere me fro the 
(270) prisoun of my caytif body ? ' / And seint 
Jerome, whan he longe tyme hadde woned 
in desert, where-as he hadde no com- 
panye but of wilde bestes, where-as he ne 
hadde no mete but herbes and water to 
his drinke, ne no bed but the naked erthe, 
for which his flesh was blak as an 
Ethiopen for hete and ny destroyed for 
345 cold,/ yet seyde he : that 'the brennmge of 
lecherie boiled in al his body.'/ Wherfore 
I woot wel sikerly, that they been 
deceyved that seyn, that they ne be nat 
temi^ted in hir body. / Witnesse on 



Seint Jame the Apostel, that seith : that 
' every wight is tempted in his owen con- 
cupiscence ; ' that is to seyn, that everich 
of us hath matere and occasion to be 
tempted of the norissinge of sinne that 
is in his body. / And therfore seith 
Seint John the Evaungelist : ' if that 
we seyn that we beth with-oute sinne, 
we deceyve us-selve, and trouthc is nat 
in us.' / 

§ 20. Now shal ye understondo in what 
manere that sinne wexeth or encresetli 
in man. The firste thing is thilke noris- 
singe of sinne, of which I spak biforn, 
thilke fleshly concupiscence. / And after 35^ 
that comth the subjeccion of the devel, 
this is to seyn, the develes bely, with 
which he bloweth in man the fyr of 
fleshly concupiscence. / And after that, 
a man bitliinketh him wliether he wol 
doon, or no, thilke thing to which he is 
tempted. / And thanne, if that a man 
withstonde and weyve the firste entysinge 
of his flesh and of the feend, thanne is it 
no sinne ; and if it so be that he do nat 
so, thanne feleth he anon a flambe of 
delyt. / And thanne is it good to be 
war, and kepen him wel, or elles he wol 
falle anon in-to consentinge of sinne ; 
and thanne wol he do it, if he may have 
tyme and place. / And of this matere (280) 
seith Moyses by the devel in this manere : 
' the feend seith, I wole chace and pursue 
the man by wikked suggestion, and I wole 
hente him by moevynge or stiringe of 
sinne. I wol departe my pryse or my 
praye by deliberacion, and my lust shal 
been accompliced in delyt ; I wol drawe 
my swerd in consentinge : ' / for certes, 355 
right as a swerd departeth a thing in two 
peces, right so consentinge departeth god 
fro man : ' and thanne wol I sleen him 
with myn hand in dede of sinne ' ; thus 
seith the feend. / For certes, thanne is 
a man al deed in soule. And thus is 
sinne accompliced by temptacion, by 
delyt, and by consentinge ; and thanne is 
the sin cleped actuel. / 

§ 21. For sothe, sinno is in two 
maneres ; outlier it is venial, or deedly 
sinne. Soothly, whan man loveth any 



686 



ZU t(XnUv&\iv^ ^afea. 



[T. § 22. 



creature more than Jesii Crist oure 
creatour, thanne is it deedly sinne. And 
venial synne is it, if man love Jesu Crist 
lasse than him oghte. / For sothe, the 
dedc of this venial sinne is ful perilous ; 
for it amennseth the love that men 
sholde han to god more and more. / And 
therfore, if a man charge him-self with 
manye swiche venial sinnes, certes, bnt-if 
so be that he som tyme descharge him. of 
hem by shrifte, they mowo fvil lightly 
amenuse in him al the love that he hath 
360 to Jesii Crist ; / and in this wise skippeth 
venial in-to deedly sinne. For certes, the 
more that a man chargeth his soule with 
venial sinnes, the more is he enclyned to 
fallen in-to deedly sinne. / And therfore, 
lat us nat be nccligent to deschargen us 
of venial sinnes. For the proverbe seith : 
that manye smale maken a greet. / And 
herkne this ensample. A greet wawe of 
the see comth som-tyme with so greet 
a violence that it drencheth the ship. 
And the same harm doth som-tyme 
the smale dropes of water, that entren 
thurgh a litel ci-evace in-to the thurrok, 
and in-to the botme of the ship, if men 
be so necligent that they ne descharge 
hem nat by tyme. / And therfore, al- 
thogh ther be a difference bitwixe thise 
two causes of drench inge, algates the 
(290) ship is dreynt. / Eight so fareth it som- 
tyme of deedly sinne, and of anoyoiise 
veniale sinnes, whan they multiplye in 
a man so greetly, that thilke worldly 
thinges that he loveth, thurgh whiche he 
sinneth venially, is as greet in his herte 
365 as the love of god, or more. / And ther- 
fore, the love of every thing, that is nat 
biset in god ne doon principally for 
goddes sake, al-though that a man love it 
lasse than god, yet is it venial sinne ; / 
and deedly sinne, whan the love of any 
thing weyeth in the herte of man as 
muchel as tlie love of god, or more. / 
' Deedly sinne,' as seith seint Augustin, 
' is, whan a man turneth his herte fro 
god, which that is verray sovereyn 
bountee, that may nat chaunge, and 
yeveth his herte to thing that may 
chaunge and flitte ' ; / and certes, that is 



every thing, save god of hevene. For 
sooth is, that if a man yeve his love, the 
which that he oweth al to god with al his 
herte, un-to a creature, certes, as muche 
of his love as he yeveth to thilke creature, 
so muche he bireveth fro god ; / and 
therfore doth he sinne. For he, that is 
dettour to god, ne yeldeth nat to god al 
his dette, that is to seyn, al the love of 
his herte. / 37" , 

§ 22. Now sith man understondeth 
generally, which is venial sinne, thanne 
is it covenable to tellen specially of sinnes 
whiche that many a ruan per-aventtire ne 
demeth hem nat sinnes, and ne shryveth 
him nat of the same thinges ; and yet 
nathelees they been sinnes. / Soothly, 
as thise clerkes wi-yten, this is to seyn, 
that at every tyme that a man eteth or 
drinketh more than suffyseth to the 
sustenaunce of his body, in certein he 
dooth sinne. / And eek whan he speketh 
more than nedeth, it is sinne. Eke whan 
he herkneth nat benignely the compleint 
of the povre. / Eke whan he is in hele 
of body and wol nat faste, whan othere 
folk faste, with-outeu caiise resonable. 
Eke whan he slepoth more than nedeth, 
or whan he comth by thilke enchesoun 
to late to chirche, or to othere "werkes of 
charite. / Eke whan he useth his wyf, (300] 
with-outen sovereyn desyr of engendrure, 
to the honour of god, or for the entente 
to yelde to his wyf the dette of his body./ 375 
Eke whan he wol nat visite the sike and 
the prisoner, if he may. Eke if he love 
wyf or child, or other worldly thing, 
more than resoun reqiiyreth. Eke if he 
flatere or blandishe more than him oghte 
for any necessitee. / Eke if he amenuse 
or withdrawe the almesse of the povre. 
Eke if he apparailleth his mete more 
deliciously than nede is, or ete it to 
hastily by likerousnesse. / Eke if he tale 
vanitees at chirche or at goddes service, 
or that he be a tallier of ydel wordes of 
folye or of vileinye ; for he shal yelden 
acountes of it at the day of dome. / Eke 
whan he biheteth or assureth to do thinges 
that he may nat perfourne. Eke whan 
that he, by lightnesse or folie, misseyeth 



T. §§ 2?, 24.] 



I. Tt^t (petreonee Zc^k. 



687 



or scornetli his neigliebore. / Eke whan 
he hath any wikked suspecion of thing, 

380 tlier he ne woot of it no soothfastnesse. / 
Thise thinges and mo with-oute nombre 
been sinnes, as seith seint Augustin. / 

Now shal men understonde, that al-be- 
it so that noon erthely man may eschne 
alle venial sinnes, yet may he refreyne 
him by the brenninge love that he hath 
to oiire lord Jesu Crist, and by prej'eres 
and confession and othere gode werkes, 
so that it shal but litel greve. / For, as 
seith seint Augustin : ' if a man love god 
in swiche manere, that al that evere he 
doth is in the love of god, and for the love 
of god verraily, for he brenneth in the 
love of god : / loke, how muche that 
a drope of water that falleth in a fourneys 
ful of fyr anoyeth or greveth, so muche 
anoyeth a venial sinne un-to a man that 
(310) is parfit in the love of Jesii Crist.' / Men 
may also refreyne venial sinne by re- 
ceyvinge worthily of the precious body 

385 of Jesu Crist ; / by recey ving eek of holy 
water ; by almesdede ; by general con- 
fession of Confiteor at masse and at 
complin ; and by blessinge of bisshopes 
and of preestes, and by othere gode 
werkes. / 

Explicit secunda pars Penitentie. 

Sequitur de Septem Peccatis Mortalibns 
et eorum dependenciis circumstanciis 
et speciebus. 

§ 23. Now is it bihovely thing to telle 
whiche been the deedly sinnes, this is to 
seyn, chieftaines of sinnes ; alle they 
renne in o lees, but in diverse maneres. 
Now been they cleped chieftaines for-as- 
muche as they been chief, and fspringers 
of alle othere sinnes. / Of the roote of 
thise sevene sinnes thanne is Pryde, the 
general rote of alle harmes ; for of this 
rote springen certein braunohes, as Ire, 
Envye, Accidie or Slewthe, Avarice or 
Coveitise (to commune understondinge), 
Glotonye, and Lecherye. / And everich 
of thise chief sinnes hath hise braunohes 
and hise twigges, as shal be declared in 
hir chapitres folwinge. / 



De Superbia. 

§ 24. And thogh so be that no man 
can outrely telle the nombre of the 
twigges and of the harmes that cometh 
of Pryde, yet wol I shewe a partie of 
hem, as ye shul understonde. / Ther 39^) 
is Inobedience, Avauntinge, Ipocrisie, 
Despyt, Arrogance, Impixdence, Swellingo 
of herte. Insolence, Elacion, Impacience, 
Strif, Contumacie, Presumx^cion, Irrev- 
erence, Pertinacie, Veyne Glorie ; and 
many another twig that I can nat 
declare. / Inobedient, is he that dis- 
obeyeth for despyt to the coniandements 
of god and to hise sovereyns, and to his 
goostly fader. / Avauntour, is he that 
bosteth of the harm or of the bountee 
that he hath doon. / Ipocrito, is he that 
hydeth to shewe him swiche as he is, and 
sheweth him swiche as he noght is. / (320) 
Despitous, is he that hath desdeyn of his 
neigliebore, that is to seyn, of his evene- 
cristene, or hath despyt to doon that him 
oghte to do. / Arrogant, is he that 395 
thinketh that he hath thilke bountees in 
him that he hath noght, or weneth that 
he sholde have hem by hise desertes ; or 
elles he demeth that he be that he nis 
nat. / Impudent, is he that for his pride 
hath no shame of hise sinnes. / Swellinge 
of herte, is whan a man rejoyseth him of 
harm that he hath doon. / Insolent, is 
he that despyseth in his jugement alle 
othere folk as to regard of his value, and 
of his conning, and of his speking, and of 
his bering. / Elacion, is whan he ne may 
neither sviifre to have maister ne felawe. / 400 
Impacient, is he that wol nat been y- 
taught ne undernome of his vyce, and by 
stryf werreyeth trouthe witingly, and 
defFendeth his folye. / Contumax, is he 
that thurgh his indignacion is agayns 
everich auctoritee or power of hem that 
been hise sovereyns. / Presumpcion, is 
whan a man imdertaketh an empryse 
that him oghte nat do, or elles that he 
may nat do ; and that is called Surqui- 
drie. Irreverence, is whan men do nat 
honour thereas hem oghte to doon, and 
waiten to be reverenced. / Pertinacie, 



688 



ZU CanterButrp ^afee. 



[t. §§ 25-27. 



is wlian man cIcfFendetli his folye, and 
(330) trustath to mucliel in his owene wit. / 
Veyne glorie, is for to have pompe and 
delyt in his teniporel hynesse, and 
405 glorifie him in this worhlly cstaat. / 
Janglinge, is whan men speken to miiche 
biforn folk, and clappen as a mille, and 
taken no kepe what they seye. / 

§ 25. And yet is ther a privee spece of 
Pryde, that waiteth first to be salewed er 
he wole salewe, al be he lasse worth than 
that other is, per-aventnre ; and eek he 
waiteth or desj^reth to sitte, or elles to 
goon above him in the wey, or kisse pax, 
or been encensed, or goon to offring biforn 
his neighebore, / and swiche semblable 
thinges ; agayns his duetee, per-avcnture, 
but that he hath his herte and his 
entente in swich a proud desyr to be 
magnifyed and honoured biforn the 
peple. / 

§ 26. Now been ther two mancres of 
Pryde ; that oon of hem is with-inne tho 
herte of man, and that other is with- 
oute. / Of whiche soothly thise forseyde 
tliinges, and mo than I have seyd, aper- 
tenen to pryde that is in the herte of 
man ; and that othere speces of pryde 
410 been with-oute. / But natheles that oon 
of thise sjieces of pryde is signe of that 
other, right as the gaye leefsel atte taverne 
is signe of the wyn that is in tho celer. / 
And this is in manye thinges : as in speche 
and contenaunce, and in outrageous array 
of clothing ; / for certes, if ther no hadde 
be no sinne in clothing, Crist wolde nat 
have note d and spoken of the clothing of 
thilke richc man in the gospel. / And, as 
seitli Seint Gregorie, that precious clothing 
is covipable for the derthe of it, and for 
his softenesse, and for his strangenesse 
and degysinesse, and for the superfluitee, 
( 40) or for the inordinat scantnesse of it. / 
Alias ! may men nat seen, as in oure 
dayes, the sinful costlewe array of cloth- 
inge, and namely in to muche superfluitee, 
415 or clles in to desordinat scantnesse? / 

§ 27. As to the firste sinne, that is in 
superfluitee of clothinge, which that 
maketh it so dere, to harm of the peple ;/ 
nat only the cost of embroudinge, the 



degyse endentinge or barringe, oundinge, 
palinge, windinge, or bendinge, and 
semblable wast of clooth in vanitee ; / 
but ther is also costlewe furringe in hir 
gounes, so muche pounsoninge of chisels 
to maken holes, so muche dagghigo of 
sheres ; / forth -with the superfluitee in 
lengthe of the forseide gounes, trailinge 
in the dong and in the myre, on horse 
and eek on fote, as wel of man as of 
womman, that al thilke trailing is verraily 
as in effect wasted, consumed, thredbare, 
and roten with donge, rather tlian it is 
yeven to the povre ; to greet damage of 
the forseyde povre folk. / And that in 
sondry wyse : this is to seyn, that the 
more that clooth is wasted, the more it 
costeth to the peple for the scantnesse ; / 420 
and forther-over, if so be that they woldo 
yeven swich pounsoned and dagged cloth- 
ing to the povre folk, it is nat convenient 
to were for hir estaat, ne suffisant to bete 
hir necessitee, to kepe hem fro the dis- 
temperance of the firmament. / Upon 
that other syde, to speken of tlie horrible 
disordinat scantnesse of clothing, as been 
thise cutted sloppes or hainsclins, that 
thiirgh hir shortncsse ne covere nat the 
shameful membres of man, to wikked 
entente. / Alias ! somme of hem shewen 
the boce of hir shap, and the horrible 
swollen membres, that semeth lyk the 
maladie of liirnia, in the wrappinge of hir 
hoses ; / and eek the buttokes of hem 
faren as it were the hindre part of a she- 
ape in the fuUe of the mone. / And (350) 
more-over, the wrecched swollen mem- 
bres that they shewe thurgh the degy- 
singe, in departinge of hir lioses in wliyt 
and reed, semeth that half hir shameful 
privee membres weren flayn. / And if 425 
so be that they departen hire hoses in 
othere colours, as is whyt and blak, or 
whyt and blew, or blak .and reed, and so 
forth ; / thanne semeth it, as by variance 
of colour, that half the partie of hir 
privee membres were corrupt by the fyr 
of seint Antony, or by cancre, or by other 
swich nieschaunce. / Of the hindre part 
of hir buttokes, it is ful horrible for to 
see. For certes, in that partie of hir 



§ -^7.] 



ZH (Pereonee Zak. 



689 



body tlier-as they purgen liir stinkinge 
ordure, / that fonle partie shewo they to 
tlie peple proiidly in despyt of honestetee, 
the which honestetee that Jesu Crist 
and hise freendes observede to shewen in 
hir lyve. / Now as of the ovitrageons 
array of wommen, god woot, that though 
the visages of somme of hem seme ful 
chaast and debonaire, yet notifie they in 
hir array of atyr likerousnesse and 

430 prj-de. / I sey nat that honestetee in 
olothinge of man orw^omman is nncoven- 
able, but certes the superfluitee or dis- 
ordinat scantitee of olothinge is reprev- 
able. / Also the sinne of aornement or 
of apparaille is in thinges that apertenen 
to rydinge, fis in to manye delicat horses 
that been holden for delyt, that been so 
faire, fatte, and costlewe ; / and also to 
many a vicious knave that is sustened by 
cause of hem ; in to curious barneys, as 
in sadeles, in crouperes, peytrels, and 
brydles covered with precioiis clothing 
and riche, barres and plates of gold and 
of silver. / For which ^od seith by 
Zakarie the prophete, ' I wol confounde 
(360) the ryderes of swiche horses.' / This 
folk taken litel reward of the rydinge of 
goddes sone of hevene, and of his barneys 
whan he rood up-on the asse, and ne 
liadde noon other barneys but the povre 
clothes of hise disciples ; ne we ne rede 

435 nat that evere he rood on other beest. / 
I speke this for the sinne of superfluitee, 
and nat for reasonable honestetee, whan 
reson it requyreth. / And forther, certes 
pryde is greetly notified in holdinge of 
greet meinee, whan they be of litel profit 
or of right no profit. / And namelj', 
whan that meinee is felonous and dama- 
geous to the peple, by hardinesse of heigh 
lordships or by wey of offices. / For 
certes, swiche lordes sellen ibanne hir 
lordsbipe to the devel of belle, wlianne 
they sustenen the wikkednesse of hir 
meinee. / Or ellos whan this folk of 
lowe degree, as thilke that holden liostel- 
ries, sustenen the thefte of hir hostilers, 

440 and that is in many manere of deceites. / 
Thilke manere of folk been the flycs that 
folweu the honj', or clles the houndes 



that folwen the careyne. Swiche for- 
seyde folk stranglen spiritually hir lord- 
shipes ; / for which thus seith David the 
prophete, ' wikked deeth mote come up-on 
thilke lordshipes, and god yeve that they 
mote descenden in- to hclle al doun ; for 
in hir houses been iniquitees and shrewed- 
nesses,' and nat god of hevene. / And 
certes," but-if they doon amendement, 
right as god j-af his benison to -jLaban by 
the service of Jacob, and to fPharao liy 
the service of Joseph, right so god wol 
yeve his malison to swiche lordshipes as 
sustenen the wikkednesse of hir ser- 
vaunts, but-if they come to amendement./ 
Pryde of the table appereth eek ful ofte ; 
for certes, riche men been cleped to 
festes, and povre folk been put awey and 
rebuked. / Also in excesse of diverse (370) 
metes and drinkes ; and namelj-, swiche 
manere bake metes and dish-metes, bren- 
ninge of wilde fjT, and peynted and 
castellcd with papir, and sembiable wast ; 
so that it is abusion for to thinke. / And 445 
eek in to greet preciousnesse of vessel and 
curiositee of minstralcie,by whiche a man 
is stired the more to delyces of Itixurie, / 
if so be that he sette his lierte the lasse 
up-on cure lord Jesu Crist, certein it is 
a sinne ; and certeinly the delyces mighte 
been so grete in this caas, that man mighte 
lightly falle by hem in-to deedly sinne. / 
The especes that sourden of Pryde, soothJy 
whan they sourden of malice ymagined, 
avysed, and forncast, or elles of usage, 
been deedly synnes, it is no doiTte. / And 
whan they sourden by freletee unavysed 
sodeinly, and sodeinly withdrawen ayein, 
al been they grevouse sinnes, I gesse that 
they ne been nat deedly. / Now mighte 
men axe wher-of that Pryde sourdeth 
and springeth, and I seye : somtyme it 
springeth of the goodes of nature, and 
som-tyme of the goodes of fortune, and 
som-tymeof the goodes of grace. / Certes, 450 
the goodes of nature stonden outher in 
goodes of body or in goodes of soule. / 
Certes, goodes of body been hele of body, 
as strengthe, delivernes.se, beaiitee, gon- 
trye, franchise. / Goodes of nature of 
the soule been good wit, sharp under- 



690 



ZU €:anfet6uvp Zake. 



[t. §§ 28, 29. 



stondynge, siibtil engin, vertu iiaturel, 
good memorie. / Goodes of fortune been 
ricliesses, liighe degrees of lordshipes, 
(380) preisinges of thepeple. / Goodes of grace 
been science, power to siiffre spiritnel 
travaille, benignitee, vertuous contem- 
placion, ■withstondinge of temptacion, 

455 and semblable thinges. / Of whiche for- 
seyde goodes, oertes it is a ful greet folye 
a man to pryden him in any of liem 
alle. / Now as for to speken of goodes of 
nature, god woot that som-tyme we lian 
hem in nature as muche to oure damage 
as to oure profit. / As, for to speken 
of liele of body ; certes it passeth ful 
liglitly, and eek it is ful ofte eneheson of 
tlie siknesse of oure soule ; for god woot, 
the flesh is a ful greet enemy to the 
soule : and therfore, the more that the 
body is hool, the more be we in peril to 
falle. / Eke for to pryde him in his 
strengthe of body, it is an heigh folye ; 
for certes, the flesh coveiteth agayn the 
spirit, and ay the more strong that the 
flesh is, the sorier may the soule be : / 
and, over al this, strengthe of body and 
worldly hardinesse causeth ful ofte many 

460 a man to peril and mescha^^nce. / Eek 
for to pryde him of his gentrye is ful 
greet folye ; for ofte tyme the gentrye of 
the body binimeth the gentrye of the 
soule ; and eek we ben alle of o fader and 
of o moder ; and alle we been of o nature 
roten and corrupt, both riche and povre. / 
For sothe, 00 manere gentrye is for to 
preise, that apparailleth mannes corage 
"with vertues and moralitees, and maketh 
him Cristes child. / For truste wel, that 
over what man sinne hath maistrie, he is 
a verray clierl to sinne. / 

§ 28. Now been ther generale signes of 
gentilesse ; as eschewinge of vyce and 
ribaudye and servage of sinne, in word, 
(390) in work, and contenance ; / and usinge 
vertii, curtcisye, and clennesse, and to be 
liberal, that is to seyn, large by mesure ; 
for tliilke that passeth mesure is folye 

465 and sinne. / Another is, to remembre 
him of bountee that he of other folk hath 
receyved. / Another is, to be benigne to 
hise goode subgetis ; wherfore, as seith 



Senek, ' ther is no-thing more covenable 
to a man of heigh estaatthan debonairetee 
and pitee. / And therfore thise flyes that 
men clepeth bees, whan they maken hir 
king, they chesen oon that hath no prikke 
wherwith he may stinge.' / Another is, 
a man to have a noble herte and a dili- 
gent, to attayne to heighe vertuouse 
thinges. / Now certes, a man to pryde 
him in the goodes of grace is eek an out- 
rageous folye ; for thilke yiftes of grace 
that sholde have turned him to goodnesse 
and to medicine, turneth hina to venim 
and to confusion, as seith seint Gregorie./ 470 
Certes also, who-so prydeth him in the 
goodes of fortune, he is a ful greet fool ; 
for som-tyme is a man a greet lord by the 
morwe, that is a caitif and a wrecche er 
it be night : / and somtyme the ricliesse 
of a man is catise of his deeth ; somtyme 
the delyces of a man is cause of the 
grevous maladye thurgh which he dyetli. / 
Certes, the commendacion of the peple is 
somtyme ful fals and ful brotel for to 
triste ; this day they preyse, tomorwe 
they blame. / God woot, desyr to have 
commendacion of the peple hath caused 
deeth to many a bisy man. / (400) 

Remedium contra peccatum Superbie. 

§ 29. Now sith that so is, that ye han 
understonde what is pryde, and whiche 
been the speces of it, and whennes pride 
sourdeth and springeth ; / now shul ye 475 
understonde which is the remedie agayns 
the sinne of pryde, and that is, humilitee 
or mekenesse. / That is a vertii, thurgh 
which a man hath verray knoweleche of 
him-self, and holdeth of him-self no prys 
ne deyntee as in regard of hise desertes, 
consideringe evere his freletee. / Now 
been ther three maneres of hvtmilitee ; as 
humilitee in herte, and another humilitee 
in his mouth ; the thridde in hise werkes./ 
The humilitee in herte is in foure maneres : 
that oon is, whan a man holdeth him-self 
as noght worth biforn god of hevene. 
Another is, whan he ne despyseth noon 
other man. / The thridde is, whan he 
rekketh nat thogh men holde him noght 
worth. The ferthe is, whan he nis nat 



T. § 30.] 



Zfft Cperaone© Zcik. 



6gi 



480 sory of his hvimiliacion. / Also, the hvi- 
militee of mouth is in foiire thinges : in 
attempree speche, and in humblesse of 
speche, and whan he biknoweth with his 
owene month that he is swich as him 
thinketh that he is in his herte. Another 
is, whan he preiseth the bonntee of 
another man, and nothing ther-of amen- 
useth. / Humilitee eek in werkes is in 
fonre maneres : the firste is, whan he 
putteth others men biforn him. The 
seconde is, to chese the loweste place 
over-al. The thridde is, gladly to assente 
to good conseil. / The ferthe is, to stonde 
gladly to the award of hise sovereyns, or 
of him that is in hyer degree ; certein, 
this is a greet werk of humilitee. / 

Sequitur de Inuidia. 

§ 30. After Pryde wol I speken of the 
foule sinne of Envye, which is, as by the 
word of the philosophre, sorwe of other 
mannes xjrosperitee ; and after the word 
of seint Augustin, it is sorwe of other 
mannes wele, and joye of othere mennes 
(410) harm. / This foule sinne is platly agayns 
the holy goost. Al-be-it so that every 
sinne is agayns the holy goost, yet nathe- 
lees, for as muclie as bountee aperteneth 
proprely to the holy goost, and Envye 
comth proprely of malice, therfore it is 
proprely agaj'n the bountee of the holy 
485 goost. / Now hath malice two speces, 
that is to seyn, hardnesse of herte in 
wikkednesse, or elles the flesh of man is 
so blind, that he considereth nat that he 
is in sinne, or rekketh nat that he is in 
sinne ; which is the hardnesse of the 
devel. / Tliat other spece of malice is, 
whan a man werreyeth trouthe, whan he 
woot that it is trouthe. And eek, whan 
he werreyeth the grace that god hath 
yeve to his neighebore ; and al this is by 
Envye. / Certes, thanne is Envye the 
worste sinne that is. Eor soothly, alle 
othere sinnes been som-tyme only agayns 
o special vertii ; / but certes, Envye is 
agayns alle vertues and agayns alle good- 
nesses ; for it is sory of alle the bountees 
of his neighebore ; and in this manere it 
is divers from alle othere sinnes. / For 



wel unnethe is ther any sinne that it ne 
hath som delyt in itself, save only Envye, 
that evere hath in itself anguish and 
sorwe. / The speces of Envye been thise : 490 
ther is first, sorwe of other mannes good- 
nesse and of his prosperitee ; and pros- 
peritee is kindel.y matere of joye ; thanne 
is Envye a sinne agayiis kinde. / The 
seconde spece of Envye is joye of other 
mannes harm ; and that is proprely lyk 
to the devel, that evere rejoyseth hini of 
mannes harm. / Of thise two speces 
comth bakbyting ; and this sinne of bak- 
byting or detraccion hath certeine speces, 
as thus. Som nian preiseth his neighe- 
bore by a wikke entente ; / for he maketh 
alwey a wikked knotte atte laste ende. 
Alwey he maketh a ' but ' atte laste ende, 
that is digne of more blame, than worth 
is al the preisinge. / The seconde spece (420) 
is, that if a man be good and dooth or 
seith a thing to good entente, the bakbyter 
wol turne all thilke goodnesse up-so-doun 
to his shrewed entente. / The thridde 495 
is, to amenuse the bonntee of his neighe- 
bore. / The fourthe spece of bakbyting 
is this ; that if men speke goodnesse of 
a inan, thanne wol the bakhj-ter seyn, 
' parfey, swich a man is yet bet than he ' ; 
in dispreisinge of him that men preise. / 
The fifte spece is this ; for to consents 
gladly and herkne gladly to the harni 
that men speke of other follt. This sinne 
is ful greet, and ay encreseth after the 
wikked entente of the bakbyter. / Aiter 
bakbyting cometh grucching or mnr- 
mnracion ; and somtyme it sj^ringeth of 
inpacience agayns god, and somtyme 
agayns man. / Agayns god it is, whan 
a man gruccheth agayn the peynes of 
helle, or agayns poverte, or los of catel, 
or agayn reyn or tempest ; or elles gruc- 
cheth that shrewes han prosiieritee, or 
elles for that goode men han adversiteo. / 500 
And alle thise thinges sholde men suffre 
paciently, for they comen by the rightful 
jugement and ordinance of god. / Som- 
tyme comth grucching of avarice ; as 
Judas grucched agayns the Magda- 
leyne, whan she enoynte the heved of 
ours lord Jesu Crist with hir precious 



Cg2 



ZH ^anterBut^ Zake. 



[t. § 31. 



oynement. / This maner murmvire is 
swicli as whan man gruccheth of good- 
nesso that him-sclf dooth, or that other 
folk doon of hir owene catel. / Som- 
tyrae comth murmure of Pryde ; as wlian 
Simon tlie Pharisee grucchcd agayn the 
Magdaleyne, whan she approched to Jesu 

(+3") Crist, and weep at his feet for hir sinnes. / 
And somtyme grucching sourdeth of 
Envye ; whan men discovereth a mannes 
harm tliat was privee, or bereth him on 
.^M5 hond thing that is fals. / Murmure eeli 
is ofto amonges servaixnts, that grucchen 
whan hir sovereyns bidden hem doon 
leveful thinges ; / and, for-as-muolie as 
they dar nat openly withseye the co- 
maundements of hir sovereyns, yet wol 
they seyn harm, and grucche, and mur- 
mure prively for vorray despyt ; / whiclie 
■\vordes men clepen the develes Fater- 
noster, though so be that the devel ne 
liadde ncvere Pater-nostei; but that lewed 
folk j'evcn it swicli a jaame. / Som tyme 
grucching comth of ire or prive hate, 
that norissoth rancour in herte, as after- 
ward I slial declare. / Thanne cometh 
eek bitternesse of herte ; thurgli which 
bitternesse every good dede of his neighe- 
510 bor senieth to him bitter and unsavory. / 
Thanne cometh discord, that unbindeth 
alle manere of frendshipe. Thanne comth 
scorninge, as whan a man seketh occa- 
sioun to anoyen his neigliebor, al do lie 
never so Aveol. / Thanne comth accu- 
singe, as whan man seketh occasion to 
anoyen his neigliebor, which that is lyk 
to the craft of the devel, that waitetli 
bothe night and day to accusen us alle. / 
Thanne comth malignitee, thurgh which 
a man anoyeth his neigliebor prively if 
he may ; / and if he noght may, algate 
liis wikked wil ne slial nat wante, as for 
to brennen his hous prively, or empoy- 
sone or sleen hise bestes, and semblable 

(4.;o) thinges. / 

Remedium contra peccatum Inuidie. 

§ 31. Now w<il I speke of the remedie 
agaj-ns this foule sinne of Envye. First, 
is the love of god principal, and lo^dng of 
his neigliebor as hini-self; for soothly, 



that oon no may nat been withoute that 
other. / And truste wel, that in the 5'5 
name of thy neighebore thin\ shalt under- 
stonde the name of thy brother ; for 
certes alle wo have o fader fleshly, and 

moder, that is to seyn, Adam and Eve ; 
and eek o fader esiiirituel, and that is god 
of hevene./ Thy neighebore artow holden 
for to love, and wilne him alle goodnesse ; 
and therfore seith god, ' love thy neighe- 
bore as thyselve,' that is to seyn, to 
salvacion bothe of lyf and of soule. / 
And more-over, thou shalt love him in 
word, and in benigno amonestinge, and 
chastysinge ; and conforten him in hise 
anoyes, and preye for him with al tliyn 
herte. / And in dede thou shalt love 
him in swich wyse, that thou shalt doon 
to him in chariteo as thou woldest that it 
were doon to thyn owene persone. / And 
therfore, thou ne shalt doon him no 
damage in wikked word, ne harm in his 
body, ne in his catel, ne in his soule, by 
entysing of wikked ensample. / Thou 520 
shalt nat desyren his wyf, ne none of hise 
thinges. Understond eek, that in the 
name of neigliebor is comj)rehended his 
enemy. / Certes man slial loven his 
enemy by the comandement of god ; and 
sootlily thy trend shaltow love in God. / 

1 seye, thyn enemy shaltow love for godd es 
sake, by his comandement. For if it 
were reson that a man sholde haten his 
enemy, ft)r sothe god nolde nat receiven 
us to his love that been hise enemys. / 
AgajTis throe manere of wronges that 
his enemy dooth to liym, he shal doon 
three thinges, as thus. / Agayns hate (450) 
and rancour of herte, he shal love him in 
herte. Agayns chyding and wikkede 
wordes, he shal preye for his enemy. 
And agayn the wikked dede of his enemy, 

he shal doon him bountee. / For Crist 525 
seith, ' lovetli youre enemys, and pre3'eth 
for hem that speke yow harm ; and eek for 
hem that yow chacen and j^ursewen, and 
doth bountee to hem that yow haten.' Lo, 
thus comaundeth us oure lord Jesu Crist, 
to do to oure enemys. / For soothly, 
nature dryveth us to loven oure freendes, 
and parfey, oure enemys han more uede 



T. §§ 3^-34-] 



ZU (ptveoniQ ZaU, 



693 



to love than our freendes ; and they that 
more nede have, certes, to hem shal men 
doon goodnesse ; / and certes, in thilke 
dede have we remembrance of the love 
of Jesvt Crist, that deyde for hise enemys. / 
And in-as-muche as thilko love is the 
more grevons to perfourne, in-so-muche 
is the more gretter the merite ; and ther- 
fore the lovinge of oure enemy hath con- 
founded the venim of the devel. / For 
right as the devel is disconfited by humi- 
litee, right so is he wounded to the deeth 
530 by love of oure enemy. / Certes, thanne 
is love the medicine that casteth out the 
venim of Envye fro mannes herte. / The 
speces of this pas shvdlen be more largely 
in hir chapitres folwinge declared. / 

Sequitur de Ira. 
§ 32. After Envye wol I discryven the 
sinne of Ire. For soothly, who-so hath 
envye upon his neighebor, anon he wolo 
comunly finde him a matero of wratthe, 
in word or in dede, agayns him to whom 
he hath envye. / And as wel comth Ire 
of Pryde, as of Envye ; for soothly, he 
that is proude or envious is lightly 
(460) wrooth. / 

§ 33. This sinne of Ire, after the dis- 
cryving of seint Augustin, is wilcked wil 
535 to been avenged by word or hy dede. / 
Ire, after the philosophre, is the fervent 
blood of man y-quiked in his herte, thurgh 
which he woleharm tohim that he hateth. / 
Forcertesthe herte of man, by eschaufinge 
and moevinge of his blood, wexeth so 
trouble, that he is out of alle jugement of 
resoun. / But ye shal understonde that 
Ire is in two maneres ; that oon of hem 
is good, and that other is wikked. / The 
gode Ire is by jalousye of goodnesse, thurgh 
which a man is wrooth with wikkednesse 
and agajais wikkednesse ; and therfore 
seith a wys man, that ' Ire is bet than 
pley.' / This Ire is with debonairetee, 
and it is wrooth withouten bitternessc ; 
nat wrooth agayns the man, but wrooth 
with the misdcde of the man ; as seith the 
IDrophete David, Irascimini et nolite pec- 
540 care. / Now vinderstondeth, that wikked 
Ire is in two maneres, that is to seyn, 



sodeyn Ire or hastif Ire, withoviten avise- 
ment and consentinge of resoun. / The 
mening and tlie sens of this is, that the 
resoun of man ne eonsente nat to thilke 
sodejra Ire ; and thanne it is venial. / 
Another Ire is ful wikked, that comth of 
felonye of lierte avysed and cast biforn ; 
with wikked wil to do vengeance, and 
therto his resoun consenteth ; and soothly 
this is deedly sinne. / This Ire is so dis- 
plesant to god, that it troubleth his hous 
and chaceth the holy goost out of mannes 
soule, and wasteth and destroyeth the 
lyknesse of god, that is to seyn, the vertai 
that is in mannes soule ; / and put in (47o) 
him the lyknesse of the devel, and 
binimeth the man fro god that is his 
rightful lord. / This Ire is a ful greet 545 
plesaunce to the devel ; for it is the 
develes fourneys, that is cschaufed with 
the fyr of helle. / For certes, right so as 
fyr is more mighty to destroyen erthely 
thinges tlian any other element, right so 
Ire is mighty to destroyen alle spirituel 
thinges. / Loke how that fyr of smale 
gledes, that been almost dede under 
asshen, wollen quike agayn whan they 
been touched with brimstoon ; right so 
Ire wol everemo quiken aga3ai, whan it 
is touched by the pryde that is covered in 
mannes herte. / For certes fyr no may 
nat comen out of no-thing, but-if it were 
first in the same thing natvirelly ; as fji- 
is drawen out of flintes with steel. / And 
right so as pryde is ofte tyme matere of 
Ire, right so is rancour norice and keper 
of Ire. / Ther is a maner tree, as seith 550 
seint Isidre, that whan men maken fyr 
of thilke tree, and covere the coles of it 
with asshen, soothly the fyr of it wol 
lasten al a yeer or more. / And right so 
fareth it of rancour ; whan it is ones con- 
ceyved in the hertes of som men, certein, 
it wol lasten peraventure from oon Estre- 
day unto another Estre-day, and more. / 
But certes, thillie man is ful fer fro the 
mercy of god al thilke while. / 

§ 34. In this forseyde develes fourneys 
ther forgen three shrewes : Pryde, that 
ay bloweth and encreseth the fyr by chj-d- 
inge and wikked wordes. / Thanne stant (480) 



694 



ZU tarxUtiuv^ Zaha. 



[t. § 35- 



Envye, and lioldeth the bote iren upon 
the herte of man with a peire of longe 
555 tonges of long rancoiir. / And thanne 
stant the sinne of contumelie or stryf and 
cheeste, and batereth and forgeth by 
vileyns reprevinges. / Certes, this cursed 
sinne anoyeth bothe to the man him-self 
and eek to his neighebor. For soothly, 
almost al the harm that any man dooth 
to his neighebore comth of wratthe. / 
For certes, outrageous wratthe doth al 
that evere the devel him comaundeth ; 
for he ne spareth neither Crist, ne his 
swete mooder. / And in his outrageous 
anger and Ire, alias ! alias ! ful many oon 
at tliat tyme feleth in his herte ful wik- 
kedly, bothe of Crist and of alle hise 
halwes. / Is nat this a cursed vice ? Yis, 
certes. Alias ! it binimeth from man his 
wit and his resoun, and al his debonaire 
560 lyf espirituelthat sholde kepen his soule. / 
Certes, it binimeth eek goddes due lord- 
shipe, and that is mannes soule, and the 
love of hise neighebores. It stryveth eek 
alday agayn trouthe. It reveth him the 
quiete of his lierte, and subverteth his 
soule. / 

§ 35. Of Ire comen thise stinkinge 
engendrures : first hate, that is old 
wratthe ; discord, thurgh which a man 
forsaketh his olde freend that he hath 
loved ful longe. / And thanne cometh 
werre, and every manere of wrong that 
man dooth to his neighebore, in body or 
in catel. / Of this cursed sinne of Ire 
cometh eek manslaughtre. And imder- 
stonde wel, that homicj'de, that is man- 
slaughtre, is in dyverse wyse. Soni manere 
(490) of homicydeisspirituel, and som is bodily./ 
Spirituel manslaughtre is in six thinges. 
First, by hate ; as seint John seith, ' he 
565 that hateth his brother is homicyde.' / 
Homicyde is eek by bakbytmge ; of whiche 
bakbyteres seith Salomon, that ' they ban 
two swerdes with whiche they sleen hir 
neighebores.' For soothlj', as wikke is to 
binime his good name as his lyf. / Homi- 
cyde is eek, in yevinge of wikked conseil 
by fraude ; as for to yeven conseil to 
areysen wrongful custumes andtaillages./ 
Of whiche seith Salomon, ' Leon rorynge 



and here hongry been lyke to the cruel 
lordshipes,' in withholdinge or abregginge 
of the shepe (or the hyre), or of the wages 
of servaunts, or elles in usure or in with- 
drawinge of the almesse of povre folk. / 
For which the wyse man seith, ' fedeth 
him that almost dyeth for honger ' ; for 
soothly, but-if thoii fede him, thou sleest 
him ; and alle thise been deedly sinnes. / 
Bodily manslaughtre is, whan thow sleest 
him with thy tonge in other manere ; as 
whan thou comandest to sleen a man, or 
elles yevest him conseil to sleen a man. / 570 
Manslaughtre in dede is in foure maneres. 
That oon is by lawe ; right as a justice 
dampneth him that is coupable to the 
deeth. But lat the justice be war that he 
do it rightftilly, and that he do it nat for 
delyt to spille blood, but for kepinge of 
rightwisenesse. / Another homicyde is, 
that is doon for necessitee, as whan o man 
sleeth another in his defendaunt, and 
that he ne may noon otherwise escape 
from his owene deeth. / But certeinly, 
if he may escape witliouten manslaughtre 
of his adversarie, and sleeth him, he doth 
sinne, and he shal bere penance as for 
deedly sinne. / Eek if a man, by caas or 
aventure, shete an arwe or caste a stoon 
with which he sleeth a man, he is homi- 
cyde. / Eek if a Avomman by necligence (500) 
overlyeth hir child in hir sleping, it is 
homicyde and deedly sinne. / Eek whan 575 
man destourbeth concepcion of a child, 
and maketh a womman outlier bareyne 
by drinkinge venemouse herbes, thurgh 
which she may nat concej^e, or sleeth 
a child by drinkes wilfully, or elles put- 
teth certeine material thinges in hir 
secree places to slee the child ; / or elles 
doth unkindely sinne, by which man or 
womman shedeth hir nature in manere 
or in place ther-as a child may nat be 
conceived ; or elles, if a womman have 
conceyved and hurt hir-self, and sleeth 
the child, yet is it homicyde. / What 
seye we eek of wommen that mordren hir 
children for drede of ■worldly shame ? 
Certes, an horrible homicyde. / Homi- 
cyde is eek if a man approcheth to a 
womman by desir of lecherye, thurgh 



§ 35.] 



I. ZU (Peraonee Zak. 



695 



■which the chikl is perissed, or elles 
smyteth a womman witingly, thurgli 
which she leseth hir chikl. Alle thise 
been homicydes and horrible deedly 
sinnes. / Yet comen ther of Ire manye 
mo sinnes, as wel in word as in thoght 
and in dede ; as he that arretteth upon 
god, or blameth god, of thing of which he 
is him-self gilty ; or despyseth god and 
alle hise halwes, as doon thise cursede 

580 hasardonrs in diverse contrees. / This 
ciirsed sinne doon they, whan they felen 
in hir liertes ful wikkedly of god and of 
hise halwes. / Also, whan they treten 
unreverently the sacrement of the auter, 
thilke sinne is so greet, that unnethe 
may it been relesed, but that the mercy 
of god passeth alle hise werkes ; it is so 
greet and he so benigne. / Thanne comth 
of Ire attry angre ; whan a man is sharply 
amonested in his shrifte to forleten his 
sinne, / than wole he be angry and 
answeren hokerly and angrily, and deffen- 
den or exciisen his sinne by unstedefast- 
nesse of his flesh ; or elles he dide it for 
to holde compan5'e with hise felawes, or 
(510) elles, he seith, tlie fend entyced him ; / 
or elles he dide it for his youthe, or elles 
his coniplexioun is so corageous, that he 
may nat forbere ; or elles it is his destinee, 
as he seitli, unto a certein age ; or elles, 
he seith, it cometh him of gentillesse of 

585 hise auncestres ; and semblable thinges./ 
Alle this manere of folk so wrappen heni 
in hir sinnes, that they ne wol nat deli- 
vere hem-self. For soothly, no wight that 
excuseth liim wilfully of his sinne may 
nat been delivered of his sinne, til that 
he nielcely biknoweth his sinne. / After 
this, thanne cometh swering, that is 
exjires agayn the comandement of god ; 
and this bifalleth ofte of anger and of 
Ire. / God seith : ' thou shalt nat take 
the name of thy lord god in veyn or in 
ydel.' Also oure lord Jesu Crist seith by 
the word of seint Mathew : ' Nolite iurare 
omnino : / ne wol ye nat swere in alle 
manere ; neither by hevene, for it is 
goddes trone ; ne by erthe, for it is the 
bench of his feet ; ne by Jerusalem, for it 
is the citee of a greet king ; ne by thyn 



heed, for thou maj'st nat make an heer 
whyt ne blak. / But scyeth by youre 
word, "ye, ye," and "nay, nay"; and 
what that is more, it is of yvel,' seith 
Crist. / For C'ristes sake, ne swereth nat 590 
so sinfullj-, in dismembringe of Crist by 
soule, herte, bones, and body. For certes, 
it semeth that ye thinke that the cursede 
Jewes ne dismembred nat y-nough the 
preciouse persone of Crist, but ye dis- 
membre him more. / And if so be that 
the lawe compelle yow to swere. thanne 
rule yow after the lawe of god in youre 
swering, as seith .Jeremye qiiarlo capitulo, 
' lurabis in veritate, in iudicio it in iusticia : 
thou shalt kepe three condicions ; thou 
shalt swere in trouthe, in doom, and in 
right wisnesse.' / This is to seyn, thou 
shalt swere sooth ; for every lesinge is 
agayns Crist. For Crist is verray trouthe. 
And think wel this, that every greet 
swerere, nat compelled lawefully to swere, 
the wounde shal nat departe from his 
hous whyl he useth swicli unleveful 
swering. / Thou shalt sweren eek in 
doom, whan thoti art constreyned by thy 
domesman to witnessen the trouthe. / (520) 
Eek thou shalt nat swere for envye ne for 
favour, ne for mede, biTt for rightwis- 
nesse ; for declaraoioun of it to tlie wor- 
ship of god and helping of thyne evene- 
cristene. / And therfore, every man that 595 
taketh goddes name in ydel, or falsly 
swereth with his mouth, or elles talceth 
on him the name of Crist, to be called a 
Cristene man, and liveth agaj-ns Cristes 
livinge and his techinge, alle they taken 
goddes name in ydel. / Loke eek what 
seint Peter seith, Actuinn quarto capitiilo, 
' Non est aliiid novien sub celo,^ &c. ' Ther 
nis noon other name,' seith seint Peter, 
' vmder hevene. yeveu to men, in which 
they mowe be saved ;' that is to seyn, but 
the name of Jesu Crist. / Take kepe eek 
how that the precious name of Crist, as 
seith seint Paul ad Pliilipe7ises secundo, 
' l7i nomine Jesu, &c. : that in the name of 
Jesu every knee of hevenely creatures, or 
erthely, or of helle sholden bowe ' ; for it 
is so heigh and so worshipful, that the 
cursede feend in helle sholde tremblen to 



6g6 



ZU ^anUv&uv^ Zake. 



[t. §§ 36-42. 



heren it j-nempncd. / Thauno semeth 
it, that men that sweren so horribly hy 
his blessed name, that they despyse him 
more boldely than dide the cursede Jewes, 
or elles the devel, that trembleth whan 
he hereth his name. / 

§ 3G. Now certos, sith that swering, 
bnt-if it be lawefully doon, is so heighly 
deffended, muche worse is forswering 
fiof) falsly, and j-et nedelees. / 

§ 37. Wliat seye we eek of hem that 
delj^ten heni in swering, and holden it a 
gentrie or a manly dede to swere grete 
othes ? And what of hem that, of verray 
iisage, ne cesse nat to swere grete othes, 
al be the cause nat worth a straw ? 
Certes, this is horrible sinne. / Sweringe 
sodeynly with-oute avysement is eek a 
sinne. / But Lit us go now to thilke 
horrible swering of adjuracioun and con- 
juraciovin, as doon thise false enchaun- 
tours or nigromanciens in bacins ful of 
water, or in a bright swerd, in a cercle, 
or in a fyr, or in a shulder-boon of a 
sheep. / I can nat seye but that they 
doon cursedly and damnably, agayns 
(530) Crist and al the feith of holy chirche. / 

§ 38. What seye we of hem that bileven 
in divynailes, as by flight or by noyso of 
briddes, or of bestes, or by sort, by geo- 
mancie, by dremes, by chirkinge of dores, 
or crakkinge of houses, by gnawynge of 
605 rpittes, and swich manere wrecchednesse ?/ 
Certes, al this thing is deffended by god 
and by al holy chirche. For which they 
heen acursed, til they come to amende- 
ment, that on swich fllthe setten hir 
hileve. / Charmes for woundes or maladye 
of men, or of bestes, if they taken any 
effect, it may be peraventure that god 
sviffreth it, for folk sholden yeve the more 
feith and reverence to his name. / 

§ 39. Now wol I spoken of lesinges, 
which generally is fals significacioun of 
word, in entente to deceyven his evene- 
cristene. / Som lesinge is of which ther 
comth noon avantage to no wight : and 
som lesinge turneth to the ese or profit of 
o man, and to disese and damage of 
another man. / Another lesinge is for 
to saven his lyf or his catel. Another 



lesinge comth of delyt for to lye, in which 
delyt they wol forge a long tale, and 
peynten it with alle circumstaunces, 
where al the ground of the tale is fals. / 610 
Som lesinge comth, for ho wolo sustene 
his word ; and som lesinge comth of 
recchelesnesse, with-outen avysement ; 
and semblable thinges. / 

§ 40. Lat us now touche the vyce of 
flatoringe, which ne comth nat gladly but 
for drede or for coveitise. / Flaterye is 
generally wrongful preisinge. Platereres 
been the develes norices, that norissen 
hise children with milk of losengerie. / 
For sothe, Salomon seith, that ' flaterie is 
wors than detraccioun.' For som-tyme 
dotraccion maketh an hautein man bo 
the more humble, for he dredeth dotrac- 
cion ; but certes flaterye, that makoth a 
man to enhauncen his herto and his 
contenaunce. / Flatereres boon the de- (540) 
veles enchauntours ; for they make a 
man to wene of him-self be lyk that he 
nis nat lyk. / They been lyk to Judas 615 
that bitraysed [god ; and thise flatereres 
bitraysen] a man to sollen him to his 
enemy, that is, to the devel. / Flatereres 
been the develes chapelleyns, that singen 
evere Placebo. / I rekeno flaterye in the 
vyces of Ire ; for ofte tynao, if o man be 
wrooth with another, thanno wol he 
flatere som wight to sustene him in his 
querele. '/ 

§ 41. Speke wc now of swich cursinge 
as comth of irons herto. Malisoun gener- 
ally may be seyd every manor power of 
harm. Swich cursinge bireveth man fro 
the regno of god, as seith seint Paul. / 
And ofte tyme swich cursinge wrongfully 
retorneth agayn to him that curseth, as 
a brid that retorneth agayn to his oweno 
nest. / And over alle thing men oghten 620 
eschewe to cursen hir children, and yeven 
to the devel hir engondrure, as ferforth 
as in hem is ; certes, it is greet peril and 
greet sinne. / 

§ 42. Lat us thanno spoken of chydinge 
and reproche, whiclio been ful grete 
woundes in mannes herte ; for they un- 
sowen the semes of frendshipe in mannes 
herto. / For certes, unnethes may a man 



T. § 43-46.] 



ZU (pereonee Zak. 



697 



pleynly been accorded with him that 
hath him openly revyled and repreved in 
disclanndre. This is a ful grisly sinne, 
as Crist seith in the gospel. / And tak 
kepe now, that he that repreveth his 
neighebor, onther he repreveth him by 
som harm of peyne that he hath on his 
body, as ' mesel,' ' croked harlot,' or by 

;5o) som sinne that he dooth. / Now if he 
repreve him by harm of peyne, thanne 
turneth the repreve to Jesii Crist ; for 
peyne is sent by the rightwys sonde of 
god, and by his sufFrance, be it nieselrie, 

625 or maheym, or nialadye. / And if he 
repreve him uncharitably of sinne, as, 
' thou holour,' 'thou dronkelewe harlot,' 
and so forth ; thanne aperteneth that to 
the rejoysinge of the devel, that evere 
hath joye that men doon sinne. / And 
certes, chydinge may nat come but out of 
a vileyns herte. For after the habun- 
dance of the herte speketh the mouth ful 
ofte. / And ye shul uriderstonde that 
loke, by any wey, whan any man shal 
chastyse another, that he be war from 
chydinge or reprevinge. For trewely, biit 
he be war, he may ful lightly quiken the 
fyr of angre and of wratthe, which that 
he sholde quenche, and per-aventure 
sleeth him which that he mighte chastyse 
with benignitee. / For as seith Salomon, 
' the amiable tonge is the tree of lyf,' that 
is to seyn, of lyf espirituel : and sothly, a 
deslavee tonge sleeth the spirites of him 
that repreveth, and eek of him that is 
repreved. / Lo, what seith seint Augus- 
tin : ' ther is no-thing so lyk the develes 
child as he that ofte chydeth.' Seint Paul 
seith eek : ' I, servant of god, bihove nat 

630 to chyde.' / And how that chydinge be 
a vileyns thing bitwixe alle manere folk, 
yet it is certes most imcovenable bitwixe 
a man and his wyf ; for there is nevere 
reste. And therfore seith Salomon, ' an 
hous that is uncovered and droppinge, 
and a chj-dinge '\vyt\ been lyke.' / A man 
that is in a droppinge hoiis in many 
places, though he eschewe the droppinge 
in o place, it droppeth on him in another 
place ; so fareth it by a chydinge wyf. 
But she chyde him in o place, she wol 



chyde him in another. / And therfore, 
' bettre is a morsel of breed with joye than 
an hous ful of delyces, with chydinge,' 
seith Salomon. / Seint Paul seith : ' O 
ye wommen, be ye stibgetes to yonre 
housbondes as bihoveth in god ; and ye 
men, lovetli youre wyves.' Ad Colossenses, 
tertio. I (5f«') 

§ 43. Afterward speke ^ve of scorninge, 
which is a wikked sinne ; and namely, 
whan he scorneth a man for hise gode 
werkes. / For certes, swiche scorneres t}^ 
faren lyk the foule tode, that may nat 
endure to smelle the sote savoiir of the 
vyne whanne it florissheth. / Thise 
scorneres been parting felawes with the 
devel ; for they han joye whan the devel 
winneth, and sorwe whan he leseth. / 
They been adversaries of Jesu Crist ; for 
they haten that he loveth, that is to seyn, 
salvacion of soule. / 

§ 44. Speke we now of wikked conseil ; 
for he that wikked conseil yeveth is a 
traytour. For he deceyveth him that 
trvisteth in him, ut Achitofel ad Absolonem. 
But natheless, yet is his wikked conseil 
first agayn him-self / For, as seith the 
wyse man, every fals livinge hath this 
propertee in him-self, that he that wole 
anoye another man, he anoyeth first 
him-self. / And men shul understonde, 640 
that man shal nat taken his conseil of 
fals folk, ne of angry folk, or grevous 
folk, ne of folk that loven specially to 
muchel hir owene profit, ne to muche 
worldly folk, namely, in conseilinge of 
soules. / 

§ 45. Now comth the sinne of hem that 
sowen and maken discord amonges folk, 
which is a sinne that Crist hateth oiitrely; 
and no wonder is. For he deyde for to 
make concord. / And more shame do 
they to Crist, than dide they that him 
crucifyede ; for god loveth bettre, that 
frendshipe be amonges folk, than he dide 
his owene body, the which that he j'af 
for unitee. Therfore been they lykned 
to the devel, that evere been aboiite to 
maken discord. / 

§ 46. Now comth the sinne of double 
tonge ; swiche as speken faire biforn folk, 



698 



ZU tcinkv&uv^ Zake. 



[t. §§ 47-51- 



and 'wikkedly bihinde ; or elles tliey 
maken semblant as though they speke 
of good entencioiin, or elles in game and 
pley, and yet they speke of wikked 
(570) entente. / 

§ 47. Now comth biwreying of conseil, 
thurgh which a man is defamed ; certes, 
64s unnoth© may he restore the damage. / 

Now comth manace, that is an open 
folye ; for he that ofte manaceth, he 
threteth more than ho may perfourne 
ful ofte tyme. / 

Now cometh ydei wordes, that is with- 
outen profit of him that speketh tho 
wordes, and eek of him that herkneth 
tho wordes. Or elles ydel wordes been 
tho that been nedelees, or with-outen 
entente of naturel profit. / And al-be-it 
that ydel wordes been som tyme venial 
sinne, yet sholde men douten hem ; for 
we shul yeve rekeninge of hem bifore 
god. / 

Now comth janglinge, that may nat 
been withoute sinne. And, as seith 
Salomon, 'it is a sinne of aport folye.' / 
And therfore a philosophre seyde, whan 
men axed him how that men sholde plese 
the peplo ; and he answerde, ' do many 
650 gode werkes, and si^ek fowe jangles.' / 

After this comth the sinne of japeres, 
that been the develes apes ; for they 
maken folk to laughe at hir japerie, as 
folk doon at the gaudes of an ape. Swiche 
japeres deffendeth seint Paul. / Loke 
how that vertuouse wordes and holy 
conforten hem that travaillen in the 
sei-vice of Crist ; right so conforten the 
vileiyTis wordes and knakkes of japeris 
hem that travaillen in the service of the 
devel. / Thise been the sinnes that comen 
of the tonge, that comen of Ire and of 
otliere sinnes mo. / 

Sequitur remedium contra peccatuni Ire. 

§ 48. The remedye agayns Ire is a 

vertu that men clepen Mansuetude, that 

is Debonairetee ; and eek another vertu, 

(580) that men callen Pacience or Suffrance. / 

§ 49. Debonairetee withdraweth and 
refrejTietli the stiringes and the moo- 
vynges of mannes corage in his herte, in 



swich manere that they ne skippc nat 
out by angre ne by Ire. / Suffrance 655 
suffreth swetely alle the anoyaunces and 
the wronges that men doon to man out- 
ward. / Seint Jerome seith thus of 
debonairetee. that ' it doth noon harm to 
no wight, ne seith ; ne for noon harm 
that men doon or seyn, he no eschaiifeth 
nat agayns his resoun.' / This vertu 
som-tyme comth of nature ; for, as seith 
the philosox^hre, ' a man is a quik thing, 
by nature debonaire and tretable to 
goodnesse ; but whan debonairetee is 
enformed of grace, thanne is it the more 
worth.' / 

§ 50. Pacience, that is another remedye 
agayns Ire, is a vertu that suffreth 
swetely every mannes goodnesse, and is 
nat wrooth for noon harm that is doon 
to him. / The philosophre seith, that 
' pacience is thilke vertu that suffreth 
debonairely alle the outrages of adver- 
sitee and every wikked word.' / This 660 
vertu maketh a man lyli to god, and 
maketh him goddes owene dere child, as 
seith Crist, This vertu disconfiteth thyn 
enemy. And therfore seith the wyse 
man, ' if thou wolt venquisse thyn enemy, 
lerne to suffre.' / And thou shalt under- 
stonde, that man suffreth foure manere 
of grevances in outward thinges, agayns 
the whiche foure ho moot have foure 
manere of paciences. / 

§ 51. The firste grevance is of wikkedo 
wordes ; thilke suffrede Jesu Crist with- 
outen grucching, ful pacientlj', whan the 
Jewes despysed and reproved him fvil 
ofte. / Suffre thou therfore paciently ; 
for the Avyse man seith : ' if thou stryve 
with a fool, though the fool be wrooth or 
though he laughe, algato thovi shalt have 
no reste.' / That other grevance outward (590) 
is to have damage of thy catel. Ther- 
agajms suffred Crist ful paciently, whan 
he was despoyled of al that he hadde 
in this lyf, and that nas but hise clothes. / 665 
The thridde grevance is a nian to have 
harm in his body. That suffred Crist 
ful paciently in al his passioun. / The 
fourthe grevance is in outrageovis labour 
in werkes. Wherfore I seye, that folk 



T. §§ 52-55-] 



I. ZU ^tvsonte Zak. 



699 



that malcen hir servants to travaillen to 
grevously, or out of tyme, as on halydayes, 
soothly they do greet sinno. / Heer- 
agayns suffred Crist ful paciently, and 
taughte lis pacience, whan lie bar up-on 
his blissed shulder the croys, up-on which 
he sholde suffren despitoiis deeth. / Heer 
may men lerne to be pacient ; for certes, 
noght only Cristen men been pacient for 
love of Jesu Crist, and for guerdoun of 
the blisful lyf that is perdurable ; but 
certes, the oldo jiayens, that nevere were 
Cristene, commendeden and useden the 
vertu of pacience. / 

§ 52. A pliilosophre up-on a tyme, that 
■woldo have beten his disciple for his grete 
trespas, for which he was greetly amoeved, 
670 and broghte a yerde to scourge the child ; / 
and whan this child saugh the yerde, 
he seyde to his maister, ' what thenke ye 
to do?' 'I wol bete thee,' quod the 
maister, ' for thy correccion.' / ' For 
sothe,' quod the child, 'ye oghten first 
correcte youre-self, that han lost al youre 
pacience for the gilt of a child.' / ' For 
sothe,' quod the maister al wepinge, ' thou 
seyst sooth ; have thou the yerde, my 
dere sone, and correcte me for myn 
inpacience.' / Of Pacience comtli Obe- 
dience, tliurgh which a man is obedient 
to Crist and to alle hem. to whiche he 
6(X)) oghte to been obedient in Crist. / And 
understond wel that obedience is perfit, 
whan that a man doth gladly and hastily, 
with good herte entierly, al that he 
675 sholde do. / Obedience generally, is to 
perfourne the doctrine of god and of his 
sovereyns, to whiche him oghte to ben 
obeisaunt in alle riglitwysnesse. / 

Sequitur de Accidia. 
§ 53. After the sinnes of Envie and of 
Ire, now wol I speken of the sinne of 
Accidie. For Envye blindeth the herte 
of a man, and Ire troubleth a man ; and 
Accidie makotli him hevy, thoghtful, and 
wrawe. / En\'ye and Ire makcii bitter- 
nesse in herto ; which bitternesso is 
moder of Accidie, and binimeth him the 
love of alle goodnesse. Thanne is Accidie 
the anguissh of a trouble herte ; and seint 



Augnstin seith : ' it is anoy of goodnesse 
and joyo of harm.' / Certes, this is a 
dampnable sinno ; for it doth wrong to 
Jesu Crist, in-as-muche as it binimeth 
the service that men oghte doon to Crist 
with alle diligence, as seith Salomon. / 
But Accidie dootli no swicli diligence ; 
he dootli alle thing with anoy, and with 
wrawnesse, slaknesse, and excusacioun, 
and with ydelnesse and unlust ; for which 
the book seith : ' acursed be he that doth 
the service of god necligently.'/ Thanne 680 
is Accidie enemy to everich estaat of man ; 
for certes, the estaat of man is in three 
maneres. / Outlier it is th'estaat of inno- 
cence, as was th'estaat of Adam biforn 
that he fil into sinne ; in which estaat 
he was holden to wirclie, as in heryinge 
and adouringe of god. / Another estaat 
is the estaat of sinful men, in which 
estaat men been holden to laboure in 
preyinge to god for amendement of hir 
sinnes, and that he wole graunte hem to 
arysen out of hir sinnes. / Another 
estaat is th'estaat of grace, in which 
estaat he is holden to werkes of penitence ; 
and certes, to alle tliise thingos is Accidie 
enemy and contrarie. For ho loveth no 
bisinesse at al. / Now certes, this foulo (610) 
sinne Accidie is eek a ful greet enemy 
to the lyflode of the body ; for it ne hath 
no purveaunce agayn temporelnecessitee ; 
for it forsleweth and forsluggeth, and 
destroyeth alle goodes temporeles by 
recclielcesnesse. / 6S5 

§ 54. Thefourthethingeis, that Accidie 
is lyk to hem that been in the poyne of 
lielle, by-cause of hir sloutho and of hir 
hevinesse ; for they that been dampncd 
been so bounde, that they ne may neither 
wol do ne wel tliinke. / Of Accidie comth 
first, that a man is anoyed and eneombred 
for to doon any goodnesse, and maketh 
that god hath abhominaeion of swich 
Accidie, as seith seint Johan. / 

§ 55. Now comth Slouthe, that wol nat 
suffre noon hardncsse no no penaunce. 
For soothly, Sloutho is so tendre, and so 
delicat, as seith Salomon, that he wol 
nat suffre noon hardnesse ne penaunce, 
and therfore ho shendeth al that he 



700 



Z^t tankviuv^ Zake. 



[t. §§ 56, 57- 



tlooth. / Agayns this roten-herted sinne 
of Accidie and Sloiithe sholde men exer- 
cise hem-self to doon gode werkes, and 
manly and vertaionsly cacchen corage wel 
to doon ; thinkinge that cure lord Jesu 
Crist qnyteth every good dede, be it never 
so Ijiie. / Usage of labour is a greet 
thing ; for it niaketh, as seith seint Ber- 
nard, the laborer to have stronge armes 
and harde sinwes ; and Slonthe maketh 
690 hem feble and tendre. / Thanne comth 
drede to biginne to werke any gode 
"werkes ; for certes, he that is enclyned 
to sinne, him thinketh it is so greet an 
emprj'se for to undertake to doon werkes 
of goodnesse, / and casteth in his herte 
that the circnmstaunces of goodnesse 
lieen so grevouse and so chargeaunt for 
to snffre, that he dar nat undertake to 
do werkes of goodnesse, as seith seint 
Gregorie. / 

§ 56. Now comth wanhope, that is de- 
speir of the mercy of god, that comth 
somtyme of to muche outrageous sorwe, 
and somtynie of to muche drede : imagin- 
inge that he hath doon so muche sinne, 
that it wol nat availlen him, though he 
wolde rejienten him and forsake sinne :/ 
thurgh which despeir or drede he abaun- 
doneth al his herte to every maner sinne, 
(620) as seith seint Augustin. / Wliich damp- 
nable sinne, if that it continue un-to his 
695 ende, itis clepedsinningin theholygost./ 
This horrible sinne is so perilous, that he 
that is despeired, ther nis no felonye ne 
no sinne that he douteth for to do ; as 
shewed "wel by Judas. / Certes, aboven 
alle sinnes thanne is this sinne most 
displesant to Crist, and most adversarie. / 
Soothly, he that despeircth him is lyk the 
coward chami^ioun recreant, that seith 
creant withoute nede. Alias ! alias ! 
nedeles is he recreant and nedeles de- 
speired. / Certes, the mercy of god is 
evere redy to every penitent, and is 
aboven alle hise werkes. / Alias ! can 
nat a man bithinke him on the gospel of 
seint Luk, 15., where-as Crist seith that 
' as wel shal ther be joye in hevene upon 
a sinful man that doth penitence, as 
np-on nynety and nyne rightful men 



that neden no penitence?'/ Loke forth er, 700 
in the same gospel, the joye and the 
feste of the gode man that hadde lost his 
sone, whan his sone with repentannce 
was retourned to his fader. / Can they 
nat remembren hem eek, that, as seith 
seint Luk xxiii" capitulo, how that the 
theef that was hanged bisyde Jesu Crist, 
seyde : ' Lord, remembre of me, whan 
thou comest in-to thy regne ? ' / ' For 
sothe,' seyde Crist, ' I seye to thee, to-day 
shaltow been with me in Paradys.' / 
Certes, ther is noon so horrible sinne of 
man, that it ne may, in his lyf, be de- 
stroyed by penitence, thurgh vertu of 
the passion and of the deeth of Crist. / (6?o) 
Alias ! what nedeth man thanne to been 
despeired, sith that his mercy so redy is and 
large ? Axe and have. / Thanne cometh 705 
Sompnolence, that is, sluggy slombringe, 
which maketh a man be bevy and dul, in 
body and in soule ; and this sinne comth 
of Slouthe. / And certes, the tyme that, 
by wey of resoun, men sholde nat slepe, 
that is by the morwe ; but-if ther were 
cause resonable. / For soothly, the morwe- 
tyde is most covenable, a man to seye his 
preyeres, and for to thinken on god, and 
for to honoure god, and to yeven almesse 
to the povre, that first cometh in the 
name of Crist. / Lo ! what seith Salomon : 
' who-so wolde by the morwe awaken and 
seke me, he shal finde.' / Thanne cometh 
Necligence, or recchelesnesse, that rek- 
keth of no-thing. And how that igno- 
raunce be moder of alle harm, certes, 
Necligence is the norice. / Necligence 710 
ne doth no forSj whan he shal doon a 
thing, whether he do it weel or baddely. / 
§ 57. Of the remedie of thise two sinnes, 
as seith the wyse man, that ' he that 
dredeth god, he spareth nat to doon that 
him oghte doon.' / And he that loveth 
god, he wol doon diligence to plese god 
by his werkes, and abaundone hina-self, 
with al his might, wel for to doon. / 
Thanne comth ydelnesse, that is the yate 
of alle harmes. An ydel man is lyk to 
a place that hath no walles ; the develes 
may entre on every syde and sheten at 
him at discovert, by temptacion on every 



68-61.] 



^0e ^etreonee ZaU, 



701 



40) syde. / This ydelnesse is the thurrok of 
alle wikked and vileyns thoghtes, and of 

715 alle jangles, trufles, and of alle ordure./ 
Certes, the hevene is yeven to hem that 
wol labouren, and nat to ydel folk. Eek 
David seith : that ' they ne been nat in 
the labour of men, ne they shul nat been 
whipped with men,' that is to seyn, in 
purgatorie. / Certes, thanne semeth it, 
they shul be tormented with the devel 
in helle, Irat-if they doon penitence. / 

§ 58. Thanne comth the sinne that 
men clepen Tarditas, as whan a man is 
to latrede or taryinge, er he wole turne 
to gcd; and certes, that is a greet folye. 
He is lyk to him that falleth in the dich, 
and wol nat aryse. / And this vyce 
comth of a fals hope, that he thinketh 
that he shal live longe ; but that hope 
faileth ful ofte. / 

§ 59. Thanne comth Lachesse ; that is 
he, that whan he biginneth any good 
werk, anon he shal forleten it and stinten ; 
as doon they that lian any wight to 
governe, and ne taken of him na-more 
kepe, anon as they finden any contrarie 

720 or any anoy. / Thise been the newe 
shepherdes, that leten hir sheep witingly 
go renne to the wolf that is in the breres, 
or do no fors of hir owene governaunce. / 
Of this comth poverte and destruccioun, 
bothe of spiritiiel and temporel thinges. 
Thanne comth a manere coldnesse, that 
freseth al the herte of man. / Thanne 
comth undevooiouu, thurgh which a man 
is so blent, as seith seint Bernard, and 
hath swiche langour in soule, that he 
may neither rede ne singe in holy ohirche, 
ne here ne thinke of no devocioun, ne 
travaille with hise handes in no good 
werk, that it nis him unsavory and al 
apalled. / Thanne wexeth he slow and 
slombrj', and sone wol be wrooth, and 

)5i)) sone is enclyned to hate and to envye. / 
Thanne comth the sinne of worldly sorwe, 
swich as is cleped tristicia, that sleeth 

725 man, as seint Paul seith. / For certes, 
swich sorwe werketh to the deeth of 
the soule and of the body also ; for ther- 
of comth, that a man is anoyed of his 
owene lyf / Wlierfore swich sorwe short- 



eth ful ofte the lyf of a man, er that his 
tyme be come by wey of kinde. / 

Remedium contra peccatum Accidie. 

§ 60. Agayns this horrible sinne of 
Accidie, and the branches of the same, 
ther is a vertu that is called Fortitudo 
or Strengthe ; that is, an affeccioun 
thurgh which a man despyseth anoyous 
thinges. / This vertu is so mighty and 
so vigorous, that it dar withstonde 
mightily and wysely kepen him-self fro 
perils that been wikked, and wrastle 
agayn the assautes of the devel. / For it 
enhaunceth and enforceth the soule, right 
as Accidie abatetli it and maketh it 
feble. For this Fortitudo may endure by 
long suffraunce the travailles that been 
covenable. / 730 

§ 61. This vertii hath manye spaces ; 
and the firste is cleped Magnanimitee, 
that is to seyn, greet corage. For certes, 
ther bihoveth greet corage agains Accidie, 
lest that it ne swolwe the soule by the 
sinne of sorwe, or destroye it by wan- 
hope. / This vertu maketh folic to under- 
take harde thinges and grevouse thinges, 
by hir owene wil, wj-sely and resonably./ 
And for as muchel as the devel fighteth 
agayns a man more by queyntise and by 
sleighte than by strengthe, therfore men 
shal withstonden him by wit and by 
resoun and by discrecioun. / Thanne arn 
ther the vertues of feith, and hope in god 
and in hise seintes, to acheve and 
acompliee the gode werkes in the whiche 
he purposeth fermely to continue. / (660) 
Thanne comth seuretee or sikernesse ; 
and that is, whan a man ne douteth no 
travaille in tyme cominge of the gode 
werkes that a man hath bigonne. / 735 
Thanne comth Magnificence, that is to 
seyn, whan a man dootli and perfourneth 
grete werkes of goodnesse that he hath 
bigonne ; and that is the ende why that 
men sholde do gode werkes ; for in the 
acomplissinge of grete goode werkes lyth 
the grete guerdoun. / Thanne is ther 
Constaunce, that is, stablenesse of corage ; 
and this sholde been in herte by stedefast 
feith, and in mouth, and in beringe, and 



ZU Canferfiurj Zake. 



[t. §§ Ga-'-jG. 



in chcre and in dede. / Eke ther been 
mo speciale remedies agains Accidie, in 
diverse wcrkes, and in consideracioun of 
tlie peynes of lielle, and of tlie joyes of 
hevene, and in trust of the grace of the 
holy goost, that wole yeve him might to 
perfourne his gode entente. / 

Sequitur de Auaricia. 

§ 62. After Accidie wol I speke of 
Avarice and of Coveitise, of which sinne 
seith seint Panle, that ' the rote of alle 
harmes is Coveitise' : Ad Timothetim^ sexto 
capitulo. I For soothly, whan tlie herte 
of a man is confounded in it-self and 
troubled, and that the soule hath lost the 
confort of g :d, thanne seketh he an ydel 
740 solas of worldly thinges. / 

§ 63. Avarice, after the descripcion of 
seint Augustin, is likerousnesse in herte 
to have erthely thinges. / Som other 
folk seyn, that Avarice is, for to pur- 
chacen manye erthely thinges, and no- 
thing yeve to hem that han nede. / And 
nnderstond, that Avarice ne stant nat 
only in lond ne catel, but somtyme in 
science and in glorie, and in every manere 
of outrageous thing is Avarice and 
Coveitise. / And the diiference bitwixe 
Avarice and Coveitise is this. Coveitise 
is for to coveite swiche thinges as thovi 
hast nat ; and Avarice is for to withholde 
and kcpe swiche thinges as thou hast, 
(370) with-oute rightful nede. / Soothly, this 
Avarice is a sinne that is fiU dampnable ; 
for al holy writ ctirseth it, and speketh 
ag.iyns that vyce ; for it dooth wrong to 
745 Jesu Crist. / For it bireveth him the 
love that men to him owen, and turneth 
it bakward agayns alle resoun ; / and 
maketh that the avaricious man hath 
more hope in his catel than in Jesu Crist, 
and dooth more observance in kepinge of 
his tresor than he dooth to service of 
Jesu Crist. / And therfore seith seint 
Paul a(L Ephesios, quinto, that ' an 
avariciovis man is in the thraldom of 
ydolatrie.' / 

§ 64. What difference is bitwixe an 
ydolastre and an avaricious man, but 
that an ydolastre. per aventure, ne hath 



but o mawmet or two, and the avaricious 
man hath manye ? For certes, every 
florin in his cofre is his mawmet. / And 
certes, the sinne of Mawmetrye is the 
firste thing that God deffended in the ten 
comaundments, as bereth witnesse Exodi, 
capitulo xx° : / ' Thou shalt have no false 75'' 
goddes bifore me, ne thou shalt make 
to thee no grave thing.' Thus is an 
avaricious man, that loveth his tresor 
biforn god, an ydolastre, / thurgh this 
cursed sinne of Avarice. Of Coveitise 
comen thise harde lordshipes, thurgh 
whiche men been distreyned by tallages, 
custumes, and cariages, more than hir 
duetee or resoun is. And eck they taken 
of hir bonde-men amerciments, whiche 
mighten more resonably ben cleised 
extorcions than amerciments. / Of whiche 
amerciments and raunsoninge of bonde- 
men, somme lordes stywardes seyn, that 
it is rightful ; for-as-mucho as a cherl 
hath no temporel thing that it ne is his 
lordes, as they seyn. / But certes, thise 
lordshipes doon wrong, that bireven hir 
bonde-folk thinges that they nevere yave 
hem : Atifjustimis de Civitate, libra nana. / (<'i8i: 
Sooth is, that the condicioun of thraldom 
and the firste cause of thraldom is for 
sinne ; Genesis, quinto. j 755 

§ 6-5. Thus may ye seen that the gilt 
disserveth thraldom, but nat natvire. / 
■WHierfore thise lordes ne sholde nat 
muche glorifyen hem in hir lordshipes, 
sith that by naturel condicion they been 
nat lordes of thralles ; btit for that 
thraldom comth first by the desert of 
sinne. / And forther-over, ther-as the 
lawe seith, that temporel godes of bonde- 
folk been the godes of hir lordshipes, ye, 
that is for to understonde, the godes of 
the emperour, to deffenden hem in hir 
right, but nat for to robben hem ne reven 
hem. / And therfore seith Seneca : ' thy 
prudence sholde live benignely with thy 
thralles.' / Thilke that thou clepest thy 
thralles been goddes peple ; for hunible 
folk been Cristes freendes ; they been 
contubernial Avith the lord. / 760 

§ 66. Think eek, that of swich seed as 
cherles springeth, of swich seed springen 



T. § 67.] 



ZH (j?er6one0 Zc^k. 



lordes. As wel may the clierl be saved as 
the lord. / The same deeth that taketh 
the chorl, swich deeth taketh the lord. 
Wherfore I rede, do right so with thy 
cherl, as tliou woldest that thy lord dide 
with thee, if thou were in his plyt./ Every 
sinful man is a cherl to sinne. I rede 
thee, certes, that thoii, lt)rd, werke in 
swiche wyse with thy cherles, that they 
rather love thee than drede. / I woot wel 
ther is degree above degree, as reson is ; 
and skile it is, that men do hir devoir 
ther-as it is due ; but certes, extorcions 
and despit of youre underlinges is damp- 
Igo) nable. / 

§ 67. And forther-over understond wel, 
that thise conquerours or tiraunts maken 
ful ofte thralles of hem, that been born of 
as royal blood as been they that hem 
765 conqueren. / This name of thraldom 
was nevere erst couth, til that Noe seyde, 
that his sone Canaan sholde be thral to 
hise bretheren for his sinne. / What 
seye we thanne of hem that pilen and 
doon extorcions to holy chirche ? Certes, 
the swerd, that men yeven first to 
a knight whan he is newe dubbed, signi- 
fyeth that he sholde deffenden holy 
chirche, and nat robben it ne pilen it ; 
and who so dooth, is traitour to Crist. / 
And, as seith seint Augustin, ' they been 
the develes wolves, that stranglen the 
sheep of Jesu Crist ' ; and doon worse 
than wolves. / For soothly, whan the 
wolf hath ful his wombe, he stinteth to 
stx'angle sheep. But soothly, the pilours 
and destroyours of goddes holy chirche 
ne do nat so ; for they ne stuite nevere to 
pile. / Now, as I have seyd, sith so is 
that sinne was first cause of thraldom, 
thanne is it thus ; that thilke tyme that 
al this world was in sinne, thanne was al 
770 this world in thraldom and subjeccioun./ 
But certes, sith the tynae of grace cam, 
god ordeyned that som folk sholde be 
more heigh in estaat and in degree, and 
soni folk more lowe, and that everich 
sholde be served in his estaat and in his 
degree. / And therfore, in somme con- 
trees ther they byen thralles, whan they 
ban turned hem to the feith, they maken 



hir thralles free out of thraldom. And 
therfore, certes, the lord oweth to his 
man that the man oweth to his lord. / 
The Pope calleth him-self servant of the 
servaunts of god ; but for-as-muche as 
the estaat of holy chirche ne mighte nat 
ban be, ne the commune profit mighte 
nat han be kept, ne pees and reste in 
erthe, but-if god hadde ordoyned that 
som men hadde hyer degree and sona 
men lower : / therfore was sovereyntee 
ordeyned to kepe and mayntene and 
deffenden hir underlinges or hir subgets 
in resoun, as ferforth as it l.yth in hir 
power ; and nat to destniyen hem ne 
confounde. / Wherfore I seye, that thilke (7011) 
lordes that been lyk wolves, that devouren 
the possessiouns or the catel of povre folk 
wrongfully, with-outen mercy or mesure, / 775 
they shvil receyven by the same mesure 
that they han mesured to povre folk the 
mercy of Jesu Crist, but-if it be amended. / 
Now comth deceite bitwixe marchant and 
marchant. And thow slialt iinderstonde, 
that marchandyse is in two maneres ; 
that oon is bodily, and that other is 
goostly. That oon is honeste and leveful, 
and that other is deshoneste and unleve- 
ful. / Of thilke bodily marchandyse, that 
is leveful and honeste, is this ; that, there- 
as god hath ordeyned that a regne or 
a contree is suffisaunt to him-self, thanne 
is it honeste and leveful, that of habun- 
daunce of this contree, that men helpe 
another contree that is more nedy. / And 
therfore, ther miote been marchants to 
bringon fro that o contree to that other 
hire marchandj'ses. / That other mar- 
chandise, that men haunten with fraude 
and trecherie and deceite, with lesinges 
and false othes, is cursed and damxanable. / 7S0 
Espirituel marchandyse is proprely Sy- 
monye, that is, ententif desyr to byen 
thing espirituel, that is, thing that 
aperteneth to the seintuarie of god and to 
cure of the soule. / This desyr, if so be 
that a man do his diligence to parfournen 
it, al-be-it that his desyr ne take noon 
effect, yet is it to him a deedly sinne ; 
and if he be ordred, he is irreguler. / 
Certes, Symonye is cleped of Symou 



704 



ZU €anfet6ttvj Zaks. 



[t. § 68. 



Magus, that wolde han boglit, for tem- 
porel catel, the yifte that god hadde 
yeven, by the holy goost, to seint Peter 
and to the apostles. / And therfore 
understond, that bothe he that selleth 
and he that byeth thinges espirituels, 
been cleped Symonials ; be it by catel, be 
it by procuringe, or by fleshly preyere 
of hise freendes, fleshly freendes, or 
(710) espiritnel freendes. / Fleshly, in two 
maneres ; as by kinrede or othere freendes. 
Soothly, if they x^raye for hint that is nat 
worthy and able, it is Symonye if he take 
the benefice ; and if he be worthy and 
785 able, ther nis noon. / That other manere 
is, whan a man or womman preyen for 
folk to avatincen hem, only for wikked 
fleshly afFeccioun that they have tin-to 
the persone ; and that is foul Sjanonye. / 
But certes, in service, for which men 
yeven thinges espirituels un-to hir 
servants, it moot been tinderstonde that 
the service moot been honeste, and elles 
nat ; and eek that it be with-outen bar- 
gayninge, and that the persone be able. / 
For, as seitli seint Damasie, ' alle the 
sinnes of the world, at regard of this 
sinne, arn as thing of noght ' ; for it is 
the gretteste sinne that may be, after the 
sinne of Lucifer and Antecrist. / For, 
by this sinne, god forleseth the chirche, 
and the soule that he boghte with his 
precious blood, by hem that yeven 
chirches to hem that been nat digne. / 
For they putten in theves, that stelen the 
soules of Jesu Christ and destroyen his 
790 patrimoine. / By swiche undigne preestes 
and curates han lewed men the lasse 
reverence of the sacraments of holy 
chirche ; and swiche yeveres of chirches 
ptitten out the children of Crist, and 
putten in-to the chirche the develes owene 
sone. / They sellen the soules that 
lambes sholde kepen to the wolf that 
strangleth hem. And therfore shul they 
nevere han part of the pasture of lambes, 
that is, the blisse of hevene. / Now 
comth hasardrye with hise apurtenaunces, 
as tables and rafles ; of which comth 
deceite, false othes, chydinges, and alle 
ravines, blaspheminge and reneyinge of 



god, and hate of hise neighebores, wast of 
godes, misspendinge of tyme, and som- 
tyme manslaughtre. / Certes, hasardours 
ne mowe nat been with-outen greet sinne 
whyles they haunte that craft. / Of (720) 
avarice comen eek lesinges, thefte, fals 
witnesse, and false othes. And ye shul 
understonde that thise been grate sinnes, 
and expres agayn the comaundements of 
god, as I have seyd. / Fals witnesse is in 795 
word and eek in dede. In word, as for to 
bireve thy neighebores goode name by 
thy fals witnessing, or bireven him his 
catel or his heritage by thy fals witness- 
ing ; whan thou, for ire or for mede, or 
for envye, berest fals witnesse, or accusest 
him or excusest him by thy fals witnesse, 
or elles excusest thy-self falsly. / Ware 
yow, questemongeres and notaries ! Certes, 
for fals witnessing was Susanna in ful 
gret sorwe and peyne, and many another 
mo. / The sinne of thefte is eek expres 
agayns goddes heste, and that in two 
maneres, corporel and espiritviel. / Cor- 
porel, as for to take thy Jieighebores catel 
agayn his wil, be it by force or by sleighte, 
be it by met or by mesure. / By steling 
eek of false enditements upon him, and 
in borwinge of thy neighebores catel, in 
entente nevere to payen it agayn, and 
semblable thinges. / Espirituel thefte is 800 
Sacrilege, that is to seyn, hurtinge of holy 
thinges, or of thinges sacred to Crist, in 
two maneres ; by reson of the holy place, 
as chirches or chirche-hawes, / for which 
every vileyns sinne that men doon in 
swiche places may be cleped sacrilege, or 
every violence in the semblable places. 
Also, they that withdrawen falsly the 
rightes that longen to holy chirche. / 
And pleynly and generally, sacrilege is to 
reven holy thing fro holy place, or un- 
holy thing out of holy place, or holy thing 
out of unholy place. / 

Relevacio contra peccatum Avaricie. 

§ 68. Now shul ye understonde, that 
the relevinge of Avarice is misericorde, 
and pitee largely taken. And men 
mighten axe, why that misericorde and 
pitee is relevinge of Avarice? / Certes, (730) 



T. §§ 69, 70.] 



^6e (pereonee ^afe. 



705 



the avaricious man shcweth no pitee ne 
misericorde to the nedeful man ; for he 
delyteth him in the kepinge of his tresor, 
and nat in the resoowinge ne relevinge of 
his evene-cristene. And therfore speke 

05 I first of niisericorde. / Thanne is miser- 
icorde, as seith the philosophre, a vertu, 
by which the corage of man is stired 
by the misese of him that is misesed. / 
Up-on ■which misericorde folweth pitee, 
in j)arfourninge of charitable werkes of 
misericorde. / And certes, thise thinges 
inoeven a man to misericorde of Jesu 
Crist, that he yaf him-self for onre gilt, 
and sufFred deeth for misericorde, and 
forgaf us oure originale sinnes ; / and 
tlierby relessed us fro the peynes of belle, 
and amenused the peynes of purgatorie 
by penitence, and yeveth grace wel to do, 
and atte laste the blisse of hevene. / Tlie 
speces of misericorde been, as for to lene 
and for to yeve and to foryeven and 
relesse, and for to han pitee in herte, and 
compassioun of the meschief of his evene- 
cristene, and eek to chastyse there as 

10 nede is. / Another manere of remedie 
agayns Avarice is resonable largesse ; but 
soothly, here bihoveth the consideracioun 
of the grace of Jesu Crist, and of hise 
temporel goodes, and eek of the godes 
perdurables that Crist yaf to us ; / and 
to han remembrance of the deeth that he 
shal receyve, he noot whanne, where, ne 
how ; and eek that he shal forgon al that 
he hath, save only that he hath despended 
in gode werkes. / 

§ 69. But for-as-muche as som folk been 
unmesurable, men oghten eschue fool- 
largesse, that men clepen wast. / Certes, 
he that is fool-large ne yeveth nat his 
catel, but he leseth his catel. Soothly, 
what thing that he yeveth for veyne 
glorie, as to minstrals and to folk, for to 
beren his renoun in the world, he hath 

o) sinne ther-of and noon almesse. / Certes, 
he leseth foule his good, that ne seketh 
with the yifte of his good no-thing btit 

15 sinne. / He is lyk to an hors that seketh 
rather to di-inken drovy or trouble water 
than for to drinken water of the clere 
welle. / And for-as-muchel as they yeven 



ther as they sholde nat yeven, to hem 
aperteneth thilke malisoiin that Crist 
shal yeven at the day of dome to hem 
that shullen been dampned. / 

Sequitur de Gula. 

§ 70. After Avarice conith Glotonye, 
which is expres eek agayn the comande- 
ment of god, Glotonye is iinmesurable 
appetyt to ete or to drinke, or elles to 
doon y-nogli to the unmesurable appetyt 
and desordeynee coveityse to eten or to 
drinke. / This sinne corrumped al this 
world, as is wel shewed in the sinne of 
Adam and of Eve. Loke eek, what seith 
seint Paul of Glotonye. / ' Manye,' seith 
seint Paul, ' goon, of whicho I have ofte 
seyd to yow, and now I seye it wepinge, 
that they been the enemys of the croys of 
Crist ; of whiche the ende is deeth, and 
of whiche hir wombe is hir god, and hir 
glorie in confusioun of hem that so 
saveren erthely thinges.' / He that is 820 
usaunt to this sinne of Glotonye, he ne 
may no sinne withstonde. He moot been 
in servage of alle vyces, for it is the 
develes hord ther he hydeth him and 
resteth. / This sinne hath manye speces. 
The firste is dronkenesse, that is the 
horrible sepulture of mannes resoun ; and 
therfore, whan a man is dronken, he hath 
lost his resoun ; and this is deedly sinne. / 
But soothly, whan that a man is nat 
wont to strong drinke, and peraventure 
ne knoweth nat the strengthe of the 
drinke, or hath feblesse in his heed, or 
hath travailed, thurgh which he drinketh 
the more, al be he sodeynly caught with 
drinke, it is no deedly sinne, but venial. / 
The seconde spece of Glotonye is, that 
the spirit of a man wexeth al trouble ; for 
dronkenesse bireveth him the discrecioun 
of his wit. / The thridde spece of (750) 
Glotonye is, whan a man devoureth his 
mete, and hath no rightful raanere of 
etinge. / The fourthe is whan, thurgh 825 
the grete habundaunce of his mete, the 
humours in his body been destempred. / 
The fifthe is, foryetelnesse by to miichel 
drinkinge ; for which somtyme a man 



A a 



•706 



tU ^anferfiur^ Zake. 



[t. §§ 71-7= 



foryeteth er the morwe wliat he dido at 
even or on tlie night biforn. / 

§ 71. In other manero been distinct 
the speces of Glotonye, after seint Gre- 
gorie. The firste is, for to ete biforn 
tyme to ete. The seconds is, whan a man 
get him to delicat mete or drinke. / The 
thridde is, whan men taken to muche 
over mesiire. The fonrthe is curiositee, 
with greet entente to maken and appa- 
raillen his mete. The fifthe is, for to eten 
to gredily. / Thise been the fyve fingres 
of the develeshand, by whiche he draweth 
S30 folk to sinne. / 

Remedium contra peccatum Gule. 
§ 72. Agayns Glotonye is the remedie 
Abstinence, as seith G alien ; btit that 
holde I nat meritorie, if he do it only for 
the hele of his body. Seint Augnstin 
wole, that Abstinence be doon for vertu 
and with pacience. / Abstinence, he 
seith, is litel worth, bnt-if a man have 
good wil ther-to, and but it be enforced 
by pacience and by charitee, and tliat 
men doon it for godes sake, and in hope 
to have the blisse of hevene. / 

§ 73. The felawes of Abstinence been 
Attemperannce, that holdeth the mene in 
alle thinges : eek Shame, that eschueth 
alle deshonestee : Suffisance, that seketh 
no riclie metes ne drinkes, ne dooth no 
fors of to outrageous apparailinge of 
mete. / Mesure also, that restreyneth by 
resoun the deslavee appetyt of etinge : 
Sobrenesse also, that restreyneth the 
(760) outrage of drinke : / Sparinge also, that 
restreyneth the delicat ese to sitte longe 
at his mete and softely ; wherfore som 
folk stonden of hir owene wil, to eten at 
835 the lasse leyser. / 

Sequitur de Luxuria. 

§ 74. After Glotonye, thanne comth 
Lecherie ; for thise two sinnes been so ny 
cosins, that ofte tyme they wol nat de- 
parte. / God woot, this sinne is ful 
displesaunt thing to god ; for he seyde 
himself, ' do no lecherie.' And therfore 
he putte grete peyiies agayns this sinne 
in the oldo lawe./ If womman thral were 



taken in this sinno, she sholde be beten 
with staves to the deeth. And if she 
were a gentil ■womman, she sholde be 
slayn with stones. And if she were 
a bisshoppes doghter, she sholde been 
brent, by goddes comandement. / Por- 
ther over, by the sinne of Lecherie, god 
dreynte al the world at the diluge. And 
after that, he brente fyve citees with 
thonder-leyt, and sank hem in-to helle. / 
S5 75. Now lat us speke thanne of tliijke 
stinkingo sinne of Lecherie that men 
clepe Avoutrie of wedded folk, that is to 
seyn, if that oon of hem be wedded, or 
elles bothe. / Seint John seith, that 840 
avoutiers shullen been in helle in a stank 
brenninge of fyr and of brimston ; in fyr, 
for the lecherie ; in brimston, for the 
stink of hir ordure. / Certes, the brekinge 
of this sacrement is an horrible thing ; 
it was maked of god him-self in paradys, 
and confermed by Jesu Crist, as wit- 
nesseth seint Mathew in the gospel : 
' A man shal lete fader and moder, and 
taken him to his ^vyf, and they shullen 
be two in o flesh.' / This sacrement bi- 
tokneth the knittinge togidre of Crist 
and of holy chirche. / And nat only 
that god forbad avoiitrie in dede, biit eek 
he comanded that thoii sholdest nat 
coveite thy neighebores wyf. / In this (,77o) 
heeste, seith seint Angustin, is forboden 
alle manere coveitise to doon lecherie. 
Lo what seith seint Mathew in the gospel : 
that ' ■who-so seeth a w^omman to coveitise 
of his lust, he hath doon lecherie with hir 
in his herte.' / Here may ye seen that 845 
nat only the dede of this sinne is for- 
boden, but eek the desyr to doon that 
sinne. / This cursed sinne anoyeth gre- 
vousliche hem that it haunten. And first, 
to hir soule ; for ho oblygeth it to sinne 
and to peyne of deeth that is perdur- 
able./ Un-to the body anoyeth it grevously 
also, for it dreyeth him, and wasteth, 
and shent him, and of his blood he maketh 
sacrifyce to the feend of heUe ; it wasteth 
his catel and his substaunce. / And 
certes, if it be a foul thing, a man to 
waste his catel on wommen, yet is it 
a fouler thing whan that, for swich ordure, 



T. § 76.] 



I. ZU (piv6ont& Zcik. 



•07 



"wommen dispenden tip-on men hir catel 
and substaunce. / This sinne, as seitli 
the prophete, bireveth man and womman 
hir gode fame, and al hir honour ; and it 
is ful pleasaunt to the devel ; for ther-by 
winneth he the moste partie of this 

S50 world. / And right as a marcliant de- 
l.'S'teth iiim most in chaffare that he hatli 
most avantage of, right so delyteth the 
foend in this ordnre. / 

§ 76. This is that other hand of the 
devel, with fyve fingres, to cacche the 
• peple to his vileinye. / The firste finger 
is the fool lookinge of the fool womman 
and of the fool man, that sleeth, right as 
the basilicok sleeth folk by the venim of 
his sighte ; for the coveitise of eyen fol- 
weth the coveitise of the herte. / The 
seconde finger is the vileyns touchinge in 
v/ikkede manere ; and ther-fore seith 
Salomon, that who-so toucheth and hand- 
lath a womman, he fareth lyk him that 
handleth the scorpioun that stingeth and 
sodeynly sleeth thurgh his enveniminge ; 
as 'who-so toucheth warm pich, it slient 
(780) his fingres./ The thridde, is foule wordes, 
that fareth lyk fyr, that right anon bren- 

855 neth the herte. / The fourthe finger is 
the kissinge ; and trewely he were a greet 
fool that wolde kisse the mouth of a bren- 
ninge ovene or of a fourneys. / And 
more fooles been they that kissen in 
vileinye ; for that mouth is the mouth of 
helle : and namely, thise olde dotardes 
holours, yet wol they kisse, though they 
may nat do, and smatre hem. / Certes, 
they been lyk to houndes ; for an hound, 
■\vhan he comth by the roser or by othere 
-|-btisshes, thoiigh he may nat pisse, yet 
wole he heve up his leg and make a con- 
tenaunce to pisse. / And for that many 
man weneth that he may nat sinne, for 
no likerousnesse that he doth with his wyf ; 
eertes, that opinion is fals. God woot, 
a man may sleen him-self with his owene 
knyf, and make him-selven dronken of 
his owene tonne. / Certes, be it wyf, be 
it child, or any worldly thing that he 
loveth biforn god, it is his maumet, and 

860 he is an ydolastre. / Man sholde loven 
his wyf by discrecioun, paciently and 



atemprely ; and thanne is she as though 
it were his suster. / The fifthe finger of 
the develes hand is the stinkinge dede of 
Lecherie. / Certes, the fyve fingres of 
Glotonie the feend put in the wombe 
of a man, and with hise fyve fyngres 
of Lecherie he gripeth him by the reynes, 
for to throwen him in-to the fourneys of 
helle ; / ther-as they shul han the fyr 
and the wormes that evere shul lasten 
and wepinge and wailinge, sharp hunger 
and thurst, and grimnesse of develes that 
shullen al to-trede hem, with-outen respit 
and with-outen ende. / Of Lecherie, as (790) 
I seyde, sourden diverse speces ; as forni- 
cacioun , that is bitwixe man and womman 
that been nat maried ; and this is deedly 
sinne and agayns nature. / Al that is 865 
enemy and • destruccioun to nature is 
agayns nature. / Parfay, the resoun of 
a man telleth eek him wel that it is 
deedly sinne, for-as-muche as god forbad 
Lecherie. And seint Paul yeveth hem 
the regne, that nis dewe to no wight but 
to hem that doon deedly sinne. / Another 
sinne of Lecherie is to bireve a mayden of 
hir maydenhede ; for he that so dooth, 
certes, he casteth a mayden out of the 
hyeste degree that is in this present lyf,/ 
and bireveth hir thilke precious fruit 
that the book clepeth ' the hundred fruit.' 
I ne can seye it noon other weyes in Eng- 
lish, but in Latin it highte Centesimus 
fructus. Certes, he that so dooth is cause 
of manye damages and vileinyes, mo than 
any man can rekene ; right as he som- 
tyme is cause of alle damages that bestes 
don in the feeld, that breketh the hegge 
or the closure ; thurgh which he de- 
stroyeth that may nat been restored. / g-o 
For certes, na-more may maydenhede be 
restored than an arm that is smiten fro 
the body may retourne agayn to wexe. / 
She may have mercy, this woot I wel, if 
she do jienitence ; btit nevere shal it be 
that she nas corrupt. / And al-be-it so 
that I have spoken somwhat of Avoutrio, 
it is good to shewen mo perils that longen 
to Avoutrie, for to eschue that foule 
sinne. / Avoutrie in Latin is for to seyn, 
approcliinge of other mannes bed, thurgh 



A a 2 



7o8 



ZU Canitviuv^ Zake. 



[t. § 76. 



■which tho that whylom -weren o flessh 
(8ix)) abaundone hir bodyes to othere persones./ 
Of this sinne, as seith the wyse man, 
folwen manye harm.es. First, brekinge 
of feith ; and certes, in feith is the keye 
875 of Cristendom./ And whan that feith is 
broken and lorn, soothly Cristentlom stant 
veyn and with-outen fruit. / This sinne 
is oelc a thefto ; for thefte generally is for 
to reve a wight his thing agayns his 
willc. / Certes, this is the fouleste thefte 
that may be, whan a womnian stele th hir 
body from hir honsbonde and yeveth it 
to hire holour to defoulen hir ; and steleth 
hir soule fro Crist, and yeveth it to tho 
devel. / This is a fonler thefte, than for 
to breke a chirche and stele the chalice ; 
for thise avoutiers breken the temple of 
god spiritually, and stelen the vessel of 
grace, that is, the body and the soule, for 
which Crist shal destroyen hem, as seith 
seint Paul. / Soothly of this thefte 
douted gretly Joseph, whan that his 
lordes wyf preyed him of vileinye, whan 
he seyde, ' lo, my lady, how my lord hath 
take to me tinder my warde al that he 
hath in this world ; ne no-thing of hiso 
thinges is out of my i^ower, but only yo 
881) that been his wyf. / And how sholde 
I thanne do this wikkednesse, and sinne 
so horribly agayns god, and agayns my 
lord? God it forbede.' Alias! altolitel 
is swich trouthe now y-founde ! / The 
thridde harm is the filthe thurgh which 
they breken the comandement of god, and 
defoulen the auctour of matrimoine, that 
is Crist. / For certes, in-so-muche as the 
sacrement of mariage is so noble and so 
digne, so muche is it gretter sinne for to 
breken it ; for god made mariage in 
paradys, in the estaat of innocence, to 
niiiltiplye man-kinde to the service of 
god. / And therfore is the brekinge 
ther-of more grevotis. Of which brekinge 
comen false heires ofte tyme, that wrong- 
fiilly occupyen folkes heritages. And 
therfore wol Crist putte heni out of the 
regne of hevene, that is heritage to gode 
(810) folk. / Of this brekinge comth eek ofte 
tyme, that folk tinwar wedden or sinnen 
with hir oweno kinrede ; and namely 



thilke harlottes that haunten bordels of 
thise fool wommen, that mowe bo lykncd 
to a commtine gonge, whero-as men jiurgen 
liir ordure. / Wliat seye we eek of putours 885 
that liven by the horrible sinne of puterie, 
and constreyne wommen to yoldcn to 
hem a certeyn rente of hir bodily putorio, 
ye, somtyme of his owene wyf or his 
child ; as doon this baudos ? Certes, 
thise been cursede sinnes. / Understond 
eek, that avoutrie is set gladly in the ten 
eomandements bitwixe thefte and man- 
slaughtre ; for it is the gretteste thefte 
that may be ; for it is thefte of body and 
of soule. / And it is lyk to homicyde ; 
for it kerveth a-two and brekoth a-two 
hem that first were makcd o flesh, and 
therfore, by the olde lawo of god, they 
sholde be slayn. / But nathelecs, by the 
lawe of Jesu Crist, that is lawo of pitee, 
whan he seyde to the womman that was 
founden in avoutrie, and sholde han been 
slayn with stones, after the wil of the 
Jewes, as was hir lawe : ' Go,' quod Jesu 
Crist, ' and have na-more wil to sinne ' ; 
or, ' wille na-more to do sinne.' / Soothly, 
the vengeaunce of avoutrie is award(!d to 
tho peynes of helle, but-if so bo that it bo 
destourbed by penitence. / Yet been thcr 890 
mo speces of this cursed sinne ; as whan 
that oon of hem is religious, or elles 
bothe ; or of folk that been entred in-to 
ordre, as subdekne or dekne, or preest, or 
hospitallers. And evere the hyer that 
he is in ordre, the gretter is the sinne. / 
The thinges that gretly agreggen hir 
sinne is the brekinge of hir avow of 
chastitee, whan they receyved the ordre./ 
And forther-over, sooth is, that holy 
ordre is chief of al the tresorie of god, 
and his especial signe and mark of chas- 
titee ; to shewe that they been joyned to 
chastitee, which that is most precious 
lyf that is. / And thise ordred folk been 
specially tytlod to god, and of the special 
meynee of god ; for which, whan they 
doon deedly sinne, they been the special 
traytours of god and of his peple ; for they 
liven of the peple, to preye for the peple, 
and whyle they been suche traitours, hir 
in'cyersavailennat to the peple./ Precstes (820) 



§ 77-] 



Z^i (Pereonea ^afe. 



709 



been aungeles, as by the dignitee of hir 
misterye ; but for sothe, seint Paul seith, 
that ' Sathanas transformeth him in an 

895 aungel of light.' / Soothly, the preest 
that haunteth decdly sinne, he may be 
lykned to the aungel of derknesse trans- 
formed in the aungel of light ; he semeth 
aungel of light, but for sothe he is aungel 
of derknesse. / Swiohe preestes been the 
sones of Helie, as sheweth in the book of 
Kinges, that they wcren the sones of 
Belial, that is, tlie devel. / Belial is to 
seyn ' with-outen juge ' ; and so faren 
they ; hem thinketh they been free, and 
han no jiige, na-more than hath a free 
bole that taketh which cow that him 
lyketh in the toun. / So faren they by 
wommen. For right as a free bole is 
y-nough for ul a toun, right so is a wikked 
preest corrupcioun y-nough for al fi par- 
isshe, or for al a con tree. / Thise preestes, 
as seith the book, ne conne nat the mis- 
terie of preesthode to the pejde, ne god 
ne knowo they nat ; tliey ne helde hem 
nat apayd, as seith the book, of soden 
flesh that was to hem offred, but tliey 

900 toko by force the flesh that is rawe. / 
Certes, so thise shrewes ne holden hem 
nat apayed of rosted flesh and sode flesh, 
with which the peple fedden hem in greet 
reverence, liut they wole have ra\v flesh 
of folkes wyves and hir doghtres. / And 
certes, thise wommen that consenten to 
hir harlotrie doon greet wrong to Crist 
and to holy chirchc and alle halwcs, and 
to alle soules ; for they bireven alle thise 
him that sholde worshipe Crist and holy 
chirche, and preye for Cristene soules. / 
And therfore han swiche preestes, and 
hir lemmanes eek that consenten to hir 
lecherie, the malisoun of al the court 
Criston, til they come to amendement. / 
The tliridde spece of avoutric is som-tyme 
bitwixe a man and his wyf ; and that is 
whan they take no reward in hir assem- 
blinge, but only to hire fleshly delyt, as 
(830) seith seint Jerome ; / and ne rekken of 
no-thing but that they been assembled ; 
by-cause that they been marled, al is 

c)05 good y-nough, as thinketh to hem. / 
But in swich folk hath the devel power. 



as seyde the aungel Raphael to Thobie ; 
for in hir assemblinge they putten Jesu 
Crist out of hir herte, and yeven hem-self 
to alle ordure. / The fourthe spece is, 
the assemblee of hem that been of hire 
kinrede, or of hem that been of oon 
afiSnitee, or clles with hem with whiche 
hir fadrcs or hir kinrede han deled in the 
sinne of lechei'ie ; this sinne maketh hem 
lyk to houndes, that taken no kepo to 
kinrede. / And certes, parentole is in 
two maneres, outlier goostly or fleshly ; 
goostly, as for to delen with hise god- 
sibbes. / For right so as he that ongen- 
dreth a child is his fleshly fader, right so 
is his godfader his fader espirituel. For 
which a womman may in no lassc sinne 
assemblen with hir godsib than with hir 
owene fleshly brother. / The fiftho spece 
is thilke abhominablo sinne, of which 
that no man unnethe oghto speke no 
wryte, nathclces it is ox)enly reherced in 
holy writ. / This cursedncsse doon men 910 
and wommen in diverse entente and in 
diverse manere ; but though that holy 
writ speke of horrible sinne, certes, holy 
writ may nat been defouled, na-more 
than the sonno that shyneth on the mixen. / 
Another sinno aperteneth to lecherie, 
that comth in slepinge ; and this sinno 
Cometh ofte to hem that been maydenes, 
and eek to hem that been corrupt ; and 
this sinne men clepen poUucioun, that 
comth in foure maneres. / Somtyme, of 
languissinge of body; for the humours 
been to ranke and habundaunt in the 
body of man. Somtyme of infermotee ; 
for the feblesse of the vertu retentif, as 
phisik maketh mencioun. Somtyme, for 
surfeet of mete and drinke. / And som- 
tyme of vileyns thoghtes, that been en- 
closed in mannes mindo whan he goth to 
slepe ; which may nat been with-outo 
sinne. For which men moste kepen hem 
wysely, or elles may men sinnen ful gre- 
vously. / (8^„) 

Remedium contra peccatuni Luxurie. 

§ 77. Now comth the remedio agayns 
Lecherie, and that is, generally, Chastiteo 
and Continence, that restreyneth alle the 



710 



Z(>i. tanUvBuv^ Zake. 



[t. §§ 78-So. 



desordeynee moevinges that comen of 
915 fleshly talentes. / And evere the gretter 
merito shal ho han, that most restreyneth 
the wikkede eschaufinges of the ordure 
of this sinne. And this is in two maneres, 
that is to seyn, cliastitee in niariage, and 
chastitee in widwehode. / Now shaltow 
understondo, that matrimoine is lecfful 
assemblinge of man and of womman, that 
recoyvon by vertu of the sacrament the 
bond, thurgh which they may nat be 
departed in al hir lyf, that is to seyn, 
wliyl that tlioy liven botlie. / This, as 
seith the book, is a ful greet sacrement. 
God makcd it, as I have seyd, in paradys, 
and wolde him-sclf be born in mariagc. / 
And for to halwen mariage, he was at 
a weddinge, where-as he turned water 
in-to wyn ; which was the firste miracle 
that he wroghte in ertho biforn hise dis- 
ciples. / Trewe effect of mariage clcnseth 
fornicacioun andreplenisseth holy chirche 
of good linage ; for that is the ende of 
mariage ; and it chaungeth deedly sinne 
in-to venial sinne bitwixe hem that been 
y-wedded, and maketh the hertes al oon 
of hem that been y-wedded, as wel as the 
920 bodies. / This is verray mariage, that 
was establissed by god er that sinne bigan, 
whan naturel lawe was in his right point 
in paradys ; and it was ordeyned tliat o 
man sholde have bvit o womman, and 
o womman biit o man, as seith seint 
Augustin, by manye resouns. / 

§ 78. First, for mariage is figured bi- 
twixe Crist and holy chirche. And that 
other is, for a man is lieved of a womman ; 
algate, by ordinavmce it sholde be so. / 
For if a womman had mo men than oon, 
thanne sholde she have mo hevedes than 
oon, and that were an horrible thing 
biforn god ; and eek a womman ne miglite 
nat xjlese to many folk at ones. And also 
ther ne sholde nevere be pees ne reste 
amonges hem ; for everich wolde axen 
his owene thing. / And forther-over, no 
man ne sholde knowe his owene engen- 
drure, ne who sholde have his heritage ; 
and the womman sholde been the lasso 
biloved, fro the time that she were con- 
(850) joynt to many men. / 



§ 79. Now comth, how that a man 
sholde here him with his wyf; and 
namely, in two thinges, that is to seyn in 
siiffraunce and reverence, as shewed Crist 
whan he made first womman. / For he 925 
ne made hir nat of the heved of Adam, 
for she sholde nat clayme to greet lord- 
shipe. / For ther-as the womman liath 
the maistrie, she maketh to muche 
desray ; ther neden none ensamples of 
this. The experience of day by day oghte 
suffyse. / Also certes, god ne made nat 
womman of the foot of Adam, for she ne 
sholde nat been holden to lowe ; for she 
can nat paciently suffre : but god made 
womman of the rib of Adam, for womman 
sholde be felawe un-to man. / Man sholde 
bere him to his wyf in feith, in trouthe, 
and in love, as seith seint Paul : that 
' a man sholde loven his wyf as Crist 
loved holy chirche, that loved it so wel 
that he deyde for it.' So sholde a man 
for his wyf, if it were nede. / 

§ 80. Now how that a womman sholde 
be subget to hir housbondo, that telleth 
seint Peter. First, in obedience. / And 930 
eek, as seith the decree, a womman that 
is a wyf, as longe as she is a wyf, she hath 
noon au.ctoritee to swere ne bere witnesse 
with-oute leve of hir housbonde, that is 
hir lord ; algate, he sholde be so by 
resoun. / She sholde eek serven him in 
alle honestee, and been attempree of hir 
array. I wot wel that they sholde setten 
hir entente to plesen hir housbondes, but 
nat by hir queyntiso of array. / Seint 
Jerome seith, that wyves that been ap- 
parailled in silk and in precious purpre 
ne mowe nat clothen hem in Jesu Crist. 
What seith seint John eek in tliis matere?/ 
Seint Gregorie eek seith, that no wight 
seketh precious array but only for veyne 
glorie, to been honoured the more biforn 
the peple. / It is a greet folye, a womman (860) 
t(^ have a fair array outward and in hir- 
self be foul inward. / A wyf sholde eek 935 
be mesurable in lokinge and in beringe 
and in laughinge, and discreet in alle hir 
wordes and hir dedes. / And aboven alio 
worldly thing she sholde loven hir hous- 
bonde with al hir herte, and to him be 



T. §§ 81-S5.] 



I. ZU ^eraonee Zak. 



711 



trewe of hir body ; / so sholde an lious- 
bonde eek be to his wyf. For sith that al 
the body is the honsbondes, so sliolde hir 
herte been, or elles ther is bitwixo hem 
two, as in that, no parfit niariage. / 
Thanne shal men nnderstonde that for 
three thinges a man and his wyf fleshly 
mowen assemble. The firste is in entente 
of engendrure of children to the service 
of god, for certes that is the cause fynal 
of matrimoine. / Another cavise is, to 
yelden everich of hem to other the dette 
of hir bodies, for neither of hem hath 
power over his owene body. The thridde 
is, for to eschewe leoherye and vileinye. 
940 The ferthe is for sothe deedly sinne. / 
As to the firste, it is meritorie ; the 
seconde also ; for, as seith the decree, that 
she liath nierite of chastitee that yeldeth 
to hir housbonde the dette of hir body, 
ye, though it be agayn hir lykinge and. 
the lust of hir herte. / The thridde 
manere is venial sinne, and trewely soarsly 
may ther any of thise be with-oute venial 
sinne, for the corrupcion and for the 
delyt. / The fourthe manere is for to 
understonde, if they assemble only for 
amorous love and for noon of the for- 
seyde causes, but for to accomplice thilke 
brenninge delyt, they rekke nevere how 
ofte, sothly it is deedly sinne ; and yet, 
with sorwe, somme folk wol peynen hem 
more to doon. than to hir appetyt suf- 
fyseth. / 

§ 81. The seconde manere of chastitee 
is for to been a clene widewe, and eschue 
the embracinges of man, and desyren the 
(870) embracinge of Jesu Crist. / Thise been 
tho that han been wyves and han forgoon 
hir housbondes, and eek wommen that 
han doon lecherie and been releeved by 
945 Penitence. / And certes, if that a wyf 
coude kepen hir al chaast by licence of 
hir housbonde, so that she yeve nevere 
noon occasion that he agilte, it were to 
hire a greet merite. / Thise manere 
wommen that observen chastitee moste 
be clene in herte as well as in body and 
in thoglit, and mesurable in clothinge 
and in contenaunce ; and been abstinent 
in etinge and drinkinge, in spekinge, and 



in dede. They been the vessel or the 
boyste of the blissed Magdalene, that 
fulfilleth holy chirche of good odour. / 
The thridde manere of chastitee is vir- 
ginitee, and it bihoveth that she be holy 
in herte and clene of body; thanne is 
she spouse to Jesu Crist, and she is the 
lyf of angeles. / She is the preisinge of 
this world, and she is as thise martirs in 
egalitee ; she hath in hir that tongo may 
nat telle ne herte tliinke. Virginitoe baar 
oure lord Jesu Crist, and virgine was 
him-selve. / 95o 

§ 82. Another remedie agayns Lecherie 
is, specially to withdrawen swiche thinges 
as yeve occasion to thilke vileinye; as 
ese, etinge and drinkinge ; for certes, 
whan the pot boyleth strongly, the beste 
remedie is to withdrawe the fyr. / Slep- 
inge longe in greet quiete is eek a greet 
norice to Lecherie. / 

§ 83. Another remedie agayns Lecherie 
is, that a man or a womman eschue the 
companye of hem by whiche he douteth 
to be tempted ; for al-be-it so that the 
dede is withstonden, yet is ther greet 
temptacioun. / Soothly a whyt wal, al- 
though it ne brenne noght fully by 
stikinge of a candele, yet is the wal blak 
of the leyt. / Ful ofte tyme I rede, that (880) 
no man truste in his owene perfeccioun, 
but he be stronger than Sampson, and 
holier than f David, and wyser than 
Salomon. / 555 

§ 84. Now after that I have declared 
yow, as I can, the sevene deedly sinnes, 
and somme of hir braunches and hir reme- 
dies, soothly, if I coude, I wolde telle 
yow the ten comandements. / But so 
heigh a doctrine I lete to divines. Nathe- 
lees, I hope to god they been touched in 
this tretice, everich of hem alle. / 

De Confessione. 

§ 85. Now for-as-muohe as the second 
Ijartie of Penitence stant in Confessioun 
of mouth, as I bigan in the firste chapitre, 
I seye, seint Augustin seith : / sinne is 
every word and every dede, and al that 
men coveiton agayn the lawe of Jesu 



71 



Z^t tankv&ut^ take. 



[t. §§ sr., 87. 



Crist ; and this is for to sinne in lierte, in 
mouth, and in dede, by thy fyvo wittes, 
that boon sighto, heringe, smellingc, tast- 
inge or savouringe, and felinge. / Now 
is it good to understonde that that 
960 agreggeth muchel every sinne. / Thou 
shalt considere what thou art that doost 
the sinne, whether thou be male or 
femele, yong or okl, gentil or thral, free 
or servant, hool or syk, wedded or sengle, 
ordrcd or unordred, wys or fool, clerk or 
seculcr ; / if she be of thy kinrede, bodily 
or goostly, or noon ; if any of thy kinrede 
have sinned with hir or noon, and m.anye 
mo thinges. / 

§ 86. Another circtimstaunce is this ; 
"whether it be doon in fornicacioun, or in 
avoiitrie, or noon ; incest, or noon ; niay- 
den, or noon ; in manere of homicyde, or 
noon ; horrible grete sinnes, or smalc ; 
and how longo thou hast continued in 
sinne. / The thridde circumstaunco is 
the place ther thou hast do sinne ; whether 
in other mennes hous or in thyn owene ; 
in feeld or in chirche, or in chirche-hawe ; 
(890) in chirche dedicat, or noon. / For if the 
chirche be halwed, and man or womman 
spille his kinde in-with that place by wey 
of sinne, or by wikked temptacion, tlie 
chirche is cntredited til it be reconciled 
965 by the bishop ; / and the prcest that dide 
swich a vileinyc, to terine of al his lyf, he 
sholde na-moro singe masse ; and if he 
dide, he sholde doon deedly sinne at 
every tyme that he so songe masse. / The 
fourthe circumstaunce is, by whiche 
mediatours or by whiche messagers, as 
for entycement, or for consentement to 
bere companye with felaweshipe ; for 
many a wrecche, for to here companye, 
wil go to the devcl of helle. / Wher-foro 
they that eggen or consentcn to the sinne 
been partenors of the sinne, and of the 
dampnacioun of the sinner. / The flfthe 
circumstaunce is, how manye tymes that 
he hath sinned, if it be in his minde, and 
how ofto that he hath fiiUe. / For lie 
that ofte falleth in sinne, he despiscth 
the mercy of god, and encreesseth his 
sinne, and is imkindo to Crist ; and he 
wexeth the more feble to withstondo 



sinne, and sinneth the more lightly, / 970 
and the latter aryseth, and is tlie more 
eschew for to shryven him, namelj', to 
him that is his confessour. / For which 
that folk, whan they falle agayn in hir 
olde folies, outher they forleten hir olde 
confessours al outrely, or elles they de- 
parten hir shrift in diverse places ; but 
soothly, swich departed shrift deserveth 
no mercy of god of hise sinnes. / The 
sixte circumstaunce is, why that a man 
sinneth, as l)y wliicho temptacioun ; and 
if him-self jirocure tliiiko temptacioun, 
or by the excytinge of other folk ; or if 
he sinne with a womman by force, or by 
hir owene assent ; / or if the womman, 
niaugree hir heed, hath been aiforced, or 
noon ; this shal she telle ; for coveitise, 
or for poverte, and if it was hir procuringe, 
or noon ; and swiche manere barneys. / (900J 
The seventhe circumstaunce is, in what 
manere he hath doon his sinne, or how 
that she hath suft'red that folk han doon 
to hir. / And ^ho same shal the man 975 
telle i)leynly, witli alle circumstaunces ; 
and whether he hath sinned with conaune 
bordel-wonimen, or noon ; / or doon liis 
sinne in holy tymes, or noon ; in fasting- 
tymes, or noon ; or biforn his shrifte, or 
after his latter shrifte ; / and hath, per- 
aventure, broken thcr-fore his penance 
enjojmed ; by whos help and whos conseil ; 
by sorcorie or craft ; al moste be told. / 
Alle thise thinges, after that they been 
grete or smale, engreggen the conscience 
of man. And eek the preest that is thy 
juge, may the bettre been avysed of his 
jugement in yevinge of thy penaunce, 
and that is after thy contricioun. / For 
understond wel, that after tyme that 
a man hath defoulcd his baptesme by 
sinne, if ho wolo come to salvacioun, ther 
is noon other wey but by penitence and 
shrifte and satisfaccioun ; / and namely 980 
by the two, if ther bo a confessour to 
which he may shryven him ; and the 
tliridde. if he have lyf to parfournen 
it./ 

§ 87. Thanne shal man looke and con- 
sidere, that if he wole maken a trewe and 
a iirofitable confessioun, ther moste be 



T. § 88.] 



Z^i ^ereonee ZaU, 



713 



foure condiciouns. / First, it moot been 
in sorweful bitternesse of herto, as seydo 
the king Ezekias to god : ' I wol remem- 
bre nae alle the yeres of my lyf in bitter- 
nesse of myn herto.' / This condicioun 
of bitternesse liath fy vo signes. Tlio firsto 
is, that confessioun niosto be shamefast, 
nat for to covere ne hydon his sinne, for 
he hath agilt his god and defoulod his 
(910) soule. / Andher-of seith seintAugustin : 
' the herto travailletli for shame of his 
sinno ' ; and for he hath greet shamefast- 
nesse, ho is digne to have greet mercy of 
985 god. / Swich w.as the confession of the 
publican, tliat woldo nat heven up hiso 
eyen to hevene, for ho hadde offended god 
of hevene ; for wliich shamefastnesse ho 
hadde anon the mercy of god. / And 
ther-of seitli seint Augustin, that swich 
shamefast folk been next foryevenesse and 
remissioim. / Another signo is Immilitee 
in confessioun ; of which seith seint Peter, 
' Humbleth yow under the might of god.' 
The hond of god is mighty in confession, 
for ther-by god foryeveth thee thy sinnes ; 
for he allone hath the power. / And this 
humilitee shal been in herte, and in signe 
outward ; for right as he hath humilitoo 
to god in his herte, right so sholde ho 
humble his body outward to the preest 
that sit in goddcs place. / Por which in 
no manere, sith that Crist is sovereyn 
and the preest mono and mediatoiir 
l)itwixe Crist and tho sinnore, and the 
990 sinnere is tho laste by woy of resoun, / 
thanne sholdo nat the sinnere sitte as 
heigho as his confessour, but knele biforn 
him or at his feet, but-if maladie destourbe 
it. For he shal nat taken kepe who sit 
there, but in whos place that he sitteth. / 
A man that hath trespased to a lord, and 
comth for to axo mercy and maken his 
accord, and set him doun anon by tho 
lord, men wolde holden him outrageous, 
and nat worthy so sono for to have romis- 
sioun ne mercy. / The thridde signo is, 
how that thy shrift sholde be ful of teres, 
if man may ; and if man may nat wepe 
with hise bodily eyen, lat him wepe in 
herte. / Swich was the confession of 
seint Peter ; for after that he hadde 



forsake Jesu Crist, he wento out and 
weep ful bitterly. / Tho fourthe signo is, (9-'o) 
that ho ne letto nat for shame to shewen 
his confessioun./ Swich was the con- 995 
fessioun of tho Magdeleno, that ne spared, 
for no shame of hem that weren atte 
feste, for to go to oure lord Jesu Crist and 
biknowe to him hir sinnes. / Tho fiftho 
signo is, that a man or a womman bo 
obeisant to recoyven the penaunco that 
hini is enjoynod for hise sinnes ; for oortes 
Jesu Crist, for the giltes of a man, was 
obedient to the deeth. / 

§ 88. Tho secondo condicion of verray 
confession is, that it be hastily doon ; for 
certes, if a man hadde a deedly wounde, 
evere the lenger that he taried to warissho 
him-self, the more wolde it corrupte and 
haste him to his deeth ; and eek the 
woundo wolde bo the wors for to hole. / 
And right so fareth sinne, that longe 
tyme is in a man u.nshewed. / Certes, a 
man oghte hastily shewen hise sinnes for 
manye causes ; as for drede of deeth, that 
cometh ofte sodenly, and is in no certeyn 
what tyme it shal be, ne in what place ; 
and eek the drecchinge of o synno draweth 
in another ; / and eek tho lenger that he 1000 
tarieth, the forther he is fro Crist. And 
if he abyde to his laste day, scarsly may 
ho shryven him or remenibre him of hise 
sinnes, or repenten him, for tho grevous 
maladieof his deeth. / And for-as-muche 
as ho ne hath nat in his lyf herkned Jesu 
Crist, whanno he hath spoken, he shal 
crye to Jesu Crist at his laste day, and 
scarsly wol ho lierkne him. / And under- 
stond that this condicioun moste han 
foure thinges. Thy shrift raoste be pur- 
vej-ed bifore and avysed ; for wikked 
hasto doth no profit ; and that a man 
conne shryve him of hiso sinnes, bo it of 
pryde, or of envye, and so forth of tho 
spcces and circumstances ; / and that he 
have comprehended in his mindo tho 
nombre and the greetnesse of hiso sinnes, 
and how longe that ho hath leyn in 
sinne ; / and eek that he bo contrit of (93") 
hise sinnes, and in stedefast purpos, by 
the grace of god, nevero eft to fallo in 
sinno ; and eek that he drede and countre- 



A a 3 



714 



ZU tankv^uY^ ^afe©. 



[t. §§ 8y, 90. 



waite him-self, that he flee the occasiouns 

1005 of sinne to whiche he is enclyned. / Also 
thoii shalt shryve thee of alls thy shines 
to o man, and nat a parcel to o man and 
a parcel to another ; that is to under- 
stonde, in entente to departe thy confes- 
sioiin as for shame or drede ; for it nis but 
stranglinge of thy soule. / For certes, 
Jesn Crist is entierly al good ; in him nis 
noon inperfeccioun ; and therfore outlier 
he foryevetli al parfitly or never a deel. / 
I seye nat that if thou be assigned to the 
penitanncer for certein sinne, that thou 
art bounde to sliewen him al the reme- 
iiaunt of thy sinnes, of ■wliiche thou hast 
be shriven to thy curat, but-if it lyke to 
thee of tliyn humilitee ; this is no de- 
partinge of shrifte. / Ne I seye nat, 
ther-as I speke of divisioun of confessioun, 
that if thou have lycence for to shryve 
thee to a discreet axid an honeste preest, 
where thee lyketh, and by lycence of thy 
curat, that thou ne mayst wel shryve 
thee to him of alle thy sinnes. / But lat 
no blotte be bihinde ; lat no sinne been 
untold, as fer as thou hast reniem- 

loio braunce. / And whan thou shalt be 
shriven to thy curat, telle him eek alle 
the sinnes that thou hast doon sin thou 
were last y-shriven ; this is no wikked 
entente of divisioun of shrifte. / 

§ 89. Also the verray shrifte axeth 
certeine condicioiins. First, that thou 
shryve thee bj' thy free wil, noght con- 
streyned, ne for shame of folk, ne for 
maladie, ne swiche thinges ; for it is 
resoun that he that trespasseth by his 
free wil, that by his free wil he confesse 
his trespas ; / and that noon other man 
telle his sinne but he him-self, ne he shal 
nat nayte ne denye his sinne, ne wratthe 
him agayn the preest for his amonestinge 
to leve sinne. / The seconde condicioun 
is, that thy shrift be laweful ; that is to 
seyn, that thou that shryvest thee, and 
eek the preest that hereth thy confessioun, 

(940) been verraily in the feith of holy chirche ; / 
and that a man ne be nat despeired of the 

1015 mercy of Jesu Crist, as Caym or Judas. / 
And eek a man moot accusen him-self of 
his owene trespas, and nat another ; but 



he shal blame and wyten him-self and 
his owene malice of his sinne, and noon 
other ; / but nathelees, if that another 
man be occasioun or entycer of his sinne, 
or the estaat of a persone be swich thurgh 
which his sinne is agregged, or elles that 
he may nat plejmly shryven him but he 
telle the persone with which he hath 
sinned ; thanne may he telle ; / so that 
his entente ne be nat to bakbyte the 
persone, but onlj' to declaren his con- 
fessioun. / 

§ 90. Thou ne shalt nat eek make no 
lesinges in thy confessioun ; for humilitee, 
per-aventure, to seyn that thou hast doon 
sinnes of whiclie that thou were nevere 
gilty. / For seint Augustin seitli : if 
thou, by cause of thyn humilitee, makest 
lesinges on thy-self, though thou ne were 
nat in sinne biforn, yet artow thanne in 
sinne thurgh thy lesinges. / Thou most 1020 
eek shewe thy sinne by thyn owene propre 
mouth, but thou be wexe dounib, and nat 
by no lettre ; for thou that hast doon the 
sinne, thou shalt have the shame therfore./ 
Thou shalt nat eek peynte thy confessioun 
by faire subtile wordes, to covere the more 
thy sinne ; for thanne bigj-lestow thy-self 
and nat the preest ; thou most telleii it 
pleynly, be it nevere so foul ne so horri- 
ble. / Thou shalt eek shryve thee to a 
preest that is discreet to conseille thee, 
and eek thou shalt nat shryve thee for 
veyne glorie, ne for j^iocrisye, ne for no 
cause, but only for the doute of Jesu Crist 
and the hele of thy soule. / Thou shalt 
nat eek renne to the preest sode,ynly, to 
tellen him lightly thy sinne, as who-so 
telleth a jape or a tale, but avysely and 
with greet devocioun. / And generally, (950) 
shryve thee ofte. If thou ofte falle, ofte 
thou aryse by confessioun. / And thogh 1025 
thou shryve thee ofter than ones of sinne, 
of which thou hast be shriven, it is the 
more merite. And, as seitli seint Augus- 
tin, thou shalt have the more lightly 
relesing and grace of god, botho of sinne 
and of peyne. / And certes, ones a yere 
atte leeste wey it is laweful for to been 
housled ; for certes ones a yere alle thinges 
renovellen. / 



T. §§ 91-95.] 



ZU (Pereonee Zak. 



715 



Explicit seciinda pars Penitencie ; et 
sequitur tercia pars eiusdem, de Satis- 
faccione. 

§ 91. Now have I told you of verray 
Confessioxin, that is the seconde partie of 
Penitence. / 

The thridde partie of Penitence is 
Satisfaccionn ; and that stant most gene- 
rally in almesse and in bodily peyne. / 
Now been ther three manere of almesses ; 
contricion of herte, where a man oflfreth 
himself to god ; another is, to han pitee 
of defaute of hise neighebores ; and the 
thridde is, in yevinge of good conseil 
goostly and bodily, where men han nede, 
and namely in sustenaunce of mannes 
1030 fode. / And tak keep, that a man hath 
need of thise thinges generally ; he hath 
need of fode, ho hath nede of clothing, 
and herberwe, he hath nede of charitable 
conseil, and visitinge in prisone and in 
maladie, and sepulture of his dede body. / 
And if thou maj-st nat visite the nedeful 
with thy persona, visite him by thy 
message and by thy yiftes. / Thise been 
generally almesses or werkes of charitee 
of hem that han temporel richesses or 
discrecioun in conseilinge. Of thise 
werkes shaltow heren at the day of 
dome. / 

§ 92. Thise almesses shaltow doon of 
thyne owene propre thinges, and hastily, 
(960) and prively if thou mayst ; / but nathe- 
lees, if thou m.iyst nat doon it prively, 
thou shalt nat forbere to doon almesse 
though men seen it ; so that it be nat 
doon for thank of the world, but only for 
1053 thank of Jesu Crist. / For as witnesseth 
seint Mathew, capitido quinto, ' A citee 
may nat been hid that is set on a mon- 
tayne ; ne men lighte nat a lanterne and 
put it under a busshel ; biit men sette it 
on a candle-stikke, to yeve hght to the 
men in the hous. / Eight so shal youre 
light lighten bifore men, that they may 
seen youre gode werkes, and glorifie youre 
fader that is in hevene.' / 

§ 93. Now as to speken of bodily peyne, it 
stant in preyeres, in wakinges, in fastinges, 
in vertuouse techinges of orisouns. / And 
ye shul understonde, that orisouns or 



preyeres is for to seyn a pitous wil of 
herte, that redresseth it in god and 
expresseth it by word outward, to re- 
moeven harmes and to han thinges espiri- 
tuel and durable, and somtyme temporel 
thinges ; of whiche orisouns, certes, in 
the orisoun of the Pater-noster, hath Jesu 
Crist enclosed most thinges. / Certes, it 
is privileged of three thinges in his dig- 
nitee, for which it is more digne than 
any other preyere ; for that Jesu Crist 
him-self maked it ; / and it is short, for it 1040 
sholde be coud the more lightly, and for 
to withholden it the more esily in herte. 
and helpen him-self the ofter with the 
orisoun ; / and for a man sholde be the 
lasse wery to seyen it, and for a man may 
nat excusen him to lerne it, it is so short 
and so esy ; and for it comprehendeth in 
it-self alle gode preyeres. / The exposi- 
ciou.n of this holy preyere, that is so 
excellent and digne, I bitake to thise 
maistres of theologie ; save thus mvichel 
wol I seyn : that, whan thou prayest that 
god sholde foryeve thee thy giltes as thou 
foryevest hem that agilten to thee, be ful 
wel war that thou be nat out of charitee. / 
This holy orisoun amenuseth eek venial 
sinne ; and therfore it aperteneth specially 
to j)enitence. / (970) 

§ 94. This preyere moste be trewely 
seyd and in verray feith, and that men 
preye to god ordinatly and discreetly and 
devoutly ; and alwey a man shal putten 
his wil to be subget to the wille of god. / 1045 
This orisoun m.oste eek been seyd with 
greet humblesse and ful x^ure ; honestly, 
and nat to the anoyaunce of any man or 
womman. It moste eek been continued 
with the werkes of charitee. / It avayleth 
eek agayn the vyces of the soule ; for, as 
seith seint Jerome, ' By fastinge been 
saved the vyces of the flesh, and by 
preyere the vyces of the soule. ' / 

§ 95. After this, thou shalt understonde, 
that bodily peyne stant in wakinge ; for 
Jesu Crist seith, 'waketli, and preyeth 
that ye ne entre in wikked temptacioun.' / 
Ye shul understanden also, that fastinge 
stant in three thinges ; in forberinge of 
bodily raete and drinke, and in forberinge 



A a 5 



7i6 



^0e CanfcrBur^ 'take. 



[t. §§ 96-102 



of worldly jolitec, and in forberingo of 
deedly sinne ; this is to seyn, that a man 
shal kepen him fro deedly sinno with 
al his might. / 

§ 96. And thon shalt understanden eek, 
that god ordeyned fastinge ; and to fastinge 
1050 appertenen foure thinges. / Largenesse 
to povre folk, gladnesse of herte espiritviel, 
nat to been angry no anoyed, ne grucche 
for he fasteth ; and also resonable houre 
for to ete by mesare ; that is for to seyn, 
a man shal nat ete in tintyme, ne sitte the 
leuger at his table to ete for he fasteth. / 

§ 97. Thanneshaltownnderstonde, that 
bodily pcyne stant in disciplyne or tech- 
inge, by word or by wrytinge, or in 
cnsamplc. Also in weringe of heyres or 
of stamin, or of haiibergeons on hir naked 
flesh, for Cristes sake, and swicho manere 
penances. / But war thee wel that swiohe 
manere penances on thy flesh ne make 
nat thyn herte bitter or angry or anoyed 
of thy-self ; for bettre is to caste awey 
thyn heyre, than for to caste away the 
sikernesse of Jesii Crist. / And thcrforo 
seith seint Paul : ' Clothe yow, as they 
that been chosen of god, in herte of 
misericordo, debonairetee, suffrauncc, and 
swich manere of clothinge ' ; of whiche 
Jesu Crist is more apayed than of heyres, 
(980) or haubergeons, or hauberkes. / 

§ 98, Thanne is disciplyne eek in knok- 
kinge of thy brest, in scourginge with 
1055 yerdes, in knelinges, in tribulacions ; / 
in suffringe paciently wronges that been 
doon to thee, and eek in pacient suffrauncc 
of maladies, or lesinge of worldly catel, 
or of wyf, or of child, or othere freendes. / 

§ 99. Thanne shaltow iinderstonde, 
whiche thinges destourben penaunce ; 
and this is in fourmaneres, that is, drede, 
shame, hope, and wanhope, that is, des- 
peracion. / And for to speke first of 
drede ; for which he weneth that he may 
suffro no iienaunce ; / ther-agayns is 
remedie for to thinke, that bodily penaunce 
is but short and litel at regard of the 
peyne of hello, that is so cniel and so 
long, that it lasteth with-outen ende. / 

§ 100. Nowagaintheshame that a man 
hath to shryven him, and namely, thiso 



j-pocrites that wolden been holden so 
parfite that they han no nede to shryven 
heni; / agayns that shame, sholde a man 1060 
thinke that, by wey of resoun, that he 
that hath nat been ashamed to doon 
foule thinges, certes him oghte nat been 
ashamed to do faire thinges, and that is 
confessiouns. / A man sholde eek thinke, 
that god seeth and woot alle hise thoghtes 
and alle hise werkes ; to him may no 
thing been hid ne covered. / Men sholden 
eek remembren hem of the shame that is 
to come at the day of dome, to hem that 
been nat penitent and shriven in this 
present lyf. / For alle the creatures in 
erthe and in helle shullon seen apertly al 
that they hyden in this world. / (99") 

§ 101. Now for to speken of the hope 
of heni that been necligent and slowe to 
shryven hem, that stant in two maneres. / 1065 
That oon is, that he hopeth for to live 
longe and for to purchacen muchc richesse 
for his delyt, and thanne ho wol shryven 
him ; and, as he seith, him semeth thanne 
tymely y-nough to come to shrifte. / 
Another is, surquidrie that ho hath in 
Cristes mercy. / Agayns the firsto vyce, 
he shal thinke, that ouro lyf is in no 
sikernesse ; and eek that alle the richesses 
in this world ben in aventure, andpassen 
as a shadwe on the wal. / And, as seith 
seint Gregorie, that it aperteneth to the 
grete rightwisnesse of god, that nevere 
shal the peyne stinte of hem that nevero 
woldo withdrawen hem fro sinne, hir 
thankes, but ay continue in sinne ; for 
thilke perpetuel wil to do sinne shul they 
han perpetuel peyne. / 

§ 102. Wanhope is in two maneres : 
the firste wanhope is in the mercy of 
Crist ; that other is that they thinken, 
that they ne mighte nat longe persevere 
in goodnesse. / The firste wanhope comth 1070 
of that he demeth that he hath sinned so 
greetly and so ofte, and so longe leyn in. 
sinne, that he shal nat be saved. / Certes, 
agayns that cvirsed wanhope sholde he 
thinke, that the passion of Jesu Crist is 
more strong for to unbinde than sinne is 
strong for to binde. / Agayns the secondo 
wanhope, ho shal thinke, that as ofte as 



T. §§ 103, 104.] 



I. ZU (per0one0 Zak. 



717 



he falletli he may aryse agayn by peni- 
tence. And thogh he never so longe 
have leyn in sinne, the mercy of Crist is 
alwey redy to receiven him to mercy. / 
Agayns the wanhope, that he demeth 
that he sholde nat longe persevere in 
goodncsse, he shal thinke, that the 
feblesse of the devel may no-thing doon 
' 1000) but-if men wol suffren him ; / and eek 
he shal han strengtho of the help of god, 
and of al holy chirche, and of the pro- 

1075 teccioun of aungels, if him list. / 

§ 103. Thanne shal men tmderstonde 
what is the fruit of penaunce ; and,' after 
the word of Jesii Crist, it is the endelees 
blisse of hevene, / ther joye hath no con- 
trarioustee of wo ne grevaunce, ther alle 
harmes been passed of this present lyf ; 
ther-as is the sikernesse fro the peyne of 
lielle ; ther-as is the blisful companye 
that rejoysen hem cvercnio, everich of 
otheres joye ; / ther-as the body of man, 
that whyloni was foul and derk, is more 
cleer than the sonne ; ther-as the body, 
that whylom was syk, freele, and feble, 
and mortal, is inmortal, and so strong 
and so hool that ther may no-thing 
apeyren it ; / ther-as ne is neither hunger, 
thurst, ne cold, but every soule replenissed 
with the sighte of the parfit knowinge of 
god. / This blisful regne may men pur- 
chace by poverte espirituel, and the glorie 
by lowenesse ; the plentee of joye by 
hunger and thiirst, and the reste by 
travaille ; and the lyf by deeth and 

loSo naortificacion of sinne. / 



Here taketh the makere of this book 
his leve. 

§ 104. Now preye I to hem alle that 
herkne this litel tretis or rede, that if 
ther be any thing in it that lyketli hem, 
that ther-of they thanken oure lord Jesu 



Crist, of whom procedeth al wit and al 
goodnesse. / And if ther be any thing 
that displese hem, I preye hem also that 
they arrette it to the defaute of myn 
unconninge, and nat to my wil, that 
wolde ful fayn have seyd bettre if I hadde 
had conninge. / For oure boke seith, ' al 
that is writen is writen for oure doctrine ' ; 
and that is myn entente. / Wherfbre 
I biseke yow mekely for the mercy of 
god, that ye preye for me, that Crist have 
mercy on me and foryeve me my giltes : / (loio) 
- — and namely, of my translacions and 
endytingesof worldly vanitees, the whiclie 
I revoke in my retracciouns : / as is the 1085 
book of Troihis ; The book also of Fame ; 
The book of the nynetene Ladies ; The 
book of the Duchesse ; The book of seint 
Valentynes day of the Parlement of 
Briddes ; The tales of Caunterlniry, thilke 
that sounen in-to sinne ; / The book of 
the Leoun ; and many another book, if 
they were in my remembrance ; and 
many a song and many a lecherous lay ; 
that Crist for his grete mercy foryeve mo 
the sinne. / But of the translacion of 
Boece de Consolacione, and othere bokes 
of Legendes of seintes, and omelies, and 
moralitee, and devociovm, / that thanke 
I oure lord Jesu Crist and his blisful 
moder, and alle the seintes of hevene ; / 
bisekinge heni that they from hennes- 
fortli, un-to my lyves ende, sende me 
grace to biwayle my giltes, and to studie 
to the salvacioun of my soule : — and 
graunte me grace of verray iienitence, 
confessioun and satisfaccioun to doon in 
this present lyf ; / thurgh the benigne 1090 
grace of him that is king of kinges and 
prcest over alle x^reestes, that boghte us 
with the precious blood of his herte ; / so 
that I may been oon of hem at the day of 
dome that shulle be saved : Qui cum 
jpatre, &c. '"9- 



Here is ended the book of the Tales of Caunterbury, compiled by Geffrey Chaucer, 
of v/hos soule Jesu Crist have mercy. Amen. 



APPENDIX. 



VARIATIONS AND EMENDATIONS. 

The text of Chaucer is, in some places, corrnpt, and in others can be much 
improved by some emendation, visually of a slight character. 

The text of the best aiithorities, as improved by collation with other good 
authorities, is here given. Variations from these are denoted by an obelus (f ) in 
the text, which may be considered as marking a reading as to which there is some 
doubt. These are most numerous in the Romaunt of the Rose, the Book of the 
Duchesse, and the Hovise of Fame. There are very few doubtful readings in the 
Canterbury Tales, for which there are better authorities than in other cases. In 
the following Appendix all the doubtful readings and editorial emendations are 
accounted for. I do not, however, notice words which are placed between square 
brackets, such as the word ' a ' on p. 1, 1. 12. It will be understood, once for all, 
that all such words are sxipplied, and are missing in the originals, though often 
necessary for the sense or the metre, or for both. 

ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. 

The avithorities are G. (the Glasgow MS.) ; and Th. (Thynne's edition of 1532). 
Also, from the nature of the case, F. (the original French text, here quoted from 
the edition by M^on, Paris, 1813). No other authorities exist. Many lines are 
wholly missing in Gr. ; and when it is not cited, this must be understood. Thus, it 
has lost lines 1-44. 

Page 1. 3. Th. sweuen ; hut the plural is required. 4. Th. that false ne bene. 
25. Th. slepte ; (sleep is more usual). 38. Th. hatte ; read hote (be called). 

Page 2. 66. G. Th. had ; read hath. 102. G. Th. buskes (not Chaucer's form). 
no. G. Th. gan I. 138. G. Th. Enclosed was ; see I. 1652 ; F. Ta7it clos. 149. G. Th. 
mynoresse (!) ; F. movei~resse. 

Page 3. 196. G. Th. myscoueiting (!) ; F. mesconter. 220. G. Th. courtpy {see 
Cant. Tales, A 290). 248. Both peynted. 

Page 4. 255. Both Upon any worthy man falle. 277. Both and so breketh. 
324. Both rent. 

Page 5. 382. Both may neuer. 442. Both ay {(jiving no sense) ; read shal. 
444. Both grace (!), for face ; F. lor vis. 

Page 6. 485. G. laddris ; Th. ladders ; see 1. 523, 492. G. yeer ; Th. yere ; read 



ilppenbijir. 



yerd ; see 1. 656. 501. Botli woldo {for nolde ; hy confusion), ^oe,. Both god kepc it 
fro care, a false rime ; clearly substituted for god it kepe and were. Were is the 
E. spelling of the verb in the French text, which has que Diex garisse. 520. Botli 
For ; read Ful ; (wo is here an adjective — sad). 536. G. ony ; Th. any ; read a. 

Page 7. 564. Some lines lost here ; 3 lines of F. left imtranslated. 586. Both may ; 
read mayden. 602. Both lande of Alexandryne ; hut Alexandryn is an adjective. 
603. G. hidre be ; Th. hyther be. 

Page 8. 660. Both places. 66<S. Both That ; read These. 720. Th. reixelryc ; 
G. reuerye ; F. reverdie. 

Page 9. 761. Both made ; read make. 791. Both bode {no sense) : read Bede ; Ne 
bede 1 = 1 would not offer. 

Page 10. 859. G. seye ; Th. sey. S60. G. pleye (!) ; Th. ploy (!). 865. Both I wot 
not what of hir nose I shal descryve {eleven sijllables). 866. Two lines lost here. 
879. Both Love and as liym likith it be. 923. Both Turke bowes two ful wel deuysed 
had he {too long). 

Page 11. 959. Both shoten ; see 1. 989. 984. Both on ; read of. 1007. Both And an ; 
read As was an; F. Ainsinc cum. 1017. Uoi/i wyntred ; but see 1. 1020. 1026. Both 
thoiight ; reflfi thinketh. 1031. Uo^A Sore (!) ; F. Sade. 1034. J5o<A And hight (!). 

Page 12. 1037. Both in werk (!). 1058. Th. prill ; G. prile ; {error fur prikke, 
ivritten so as to hmk like prilke). 1080. Th. amyled ; G. enameled. 1089. Both durst (!) ; 
error for thurfte, more commonly thurte. in 7. Both ragounces ; F. jagonces. 

Page 13. 118S. G. sarlynysh ; Th. Sarlynysshc ; F. Sarrazinesche. 1201. Both 
gousfaucoun (!) ; F. gonfanon. 1210. Both He caste. 1233. Th. hempe ; G. hempe ne 
(^hempene). 1236. Botha,; read 00 {one). 

Page 14. 1244. Both Bitokeneth. 1282. Both And she (!) ; read Yotithe ; F. Jonesce ; 
see 1. 1302. 1303. Both that ; read thus ; see 1. 1310. 1313. G. loreyes (error /or loreres); 
Th. LaurcUes. 13 15. Th. ended; G. eended ( - y-ended). 1324. Both durst {as in 
1. 1089). 1332. Both she {for second he). 1334. Both hadde {for bad) ; and bent {for 
bende) ; both omit it. 1335. Both an {for on). 

Page 15. 1341. G. hadde me shette ; Th. had me shete {but shete is not a pp.). 
1343. Both had me greued. 1348. Both hadde in all the gardyn be. 1366. Both 
gardin {for j-erd). 1369. Both Parys (!) ; for paradys. 1397-8. Th. knytte, sytte. 

Page 16. 1440. Th. dilectable. 1447. Th. garden ; read yerde in ; cf. 1348, 1366. 

1448. Th. efters (!) ; F. tout I'estre. 1453. Th. shoten ; read shete. Th. goodnesse {for 

good m.es) ; cf. 3462. 1498. G. velaynesly ; Th. vilajTiously. 1527. Both musede so. 

Page 17. 1591. Both entrees; F. Tout I'estre. 1593. Both ye {for he). 1594. Both 

Ye {for He). 1608. Both laughyng {\) ; readloving. 

Page 18. 1641. Both sighed. 1644. Both strengthes. 1648. G. bitrisshed ; Th. 
bytresshed. 1663. Both me : read be; F. fusse. 1666. G. wole ; Th. wol. 1674. Th. 
ware; G. waxe ; both have Rone. 1698. Both hath; omit wel? 1700. Both roses. 
1713. Both For ; read Ful. 

Page 19. 1 72 1. G. botheum ; Tli. bothum. 1732. Both iixi\\en. 1758. Both two (!). 
1766. Both certis euenly ; read certeinlj'. 1771. Both his ; read a. 1814. Both lefte (!) ; 
read felte. 

Page 20. 1848. Both mighto it. 18,51. Both seno I hadde. 1853-4. I^oth thore, 
more ; see 1. 1857. i860. G. Castith ; Th. Casteth. 19:3, 1914. Transposed in G., Th. 
Page 21. 1924. Both softyng ; see 1925. 1925. Both prDikith. 1965. Both loue ; 
read louers. 2002. Both of ; read to. 



cS^>penbt>. 721 



Page 22. 2038. Both queynt. 2044. Both taken ; read tan ; cf. 2068. 2046. Both 
disteyned ; F. Dcceus. 2067. Both susprised. 2068. Both taken ; read tan ; cf. 2044. 
2C76. G. rtisese ; Th. desese ; F. dessaisir, 21 16. Both degree. 

Page 23. 2154. Both bigynneth to amende. 2176. G. say; Th. saj-e. 2185. Both 
vnto ; for to. 2195. Both in ; i-ead a. 

Page 24. 2264. Both on ; read upon. 2271. Tli. aumero ; G. awmere ; see 2087. 
2279. Both costnetli ; F. couste. 2285. Both Farce. 2294. G. Tli. knowith (!) ; F. rit, 
2302. Both pleynetli ; read pleyeth. 2327. Both menen. 

Page 25. 2336. Both londes ; read lones. 2341. Both this swifte ; read swich yift ; 
F. si riche don. 2365. Both and ; read in. 2427. Th. sene ; read sende ; F. envoier. 
2432. Th. gone and visyten. 

Page 26. 2466. Better omit of. 2473. Both Thought; reacZ That swete ? 2499. G. 
yitt ; Th. yet ; read yif. 

Page 27. 2564. Tli. forwerede ; G. forweriede ; 8663251. 2569. Bothse; read seme. 
2617. Both I wote not; read I noot. 2619. Both better. 2621. Both on hir I caste. 
2622. Both That. 2628. Both liggen ; read ly. 

Page 28. 2650. Both whider (!). 2675. Th. whan ; G. whanne ; read wham or 
whom ; F. Be qui tu tie pues avoir aise. 2676. Corrupt. F. Au departir la piorte baise 
(i.e. the lover is to kiss the door). 2709, 2710. Both more, fore. 2712. Both to gon ; 
omit to. 

Page 29. 2774. Both aftirward. 2796. G. Thenkyng ; Th. Thynkjaig ; cf. 2804. 
2824. Both not ben ; F. tu seroies. 2833. Both me ; read hem ; cf. 2845. 

Page 30. 2917. Both thoti {for they). 2935. Both declared thee. 

Page 31. 2992. Both warrans ; F. Ge vous i puis Men garantir. 

Page 32. 3052. Both Venus hath flemed. 31 15. Both arise. 3125. Both And late 
{or lette) it growe {too lontj). 3136. Th. His eyes reed sparclyng as the fj-re-glowo 
{too long) ; sparclyng is a gloss on reed. 

Page 33. 3150. G. it ; Th. he ; read I ; F. ge. 3207. Both For Nature ; / omit For, 
3209. Both but if the. 

Page 34. 3264. Both seyne ; feyne seems better. 3274. Both he be a ; / omit a. 
3301. After gate, Th. inserts the, and G. thee. 3319. Both thought ; read taughte. 
3331. £0^/1 Who that ; I omit thsit. 3337. JSo<7t cherisaunce ; F. chevisance. 

Page 35. 3399. Th. forbode ; G. forbede ; 7-ead forbad. 3433. Th. sucho ; G. sichen ; 
F. pais qu'il me siet. 

Page 36. 3447. Both where that the ; / omit that. 3490. Both That he had. 
3491. G. Thanne; Th. Than; read That; F. Qm' Amors. 3522. Both ye {for he); 
F. Que il. 3525. Both it is. 

Page 37. 3548. Tliis(:^This is); F. CcM. 3554. Both Vpon (/or On). 3604. Read 
thar ; Th. dare. 3626. Th. eftres. 3643. Th. the god of blesse ; F. Diex la beneie. 

Page 38. 3660. Th. That so ; omit so. 3690. Th. grapes be ripe. 3694. Both Though. 
3697. jBof/i rennyng (!). 3698. Both come {absurdhj) ; seel. 2700 ; read to mo. 3710. G. 
herte is ; Th. hertis ; read hertis (^hertes). 3718. Both neithir {for nor). 3745. Both 
pleyne or playne. 3751. Both ye ; 7-ead to. 

Page 39. 3755. Th. with his hete. 3756. BofJi insert me after bad. 3774, G. it 
wille ; Th. at wyL 3851. Both verge ; see 3234. 

Page 40, 3880. Both lye. 3895. Both trechours. 3902, Both herte I crye, 
3907. Both lowe ; read loude, 3928. Both must ; 7-ead mot ; sxipply take, 3942, Both 
Do ; read To. 3943. Both Thanne {or Than) close ; F. Qui les roses clorra entor. 



72 2 J^ipTpttx^iv. 

Page 41. 3994. Th. vilanously ; G. vilaynesly. 4021. G. an high ; Th. an hye. 
4026. Doth To make. 

Page 42. 4089. Hoth place it after I. 

Page 43. 4181. Both of; 7-ead as. 4188. Both Roses; F. rosiers. 4194. Both who 
(/c)?' whiche). 

Page 44. 4272. Both walketh (!). 4285. Both Which (fo7- Ther) ; giving no sense. 
4291. Both except. 4322. Both wente aboute (!); read wende a bought (a — have) ; 
P. Ges cuidoie avoir achetes (I weened to have boiight them). 4339. Gr. tiliers ; Th. 
tyllers. 4352. Both wente best abouen to haiie. 

Page 45. 4363. Both but ; read al. Both lust. 4365. Both is ; read a,va. 4366. Both 
charge. 4372. G. wole ; Th. wol ; read wal. 4425. Both good. 

Page 46. 4467. Both her {for his). 4476. Both preise. 4550. Both Loue ; read 
lorde. 4556. Th. moche that it ; G. mych that. 

Page 47. 4561. Both yeue good wille ; P. se Diex plaist. 4587. Both no failid ; 
I omit ne. 4617. Both not ; read nist ; cf. 4626. 4657. Both I ; read han. 

Page 48. 4705. Both And through the ; read A troiithe. 4721. Th. lyke ; G. like ; 
read sike. 4722. G. trust ; Th. truste ; (thrust = thirst). Both and {for in). 
4723. Both And. 4725. Both And. 4731. Both Sen. 

Page 49. 4755. Both by {for be). 4764. Both That ; read But. 4793. Both euer ; 
read er (i. e. before). 4796. Both al by partuere. 4799. Both greven. 4807. Both 
diiFyned here. 4811. G. kned ; Th. knedde. 4812. i?o</i With. 4823. i?o<7j. engeudrure ; 
see 6114.. 4837. iJo<7t han her lust. 4846. Both whut ; for vfho. 

Page 50. 4858. BoiTt their. 4892. G. perell ; Th. parel ; but read tymo {see 4891). 
4921. i?oi7t But that if. 4933. i?o<7t this. 4935. iJoi/i youthes chambre (or chanibere); 
P. Jonesce sa chamberiere. 4943. BotJi And mo of (!). 4945. Both remembreth. 
4948. Both him. 

Page 51. 4955. Both gan. 4960 Both neither preise. 5004. Th. stondeth ; 
G. stondith. 5010. Both weped. 5021. Both he {for hir). 5028. Both list to loue. 

Page 52. 5050. BotJi gouen. 5051. Both so; read sho {or she). 5059. Both loued. 
5068. Both That; read But; cf. 4764. 5085. Both to; read they. 5107. G. herberest 
hem; Th. herborest. 5116. Both the; read thy; F. ton. 5117. Both by thought; 
F. ta jonesce. 5144. G. ay ; Th. aye ; read alway. 

Page 53. 5155. BotJi That ; F. Lors. 5162. Per7t«^s say := assay. 5201 {rubric). Both 
Aunsete ; error for Amistie. 5229. Both 00 state ; read oon estate ; see 5400. 

Page 54. 5278. I}o<7i bothe the. 5283. Both this. 5285. Both vnyte(!). 5287. Both 
And ; read A man. 5292. Th. causes ; G. cause ; see 5301, 5523. 5335. Both he ; cf. 
5337; 5.34I. 5341- Bothhiv; read the. 5345. i?o<7i Thurgh the ; I omit the. 

Page 55. 5360. Both greueth so groueth. 5379. Both him silf {or selfe). 
5389. Both kepen ay his ; see 5367. 5393. / omit alle before his. 5401. Both ought to 
be. 5404. Both hath. 5408. G. it; read in; Th. omits. 5419, 5420, 5425, 5427, 5436. 
Both hyxQ. {\) ; F. les. 5433. -Bo<7i to (/or so). 

Page 56. 5452. Th. chere (/or there) ; G. cheer (!). 5463. J5o^7!. thus. 5478. Both 
For to shewe ; read She sheweth. 5486. Both affect. 5491. Both For al that yeueth 
here out of drede. 5493. G. late ; Th. lette. 5544. Both fablyng ; F. cJieans (i. e. 
falling). 5546. Both caste. 

Page 57. 5555. Both in {for is). 5556. Both Aepc {error for do};e = doth). 5569. Th. 
haue you to hatie ; G. ha yow to ha. 5577. Both pei-ceyueth. 5590. G. mavis ; Th. 
mauys ; F. ????/?s (bushels). 5598. Both that {for it). 5617. Both heme. 5641. Both take. 



cH^jpenit'y. 723 



Page 58. 5699. Both where ; F. guerre. 5701. Both slial tliogli lie hath geten (!), 
5713. Both Thus is thurst. 5741. G. fy ; Th. fye ; read sy. (From fy to sy means 
from the first syllable oi fy-sy-cien (phisiciaii) to the second.) 

Page 59. 5755. Both shewing. 5761-2. Sxipply it in 5761 ; it occurs after Himsilf in 
5762. 5781. BofhUhe; F. Trois. 5788. Bothxnio. 5821. iJo<7t nyl not. 

Page 60. 5855. Both kepte ; P. qui mestrie. 5860. Both that ilke. 5883, Both As 
my nede is. 5900. Both That such toures ben ; / omit That and ben. 

Page 61. 5942. Both folyly. 5959. Both beante (!). 5960. Both That I ; / omit 
That. 5976. Both ful dere. 6002. Both grede ; error for gnede. 6006. Both beante {as 
in 5959). 6009. Th. wol ; G. wole. 

Page 62. 6064. Both hindreth. 

Page 63. 6165. JSoifc which ; F. fex (siieh). 6169. JSo/7i lette. 6174. -Bo</t nede ; F. 
besoignes. 6205. / supply this line ; went his wyle — turns aside his craft. 6206. Th. 
begylen ; G. bygylyng. 6237. Th. cojnmen ; G. comyn. 

Page 64. 6243. Both ful many ; omit ful. 6256. Both maketh the ; omit the. 
6292. Both planten most. 6296. Both feyne ; F. dire. 6314. Both insert shal before 
never. 6317, 6318. Two half-lines lost ; words supplied by Kaluza. 

Page 65. 6341. Both and reyned(!); for streyned ; see 7^66. 6355. -Bof 7t loly (!) ; 
read blynde. / supply ther. 6:72. A line lost ; supplied as in Morris's edition ; 
F. Si n'en sui mes si receus. 6378. Both I {for me). 6407. Both not ; read yit. 

Page 66. 6460. Both it is; F, Porquoi. 6466. JBo^A woth (!). 6481. BotJi sernest ; 

F. sembles. 6491. Both bettir. 6493. Both of a pore. 6500. Both me a dyne, 
6515. Both not. 6522. Both Hath a soule. 6532. G-. thrittene ; Th. thirtene {tcrongly). 

Page 67. 6539. G-. beggith ; Th. beggeth. 6542. G. goddis ; Th. goddes. 6^6$. G. 
ther ; Th. their. 6569. Both yaf. 6570. G. folkis ; Th. folkes. 6572. Both they ; read 
leye ; F. gisoient. 6606. Both Ben somtyme in ; see 6610. 

Page 68. 666-j. Both haue bidde ; I omit haue. 6688. Th. liondis ; G. omits. 
6700. BotJi Yit. 6707. Both mendiciens (-ence). 

Page 69. 6819. Both wrine ; both hem ; both at. 6823, 6824. Both robbyng, gilyng. 

Page 70. 6880. Th. Ne wol ; G. Wol ; read Nil. 6902, 6907. Both bm-dons. 
6gii. i?o^^ burdons ; but hordeis are meant. 6925,6926. Both him. 

Page 71. 6974. I omit a after tymes. 701S. G. werrien ; Th. werryen. 7029. Both 
these {for thefe), a7id that {for or) ; F. lerres ou. 7038. Both them. 

Page 72. 7041. G. cheffis ; Th. cheffes ; F. fromages. 7092. Th. We had ben tur- 
mented al and some ; (G. different line, in late hand) ; F. Tout eust este tormenfe. 
7109. G. has here 1. 7110, followed by a blank line ; Th. has That they [i-ead he] ne might 
the booke by, followed by a spurious line. 71 10. Th. To the copye, if hem. 

Page 73. 7145. Both no. 7159. Both vpon. 7173, 7174. I supply these lines by con- 
jecture ; F. Par Pierre roil le Pape entendre. 7180. Both That {read And) ; to {read 
that). 7221. Both worthy ; see 7104. Both mynystres ; read maistres. 

Page 74. 7316. Both slayn ; F. escorchies. 

Page 75. 7368. G. gracche ; Th. gratche. 7389. Th. deuysed. 7392. Th. salowe ; 
read falowe. 7394. Th. to ; read tho. 7409. Th. And. 7429. Th. humbly. 7432. Th. 
remeued. 

Page 76. 7473. Th. hath hadde the. 7488. Th. doughty (!) ; F. p>oudreus. -^SZZ- Th. 
she nat herselfe {wrongly). 

Page 78. 7653. G. wole ; Th. wol. 7662. Both wot ; F. fait. 766}. Th. we (for ye) ; 

G. omits. 



724 dElppenbtj. 

THE MINOR POEMS. 

I. AN A. B.C. 

The MSS. used to form this text are : C. — MS. Ff. 5. 30 in the Camb. Univ. Library ; 
Jo.= MS. G. 21, in St. John's College, Cambridge; Gl.n Glasgow MS. Q. 2. 25; 
L. — MS. Laud 740, in the Bodleian Library ; Gg. — MS. Gg. 4. 27, in the Camb. 
Uniy. Library ; F. = Fairfax 16, in tlie Bodleian ; B. =: Bodley 638 ; Sion =. Sion 
Coll, MS. The text folloios closely the first of these ; but is corrected by collation with 
the others. 

Page 81. 163. All the 3ISS. insert suffred after eek ; probably caught from the line 
above. Or perhaps his herte was caught from the line below ; in ivhich case, read And 
suffred eek, that Longius him pighte. And note, that pighte should surely be prighte, 
i.e. pricked, as in Cant. Tales, F 418. VigiiiQ properly means pitched. Hence read : 
And suffred eek, that Longius him prighte. 

IL THE COMPLEYNTE UNTO PITE. 

The MSS. are : Tn. (Tanner 346) ; F. (Fairfax 16) ; B. (Bodley 638) ; Sh. (Shirley's 
MS., Harl. 78) ; Ff (Ff. i. 6, in the Camb. Univ. Library) ; T., here put for Trin. 
(Trin. Coll. Camb. E. 3. 19) ; also Ha. (Harl. 7578). Tlie text folloivs F. mainly. 

Page 82. 21. MSS. was {for nas), twice ; wrongly. 77. MSS. is {for nis). 

IIL THE BOOK OF THE DUCHESSE. 

The authorities are only Th. (Thynne's edition, 1532) ; and three MSS., vis. F. (Fairfax 
16) ; Tn. (Tanner 346) ; B. (Bodley 638). / follow F. mainly. B. and F. are much 
alike. 

Page 83. 6. ^i? take no kepe. 14. All soicwfwl {badly) ; read sory. 23. J^i^ this. 

Page 84. 76. Not in Tn. B. ; Th. F. of Alcyone his wyfe. 80. Not in Tn. B. ; Th. F. 
began to yerne ; read gan to erme. 82. Not in Tn. B. ; Th. F. her thought so {copied 
from 81) ; 7ead he dwelte so. 86. Not in Tn. B. ; Th. F. That she had this ; I omit she, 
and supply alas fi-om 87, where it occurs after him, and makes the line too long. 
101. All this lady ; for she. 107. All wepte ; read weep. 131. All right so (but right 
belongs to 1. 132). 

Page 85. 149. All speke right so (&«i right belongs to 1. 150). 158, 159. All noght 
{for nothing). 175. Tn. slepte ; F. slept ; see 177. 185. All tip and axed. 204. All am. 
206. I sup>ply look. 207. .4ii for suche ; read at whiche. 212. .4 W alias ; read A. 

Page 86. 264. All insert quene after goddesse. 294. All And ; read J. 296. All 
insert my before sle-pe. 300. ylZi ouer al ; /o?nii ouer. 328. .4Zi! and of king. $2^. All 
repeat of king before Lamedon. 330. All insert And eke before of Medea. 331. All 
and of {for and). 332. {Marked by mistake ; so in MSS.) 334. All And ; read Of. 
342. All insert to before cold. 

Page 87. 348. ^Zi And I ; omi« And. ofio. All smd. so eA ; omit so. 4 4 i. All insert 
right before wonder. 

Page 88. 454. All bid B. insert right before yong. 473. All insert ful before wel. 
479. After this line, Th. inserts And thus in sorowe lefte me alone ; it is spurious. 
[Hence there is no line 480.] 498. ^K for ther no ; and is (/or was). 517. All had 
ygret ; read grette ; see 503. 548. Insert good ; cf. 714, 721. 

Page 89, 570. ^?t with his; onu'< his. ^-ji. All tn&y no ; omit vlo. 583. .4 ?J so ful; 



Mpptnlix, 725 



omit ful. 5S4. All Tliat ; read Thogh. 586. For tlie former hit, all have him. ; see 
585. 589. F. B. Thesiphus ; Tn. Tesiphus ; Th. Tesyphus {misioTitten for Cesiphtis = 
Sesiphus). 599. F. Th. sorowe(!); Tn. sorov(!); read song. 630. Th. Tn. floures ; 
F. B. flourys ; read flour is. 

Page 90. 660. All in the; omit the. 681. All she my fers ; read my fers she 
(Koch). 693. All For ther; omit For. 721. ^Zi yis parde ; omit yis. 728. All i\lso ; 
read als. 732. All the quene ; omit the. 740. All no man ; read noon. 745. F. Tn. 
Loo she that may he ; Th. Howe that may be ; here she is an error for sir ; a7id how 
that may be for how may that be ; the edition of 1550 has Howe may that be. 

Page 91. y^i. All insert shalt after thou; omit it (Koch). 771. ^ZJIprayde; omit 
I. 779. All moste able ; omit moste. 785. All ryght so ; omit ryght. 802. All That 
tyme and ; omit That tyme. 805. All on a day. 806. All ther that I ; omit that. 
823. All Than any other x^lanete in heven. 828. All and of; omit of. 829. All and 
so; omit and. 840. All counseyl (a gloss upon reed, the original word). 844. All 
better. 

Page 92. 895. All But which ; omit But. 905. Was white ; omit white (reserved 
/o?" 1. 948). 924. All sweve Vfel ; omityveh 930. .4 W never yet ; omit yet. 942. All 
and pure flat ; omit pure. 943. All or ; read and. 

Page 93. 959. All nere pure ; omit pure. 971. All swere wel ; read sweren. 
994. All And therto ; omit And. 997. All Wliat harme was; iut harm is mono- 
syllabic, 1020. wolde not ; read nolde. 1028. All into ; read to. 1040. All and my 
goddesse (!); read and my lisse (i.e. consolation). 1051. All loked her ; omit her. 

Page 94. 1075. All nay trewly I; omit trewly. 1099. All coude tho; read tho 
coude. 1147. All hit not never ; omit not. 

Page 95. 1188. All am; read nam. 1189. ^Zisey right; omit right. 1234. All to 
false ; omit to. 1239. All ryght as ; omit ryght. 

Page 96, 1264. All thjaiges ; read thing. 1322. All ther was ; omit ther, 

IV. THE COMPLEYNT OF MAES. 

The authorities are : F. (Fairfax 16) ; Tn. (Tanner 346) ; Ju. (Julian Notary's 
edition); Harl. (Harl. 7333); T. (Trin. Coll. Camb., E. 3. 20); Ar. (Arch. Selden B. 24, 
in the Bodleian Library) ; Th. (Thynne's edition, 1532). I follow F. mainly. 

Page 98. 89. All nygh dreynt ; omit nygh. 125. All transpose hir and don. 

Page 99. 141. All god helpe; read helpe god; and accent sely and Venus on the 
latter syllable. 

Page 100. 274. 3Iost MSS. have to so ; T. omits to, 

V. THE PAELEMENT OF FOULES. 

The authorities are : F. (Fairfax 16) ; Gg. (Grg. 4. 27, Camb. Univ. Library) ; Trin. 
(Trin. Coll. Camb. E. 3. 19); Cx. (Caxton's edition); Harl, (Harleian 7ii3); O. (St. 
John's Coll., Oxford) ; Ff. (Ff. i. 6, Camb. Univ. Library), / have also consulted Tn. 
(Tanner 346) ; D. (Digby 181) ; and others. I follow F. mainly ; chiefly corrected 
byGg. 

Page 101. 39. All he ; 7-ead hit ; see 36, 43. 

Page 106. 396, All have formed. 

Page 109, 613. Gg. reufulles (!) ; Pepys, rowthfull ; rest rewful (!). 



726 dtlppcnbtx. 

VI. A COMPLEINT TO HIS LADY. 

Only two MS. cojnes : Sh. (Shirley's MS., Harl. 78) ; Ph. (PhilUpps 9053, now Addit. 
34360). Also Ed. (edition of 1561). I fulloio Sh. mainly; hut correct many had 
spellings ; and supi^ly many words, and even lines. Lines 124-133 are in Ph. only. 

Page 111. 14. All now doth ; / omit now. 15. This line is s%ippUed, to rime with 
1. 17. 19. Sh. and yit my ; / put fro for yit. 24. This line supplied ; to rime with 
1. 22 ; cf. Conipl. of Mars, 189. 25, 26. Suppilied ; cf. Compl. to Pite, 22, 17 ; Anelida, 
307. 33. I omit she before sleeth. 56. A line lost ; supplied from Anelida, 181. 

Page 112. 59. Supplied from Anelida, 182. 68. Sh. eiier do. 78. Sh. youre ; read yow. 
79. Sh. wist that were ; / omit that. Sh. your hyenesse {repeated from 76) ; read yow 
distresse. 82. {The dagger should precede is) ; Sh. thane is ; omit thane. 102. Sh. been 
euer ; read ever been. 103. Imperfect ; I supply here. 104. Sh. But the ; omit But. 
114. Sh. nought ; read nothing. 120. Sh. no trewer so verrayly ; Ed. no trewer 
verely {false rime). 127. Ph. For wele ; om. For. 129. Not in Sh. ; Ph. That yow 
niyght offenden. 132. Not in Sh. ; Ph. no blisse ; omit no. 133. Ph. dwelle withyn. 

VII. ANELIDA AND AECITE. 

Aidhorities : Harl. (Harl. 7333) ; E. (Fairfa.x 16) ; Tn. (Tanner 346) ; D. (Digby 181); 
Cx. (Caxton's edition); B. (Bodley 638); Lt. (Longleat MS.); Th. (Thynne's edition, 
1532). I follow F. mainly. 

Page 114. 91. Th. Tn. Harl. trusteth ; rest trusted; read trust ( — trustoth). 
129. All lenger she ; omit she. 

Page 115. 174. All speketh she. 191. All un-to ; read to. 

Page 116. 241. All be founde ; hut be loas copied in from 1. 241). 

VIIL CHAUCEES WOKDES UNTO ADAM. 
From T. (Trin. Coll. Camb., R. 3. 20). Also in Ed. (edition of 156 1). 
Page 118. 3. T. thy long lokkes ; omit long, 4. T. wryte more truwe ; omit more. 

IX. THE FORMER AGE. 

Tico copies: I. (li. 3. 21, Camb. Univ. Library); Hh. (Hh. 4. 12, in the same). 
Chiefly from I. 

Page 118. 3. I. paied of the ; omit the. 11. I. gnodded ; Hh. kuoddyd ; correctly 
gniden, pt, pi. of gulden. 

Page 119. 23. L'of/i No batails trompes ; o;;!/i batails. 34. I. No places wilduesse ; 
Hh. No place of wildnesse ; omit places, place of. 56. A line lost ; I siipjpjly it. 

X. FORTUNE. 

Authorities: I. (li. 3. 21, Camb. Univ. Library); A. (Ashmole 59); T. (Trin. ColL 
Camb.) ; F. (Fairfax 16) ; B. (Bodley 638) ; H. (Harl. 2251). 

XL MERCILES BEAUTE. 
One copy : P. (Pepys 2006). 36. P. this ; read ther. 

XIL TO ROSEMOUNDE. 
One copy : MS. Rawl. Poet. 163 ; leaf 114. 

121. n. semy (sec) ; read seemly, tjoiall {for final, a misreading o/smal). 



dRppcn^tr. 727 



Xlir. TRUTH. 

Authorities: At. (Addit. 10340); Gg. (Gg. 4. 27, Camb. Univ. Librarj-) ; E. (Elles- 
mere MS.) ; Ct. (Cotton, Cleop. D. 7); T. (Trin. Coll. E. 3. 20); F. (Fairfax 16) ; aiid 
others. Chiefly from 'E. The 'Envoy is in At. only. 

Page 122. 19. Know thy contree ; Harl. F. T. Loke vp on hie. 20. Hold the liyo 
wey ; Harl. F. Weyve thy lust. 

XIV. GENTILESSE. 

Authorities : A. (Ashmole 59) ; T. (Trin. Coll. E. 3. 20) ; Harl. (Harl. 7333) ; Ct. 
(Cotton, Cleop. D. 7) ; Ha. (Harl. 7578) ; Add. (Addit. 22139) j Cx. (Caxton's edition). 
J follow Cx. mainly. 

Page 123. 20. Cx. makes hem eyres, that can hem queme ; A. niathe his heyre 
him that wol him qwenie ; Ct. That maketh his heires hem, &c. 

XV. LAK OF STEDFASTNESSE. 
Authcrities: Harl. (Harl. 7333); T. (Trin. Coll. E. 3. 20); Ct. (Cotton, Cleop. D. 7); 
F. (Fairfax 16); Add. (Addit. 22139); Bann. (Bannatyne) ; Th. (Thynne's edition, 
1532) ; and others. I follow Ct. mainly. 

XVI. LENVOY A SCOGAN. 

Authorities : Gg. (Gg. 4. 27, Camb. Univ. Library) ; F. (Fairfax 16) ; P. (Pepys 2006) ; 
Th. (Thynne's edition, 1532}. I follow F. mainly. 

XVII. LENVOY A BUKTON. 

Authorities : F. (Fairfax 16); Th. (Thynne's edition); Ju. (Jiilian Notary's edition). 
I folloiu F. mainly. 

XVIIL THE COMPLEYNT OF VENUS. 

Authorities : T. (Trin. CoU. E. 3. 20) ; A. (Ashmole 59) ; Tn. (Tanner 346) ; F. 
(Fairfax 16); Ff. (Ff. 1.6, Ca^b. Univ. Library); Ar. (Arch. Selden,.P. 24); P. (Pepys 
2006) ; Th. (Thjrnne's edition, 1532). Jfollotv F. mainly. 

N. B. Another authority is the set of three original French Ballades bj^ Otes de 
Graunson, whicli Chaucer here imitates. 

Pago 125. 31. All Pley or Pleye ; read Pleyne, translation of original French 
Plaindre. 

XIX. THE COMPLEINT TO HIS PUESE. 

Authorities: F. (Fairfax 16) ; Harl. (Harl. 7:33) ; Ff. (Ff. i. 6, Camb. Univ. Library) ; 
P. (Pepys 2006); Add. (Addit. 22139); Cx. (Caxton's edition); Th. (Thynne's ed. 1532). 
Ifolloio F. mainly, 

XX. PROVERBS. 

Authorities: F. (Fairfax 16); Ha. (Harl. 7578); Ad. (Addit. 16165). I follow F. 
mainly. 

Page 12G. i. All insert thiis after these ; J omit thus. 

XXL AGAINST WOMEN UNCONSTANT. 

Authorities : Ct. (Cotton, Cleop. D. 7) ; F. (Fairfax t6) ; Ha. (Harl. 3758) ; Ed. (Stowe's 
edition, 1561). 

Page 127. 17. ^?i stondeth; read sttxni. 



dEljjpenl>tv. 



XXII. COMPLEINT DAMOUES. 

Authorities : Harl. (Harl. 7333) ; F. (Fairfax 16) ; B. (Bodley 638). 
Page 127. 4. All right thus ; omit right. 9. All Ne ; 7'ead For. 
Page 128. 86. I supply ihev from Pari. Foules, 310. 

XXIII. A BALADE OF COMPLEYNT. 

Sole copy : MS. Addit. 16165, fol. 256, back. 

XXIV. WOMANLY NOBLESSE. 

Sole copy : MS. Addit. 34360, fol. 21, back. 

Page 129. 13. This line is supplied hy conjecture. 18. MS. for to ; I omit for. 
25. And thynkith be raison [too long). 26. for til do the ; / omit the, and substitute to 
for til. 

TRANSLATION OF BOETHIUS. 

Authorities: C. (Camb. Univ. Library, li. 3. 21) ; A. (Addit. 10340); Ed. (Thynne"s 
edition, 1532) ; Cx. (Caxton's edition) ; li. (li. i. 38) ; &c. I folloio C. mainly. 

Page 131. Prose I, 74. Cx. Tli. from ; MSS. omit from. 

Page 133. Pr. III. 6^. Cx. Th. Soranos (as in Latin text) ; C. A. Sorans. Met. IV. 
12. Cx. Th. leyte ; li. leit ; C. A. light. 

Page 134. Pk. IV. 97. TJiis Gloss is misplaced in the MSS. ; it comes in before Textns 
in 1. 87. 

Page 144. Pr. III. 66. / omit and before fulfuldest ; it is worse than needless. 

Page 153. Pr. VIII. 28. C. A. windinge ; Cx. wyndy ; Lat. uentosam. 

Page 156. Pr. II. 125. I supply nat, for clearness ; it is implied in the folloiving ne. 

Page 188. Pr. VI. 300. All the ; read that. 

Page 190. Met. VI. 38. Bead bretheth ; li. brethith ; A. bredith ; C. Ed. bereth; 
Lat. spiral. 

Page 196. Pk. III. 192. All of the whiche {no sense) ; read than whiche. 



TROILUS AND CRISEYDE. 

Authorities: CI. (Campsall MS.); Cp. (Corp. Chr. Coll. Cam. 61) ; H. (Harl. 2280); 
H2. (Harl. 3943); Cm. (Gg. 4. 27, in Camb. Univ. Library) ; Ed. (edition by Tliynne, 
1532). I follow CI. and Cp. mainly.^ ivhicli are much alike. 

Page 247, 17. All hem ; read him ; see 1. 19. 

Page 249. 144. CI. Cp. H. ben ay I-lyke ; Ed. to ben aye ylike ; H2. bene ylyke ; 
Cm. ay ben I-lik ; read been y-like ay. 

Page 255, 572. Cm. tliourrste ; Cp. H. thrnste ; CI. dorste ; H2. Ed. durst ; read 
thurfte. 

Page 279. ^gi. H. irasie {rightly) ; rest trxxs,i. ^Zi to finden (or finde) ; omit to. 

Page 314. 1109. All the est ; read th'est. 

Page 321. 1586. All That she ; omit That. 1618. All Come or Com. 



^ipptn^i):, 729 



THE HOUS OF FAME. 

Authorities : F. (Fairfax 16) ; B. (Bodley 638) ; P. (Pepys 2006) ; Cx. (Caxton's edition) 
Th. (Thynne's edition, 1532). I follow F. mainly. 

Page 326. 8. All why this; omit why. 11. wliy these; omit why. 20. AH is 
more ; omit is. 24. All needlessly insert the {or her) before brayn. 

Page 327. 88. All pouerte ; read povert ; or elide the final e. 119. All slept, 
slepte ; read sleep ; see 438. 

Page 329. 362. All But al ; omit But. 

Page 330. 366. All in-to ; read in. 370. MSS. Alias (or alas !) ; read Eneas. {Hoiu- 
ever Th. has him, alas.) 399. Cx. Th. Oenone {tvhich read as four syllables. 0-e-no-ue, 
as in Troil. i. 654). 

Page 331. 513. All sely ; read selly (i.e. strange). 

Page 332. 557. Cx. Th. P. agast so ; read so agast. 603. All do ; read done 
(gerund). 613. All herke ; read herkne ; see 725. 618. Deficient; I supply goddesse, 
621. J.Znytel (litell) ; ?-ead lyte. 

Page 333. 727. Cx. Th. P. a worthy ; F. B. worthe a ; omit a. 

Page 334. 764. ^ZHierke; see 72^,. 827. F. And that sum place stide ; B. Th. And 
that som styde ; {not in Cx. P.) ; read And that the mansioun ; see 754, 831. 830. All 
That ; read Than. 

Page 335. 896. Cx. Th. gan to ; rest to ; read gan. 911. All token (!) ; read toiin ; 
see 890. 

Page 336. 1007. F. Cx. Th. B. Athalantes ; P. athlauntres (cf. Atlaute, Ovid, 
Fasti, V. 83). 

Page 337. 11 14. F. citee ; P. cite ( = site) ; rest cyte. 

Page 338. 11 77. Supply craft from 1. 11 78, where it occurs, after cast, in Cx. Th. P. 
1 189. B. Eabewynnes; P. Babeweuries ; {all corrupt). 12 10. F. Saten ; B. Sate; Cx. 
Th. Sat ; P. Sett ; read Seten. 

Page 339. 1259. Th. pleyeng ; rest pley. 1271. All the {put for thee). 1303. F. 
hat ; B. hate ; Cx. Th. hackyng ; read hatte. 

Page 340. 1361. P. B. Sit; Cx. P. Sat; read Sitte. 1373. All wonderly ; see 1327. 
1415. All And thus ; omit And. 

Page 341. 1494. F. high the {for highthe) ; Cx. Th. heyght ; read higlite ; 
see 744. 1527. All into ; read in. 

Page 342. 1570. All Upon ; read Up. 

Page 343. 1666. All werkes; read werk {and so in 1701, 1720). i686. All of bawme; 
omit of. 1725. F. B. Th. Al so ; rest And so ; read So. 

Page 344. 1765. F. B. now let se ; omit now. 1813. All grete, gret; read gretest. 

Page 345. 1853. F. Th. be noght for; Cx. B. be for; read be but for. 1887. All 
thinge, thing ; read thinges. i8gy. All wote ; readvfiste; see igoi. 1902. .4H dwelled 
or dwellyth. 1907. B. Wliithen ; rest Why than ; read Wliiche. 1940. F. Cx. B. 
hattes (!) ; Th. hutches ; read hottes. 

Page 346. 1961, 1962, All werres, restes ; read werre, reste. 1967. All and eek of; 
omit and eek (cf. 1968). 1975. All wrongly write misgovernement as one word. 
2009. All these; read swiche. 2017. P. frot {for froit — fruit) ; B. foot; Cx. Th. 
swote. 2021. Ally&iiu.: omit in. 2026. F. B. hero anoon (anon) ; Cx. Th. here- read 
anoon heer. 



730 dEpjjenbtx. 



Page 347. 2049. All he (!) ; read the other. 2053. All And thuB (twice) ; 07nit And 
{hvice). 2061. F. B. forth ryght to ; Cx. forth unto ; Th. strcyght to ; read forth to. 
2076. F. B. Went every mouthe (!) ; Th. Cx. Wente cuery tydyng ; read Wente every 
■word. 2083. All and wente ; read hit wente. 2104. B. haue that oon ; F. han on; 
Th. have one. All omit of. 

Page 348. 2152. B. nose ; F. Th. noyse (I). F. an highen (!) ; Th. on hj'ghen (!) ; B. 
and yen ; read on hyghe {or on hye). 

THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN. 

Authorities : for Text A {earlier version) of the Prologue : sole copy C. (Gg. 4. 27, in 
Camb. Univ. Library). For Text B {later version) of the same, and all the rest : 
F. (Fairfax 16); Tn. (Tanner 346); T. (Trin. Coll. Cam. E. 3. 19); A. (Arch. Sclden. 
B. 24) ; B. (Bodley 638) ; P. (Pcpys 2006) ; Th. (ThjTine's edition, 1532) ; also C. {as 
(Cbove) ; Add. (Addit. 9832). 

Page 353, col. i. 135. C. is here corrvpt ; it has — Tlie honour and the humble 
obeysaunce. / suggest They dide honour and humble oboysaunces ; or read Yelding 
honour, &c. (as in col. 2). Col. i ; 137, 138 ; imperfect ; I fill tip tlie gaps. 

Page 370. 842. All renten (rente), ivronghj ; read renden. 

Page 374. 1126. ^^Hionourable ; rcarZ noble ; 5661143, 1210, 1222. 

Page 37.5. 12 17. C. bestys wilde ; T. A. P. wild bestys ; rest wilde hertes ; read 
liertcs wilde. 1238. All and becom {against metre) ; read to been. 

Page 378. 1463. All yle of; omit of. 

Page 383, 1879. ^Ji himself or himselfe ; read hhnsel\o. 

Page 387. 2138. ^ ?Z was performed ; r«arf performed was. 

Page 388. 2227. All quyte him ; read him (juyte. 

Page 393. 2592. Th. And what ; C. T. That what ; read Wliat. 



TREATISE ON THE ASTROLABE. 

Authorities: A. (Camb. Univ. Library, Dd. 3. 53); B. (Bodley, E. Museo 54); C. 
(Eawlinson J370) ; D. (Ashmole 391) ; E. (Bodley 619) ; F. (Corpus 424) ; G. (Trin. Coll. 
Cam. E. 15. 18) ; H. (Sloane 314) ; L (Sloane 291) ; K. (Eawlinson, Misc. 3) ; L. (Addit. 
23002) ; M. (St. John's Coll. Cam.) ; N. (Digby 72) ; 0. (Ashmole 360) ; P. (Camb. Univ. 
Library, Dd. 12. 51) ; Q. (Ashmole 393); E. (Egerton 2622); S. (Addit. 29250). Ifollotv 
A. mainly ; collated ivith B. C. I. M. P. 2'he latter imrt {after Pai-t II. § 40) from 
L. M. N. 0. P. E. S. 

Part 399. § 12. 8, 9. MSS. wrongly transpose umbra versa, and umbra recta 
{ = umbra extensa). 

Page 402. § 3. 51, 53. For 18, some MSS. have 12. 

Page 403. § 3. 62, 63. Some MSS. 8 and 2 ; others, 9 and 10. 64. Some 23 ; others 10. 
§4. 12. C. P. for-seide same degree; omit same. 25. All 15; read 25; Lat. text, 
viginii quinque. 

Page 409. § 25. 45. Two sets of readings here ; the second set jiuts the Sun in 
10 degrees of Leo, with an altitude of 56, and declination, 18 ; difference, 38. 

Page 410. §28. 37. All liaad Qiexxed^) for (i-ade, absurdly ; cf. 27, 31. 



^Tpptntix. 731 

Page 414. § 40. 8. Read for sothe ; viistcritten for sonne in A. B. ; others vary. 

Page 415. §40. 75. A. omite of and degrees ; hut retains },. 93. P. supxdies the last 
five icords, tvhich A. B. C. E. omit. § 42. 24, 25. J'or 2, M. /ia« 6 ; for 3, M. Aas 4. 

Page 416. §44. 20. N. wreten ; read wryte. 36. L. N. O. passid ; M. omits; 
read lasse. 

Page 417. § 45. 10. L. I wold -wyttj-n ; N. Iwyton ; O. wrytoun. 



THE CANTEEBUKY TALES. 

Authorities : E. (Ellesmore MS.) ; Hn. (Hengwrt MS.) ; Cm. (Gg. 4. 27, Camb. Univ. 
Librarj') ; Cp. (Corpus Chr. Coll. Oxford) ; Pt. (Petworth M.S.) ; Ln. (Lansdowne 851); 
HI. (Harl. 7334). Also, occasionally, Dd. (Dd. 4. 24, Camb. Univ. LiVjrarj-) ; Keg. (Reg. 
J7 D. XV.) ; Add. (Addit. 5140) ; Li. (Liclifield MS.) ; SI. (Sloane, :685). 

Page 421. 179. HI. cloysterlees {see i8<>) ; Cm. rekeles ; 7-est recchelees, reclicles. 

Page 422. 252 b, 252 c ; from Hn. ; rest omit. 

Page 435. 1290. All moste, mustc, most ; read mot. 

Page 443. 1979- HI. swymbnl ; rest rumbel. 

Page 449. 2420. All insert the {or thy) before victoric ; it clogs the line. 

Page 458. 3155, 3156. From E. Cm. HI. ; rest omit. 

Page 462. 3451, 3457; astromye is intentional. 

Page 465. 3721, 3722. From E. {also in old editions) ; rest omit. 

Pago 466. 3818. Now61is is an intentional error; see 3834. 

Page 476. 47. Dd. But ; rest That {wromjly). 

Page 484. 621. A short line ; I insert ful. 

Page 4S6. 791. HI. vn-to ; Pt. to ; rest til ; read un-til. 

Page 492. 1163-1190. E. Hn. Cm. omit ; mainly from Cp. 11S9. iI/o*< iI/,S',S'. phislyas ; 
Sloane, jthillyas ; Ln. fisleas ; read physiecs, i. e. physices liber. 

Page 503. 1995. Supplied from MS. Pieg. 17 D. xv ; most MSS. omit this line. 

Pago 509. 2252, 2253. Not in the MSS., but necessary; supplied from 2274 and 2280, 
xchich see. 

Page 519. 2623, 2624. Not in the M.SS. ; supplied by translating the French text. 

Page 525. 28-4. From namore to god is not in the MSS. ; but is necessary. 

Page 536. 3564. After this line most MS.S. insert the stories from Neuo to Cuesus 
(11. 3653-.S956) ; incorrectly. 

Page 538. 3657. MSS. North ; read South. 

Page 541. 3910. HI. Valiricn ; rest Valerius ; ed. 15O1, Valerie (riglitly). 

Page 546. 4266. All MSS. insert herkneth or herken after But. 

Page 582. 1294. After this line most MSS. insert 11. 1307, 13(^8 ; -which are out of 
place here. MS. HL is right. 1307, 1308. Nearly all MSS. omit these lines, having 
inserted them after 1. 1294 above. M.S. HI. is right. 

Pago 625. 2240. The MSS. omit the word stories, leaving sense and metre 
incomplete. 

Page 628. 20. Most MSS. \i&-vq pitoiw, which will not scan ; but Hn. has pietotts, 
which al.so occurs in Troilus. 

Page 635. 620. / supply no. 

Page 653. 277. For ' Valerians,' the MSS. absurdly have 'Cecilies ' ; but the Latin 
original has ' ValerianL' 



732 ^pptntix. 



Page 664. 1171. E. ternecl ; Cm. ternede ; rest torned, torongly. So also in 1. 1274 
below. 

Page 674. 10. Chancer has made a m.istake ; for the mones read Saturnes. Libra 
is the exaltation of Saturn, not of the Moon. 

Page 687. 387. HI. springers ; Hn. sprynge ; E. Pt. Ln. spryngen. Perhaps 
' springes ' would be better. 

Page 689. 443. All 3ISS. transpose Laban and Pharao. 

Page 696. 616. Some needful words are here supplied; MSS. omit 'god. .. 
bitraysen.' 

Page 707. 858. Bead busshes ; E. Seld. Ln. beautees (!) ; Cm. beauteis (!) ; HI, 
beautes (!) ; Pt. bewtees (!). 

Page 711. 955. E. Cm. Danycl ; rest Dauid, as in the French original. 



GLOSSARIAL INDEX. 



The references in this Index are given according to the following scheme. 

Poems denoted by Arabic numerals are Minor Poems. Thus, under 'Abaved,' the 
reference '3. 614' means Minor Poem no. 3, line 614, or 1. 614 of the Book of the 
Duchesse. The letter ' R." refers to the Romaunt of the Rose, Fragment A, in pp. 1-18 ; 
the rest of the Poem, not being Chaucer's, is indexed separately. Thus ' R. 163 ' means 
1. 163 of the Romaunt. 

The five books of Boethius are denoted by B i, B 2, B 3, B 4, B 5, respectively ; and 
the ' prose ' and ' metrical ' sections are denoted by ' p ' and ' m.' Thus, under ' Abais- 
sen,' the reference ' B 4. p 7. 81 ' means ' Boethius, bk. iv. prose 7, line 81.' The five 
books of Troilus are denoted by T. i., T. ii., T. iii., T. iv., and T. v. Thus ' T. iii. 1233 ' 
means ' Troilus, bk. iii., line 1233.' 

The House of Fame and the Legend of Good Women are denoted by 'HF.' and 
' L.' respectively. If, in the latter case, the italic letter 'a' follows the number of the 
line, the reference is to the earlier (or A-text) of the Prologue to the Legend. Thus 
' HF. 865 ' means ' House of Fame, line 865.' Again, ' L. 2075 ' means ' Legend of Good 
Women, line 2075; ' and' L. 200 a' means ' Legend, &c., line 200 of the text in the left- 
hand column." 

The Prologue and the two books of the Treatise on the Astrolabe are denoted, 
respectively, by 'A. pr.,' 'A. i.,' and ' A. ii.' Thus the reference 'A. ii. 10. 8' means 
■ Astrolabe, bk. ii. ^ 10, line 8 ; ' and ' A. pr. 10 ' means ' Astrolabe, prologue, line 10.' 

References to the Canterbury Tales are known by the use of the letters A, B, C, D, 
E, F, G, H, and I, which are used to denote the various Groups into which the Tales 
are divided. In this case, ' A ' is never followed by a full stop or by Roman numerals, 
as when the 'Astrolabe' is referred to; and such a reference as 'B 5,' meaning 
line 5 of Group B, is quite distinct from ' B 5. p i. i,' where 'B 5' means bk. v. 
of Boethius, and is invariably accompanied by the ' p ' or ' m ' denoting the ' prose ' or 
' metre.' 

Summaiy of the Minor Poems. The Minor Poems are all numbered, viz. i (ABC.) ; 
2 (Compleynte unto Pite) ; 3 (Book of the Duchesse); 4 (Mars); 5 (Parlement of 
Foules) ; 6 (Compleint to his Lady) ; 7 (Anelida) ; 8 (Wordes to Adam) ; 9 (Former 
Age) ; 10 (Fortune) ; 11 (Merciless IBeauty) ; 12 (To Rosemounde) ; 13 (Truth) ; 14 (Gen- 
tilesse) ; 15 (Lak of Stedfastnesse) ; 16 (Envoy to Scogan) ; 17 (Envoy to Bukton); 
18 (Venus); 19 (To his Purse); 20 (Proverbs); 21 (Against Women' Unconstant) ; 
22 (Amorous Complaint) ; 23 (Balade of Compleynt) ; 24 (Womanly Noblesse). 

Alphabetically, the references are to A (Group A of Cant. Tales) ; A. (Astrolabe) ; 
B (Group B of C. T.) ; B I . . . B s (Boethius, books i to 5) ; C, D, E, F, G, H, I 
(Groups C to I of C. T.) ; HF. (House of Fame) ; L. (Legend of Good Women) ; 
R. (Romaunt of the Rose) ; T. i. . . . T. v (Troilus, books i to 5). The Minor Poems, 
numbered i to 24, are given above. 

N.B. Words containing ay, ey, oy, aw, ew, ow, are sometimes entered as if spelt with 
ai, ei, oi, au, eu, ow, respectively. 

Bb 



(glossarial Entei. 



Abbreviations. Besides s., adj., and adv., for substantive, adjective, adverb, the fol- 
lowing are used in a special sense: — v., a verb in the infinitive mood; ^er., gerund; 
pr. s., present tense, 3rd person singular; pr.pl., present tense, 3rd person plural. 
Other persons are denoted by the figures i or 2. 

Fragments B and C of the ' Romaunt' are glossed in a separate Index. 

1307; abiding, continuance, HF. 1963; 

pi. delays, T. iii. 854. 
Abood, //. s. of Abyde. 
Aboute, //r/. about, round, throughout, 

round about, near. 
Aboute, adv. about, engaged in, T. v. 

1645; in due order, in turn, A 890; 

around, here and there ; been a., go 

about, endeavour, A 1142. 
Aboven, prep, above. 
Abregrge, ^(f/-. to abridge, shorten, T. iii. 

262; A. with thy peynes, to shorten thy 

pains with, T. iv. 426. 
Abregginge, s. abridging, B 5. p i. 57 ; 

diminishing, I 568. 
A-breyde, z/. awake,!". iii. 11 13; come to 

my senses, HF. 559; Abrayd,/i/. J. (strong 

form), wolce up, started up, 3. 192; 

Abreyd, 1 pt. s. started from sleep, HF. 

no; Abrayde,/)/. J. {weak form'), started, 

B 4198 ; Abreyde, awoke, T. i. 724. 
Abroche, v. broach, D 177. 
Abs6nte, ? pr. pi. subj. absent yourself, 

I-43- 
Abusioun, s. abuse, absurdity, T. iv. 990 ; 

deceit, B 214; a shameful thing, scandal, 

T. iv. 1060. 
Abyden, v. abide, await, i. 131 ; wait for, 

HF. 1086; be still, withdraw, F 1522; 

pr. s. awaito, B 2175 ; dwells, T. ii. 987 ; 

Abit, ;)r. J. waits for, T. i. 109 1 ; abides, 

G 1175; imp. s. stay, wait, A 3129; imp. 

pi. B 1175 ; pres.pt. E 757 ; Abood,//. s. 

awaited, T. iv. 156; stopped, HF. 1062; 

expected, 3. 247 ; Ahiden.pt. pi. abode, T. 

i. 474; Ahiden, pp. waited, B 3. p 9. 191. 
Abydinge, s. expectation, B 2. p 3. 66. 
Abye, v. pay for, A 4393 ; /'■. //. undergo, 

B 4. p 4. 86; Aboughte, //. s. paid for, 

T. v. 1756 ; suffered for, A 2303 ; Aboght, 

//. paid for, L. 2483 ; purchased, 18. 37 ; 

bought dearly, L. 1387 ; atoned tor, A 

3100. See Abegge, Abeye. 
i A-caterwawed, a-caterwauling, D 354. 
Acc6sse, s. feverish attack, T. ii. 1315. 
Accident, s. that which is accidental, T. 
! iv. 1505; incident, T. iii. 918 ; accidental 
j occurrence, HF. 1976; unusual appear- 
! ance, E 607; outward appearance (see 

note), C 539. 
Accidie, s. sloth, I 388. 
Accioun, r. action, i. e. accusation, i. 20. 



A, the first letter of the alphabet, T. i. 171 ; 
the letter A, A 161. 

A, indef. art. a, A 24, &c. ; al a, the whole 
of a, E 1165; one, D 1396; one and the 
same, 21. 5 ; about, some, L. 2075. 

A, prep, on, on (the), in, for; A-nighte, by 
night, B 3758 ; A-dayes, a-days, E 1164; 
A-morwe, on the morrow, A 822 ; A 
three, in three, A 2934 ; A goddes half, 
'on God's side," in God's name, D50; 
A goddes name, in God's name, A 854. 

A! int. ah I 3. 213. 

A I ha ! !nter/. aha ! T. i. 868. 

Abaissen,^^r. to be dismayed, B 4. p 7. 
81 ; //. amazed, spell-bound, abashed, 
cast down, disconcerted, E317, 1108. 

Abak, adv. backwards, A 3736; aback, 
back, L. 864. 

Abak'ward, adv. backward, B 3. m 12. 66. 

Abandoune, v. devote, I 713 ; pr. s. aban- 
dons, B 2767. 

Abasshen, v. fear, be abashed, R. 1552 ; 
pp. abashed, confused, confounded, dis- 
concerted, 5. 447; R. 805, &c. 

Abate, v. lower, put down, B 3780; de- 
preciate, R. 286; 2 pr. s. subj. subtract, 
A. ii. 10. 8; pp. enfeebled, B 3. p 5. 52; 
put down, I 191. 

Abaved,//. confounded, disconcerted, 3. 
614. 

Abayst ; see Abaissen. 

Abe, alphabet, A. i. 11. 3. 

A-bedde, in bed, T. i. 915. 

Abegge, v. pay for it, A 3938. A Kentish 
form. See Abeye, Abye. 

A-begged, a-begging, F 1580. 

Abet, -f. abetting, aid, T. ii. 357. 

Abeye, v. pay for, C 100. See Abye. 

Abiden, Abit; see Abyde. 

Abite, s. habit, diess, L. 146 a. 

A-blakeberied ; see Blakeberied. 

Able, adj. capable, 3. 786; fit, suitable, 
adapted, A 167; fit, L. 320; fit for, 3. 
779; deemed deserving, i. 184; fitting, 
R. 986. 

Ablinge, pr. pt. enabling, lifting, B 3. m 
9. 37 ; fitting, B I. m 6. 19. 

Abodes, //. of .WiooA, s. 

Aboghte, Aboght ; see Abye. 

Abood, s. delay, A 965; tanying, T. v. 



(gloggarial Entiei. 



Accomplice, v. accomplish, A 2864. 
Accord, s. agreement, 13 2988 ; harmony, 

B 4069; peace, 1 992. See Acord. 
Accordaunce, s. concord, harmony, R. 

496. 
Accordaunt, ady. suitable, B 4026. 
Accorde, 2>. agree ; //•. s. beseems, L. 2583. 

See Acorde. 
Accuseth, /;•. s. reveals, R. 1591. 
Accusement, J. accusation (other), T.iv. 

556. 
Accusour, s. revealer, T. in. 1450. 
Ach6t, s. buying, purchase, A 571. 
Ach^tours, //. buyers, caterers, A 568. 
Ache, s. ache, T. iv. 728. 
A-chekked, pp. checked, hindered, HF. 

2093. 
Acheve, z>. achieve, L. 1614. 
Achoken, v. choke, stifle ; pp. L. 2008. 
Acloyeth, pr. s. overburdens, 5. 517. 
A-compas, adv. in a circle, L. 300. 
Acomplisshe, pr. s. subj. fulfil, compre- 
hend, 15 3. p 10. 179. 
Acord, s. agreement, 5. 371 ; concord, 5. 

381, 668 ; accord, 3. 316 ; in a., in tune, 5. 

197 ; al of oon a., in tune, 3. 305. See 

Accord. 
Acordable, adj. harmonious, B 2. m 8. 23. 
Acordaunce, s. concord, B 2. m 8. 14. 
Acordaunt, udj. suitable, A 37, 3363 ; A. 

to, in harmony with, 5. 203. 
Acorde, v. accord, grant, allow, agree, 

concern; //. s. suited, A 244; fit. pi. 

agreed, L. 168; pres. part, agreeing, B 

1737; pp. agreed, A 818. 
Acorse, \pr. s. curse, T. iv. 839. 
Acounte, v. consider, B 3591 ; pt. s. valued, 

cared, 3. 1237; 2 pi. s. didst reckon, B 2. 

P 5- 113- 
Acountinge, s. reckoning, calculation. 
Acoyede, pt s. caressed, B 2. p 3. 73. 
Acquitance, s. release, A 4411 ; deed of 

release, A 3327. 
Acquyte, v. acquit, D 1599. 
Acurse, v. curse, T. ill. 1072. 
Acused, //. s. blamed, T. ii. 1081. 
Acustomaunce, s. system of habits, 

habitual method of life, HF. 28 ; Aad 

of a., was accustomed, B 3701. 
Adamant, s. adamant, A 1990 ; loadstone, 

magnet, R. 1182. 
Adawe, v. awake, recover, T. iii. 1120. 
A-day, in the day, T. ii. 60. 
Adding, s. (the)'addition, A. ii. 41. 16. j 
Adjeccioun, s. addition, B 5. p 6. 212. 1 
A-doun, aa'i'. downwards, down, L. 178; | 

down below, HF. 889; below, H 105; at 1 

the bottom, G 779. | 

Bb 



Adrad, />/■. afraid, A 605; Adred, 3. 1190. 

Adressinge, s. directing, B 4. p 5. loi. 

Adversarie, adj. hostile, 1 697. 

Advertence, f. attention, heed, T. iv. 698. 

Adv6cacyes, />/. pleas, T. ii. 1469. 

Advocats, p/. advocates (in which the t 
is mute), C 291. 

Afer, adv. afar, HF. 1215. 

A-f6re. on fire, T. i. 229. 

A-fered, />/>. afraid, affrighted, T. i. 974; 
Aferd, A 628. 

Affectls, p/. desires, T. iii. 1391. 

Affermed, pp. agreed upon, L. 790; 
established, A 2349. 

AfBance, s. trust, B 1330. 

Af forced, pp. forced, I 974. 

Affray, s. fray, quarrel, D 2156; terror, B 
1 137; fright,' 4. 214; dread, 7. 334. 

Affrayeth, /;•. s. arouses, excites, R. 91 ; 
pp. frightened, afraid, B 563 ; scared, B 
4468 ; roused, 3. 296. 

Affyle, V. file, i. e. render smooth, A 712. 

Afor-yeyn,/>/r/. over against, T. ii. 1188, 

Afounde, v. founder, perish, 12. 21. 

Afrayed, adj. scared, distracted, R. 154. 

Afrig-ht, pp. affrighted, B 4085. 

After, prep, according to ; in expectation 
of, for, B 467 ; to get, A 525 ; according 
as, L. 575 ; after, i. e. to fetch, L. 1130; 
towards, A 136; in accordance with, 8. 
4; by inheritance from, L. 1072; A. as, 
according as, 5. 216; A. oon, alike, A. 
1781 ; A. me, according to my command, 
E 327 ; A. the yeer, according to the 
season of the year, F 47 ; A. that, accord- 
ing as, T. ii. 1347. 

A-fyre, on fire, D 726 ; i. 94 ; A-f6re, T. i. 
229. 

Again, prep, when exposed to, L. 2426; 
Agayn, against, B 5S0 ; towards, A 2680; 
(so as) to meet, R. 785; opposite to, R. 
1577; exposed to, H no; contrary to, F 
748; just before, B 4268; near, G 1279; 
to meet, B 391 ; m comparison with, L. 
189; Ageyn, against, A 66; compared 
with, R. ion; turned towards, L. 48. 

Agains, prep, against, contrary to, in 
answer to, instead of, before, in presence 
of, to meet, near to; against, near; 
against, B 3754. 

A-game, adv. in play, in jest, in mockery, 
in sport, 4. 277. 

Agaste, O'er, to terrify, T. ii. 901 ; pr. s. 
deters, frightens, B 4. p 6. 323 ; //. s. 
frightened, L. 1221 ; pf. s. rejl. was 
affrighted, A 2424 ; pp. scared, frightened, 
terrified, A 2931 ; aghast, B 4079 ; afraid, 
A 4267. 



(glossarial Kntei. 



Agayn-ward. adv. backward, at the point 
of return, A. i. 17. 14 ; back again, B 441. 

Ages, //. times, periods, B 3177. 

Agilten, v. do wrong, I^. 436; //. s. did 
offence, D 392; wrongly committed, L. 
2385; I//. J. wronged, HF. 329; offended, 
T. iii. 840 ; pr. s. subj. (if he) offend, 

1 150 ; //. offended, i. 122 ; sinned, T. v. 
1684. 

Ag'on, V. to go away ; Ago, pp. gone away, 
T. V. 1054 ; gone, F 1204 ; passed away, 
A 2802; past, L. 1766; dead, L. 916; to 
ben ago, to be off, 5. 465; Agon, pp. de- 
parted, A 1276; gone away, C 810; past, 
C 246 ; ?iat longe a. is, it is not long ago, 
D 9 ; passed away, A 1782 ; dead, E 631 ; 
ago, B 1841. 

Agreable, adj. pleasing, HF. 1097 ; -es,//. 
pleasant, B 3. m 2. 31. 

Agreablely, adv. complacently, B 2. p 4. 
140. 

Agreabletee, s. equability, B 2. p 4. 127. 

A-greef, in dudgeon, lit. ' in grief," T. 
iii. 862 ; sadly, T. iv. 613 ; amiss, 5. 543 ; 
in dudgeon, B 4083. * 

Agregge, v. aggravate; pr. s. 1 960; 
//-. //. I 892; //. //. aggravated, B 
2209. 

Agreved, pp. angry, A 2057; vexed, 
L. 345 ; aggrieved, E 500. 

Agrief; see Agreef. 

Agrisen, Agroos; see Agrysen. 

Agroted, pp. surfeited, cloyed, L. 2454. 

Agrysen, v. shudder, tremble, feel terror, 
B I. p 3. 22; v. feel terror, HF. 210; 

2 pr. s. dreadest, B 2. p i. 71 ; 
pr. s. trembles, shivers, B I. m 6. 
11; Agroos, pt. s. shuddered, was terri- 
fied, became frightened, T. ii. 930; 
A-grisen, //. filled with dread, B 3. 
p I. 18. 

Agu, s. ague, B 4150. 

Aguiler, s. needle-case, R. 98. 

A-heigh, adv. aloft. 

Ajuged, ;*/. ; a. biforn, prejudged, B i. 

P 4- 109. 
Ake, V. ache, T. n. 549; pr. pi. B 

2113. 
Aketoun, s. a short sleeveless tunic, worn 

under the hauberk, B 2050. 
Akinge, s. pain, T. i. 1088. 
Aknowe, //. conscious ; aw akiioiue, I ac- 
knowledge, B I. p 4. 169. 
Akornes, s. pi. fruits, B 4. m 3. 28. 
Al, adj. all, A 10; Alle, //. all, A 26, 53; 

Al, every, R. 1586; as s. everything, T. 

iii. 1764; al a, the whole of a, A 854; 

and al, and all, 3. 116; at al, in every 



respect, wholly, C 633; at all, D 1078; 
al day, sd\ the day, 3. 1105: — Al, adv. 
quite, entirely, altogether, 5. 540 ; all 
over, R. 840; al on litghte, quite aloud, 
A 1784 ; al by oon assent, quite with one 
accord, 5. 557: — Al, conj. although, 
HF. 1740; whether, G 839; al be, al- 
though, albeit, 4. 274; al be that, al- 
though, 5. 8: — Al and son), the whole 
matter (collectively and severally), D 
91 ; Al and somme, each and all, all, 
the whole, 7. 26; Al and som, 5. 650; 
Alle and some, one and all, A 3136; 
Al only, adv. merely, simply, 2. 62; Al 
so, so, E 1226; Al thing, everything, R 
53; Al thus, exactly thus, 5. 30. See 
Alle. 

Al, s. awl, 13. II. See Oules. 

Alambyk (alambiik), s. alembic, T. iv. 
520 ; //. G 794. 

Alaunts, //. dogs of a huge size, A 2148. 

Alayes, s.pl. alloy, E 1167. 

Al-be-it, although, L. 1363. 

Albiflcacioun, s. albefaction, whitening, 
G 805. 

Alday, Al-day, adv. continually, A 1163 ; 
always, L. 1250 ; everyday, at any time, 

4- 237- 

Alder, gen. pi. of all ; oure alder, of us 

all, I. 84. See Aller. 
Alder-best, adv. best of all, 3. 87. See 

Aller. 
Alderbeste, adj. best of all, 3. 246. 
Alderfaireste, adj. fern. def. fairest of 

all, 3. 1050. 
Alderfirst, adv. first of all, B 2393 ; in the 

first place, R. 1000; for the first time, 

B I. p 3. 25. 
Alderflrste, adj. first of all, T. iii. 97. 
Alderlast, adv. lastly, R. 449. 
Alder-lest, least of all, T. i. 604. 
Alderlevest, dearest of all, T. iii. 239. 
Alderman, s. the head of a guild, A 

372- 
Aldermost, adv. most of all, T. i. 152. 
Alder-next, adv. nearest of all, next, 

5- 244. 

Alderwysest, adj. pi. the wisest of all, 

T. i. 247. 
Ale and breed, drink and meat, B 2062. 
Alemandres, //. almond-trees, R. 1363. 
Alembykes, //. alembics, G 794. 
Alestake, s. ale-stake, i. e. a horizontal 

stake or short pole projecting from an 

ale-house to support a sign or bush, 

A 667. 
Aley, s. an alley, B 1758 ; //. walks, E 

2324. 



(gloggarial Entiei. 



Aleys, s.pl. service-berries, berries of the 

service-tree, R. 1377. 
Alg'ate, adv. always, A 571 ; at any rate, 

3. 887 ; nevertheless, L. 238 ; in any case, 

T. ii. 964; all the same, D 588; at all 

hazards, HP". 943. 
Algates, adv. in every way, 22. 43 ; by all 

means, D 1514; at any rate, in any case, 

3. 1171; wholly, F 246; nevertheless, B 

2222 ; all the same, B 520. 
Aliene, v. alienate, B i. p 6. 60. 
Al-if, even if, T. iii. 398. 
Alkamistre, s. alchemist, G 1204. 
Alle, dat. s. and pi. of Al ; at alle, in 

every case, 4. 36 ; in alle, in any case, 

3. 141 ; Alle, //. all (of you), T. ii. 402. 

See Al, AUer. 
Allegeaunce, s. alleviation, 24. 22. 
Allegged, pp. allayed, B 4. p 4. 12. 
AUer, of all,^^«. pi. of K\; our aller, of 

us all, A 823; hir aller, of them all, 

A 586. 
AUiaunce, s. kindred, i. 58 ; espousal, 

E357. 

AUone, adj. alone, 4. 141 ; lat me a., let 
me alone, i. e. trust to me, T. iii. 413. 

Allow, ip. s. pr. (I) approve, (I) applaud, 
F 676. 

Allye, s. relative, B 3593. 

Allyen, ger. to ally myself, E 1414; pp. 
allied, 2. 65 ; provided with friendly aid, 
B 3720. 

Almesse, s. alms, B 168 ; //. almsdoings, 
I 1030. 

Almicanteras, s. pi. small circles of de- 
clination (in the celestial sphere), A. i. 
18. 2. 8. 

Almury, s. the ' denticle ' or tooth-like 
point or pointer situate on the Rate near 
the ' head ' of Capricorn, A. i. 23. i. 

Aloes, pi. aloe, tn comp. ligne-aloes, T. iv. 
1 137. (Aloes is a pi., not a gen. case.) 

A-lofte, adv. on high, T. v. 259. 

A-londe, adv. on land, ashore, L. 2166; 
him were lever a-l., he would rather be on 
land, L. 2413. 

Along on, along of, owing to, T. iii. 783. 

Al-only, adv. solely, T. v. 1779. 

Aloon, adj. alone ; her aloon, all by her- 
self, E. 2478. 

Alose, V. commend, T. iv. 1473. 

Al-outerly, adv. entirely, absolutely, 3. 
1244; AU-utterly, HF. 296. 

Alpes, pi. bull-finches, R. 658. 

Also, Al-SO, adv. and conj. as, R. 212, 1122; 
adv. so, A 3104; Alswa.also (Northern), 
A 4085; A. many, as many, L. 528; A. 
muche as, as much as, D 2134 ; Als, also. 



besides, 3. 728 ; as, B 2850 ; frequently 

used in expressing a wish, 4. 267. 
Altercacioun, s. altercation, dispute, B 

4427. 
Alther-fairest, adj. super I. fairest of all, 

R. b25. 
Alther-fastest, adv. sup. as fast as pos- 
sible, HF. 2131. 
Altherflrst, adv. first of all, at first, HF. 

1368. 
Alther-firste, adj. first of all, 3. 1173. 
Altitude, s. the elevation of a celestial 

object above the horizon, measured 

along a vertical arc, A. pr. 60. 
Al-utterly ; see Al-outerly. 
Alwey, adv. always, ceaselessly, all the 

while, A 185. 
Alyne, adv. in an exact line, A. ii. 38. 27. 
Am, am ; in phr. it am I ; it is I, B nog. 
Amadrides, s. pi. hamadryads, A 2928. 
Almalgaming', j. the formation of an 

amalgam, G 771. 
A-naayed, //. dismayed, T. i. 648. 
Ambages, pi. ambiguous words, T. v. 

897. 
Ambel, s. amble; an a., in an amble, at 

an ambling pace, B 2075. 
Ambes as, double aces, B 124. 
Amblere, s. an ambling nag. A 469. 
Ameled, pp. enamelled, R. 1080. 
Amenden, v. make amends, A 3074; to 

surpass in demeanour, F 97 ; pr. s. subj. 

may (He) amend, D 1810;/'/. i-. improved, 

R. 1427; did good, 3. 1102; //. improved, 

B 4048 ; remedied, D 1097 ; surpassed, B 

3444- 

Amendement, s. amends, A 4185. 

Amenuse, ger. to lessen, I 496 ; v. dimin- 
ish, I 360; pr. s. diminishes, I 359; be- 
comes less, A. i. 21. 76. 

Amerciments, s. pi. fines, exactions, 
J 752. 

Amesureth, pr. s. measures, B 2. p i. 95. 

Ameved, pt. s. moved, changed ; nought 
a., changed not, altered not, E 498 ; 
Amoeved, pp. perturbed, I 670. 

Amiable, adj. kind, B 2168; courteous, 
I 629 ; kindly, R. 1226. 

A-midde, adv. in the midst, R. 147. 

Amidde, prep, amid, in the midst of, F 
409. 

Amiddes, adv. in the midst, 5. 277. 

A-middes, prep, in the midst of, A. i. 18. 
4; in the middle. A 2009. 

Amis, adv. amiss, 3. 1141 ; wrong, L. 1291 ; 
wrongly, B 3370; seyde amis, gave an 
unwelcome answer, 5. 446. 

Amoeve ; see Ameve. 



(§lo00arial Intei. 



Amonesteth, pr. s. admonishes, I 76; 

recommends, B 2484. 
Amonestinge, s. admonition, I 518. 
Among, adv. as well, T. iii. 1816; all the 

while, 3. 298. 
Ainonges,<jrfi/. sometimes, variously, B 2. 

p I. 119. 
Amonges, prep, amongst, A 759. 
Amonicioun, .r. pointing out, B i. p 4. 10. 
Amorettes, //. love-knots, R. 892. 
Ainor vincit omnia, love conquers all, A 

162. 
Amorwe, A-morwe, on the morrow, 

A 822, 1621 ; in the morning, 3. 1103. 
Amounteth, pr. s. means, A 2362; 

amounts to, F io8. 
Amphibologyes, //. ambiguities, T. iv. 

1406. 
Amy, s. friend, C 318. 
Au, a, A 575; An eighte busshels, a quan- 
tity equal to eight bushels, C 771. 
An, prep, on ; An heigh, on high, E 2326. 
Ancille, s. handmaiden, i. 109. 
Ancre, s. anchor, 10. 38; Anker, L. 2501. 
And, conj. if, 6. 112; L. 217. 
Anes, adv. once (Northern), A 4074. 
Angle, s. angle (a technical term in 

astrology), B 304 ; angular distance from 

the meridian, A. ii. 4. 48. 
Angle-hook, s. fish-hook, 4. 238. 
Angre, s. anguish, R. 320. 
Anguissh, s. anxiety, B 3. p 3. 55. 
Anguissheth,//-. s. wounds, pains, B 3. 

m 7. I. 
Anguissous, adj. distressed, R. 520; 

sorry, I 304; distressful, T. iii. 816. 
Anhange, ger. to hang, C 259; //. B 

3^45- 

Anientissed, //. brought to naught, B 
2438. 

A-night, in the night, A 1042; at night, 
D 1827. 

A-nightes, adv. by night, R. 18. 

Aulas, s. a short, two-edged knife or 
dagger, broad at the hilt and tapering 
to the point, formerly worn at the 
girdle, A 357. 

Annexed, pp. tied, 2. 72; attached, C 
482. 

Anni collecH, collected years, A. ii. 44. 27. 
When a table contains quantities de- 
noting the change in a planet's place 
during round periods of years, such as 
20, 40, or 60 years, such a change is 
entered under the heading Anni ColUcti. 

Anni expansi, expanse years, A. ii. 44. 
26. When a table contains quantities 
denoting the change in a planet's place 



during only a few years, viz. from i to 

19 years, such changes are entered 

separately under the headings i, 2, 

3, &c., years, which are designated the 

expanse (or separate) years. 
Afinis collectis et expansis, the collected 

years and expanse years, A. ii. 45. 18. 

See above. 
Annueleer, s. a priest who received 

annual payments, a chaplain, G 1012. 
Annunciat,//. pre-announced, i. e. whose 

birth was foretold, B 3205. 
Anon, adv. anon, immediately, at once, 

A 32, 748. 
Anon-right, adv. immediately, L. 115, 

1503- 
Anon-rightes, adv. immediately, A 3480. 
Anoy, s. vexation, T. iv. 845 ; trouble, B 

1320 ; torture, B 3. m 12. 25 ; sadness, I 

678, 680; pi. troubles, I 518. 
Anoye, v. annoy, vex, T. iv. 1304; pr. s. 

annoys, vexes, B 2234 ; gives offence, 

5. 518 ; does harm, F 875 ; inipers. it 

vexes, G 1036; pr. pi. harm, B 2187; 

imp.pl. injure ye, B 494; pp. displeased, 

D 1848; wearied, I 726; peevish, I 1051. 
Anoyful, adj. annoying, tiresome, B 

2222. 
Anoyous, adj. annoying, tedious, B 2433 ; 

disagreeable, B 2235. 
Answere, v. answer, D 1077 ; a. of, answer 

for, be responsible for, L. 2212; be suit- 
able for, B 4. p 3. 69. 
Answering, s. answer, E 512. 
Antartik, adj. southern, A. ii. 25. 11. 
Antem, s. anthem, B 1850. 
Antiphoner, s. anthem-book, B 1709. 
Antony, fyr of seint, erysipelas, I 427. 
Anvelt, ,f. anvil, 3. 1165. 
Any-thing, at all, in any degree, T. i. 

848. 
Aornement, s. adornment, I 432. 
Apaire ; see Apeiren. 
Apalled, pp. vapid, I 723 ; weakened, A 

3053; pale, Y 365; languid, B 1292. 
Aparayles, s. pi. ornaments, B 2. p 4. 

69. (Lat. ornamentis.) 
Aparaile, v. apparel, D 343; prepare, L. 

2473; Apparaillen, v. prepare, B 2532; 

pr. s. endues, I 462 ; itnp. s. prepare, B 

2534- 
Aparailements, s. pi. ornaments, B 2. 

P 5- 181. 
Aparcey ve ; see Aperceive. 
Apassed, pp. passed away, B 2. p 5. 35. 
Apaye, v. to satisfy; pp. satisfied, T. y. 

1249; pleased, T. iii. 421; yvel a., ill 

pleased, L. 80 ; E 1052. 



(glassarial IntJei. 



Apayre ; see Apeiren. 

Apayse ; see Apese. 

Ape, s. ape, HF. 1212; dupe, A 3389; //. 

dupes, T. i. 913. 
Apeiren, ,^^r. to injure, impair, A 3147; 

V. I 1079; grow worse, HF. 756; i pr. 

pi. perish, T. ii. 329; pp. impaired, B i. 

p 5. 67 ; injured, T. i. 38. 
Aperceive, v. perceive, E 600; Apar- 

ceyve, T. iv. 656 ; pr. s. discerns, I 294. 
Aperceyvinges,//. perceptions, obser- 
vations, F 286. 
Apert, adj. manifest, I 649. 
Apert, adv. openly, F 531. 
Apertenant, adj. belonging to, such as 

belongs to, 2. 70 ; suitable, E loio. 
Aperteneth, pr. s. tmpers. appertains, B 

2171; pr. pi. I 83; pres. pt. belonging, 

G78S. 
Apertly, adv. openly ; clearly, I 294. 
Apese, Apeise, v. appease, pacify; E 

433; i>np. pi- mitigate, 4. 10; pr.s. rejl. 

is pacified, B 3051; 2pr. pi. T. iii. 22; 

pt. s. B 2290 ; pp. appeased, T. i. 250. 
Apeyre ; see Apeire. 
Apeyse ; see Apese. 
Apose ; see Appose. 
Apotecarie, .r. apothecary, B 4138 ; //. 

preparers of medicines, A 425. 
Appalled ; see Apalle. 
Apparaunte, adj.pl. apparent, manifest, 

R.5. 
Apparence, s. appearance, F 218 ; seem- 
ing, HF. 265; apparition, F 1602; false 

show, F 1157; pi. apparitions, F 1140. 
Appese ; see Apese. 
Appetyt, s. desire, A 1680. 
Appetyteth, pr. s. seeks to have, desires, 

L. 1582. 
Applyen, v. be attached to, B 5. p 4. 14. 
Apposed, //. s. questioned, G 363; pp. 

opposed, alleged, B i. p5. 54. 
Apprentys, adj. unskilled, as novices, 

R. 687. 
Appreved, pp. approved, E 1349. 
Appropred, pp. appropriated, made the 

property of, 14. 18. 
Approwours, //. approvers, informers, 

^'> 1343- 
Aprochen, v. approach, T. v. i. 
Apurtenance, s. appurtenance; pi. I 

793- 
Apyked, pp. trimmed, adorned, A 

365- 
Aqueynte me, make myself acquainted, 

3. 532; //. //. became acquainted, HF. 

250 ; //. acquainted, B 1219. 
Aquyte, imp. s. requite, T. ii. 1200. 



Arace, v. eradicate, uproot, T. v. 954; 
tear away, 6. 20 ; pr. s. subj. root out, 
eradicate, T. iii. 1015 ; pp. torn, borne 
along; torn away, B 3. p 11. 165. 

Araise ; see Areise. 

Aray, s. array, dress, L. 1505 ; arrange- 
ment, T. iii. 536; state, dress, A 41, 73; 
attire, I 932 ; array of garments, L. 2607 ; 
order, E 262 ; ordinance, E 670 ; position, 
D902; condition, A 934. 

Arayed, //. dressed, ready, T. iii. 423; 
clad, R. 472; adorned, T. ii. 1187; -wel 
a., well situated, T. ii. 680; equipped, A 
2046; dressed, F 389; ordered, B 252; 
appointed, F 1187. 

Arbitre, s. will, choice, B 5. p 3. 18. 

Arches ; see Ark. 

Archaungel, s. titmouse, R. 915. 

Archewyves, s. pi. archwives, ruling 
wives, E 1 195. 

Ardaunt, adj. ardent, B 3. m 12. 15; 
eager, B 4. p 3. 116. 

Arede, v. explain, disclose, T. ii. 1505; 
counsel, T. iv. 1112; interpret, 3. 289; 
ger. to divine, T. ii. 132. 

Areise, v. raise; Areysen, ,^irr. to levy, 
I 567 ; //. praised, L. 1525 ; raised, A. 
ii. 2. 7. 

Arest, s. rest (for a spear), A 2602. 

Areste, s. arrest, B 4090; detention, A 
1310; responsibility, E 1282; delay, L. 
806; hesitation, L. 1929; deliberation, 
L. 397- 

Areste, v. stop (a horse), A 827; Do a., 
cause to be stopped, B 4210. 

Aretten, v. impute, B 2. p 4. 14 ; A. upon, 
pr. s. accuses, I 580; pr.pl. subJ. ascribe, 
I 1002; ye narette it nat, ye impute it 
not, consider it not, A 726; //. imputed, 
A 2729. 

A-rewe, adv. successively, lit. in a row, 
D 1254. 

Areyse ; see Areise. 

Argoile, s. crude tartar, G 813. 

Arguinge, s. argument, L. 475. 

Argumented, pt. s. argued, T. i. 377. 

Aright, adv. rightly, well, A 267; aright, 
G1418; properly, F 694 ; wholly, A 189; 
exactly, T. v. 364; certainlv, B 3135. 

Arisen', Arist; see Aryse. 

Ariste, s. arising, rising, A. ii. 12. 16. 

Ark, s. arc, referring to the arc of the 
horizon extending from sunrise to sun- 
set, B 2; daily course of the sun, E 
179s ; arc, the apparent angular dis- 
tance passed over by the sun in a day 
and a night, A. ii. 7. 12; Arches, //. 
arcs, A. ii. 7. 15. 



(©lossartal KntiEi. 



Armes, //. arms, weapons, 7. i ; coat-of- 

arms, A 1012. 
Arm-greet, adj. thick as one's arm, A 

2145- 

Arminge, s. putting on of armour, B 
2037. 

Armipotente, adj. powerful in arms, 
A 1982, 

Armoniak, adj. ammoniac ; applied to 
bole, G 790, and sal, G 798. It is a 
corruption of Lat. armeniacum, i. e. Ar- 
menian. 

Armonye, s. harmony, 3. 313. 

Armure, s. defensive armour, 4. 130; B 

200g. 

Armurers. //. armourers, A 2507. 

Arn, pf. pi. are, HF. 1008. 

Aroos; see Aryse. 

A-roume, adv. at large, in an open 
space, HF. 540. 

A-rowe, adv. in a row, HF. 1835. 

Arowe, s. ; see Arwe. 

Arrace ; see Arace. 

Array, Arrays ; see Aray, Arayed. 

Arrerag-e, s. arrears, A 602. 

Arrette ; see Aretten. 

Arrivage, s. coming to shore, HF. 223. 

Arry ve, v. arrive, come to land, 10. 38 ; 
pr. s. (it) arrives, L. 2309; pt. s. drove 
ashore, B 4. m 3. i ; yvel-a., ill-fated, 
R. 1068. 

Ars-metryke, s. arithmetic, D 2222. 

Artelleries, s. pi. engines for shooting, 
B 2523. 

Arten,^i?r. to constrain, urge, T. i. 388. 

Artificial, adj. A. ii. 7. ru6. The day 
artificial is the length of the day, from 
the moment of sunrise to that of 
sunset. 

Artik, northern, A. i. 14. 10. 

Artow, art thou, A 1141; thou art, L. 
986, 

Arwe, s. arrow, T. ii. 641 ; Arowe, 7. 185 ; 
//. arrows, A 107. 

Aryse, v. arise, be raised, T. iv. 1480; 
pr. s. rises, I 971 ; Arist, pr. s. (contr. 
from ariseth) arises, B 265 ; Aroos, pt. s. 
arose, 5. 575 ; stood up, L. 831 ; Arisen, 
//. //. arose, T. ii. 1598 ; Aryse, pr. s. 
s/ifij. may arise ; Fro the Sonne arj'se, 
from the point where the sun rises. 

Arysing', s. rising, rise, A. ii. 12. i. 

Aryve, s. lit. arrival ; landing, disem- 
barkation of troops, A 60. 

Aryve ; see Arryve. 

As, so (in asseverations), 3. 838, 1235; an 
expletive, expressing a wish, commonly 
used with an imperative, e. g. as lat. 



pray let, B 859; as lene, pray lend, A 
3777, &c. ; As, like, B 1864 ; as that, 
F 1018 ; As after, according to, B 3555 ; 
As ferforth as, as far as, B 19 ; As in', 
i. e. for, B 3688 ; As now, at present, at 
this time, A 2264 ; on the present 
occasion, G 944; for the present, G 
1019; As nouthe, as at this time, at 
present, A 462; As of, with respect to, 
5. 26; As swythe, as soon as possible, 
at once, 7. 226; As that, as soon as, 
F 615 ; as though, 3. 1200 ; As ther, there, 
4. 117; As to, with reference to, F 107; 
As to my wit, as it seems to me, 5. 
547- 

As, .(. an ace, B 3851 ; Ambes as, pi. double 
aces, B 124. 

Asay ; see Assay. 

Ascaunce, as if, jjerhaps, G 838 ; in case 
that, L. 2203 ; Ascaunces, as if, D 1745 ; 
as if to say, T. i.205, 292. Compounded 
of E. as, and O. F. quanses, as if. 

Ascencioun, s. ascension, ascending 
degree, B 4045 ; rising up, G 778. 

Ascende, v. ascend, rise (a term in 
astrology), I 11; pres. part, ascending, 
in the ascendant, i. e. near the eastern 
horizon, F 264. 

Ascendent, s. ascendant, A 417 ; //. HF. 
1268. The ' ascendant ' is that degree 
of the ecliptic which is rising above 
the horizon at a given moment. 

Asemble ; see Assemble. 

Aseuraunce, .f. assurance, T. v. 1259. 

Ash ; see Asshe. 

Ashamed, pp. put to shame, A 2667 ; for 
pure a., for very shame, T. ii. 656. 

Asketh, pr. s. requires, T. i. 339. 

Asking', (. question, L. 313. 

Aslake, v. diminish, A 3553 ; //. assuaged, 
A 1760. 

Asonder, adv. asunder, apart, A 491. 

Asp, s. aspen tree, A 2921 ; collectively, 
R. 1384. A. S. aps. 

Aspect, J. an (astrological) aspect, A 1087. 
An ' aspect ' is the angular distance 
between two planels. The principal 
aspects avefve, viz. conjunction, sextile, 
quartile, trine, and opposition, corre- 
sponding to the angular distances 0°, 6o'-~', 
90"^ 120^, and 180-', respectively. 

Aspen-leef , s. leaf of an aspen tree, D 
1667. 

Aspre, adj. sharp, bitter, T. iv. 827 ; 
vexatious, B 3. p 8. 19; cruel, B 2. p 
8. 39; fierce, hardy, 7. 23. 

Asprenesse, s. asperity, B 4. p 4. 159. 

Aspye. s. spv, C 755. 



(©lossarial Enliex. 



Aspye, V. spy, see, A 1420; Aspyen, v. 

behold, T. ii. 649. 
Assaut, s. assault, A 989. 
Assay, s. trial, D 290; doon his a., make 

his attempt, L. 1594; A-say, test, L. 

28 a. 
Assaye, v. try, make trial of, B 3149 ; 

try, 3. 574 ; endeavour, F 1567 ; ger. to 

assail, T. i. 928; pr. s. experiences, B 3. 

m 2. 13 ; pr. pi. fry, L. 487 ; imp. pi. 

try, E 1740; //. proved, tested, tried, 

experienced, T. iii. 1220, 1447; A 1811. 
Assay le ; see Assaile. 
Asseg-e, s. siege, T. i. 464, ii. 107. 
Assege, v. besiege; //. //. T. i. 60; //. 

A 881. 
Assemble, v. ; come together, I 909 ; ger. 

to amass, B 3. p 8. 8 ; //. A 717 ; united, 

G50. 
Assemblinge, s. union, I 904, 917. 
Assendent ; see Ascendent. 
Assente, v. agree to, A 374; assent, A 

3092; consent, B 3469; agree, E 11, 

88, 129. 
Asshe (i), s. ash-tree, 5. 176; collectively, 

ash-trees, R. 1384. 
Asshe (2), s. ash (of something burnt) ; 

Asshen,//. ashes, 7. 173; A 1302. 
Assoilen, ger. to discharge, pay, B 5. 

p 1. 15 ; V. loosen ; pr. s. absolve, pardon, 

C 913 ; pp. explained, B 5. p 6. 311. 
Assoiiing, s. absolution, A 661. 
Assure, s. assurance, protestation, 7. 331. 
Assure, v. feel secure, trust, T. v. 870; 

rely, T. v. 1624; declare (to be) sure, 

7.90. 
Assyse, s. assize, session, A 314; judge- 
ment, I. 36; position, R. 900. 
Asterte, v. escape, L. 1802; A 1595; es- 
cape from, L. 2338; D 968; get away, 

withdraw, 3. 1154; release, D 1314; //. 

s. escaped, 1\ iii. 97; //. escaped, B 

437- 
Astonie, v. astonish ; pr. s. astonishes, 

HF. 1174; //. astonished, T. i. 274, iii. 

1089. 
Astonyinge, s. astonishment, B 4. p 5. 33. 
Astore, v. to store; //. A 609. 
Astrolabie, s. astrolabe, A. pr. 4. 
Astrologien, s. astrologer, astronomer, 

D 324. 
Astrologye, s. astrology, A 3192, 3514. 
Astromye ( /?r Astronomye), a/? ignoravt 

form, A 3451, 3457. 
Asure, s. azure, R. 477. 
Asweve, v. ; //. dazed, put to sleep, HF. | 

549- 
A-swown, ndv. (from pp.) in a swoon, [ 

B b 



L. 2207 ; Aswowe, 7. 354 ; Aence As- 
wowne, in a swoon, T. iii. 1092 ; A 3823. 

At, prep, at, A 20, &c. ; of, R. 378; as to, 
6. 114; by, D 2095; in the presence of, 
T. ii. 984; with, beside, HF. 1593; to, 
HF. 1603; At me, with respect to me, 
B 1975; At erste, firste of all, HF. 512; 
At his large, free, free to speak or be 
silent, A 2288; At on, at one, agreed. 
A 4197 ; At shorte wordes, briefly, 5. 
481; At regard, with regard, I 180; At 
ye, at (your) eye, with your own eyes, 
visibly, A 3016 ; iiave at thee, I attack 
thee, L. 1383. 

At-after, prep, after, B 1445. 

Atake, v. overtake, G 556, 585. 

Ataste, 2.pr. s. subj. taste, B 2. p i. 41. 

Ataynt ; see Atteine. 

Atazir, s. evil influence, B 305. 

Atempraunce, s. temperament, B 4. p 6. 
214; adjustment, moderation, temper- 
ance, C 46. 

Atempre, adj. temperate, mild, L. 128, 
1483; moderate, T. i. 953; mild, 5. 204; 
R. 131 ; modest, I 932. 

Atempre, v. ; pr. s. attempers, B i. m 2. 
23 ; reji. controls himself, B 2704. 

Atemprely, adv. temperately, I 861 ; 
nioderately, B 2728. 

Atempring-e, s. controlling, B 5. p 4. loi. 

Ateyne ; see Atteine. 

Athamaunt, s. adamant, A 1305. 

Athinken, v. displease, '1'. v. 878; Athink- 
eth, pr. s. impers. (it) repents, T. i. 1050. 

At-ones, adv. at once, at one and the 
same time, B 670. 

Atoon, adv. at one, E 437. 

At-rede, v. surpass in counsel, T. iv. 
1456 ; A 2449. 

At-renne, v. surpass in running, T. iv. 
1456 ; A 2449. 

Attamed, pp. broached, B 4008. 

Attayne ; see Atteine. 

Atte, for at the, D 404; Atte beste, in 
the best way, A 29, 749; Atte fan, at 
the fan, H 42; Atte fulie, at the full, 
completely, A 651 ; Atte gate, at the 
gate, B 1563; Atte hasard, at dice 
C 608; Atte laste, at the last, B 506 
Atte leste, at the least, at least, B 38 
Atte Bo we, at Bow, A 125. 

Atteine, v. attain, R. 1495; succeed in 
4. 161 ; pp. apprehended, B 3. p 3. 25. 

Attempre ; see Atempre. 

Attry, adj. venomous, I 583. 

A-tweyn, adv. in two, 3. 1193. 

A-twinne, adv. apart, T. iii. 1666. 

Atwixe, prep, betwixt, R. 854. 



#lo0sar{al Yintitx. 



A-twixen, //-if/), between, T. v. 472. 

A-tWO, in twain, 7. 94; L. 758. 

A-tyr, s. attire, dress, T. i. 181. 

Auctor; see Auctour. 

Auctoritee, s. authority, B 2355 ; recog- 
nised text, A 3000; statements of good 
authors, D i. 

Auctour, J. author, HF. 314; originator, 
H 359 ; creator, T. iii. 1765. 

Audience, s. hearing, 5. 308 ; audience, 
15 3991 ; open assembly, D 1032. 

Augrim, s. algorism, i. e. numeration, A. 
i. 7. 6; Arabic numerals, A. i. 8. 6. 

Augrim-stones, //. counters for calcu- 
lating, A 3210. 

Auncessour, s. ancestor; //. R. 391. 

Auncestre, s. ancestor, 5. 41. 

Auncetrye, s. ancestry, A 3982. 

Aungel, J-. angel, R. 916. 

Aungellyk, adj. angelical, T. i. 102. 

Aungellyke, adv. like an angel, L. 236. 

Auntre it, v. risk it, A 4209; Auntred 
him,//, s. adventured himself, A 4205. 

Auntrous, adj. adventurous, B 2099. 

Autentyke, adj'. authentic, 3. 1086. 

Auter, s. altar, 5. 249. 

Avale, V. fall down, T. iii. 626; doff, take 
off, A 3122; Avalen, //-. //. sink down. 

Avantage, s. advantage, F 772 ; to don 
his a., to suit liis own interests, B 729; 
as adj. advantageous, B 146. 

Avante ; see Avaunte. 

Avaunce, v. promote, L. 2022; ^ef. T. i. 
518; be profitable, A 246; cause to 
prosper, HF. 640; help, 10. 31. 

Avaunt, j. vaunt, boast, A 227, E 1457. 

Avaunte (her), v. refl. boast (herself), 7. 
296; ger. to extol, HF. 1788; v. refi. 
boast, vaunt himself, D 1014. 

Avaunting, s. boasting, A 3884. 

Avauntour, s. boaster, 5. 430. 

Avenaunt, adj. graceful, comely, R. 1263. 

Aventayle, s. ventail, E 1204. 

Aventure, J. chance, 4. 21 ; peril, B 1151; 
misfortune, L. 657; fortune, 18. 22; 
luck, T. ii. 288, 291 ; circumstance, L. 
1907; of a., by chance, HF. 2090; o)i a., 
in case of mishap, T. v. 298; /u a., in 
the hands of fortune, T. i. 784; pdr a., 
perchance, A. ii. 12. 6 ; in a. and grace, 
on luck and favour, 4. 60; good a., good 
fortune, 5. 131, 7. 324; //. adventures, 
A 795 ; accidents, C 934. 

Aventurous, adj. random, B i. p 6. 98 ; 
adventitious (Lut. /o>f//i(ce), B 2. p 4. 17. 

Avisee, adj. deliberate, L. 1521. 

Avisioun, s. vision, R. 9; HF. 7. 

Avouterye, s. adultery, 5. 361. 



Avoutier, s. adulterer; //. 1 841. 

Avow, s. vow, A 2414, 2237. 

Avowe, V. avow, own, proclaim, G 642; 
j>K s. vows, 7. 355. 

Avoy, inUrj. fie ! B 4098. 

Avys, s. advice, consideration, opinion, 
A 786, B 2442. 

Avyse, v. consider, T. i. 364; contem- 
plate, T. V. 1814; re/, consider, B 664; 
i/n/!. s. take heed, A 4188; iinp.pl. con- 
sider, deliberate, A 3185 ; //. clearly 
seen, R. 475 ; with mind made up, T. 
iii. 1186; advised, careful, A 3584; 
deliberate, I 448; wary, A 4333; fore- 
warned, B 2538 ; vjell a., well advised, 
B 2514. 

Avysely, adv. advisedly, B 2488 ; seriously, 
I 1024 ; carefully, A. ii. 29. 29. 

Avysement, s. consideration, B 2941 ; 
counsel, T. ii. 343; deliberation, B 86; 
determination, L. 1417. 

Await, s. watch, D 1657; surveillance, H 
149 ; waiting, T. iii. 579 ; watchfulness, 
T. iii. 457 ; Have hir in awayt, watch 
her, B 3915 ; //. plots, B 3. p 8. 11. 

Av/aite, v. await; pr. s. waits, i. 11 1; 
watches, B 1776. 

Awaiting, s. attendance, 7. 250. 

Awaitour, s. lier in wait, B 4. p 3. 122. 

Awake, v. wake, awake; Awook, 1 pi. s. 
aroused, 3. 1324; pt. s. awoke, F 367; 
Awaked,//, s. awoke, A 2523. 

A"ward., s. decision, I 483. 

Awen, own (Northern), A 4239. 

A-wepe, a-weeping, in tears, T. ii. 408. 

A-werke, adv. at work, D 215. 

Aweye, adv. out of the way, done with, 
T. ii. 123; gone, 7. 319; from home, B 
593 ; astray, B 609. 

Aw^eyward, adv. away, backwards, H 
262. 

Awhape, v. amaze; //. scared, L. 132; 
stupefied, 7. 215 ; confounded, T. i. 316. 

Awook ; see Aw^ake. 

Awreke, v. avenge, 2. 11 ; pr. s. avenges, 
R. 278 ; //. H 298 ; A 3752. 

Awry, adv. on one side, R. 291. 

Axen, V. ask, L. 835 ; Axe at, ask of, T. ii. 
894; /;•. s. requires, T. ii. 227. 

Axing, s. question, L. 239 a; request, A 
1826. 

Ay, adv. aye, ever, A 63, 233; Ay whyl 
that, all the while that, 4. 252. 

Ay-dwellinge, adj. perpetual, ever-abid- 
ing, B 5. p 6. 97. 

Ayein, prep, opposite to, T. ii. 920; 
against, T. i. 902. 

Ayeln, adv. again, back, 5. 100. 



t^Iossarial Entiex. 



Ayein-ledinge, adj. returning, recon- 
ducting, B 3. m 9. 42. 

Ayeins, prep, against, A 1787 ; towards, 
at the approach of, 5. 342. 

Ayeins, adv. against, to, A 3155. 

Ayeinward, adv. again, on the other 
hand, B 2. p 4. 126; back again, T. iii. 
750, IV. 1581. ^ 

Ayel, s. grandfather, A 2477. 

Azimut, s. azimuth, A. ii. 31. 22. 



Ba, V. kiss, D 433 ; imp. s. A 3709. 
Babewibnes,//. (lit. baboons) , grotesque 

figures in architecture, HF. 1189. 
Bachelere, s. young knight, R. 918, 1469; 

an aspirant to knighthood, A 80. 
Bachelrye, s. bachelor-hood, H 125 ; com- 
pany of young men, E 270. 
Bad ; see Bidde. 
Badder, ady. comp. worse, F 224. 
Bagge, V. ; pr. s. looks askant, 3. 623. 
Baggepype, s. bagpipe, A 565. 
Baggingly, adv. squintingly, R. 292. 
Baite, v. bait; feed, B 466; //. baited, 

tormented, R. 1612. 
Bak, s. back, 3. 957 ; cloth for the back, 

coarse mantle, rough cloak, G 881. 
Bakbyter, s. backbiter, I 495. 
Bake metes, baked meats, meat pies, 

I 445- 
Bakhalf, the back or flat side of the 

astrolabe, A. i. 4. i. 
Bak-side, s. the back of the astrolabe, A. 

'• 15- 3- 
Balaunce, j. a balance, G 611 ; inbalaunce, 
in jeopardy, G 611 ; in suspense, 3. 1021. 
Bale, s. sorrow, 3. 535 ; for bote tie bale, for 

good nor for ill, 3. 227. 
Balke, s. balk, beam, A 3920; //. trans- 
verse beams beneath a roof, A 3626. 
Balled, adj. bald, A 198, 2518. 
Bane, s. death, L. 2159; destruction, HF. 
408; cause of death, A 1097; slayer, T. 
'V. 333. 
Banes, pi. bones (Northern), A 4073. 
Bar. Bare ; see Bare, v. 
Barbe, s. barb (part of a woman's head- 
dress, still sometimes used by nuns, 
consisting of a piece of white plaited 
linen, passed over or under the chin, 
and reaching midway to the waist), T.' 
ii. 110. 
Barbre, adj. barbarian, B 281. 
Bareine, adj. barren, B 68, D 372. 
Barel ale, barrel of ale, B 3083. 
Bark, s. (of a tree), T. iii. 727. 

Bb 



Barm-clooth, s. apron, A 3236 
Barme, .r. {dat^ bosom, lap, B 3256, 3630. 
Baronage, s. assembly of barons, A 3096. 
Barre. s. bar, A 1075 ; Barres, //. stripes 

across a girdle, A 329. 
Barred, pp. furnished with ' bars,' A 3225. 
Barrings, s. adorning with (heraldic) 

bars, I 417. 
Basilicok, s. basilisk, I 853. 
Baste, V. baste; pres.part. basting, tack- 
ing on, R. 104. 
Bataile, s. battle, fight, L. 1647; troop, B 

5. m I. 4. 
Batailen, v. fight, B i. p 4. 251. 
Batailled, adj. embattled, i. e. notched 

with indentations, B 4050. 
Batere, v. batter; pr. s. strikes, I 556. 
Bathe, both (Northern), A 4087. 
Bathe, ger. to bathe, to bask, T. ii. 849; 

rejl. to bask, B 4457. 
Bauderye, s. bawdry, act of a pandar, T. 

iii. 397 ; mirth, A 1926. 
Baudrik, s. baldric, belt worn trans- 
versely over one shoulder, A 116. 
Baudy, adj. dirty, G 635. 
Baume, s. balm, HF. 1686. 
Baundon, j. power, disposal, R. 1163. 
Bay, adj. bay-coloured, A 2157. 
Bayard, a horse's name; a horse, A 41 15. 
Be-, prejix ; see also Bi-. 
Beau, adj. fair ; beau sir, fair sir, HF. 643. 
Be-bled, pp. bloodied, covered with blood, 

B 3. m 2. 14. 
Beblotte, /;«/. j. blot, T. ii. 1027. 
Bechen, adj. made of beech, G 1160. 
Become, v. go to, L. 2214 ; //. gone to, 7. 

247. 
Bed, s. L. 2211; station, B 3862; bed (of 

herbs), B 441 1. 
Beddings, s. couch, A 1616. 
Bade, v. offer, proffer, HF. 32; G 1065; 
I pr. s. proffer, 7. 304; Bedeth, /;-. s. 
proffers, E 1784; Bede, ipt.pl. directed, 
told, I 65; Boden,//. commanded, T. iii. 
691 ; ordered, L. 266. 
Bede, pt. pi. and pp. of Bidde. 
Beden, //. //. of Bidde. 
Bedes, pi. beads, A 159. 
Bedote, v. befeol, L. 1547. 
Bedrede, adj. bedridden, D 1769. 
Beek, s. beak, F 418. 
Beam, s. balk, B 4362; Bemes,//. beams 

R. 1574. 
Bean, pi. bees, F 204. 
Beer, bare ; //. s. of Bere. 
Beast, s. beast, F 460 ; Beest roial = royal 
beast, i. e. Leo, F 264 ; brute, G 288 ; 
beast, quarry, R. 1452. 

5 



(iilassaiial Eutifx. 



Beet, pt. s. and imp. s. of Bete. 
Beeth, imp.pl. of Ben, to be. 
Beggostere, s. beggar, properly a female 

beggar, A 242. 
Behette; see Bihote. 
Bekke, i pr. s. (I) nod, C 396; pt. s. 

nodded to, T. ii. 1260. 
Bel amy, i. e. good friend, fair friend, C 
318 ; Bele, adj. fern, fair, beautiful, HF. 
1796 ; Bele chare, excellent fare, B 1599 ; 
Bele chose, beautiful part, D 447. 
Belle, s. bell, T. ii. 1615; (of a clock), 3. 
1322; (sign of an inn), A 719; bere 
ike b., be the first, T. iii. 198. 
Bel'weth, pr. s. roars, HF. 1803. 
Bely, s. belly, B 2167. 
Bely, s. a pair of bellows, I 351. 
Bely-naked, adj. entirely naked, E 1326. 
Berne, s. trumpet, HF. 1240; //. B 4588. 
Ben, Been, v. be, i. 182; xpr. pi. are, 3. 
582; Ben, 2. pr.pl. B 122; consist, I 82; 
Beih, pr. pi. are, F 648; Be, pr. .?. subj. 
exists, it should be, 4. 49 ; Be, i pr. s. subj. 
be, am, D 1245; Beth, imp. pi. be, C 
683; Been, pp. 3. 530; A 199; Be, pp. 
been, R. 322; / had be, I should have 
been, 3. 222; Be as be may, be it as it 
may,'however it be, L. 1852 ; Be what she 
be, be she who she may, T. i. 679 ; Lat 
be, let alone, D 1289. 
Bench, .r. bench, T. ii. 91 ; table, B 1548 ; 

bench (law court), i. 159. 
Bend, s. band, R. 1079. 
Bende, t'. bend, R. 1334; turn.T. ii. 1250; 
Bente, pt. s. bent, H 264 ; Bent, pp. i. 
29 ; arched, A 3246. 
Bendinge, s. adorning with (heraldic) 
bends, I 417. A bend, in heraldry, is 
a broad diagonal band upon a shield. 
B§ne, s. bean, 11. 29. 
Benedicite, bless ye (the Lord), A 1785; 

(pronounced ben cite), T. i. 780, &c. 
Benisoun, s. benison, blessing, B 2288. 
Bent, s. grassv slope ; Bente, dat. A 1981. 
Berafte; see'Bireve. 
Berd, s. beard, A 270, 2173 ; in the berd, 
face to face, T. iv. 41 ; make a berd, de- 
ceive, A 4096; irake his berd, delude 
him, D 361. 
B6re, J. bear, L. 1214; the constellations 
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, HF. 1004. 
B6re, 5. bier, 2. 105 ; 19. 5. 
Bere, v. bear, carry, B 3564; transport, 
F 119; confer on, L. 2135; Bere yow, 
conduct yourself, D 1108; Beren on 
honde, accuse, D 393; Beren him on 
bond, assure him, D 232 (cf. 226) ; Bereth 
him, conducts himself, behaves, A 796; 



Bereth hir, comports herself, T. ii. 401 ; 
Berth hir on bond, bears false witness 
against her, B 620; Bereth him on bond, 
accuses him, I 505; Sickly berth, take 
ill, dislike, E 625; Bere, pr. pi. 3. 894; 
Bere, 2 pt. s. barest, T. iv. 763 ; Bar, pt. s. 
bare, carried, A 105 ; possessed, D 997 ; 
//. J-. rejl. conducted himself, T. iii. 490; 
Bar on honde, made him believe, D 575 ; 
Bar her on honde, brought against her 
a charge which he feigned to believe, 7. 
158 ; Baren us, i pt. pi. conducted our- 
selves, A 721 ; Baren me on hond, bore 
false witness against me, B. i. p 4. 180; 
pr. s. subj. may pierce, A 2256 ; Bar, 
imp. s. carry, D 1139; Ber ayein, take 
back, T. ii. 1141; Boren, //. born, D 
1153; Bore, /)/. born. 

Bare, s. head-sheet, pillow-case, 3. 254. 

Berie, s. berry, A 4368. 

Berie, v. bury, C 884. 

Beringe, J. behaviour, B 2022; carriage, 
E 1604. 

Berke, v. bark; Borken, pp. shrieked- (lit. 
barked), B i. p 5. i. 

Berm, s. Ijarm, i. e. yeast, G 813. 

Bern, s. barn, B 3759. 

Beryle, j-. beryl, HF. 1184. 

Besaunt-wight, .?. weight of a besant, R. 
1 106. {Besant, a gold coin of Byzan- 
tium.) 

Bespreynt ; see Bisprenge. 

Bestialitee, s. animal condition, T. i. 

735-' 
Bet, Sdj. comp. better, 10. 47 ; HF. 108. 
Bet, adv. better, A 242; .?c bet, go faster, 

go as quicklv as possible, 3. 136 ; the bet, 

the better, HF. 559; bet and bet, better 

and better, T. iii. 714. 
B6te, V. remedy, heal, T. i. 665; amenii, 

mend, assist, 1 421 ; kindle, A 2253. 
B6te,f^;-. to beat, flap, B 4.512; to hammer 

out, C 17 ; Beet,/;', s. adjoined (lit. beat), 

R. 129 ; Beten, pp. beaten, B 1732 ; as adj. 

beaten, ornamented with the hammer, 

R. 837. 
Beth,//-.//, are, B 2350; imp.pl. be, i. 

134- 
Betraising, s. betrayal, L. 2460. 
Bettre. adj. better, A 256; b. arm, right 

arm, T. ii. 1650. 
Bever, adj. made of beaver, A 272. 
Beye, ,ifer. to buy, T. v. 1843; v. B 1462. 

See Bye. 
Bibbe, v.; pp. imbibed, A 4162. 
Bible, s. bible. A 438; book, HF. I334- 
Bi-bledde, //.//. covered with blood, A 



tglossarial ]Iut3c.r, 



13 



Bicched bones, s.pl. dice, C 656. 
Bi-clappe, ger. to catch (as in a trap), 

G9. 
Bicorae,^i?r. to become, D 1644 ; Bicomth, 

/'•. s. goes, T. ii. 795. 
Bidaffed, pp. befooled, E 1191. 
Bidde, v. ask (coiifused with B6de, v. com- 
mand, bid); ger. to request, L. 838; 
I />;-. s. pray, T. i. 1027; Bit,//, j. bids, 
A 187 ; Bad, pt. s. prayed, begged, T. iii. 
1249; besought, T. i. 112; requested, E 
373; I //. s. bade, F 1212; pt. s. bade, 
commanded, D 108; Beden, /><■.//. bade, 
B 2233; Bidde, //. commanded, B 440 
(where han bidde = have bidden) ; Bede, 
//. bidden {as if from Bede), 3. 194; 
I pt. s. subj. would seek, R. 791 ; Bid, 
imp. s. pray, T. iii. 342 ; bid, 3. 144 ; Bid- 
deth, imp.pl. pray, T. i. 36. 
Bidding', s. request, L. 837. 
Bidelve, v.\ Bidolven, pp. buried, B 5. p 

I. 51. 
Biden, pp. of Byde. 
Bifallinge, s. coming to pass, T. iv. 

1018. 
Biforen, prep, before, B 3553 ; in front of, 

G680. 
Biforen, adv. in the front part (of his 
head), A 1376; beforehand, A 1148; in 
front, A 590 ; in a good position, A 572 ; 
of old time, F 551 ; first, E 446. 
Biforn, prep, before. 
Bigete, v. beget; Begat,//, s. L. 1562; 

Bigcten,//. B 3138. 
Biginne, v. begin, A 42; Bigonne, 2pt. s. 
G 442; Began, 2 //. s. {fa/se form for 
Bigunne), L. 2230; Bigan, pt.'s. A 44; 
Bigonne, pt.pl. F 1015; Bigonne, //. T. 
ii. 779. 
Bigoon, //. ornamented, R. 943 ; wel b., 
well contented, joyous, merry, 5. 171 ; 
fortunate, T. ii. 294 ; wel bigo, well con- 
tent, R. 693 ; wo b., distressed, L. 1487, 
2497; sorzvfully b., distressed, T. i. 114; 
wers b., more wretched, T. v. 1328. 
Bigyleres, //. beguilers, I 299. 
Bihalve, s. dat. behalf, T. ii. 1458. 
Bihate, v. hate ; //. B 3. m 4. 6. 
Biheste, s. promise, B 37; command, T. 
ii- 359; pl- promises, i. e. all that they 
profess to prove, A. pr. 26. 
Bihete, i pr. s. promise, G 707; 2 pr. s. 
dost promise. B 4. p 2. 1 ; pr. s. promises, 
I 379. See Bihote. 
Bihetinge, s. promising, B 2. p 8. 16. 
Bihewe, v.\ Behewe, //. carved, HF. 

1306. 
Bihig-hte, pt. s. promised, T. v. 1204; 



Bihighte, //.//. T. iii. 319; Bihight, //. 

T. v. 354. See Bihote. 
Biholde, v. behold, A 2293 ; Behelde, v. 

behold, 7. 80 ; Behelde, pt. s. subj. should 

see, T. ii. 378; Biholde,//. beheld, G 

179. 
Bihote, ipr.s. promise, A 1854; Behetfe, 

//. s. s. 436. 
Bihove, s. dat. profit (lit. behoof), R. 1092. 
Bihove, v. suit, 13. 5; pr. s. (it) behoves, 

T. iv. 1004; pr.pl. are necessary, I 83. 
Bihovely, adj. helpful, T. ii. 261 ; needful, 

I 107. 
Bi-jape, v. ; //. jested at, tricked, T. i. 

SSI- 
Biker, s. quarrel, L. 2661. 
Biknowe, t^. acknowledge, B 886; Bikno- 
weth, pr. s. I 481; Beknew, //. s. con- 
fessed, L. 1058 ; I am bi-knowen = I ac- 
knowledge, B 3. p 10. 88. 
Bilde,^^;-. to build, HF. 1133; Bilt, /;•. s. 
HF. 1135; Bilt,//. I. 183. See Bulde. 
Bilder, s. as adj. builder, used for build- 
ing, 5. 176. 
Bileve, s. faith, L. 2109; creed, A 3456. 
Bileve (i), v. believe; imp.pl. G 1047. 
Bileve (2), v. to remain, stay behind, F 

583- 
Bihnne, v. cease, T. iii. 1365. 
Bille, J-. bill, petition, i. 59,110; letter, E 

1937 ; writ, D 1586. 
Binde, v. bind, enthral, 4. 249; Bvnt 
{for Bint),//-, s. binds, 4. 47, 48; Bond, 
pt. s. bound, fastened, R. 241 ; Bounden, 
pp. bound, B 270; bound up, D 681. 
Binding', s. constraint, A 1304. 
Binime, v. take away, B 4. p 3. 36; 
Binemen,/r.//. B 3. p 3. 65 ; Bi-nomen', 
//. taken away, B 3. p 3. 69. 
Binne, s. bin, chest, A 593. 
Biquethe, v. bequeath, D 1121. 
Biraft, -e; see Bireve. 
Bireine, v. ; Bireyned, //. rained upon, 

T. iv. 1 172. 
Bireve, v. bereave, B 3359 ; restrain, T. i. 
685; take away, G 482 ; me wo bereve, roh 
me of woe, 6. 12; Bireved, pt. s. bereft, 
D 2071 ; Birafte, //. j. B 83 ; Biraft, //. 
bereft, T. iv. 225 ; A 1361. 
Birthe, s. birth, B 192. 
Biscorned, //. scorned, I 278. 
Bisege, v. besiege;//-, s. L. 1902; Bise- 

gede, pt. pi. T. i. 149. 
Bis6ken, v. beseech, pray, B 2306, 2910; 
By-s6ke, V. beseech, T. iv. 131 ; Biseken, 
I //-. //. implore, A 918 ; Bisoughtest, 2 
//. s. didst beseech, T. v. 1734 ; Bisoghte, 
//. s. B 2164. 



14 



^lossarial ilutJEj. 



Bisemare, s. contemptuous conduct, A 

3965. 

Bisette, v. ; Besette, v. employ, L. 1069 ; 
bestow, 3. 772; Besette, disposed of, L. 
2558 ; used up, D 1952 ; bestowed, A 3715, 
established, A 3012; fixed, I 366; Beset, 
fip. bestowed, T. i. 521. 

Biseye, />/>. beseen; wel b., fair to see, 
good-looking, R. 821 ; well provided, 3. 
829; goodly b., fair to see, good in ap- 
pearance, T. ii. 1262; yvel b., ill-looking, 
E 965 ; r/t/i^/y i^., rich-looking, splendid, 
E984. 

Bishende, v. ; Beshende, v. bring to ruin, 
L. 2696. 

Bishitte, v. ; Bishet, //. shut up, T. iii. 
602. 

Bishrewe, i pr. s. beshrew, D 844. 

Bisie, V. refl. take pains, B 3034 ; Bisie me, 
employ myself, G 758 ; //. //. occupied 
themselves, 5. 192. 

Bisily, adv. diligently, A. ii. 38. 8; com- 
pletely, T. iii. 1153; eagerly, F 1051; 
well, 2. 33. 

Bisinesse, s. business, B 1415 ; busy en- 
deavour, A 1007, G24 ; diligence, 3. 1156; 
C 56 ; industry, G 5 ; labour, 5. 86 ; work, 
activity, T. i. 795 ; trouble, ado, 7. 99 ; 
careful attention, B 2979; attentiveness, 
7. 250 ; care, A 520. 

Bi-smokede, adj. pi. dirtied with smoke, 
B I. p I. 31. 

Bismotered, pp. besmutted, marked with 
spots of rust, <S:c., A 76. 

Bispet, pp. spit upon, I 276. 

Bisprenge, z/. ; Bespreynt,//. sprinkled, 
bedewed, 2. 10. 

Bistad, //. bestead, in trouble, R. 1227; 
hard b., greatly imperilled, B 649. 

Bistryden, v. ; Bistrood, //. s. bestrode, 
B 2093. 

Bisy, Besy, adj. busy, industrious, R. 
1052 ; active, L. 103 ; useful, I 474 ; 
attentive, F 509; anxious, 2. 2. 

Bisyde,/rtf/. beside; ther b., beside that 
place, 3. 1316; c/<^., from the neighbour- 
hood of, A 445 ; b. his leve, without his 
leave, HF. 2105. 

Bisydes, prep. ; him b., near him, A 402. 

Bisydes, Besydes, adv. on one side, G 
1416. 

Bit, pr. s. of Bidde. 

Bitake, i pr. s. commend, I 1043 ; commit, 
E 161; resign, A 3750; i pr. s. deliver, 
entrust, L. 2297; Bitook,/A s. entrusted, 
G 541 ; Bitaken,//. B 3. m 2. 47. 

Biteche, i pr. s. commit (to), consign 
(to), B 2114. 



Bithinke, v. imagine, think of, T. iii. 

1694; Bethinke, v. 2. 107; ger. to reflect, 

HF. 1176; Bithoughte, i p/. s. refl. be- 
thought myself, R. 521 ; I am bithought, 

I have thought (of), A 767; Bithought, 

pp. T. ii. 225. 
Bitid, Bitit ; see Bityde. 
Bitook : see Bitake. 
Bitore, s. bittern, D 972. 
Bitraise, Bitraisshe. v. betray; Bitray- 

seth, pr. s. C 92; p/>. betrayed, T. iv. 

1648; I 269; Bitraisshed, R. 1648; Bi- 

trasshed, R. 1520. 
Bitrenden, v.; Bi-trent, //-. s. encircles, 

goes round, T. iv. 870 ; twines round, T. 

iii. 1231. 
Bitw^ixen,;5rf/.between, A 880; Betwixen, 

5. 148 ; Bitwixe, A 277 ; Bitwix, L. 729. 
Bityde, Bityden, v. happen, T. ii. 623; 

arrive, B 3730; pr. s. subj. E306; Bityde 

what b., happen what may, T. v. 750 ; 

Bitit, /n s. betides, happens, T. ii. 48, v. 

345 ; Bitidde, //. s. befell, T. v. 1641 ; 

Bitid, //. T. iii. 288 ; Betid, HF. 384. 
Bitydinge, s. an event, B 5. p i. 37. 
Bitymes, adv. betimes, soon, G 1008. 
Biware, v.\ Biwaied,//. spent, expended, 

laid out (as on wares), T. i. 636. 
Biwepe, ger. to bemoan, T. i. 763 ; Bi- 

wopen,//!. bathed in tears, T. iv. 916. 
Bi'wreye, v. make manifest, reveal, T. iii. 

377 ; Biwreyest, 2 pr. s. revealest, B 773 ; 

Biwreyd, //. betrayed (viz. by having 

your words revealed), H 352. 
Biwreying, 5. betraying, B 2330. 
Bi-"wryen, v. disclose, reveal, T. ii. 537 ; 

Bewrye, betray, 5. 348. (Wrongly used 

for Biwreye.) 
Blak, adj. black, A 294 ; Blake, //. A 557 ; 

Blakke, def. HF. 1801. 
Blak, s. black clothing, 3. 445. 
Blake, s. black writing, ink, T. ii. 1320. 
Blakeberied, a, a-blackberrying, i. p. 

a-wandering at will, astray, C 406. 
Blaked, pp. blackened, rendered black, 

B 3321. 
Blandishe, pr. s. subj. fawn, I 376. 
Blankmanger, s. a compound of minced 

capon with cream, sugar, and flour, A 

387. Named from its white colour. 
Blasen, ger. to blow, HF. 1802. 
Blaspheme, .f. blaspheming, 16. 15. 
Bldsphein6ur, s. blasphemer, C 898. 
Blast, J-. puff, T. ii. 1387. 
Blaste, ger. to blow a trumpet, HF. 1866. 
Blaunche, adj. fern. vi\\\\& (see Pevere), 

T. i. 916. 
Blaundisshinge, pret. pt. as adj. be- 



©losgarial EntJei. 



15 



witching, B 3. m 12. 23 ; Blaiindissinge, 

flattering, B 2. p i. 31. 
Bleche, v. ; //. bleached, 9. 45. 
Blede, v. bleed, L. 2696; Bledde, pt. s. 

bled, T. ii. 950. 
Blemislied., pp. injured, B i. p 4. 312. 
Blende, v. blind, T. iv. 648 ; ger. to de- 
ceive, T. iii. 207 ; to blind (or read to- 

blende, v. blind utterly), T. ii. 1496; 

Blent,//-, s. blinds, 5. 600; Blente, />/. j. 

blinded, T. v. 1194; Blent,//. 15. 18; 

deceived, E 2113. 
Blere, v. blear, bedim ; Blere hir ye, dim 

their eye, cajole them, A 4049; //. de- 
ceived, G 730. 
Blering, s. dimming; bl. of an ye, cajoling, 

A 3865. 
Blesse, z/. bless ; Blesseth hir, //-.j. crosses 

herself, B 449. 
Bleve, V. remain, T. iv. 1484; remain (at 

home) , T. iii. 623 \ger. to dwell, T. iv. 1357. 
Ble"w, //. s. of Blowe. 
Blew, adj. blue, A 564; 3. 340; as s. blue 

cloihing, 21. 7. 
Bleyne, j. blain, blemish, R. 553. 
Bleynte,//. J. blenched, started back, A 

1078 ; turned aside, T. iii. 1346. PL s. of 

Blenche, v. 
Blinde, v.; Blynde with, ger. to blind 

(the priest) with, G 1151. 
Blinne, v. leave off, cease, G 1171. 
Blisful, adj. happy, 9. i ; conferring bliss, 

I. 24; blessed, 3. 854; merry, R. 80; 

sainted, A 17. 
Blisful, adv. joyously, 5. 689. 
Blisfully, adv. happily, A 1236. 
Blisfulnesse, s. happiness, B 2. p 4. 75. 
Blisse, V. bless, E 553. Perhaps read 

bi'esse, kesse. See Blesse. 
Blissed, //. happy, 9. 43. 
Bio, adj. blue, smoke-coloured, HF. 1647. 
Blody, adj. causing bloodshed, A 2512. 
Blondren; see Blundre. 
Blood, s. lineage, 7. 65 ; offspring, E 632; 

kinswoman, T. ii. 594. 
Blosme, s. blossom, A 3324. 
Blosme, v. blossom; pr. s. E 1462; //. 

covered with blossnms, R. 108. 
Blosmy, adj. blossoming, T. ii. 821 ; full 

of buds, 5. 183. 
Blowe, V. blow, A 565 ; Blew, //. s. 3. 182 ; 

(it) blew, T. iii. 678 ; Blowen, //. pro- 
claimed by truiTipets, A 2241. 
Blundre, v.; pr. s. runs heedlessly, G 

1414; I p.pl. pr. Blondren, we become 

mazed, G 670. 
Blythly, adv. gladly, 3. 749, 755. 
Blyve, adv. quickly, soon, L. 60; as hi., 



very soon, as soon as possible, T. i. 965 ; 
forthwith, R. 706, 992 ; also bl., as soon 

as possible, T. iv. 174. 
Bobance, s. presumption, boast, D 569. 
Boce, .r. protuberance (boss), I 423. 
Boch, s. botch, pustule, B 3. p 4. 14. 
Bocher, s. butcher, A 2025. 
Bocler, s. buckler, A 3266. 
Bode (i), s. foreboding, omen, 5. 343. 
Bode (2), s. abiding, delay, 7. 119. 
Bode, V. proclaim ; pr. s. heralds, B 4. 

m 6. 17. 
Boden, //. of Bede. 

Body, J. person, F 1005 ; principal sub- 
ject, E 42; corpse, 3. 142; B 1872; viy 

b., myself, B 1185; //. metallic bodies 
(metals), answering to celestial bodies 
(planets), G 820, 825. 
Boef, s. beef, E 1420. 

Boes./'r. s. (it) behoves, A 4026. (Northern.) 
Boght, Boghte ; see Bye. 
Boist. s. box, C 307 ; //. HF. 2129. 
Boistous. adj. rude, plain, H 211. 
Boistously, adv. loudlv, E 791. 
Bokel, s. buckle, R. 1086. 
Bokeler, j. buckler, A 112. A small round 

shield usually carried by a handle at the 

back. See Bocler. 
Bokeling'e,/;rj.//. buckling, A 2503. 
Bokes, //. books, A 294. 
Boket, s. bucket, A 1533. 
Bolas,//. bullace-plums, bullaces, R. 1377. 
Bolde, V. grow bold, 5. 144. 
Bole, ,v. bull, T. iii. 723, iv. 239. 
Bole armoniak, Armenian clay, G 790. 
Bolle, s. a bowl, G 1210. 
Bolt, s. crossbow-bolt, A 3264. 
Bolt-upright, on (her) back, A 4266, B 

1506. 
Bomble, v.\ pr. s. booms (as a bittern), 

D 972. 
Bon, adj. good, HF. 1022. 
Bond, s. bond, obligation, A 1604; band, 

fetter, T. iii. 1766 ; obligation (compelling 

the service of spirits), F 131. 
Bonde, j. bondman, D 1660, I 149. 
Bonde-folk, s.pl. bondmen, I 754. 
Bonde-men, s. pi. bondmen, I 752. 
B6ne, s. petition, boon, prayer, request, 

3. 129, 835. 
Bood, //. s. of Byde. 
Boon, J. bone, R. 1059; ivory, T. ii. 926; 

Bones,//, bones, A 546. 
B66r, s. boar, A 2070; Bores, gen. sing. 

boar's, B 2060 ; Bores, //. A 1658. 
Boost, s. loud talk, A 4001; boast, L. 

267 ; pride, B 3289 ; boasting, C 764 ; 

swelling, G 441. 



i6 



©losgaiial hxtitx. 



Boot, s. boat, T. i. 416, ii. 3. 

B66t, s. help, remedy, T. iii. 1208. 

Boot, pf. s. of Byte. ' 

Boras, s. borax, A 630, G 790. 

Bord, s. table, A 52, B 430 ; plank, 3. 74 ; 
board, i. e. meals, G 1017 ; to b., to 
board, A 3188, D 528 ; into shippes bord, 
on board the ship, A 3585 ; over-bord, 
overboard, B 922. 

Bordels, s. pi. brothels, I 885. 

Bordel-women,//. women of the brothel, 
I 976 

Bordure, s. border, raised rim on the 
front of an astrolabe, A. i. 4. 4. 

Bore, ,t. bore, hole, T. iii. 1453. 

Bore, Boren,//. of Bere. 

Borel, s. coarse woollen clothes, D 356; 
Borel men, laymen, B 3145. See Burel. 

Bores ; see Boor. 

Borken, pp. of Berke. 

Borne, v. ; Borneth, //-. s. burnishes, 
smoothes, T. i. 327. 

Borwe, s. pledge, A 1622 ; to b., in pledge, 
as a pledge, T. v. 1664; leyd to b., laid 
in pledge, pawned, T. ii. 963 ; to b., for 
surety, 4. 205 ; Venus here to b,, Venus 
being your pledge, T. ii. 1524. 

Borwe, v. borrow, B 105. 

Bos, s. boss, A 3266. See Boce. 

Bost, s. ; see Boost. 

Boste, V. boast; pr. s. D 1672. 

B6te, s. good, benefit, D 472; remedy, 
profit, 3. 38 ; advantage, T. i. 352 ; heal- 
ing, T. i. 763; help, T. ii. 345; healer, 
22. 45 ; relief, G 1481 ; salvation, B 1656 ; 
doth b., gives the remedy for, 5. 276; 
for b. ne bale, for good nor for ill, 3. 
227. 

Botel, s. bottle (of hay), H 14. 

Botelees, adj. without remedy, T. i. 782. 

Boteler, j-. butler, HF. 592. 

Boterflye, s. butterfly, B 3980. 

Botes, //. boots, A 203, 273. 

Bothe, both, A 540; your bathes, of both 
of you, I. 83 ; your bother, of you both, 
T. iv. 168. 

Botmelees, adj. bottoinless, unreal, T. v. 

1431- 
Bough, s. bough, R. 1403; Bowes,;*/. R. 

108. 
Boug-ht, Boughte ; see Bye. 
Bouk, f. trunk of the body, .\ 2746. 
Boun, adj. prepared, F 1503. 
Bounde, s. bound ; //. bounds, limits, 

L. 546, 1673. 
Bountee, s. goodness, kindness, i. 9; 

good deed, I 393; delightfulness, R. 

1444. 



Bountevous, adj. bountiful, bounteous, 

T. i. 883; C no. 
Bour, s. bed-chamber, HF. 1186; B 1932; 

lady's chamber, R. 1014; inner room, 

B 4022. 
Bourde, s. jest, H 81 ; pi. D 680. 
Bourde, i pr. s. jest, C 778 ; //. 5. 589. 
Box (i), s. box-tree, A 2922; boxwood, L. 

866 ; money-box, A 4390 ; box, C 869. 
Box (2), s. blow, L. 1388. 
Boydekin, .f. dagger, A 3960. 
Brac6r, s. bracer, a guard for the arm 

in archery, A in. 
Bragot, s. a beverage made of honey and 

ale, A 3261. 
Braid, s. quick movement; at a b., in a 

moment, R. 1336; Brayd, a start, L. 

1 166. 
Brak, pt. s. of Breke. 
Brasil, s. dye made from a certain dye- 
wood, B 4649. 
Brast, Braste; see Breste. 
Braun, j-. muscle, A 546; brawn (of the 

boar), F 1254. 
Braunche, s. branch, T. v. 844. 
Brayd, Brayde ; see Breyde. 
Brede (i), s. breadth, R. 825, 1124 ; space, 

T. i. 179; on brede, abroad, T. i. 

530- 

Brede (2), .r. roast meat, HF. 1222. 

Brede, ^^'^z-. to breed, T. iii. 1546; grow, 
T. V. 1027; Breden,,g'i?r. to breed, arise, 
L. 1156 (cf. Vergil, J^n. iv. 2) ; Bred,//, 
bred up, F 499. 

Breech, s. breeches, B 2049, C 948. 

Breem, s. bream, a fish, A 350. 

Breke, -■. break, A 551, C 936; br. his 
day, fail to pay on the day, G 1040; 
ger. to interrupt, B 2233; Brak, pt. s. 
3. 71; Breke, pr. s. subj. 4. 242; Breke, 
2 //•. //. subj. break off, T. v. 1032 ; Breke, 
//. s. subj. would break, B 4578 ; Broke, 
//. broken, A 3571 ; Broken, //. ship- 
wrecked, L. 1487. 

Brekke, s. break, flaw, defect, 3. 940. 

Bremhle-flour, s. flower of the bramble, 
B 1936. 

Breme, adj. furious, T. iv. 184. 

Breme, adv. furiously, A 1699. 

Bren, s. bran, A 4053. 

Brenne, v. burn, 17. 18; to be burnt, 
T. i. 91; Brinne, ger. to burn, D 52; 
Brendest, 2 pt. s. didst burn, A 2384 ; 
Brende, //. s. i. 90; was burnt, HF. 
163; was set on fire, HF. 537; Brenned, 
//. s. was inflamed with anger, R. 297 ; 
Brende, //. //. caught fire, HF. 954; 
Brente,//. //. L. 731; Brent, //. 7. 115; 



(glossarial Entjei. 



17 



Brend, pp. B 4555 ; as adj. bright, R. 
1109. 

Brenning', s. burning, 4. 133 ; greed of 
gold, R. 188. 

Brenningly, adv. ardently, T. i. 607; fer- 
vently, A 1564. 

Brere, s. briar, R. 858 ; Breres, pi. under- 
wood, A 1532. 

Brest, s. breast, A 115, 131. 

Brest-boon, s. breast-bone, A 2710. 

Breste, v. burst, T. v. 1008; afflict, T. 
iii. 1434; break, D 1103; Brest, pr. s. 
bursts, A 2610; breaks, T. i. 258; Brast, 
//. s. burst out, T. v. 1078 ; burst, L. 
1033; broke, 3. 1193; Brast, /i*. s. burst 
(or read braste = would burst), T. v. 
180; Braste, //. //. burst, T. ii. 326; 
Broste, pt pi. B 671, C 234; Brosten, 
pt. pi. 4. 96; Braste, pt. s. subj. would 
burst, T. ii. 1108; Brosten, //. burst, 
T. ii. 976; broken, L. 1300. 

Bresting-, s. bursting, F 973. 

Bretful, adj. brimful, A 687, 2164. 

Bretherhed, s. brotherhood, religious 
order, A 511. 

Brew,//, s. contrived, B 3575. 

Breyde, ger. to start, T. iv. 230,348; v. 
awake, F 477 ; Breyde, i pr. s. start, T. 
V. 1262 ; Breyde, i pt. s. awoke, D 799 ; 
Breyde, pt. s. started, T. v. 1243 ; went 
(out of his wits), B 3728; drew, B 837; 
Brayde, //. s. took hastily, HF. 1678; 
Brayd, //. started, gone suddenly, 7. 
124. 

Brid, s. bird, HF. 1003; young of birds, 

S- 192. 

Brige, s. contention, B 2873. F. hrigue. 

Brigge, s. bridge, A 3922. 

Bright, adj. fair, R. 1009. 

Brighte, adj. as s. brightness (aftery^/-), 1 

'r. ii. 864. ' 

Brike, s. a trap, snare, ' fix,' dilemma, 

B 3580. 
Bringe, v. bring; Bringes, 2 pr. s. bring- 

est, HF. 1908 (a Northern form) ; 

Broghten, //. //. B 2590; made brogkt, 

caused to be brought, HF. 155. 
Brmne,^d?/-. to burn, D 52. See Brenne. 
Brocage, s. mediation. A 3375. 
Broche, s. brooch, R. 1193; small orna- 
ment, taracelet, 4. 245. 
Brode, adv. broadly, plainly, A 739; far 

and wide, HF. 1683; wide awake, G 

1420. 
Brodere, adj. larger, A. ii. 38. i. 
Brok, i. e. Badger, a horse's name, D 

1543- 
Broken ; see Harm. And see Breke. 



Brokkinge, pres. pt. using a quavering 
voice, A 3377. 

Bromes, //. broom (bushes so called), 
HF. 1226. 

Brond, s. torch, L. 2252; firebrand, B 
3224 ; Bronde, dat. piece of burning 
wood, B 2095. 

Brood, adj. broad, A 155, 471 ; thick, 
large, F 82 ; Brode, pi. R. 939 ; ex- 
panded, R. 1681. 

Broste, -en ; see Breste. 

Brotel, adj. brittle, frail, T. iii. 820; 
fickle, L. 1885; unsafe, insecure, E 1279; 
transitory, E 2061 ; Brutel, B 2. p 5. 6. 

Brotelne'sse, s. frailty, T. v. 1832; inse- 
curity, E 1279; fickleness, 10. 63. 

Brotherhede, s. brotherhood, D 1399. 

Brouded, //. embroidered, A 3238, B 

3659- 
Brouke, v. enjoy, use, B 4490; keep, E 

2308; \pr. s. subj. {optative), may have 

the use of, HF. 273; Brouken, pr. pi. 

subj. (opt.), may (they) profit by, L. 194. 
Browding, s. embroidery, A 2498. 
Broyded, pp. braided, A 1049. 
Brutel ; see Brotel. 
Brybe, v. steal, filch, A 4417 ; rob, D 

1378. 
Bryberyes, //. ways of robbing, D 1367. 
Brydale, s. wedding, A 4375. 
Brydel, s. bridle, 7. 184. 
Brydeleth, pr. s. controls, 4. 41. 
Buffet, s. blow ; Buffettes, //. I 258. 
Bugle-horn, s. drinking-horn made from 

the ' bugle ' or ox, F 1253. 
Buk, J. "buck, 5. 195; Bukke, B 1946; 

Bukkes, gen. buck's, A 3387. 
Bulde, V. build; Bulte, '//. s. built, A 

1548. 
Bulle, s. papal bull, C 909. 
Bulte,//. J. (?/ Bulde. 
Bulte, V. boult, sift, B 4430. 
Burdoun, s. burden of a song, bass- 
accompaniment, A 673. 
Burel, adj. rough, unlettered, F 716; lay 

(people), D 1872, 1874. The idea is that 

of a man dressed in burel, or coarse 

woollen cloth. See Borel. 
Buriels, s. pi. burial-places, i. e. the 

catacombs, G 186. 
Burne, v. burnish ; pp. A 1983 ; polished, 

HF. 1387; lustrous, C 38. See Borne. 
Burnet, adj. made of coarse brown cloth. 

R. 226. 
Busk, s. bush, R. 54; //. A 1579. 
But, conj. except, unless, 2. 82; 3. 117. 
But, as s. an exception, a ' but,' I 494. 
But and, but if, L. 1790. 



c c 



tS 



(glossarial hxtitx. 



But-if, CO///, unless, R. 250. 

Buxom, adj. yielding, 6. 125; obedient, 

\i 1287. 
Buxomly, adv. obediently, E 186. 
Buxumnesse, s. submission, 13. 15. 
By, p/r/>. by, A 25, &c. ; as regards, with 

respect to, concerning, 6. 126; with 

reference to, 5. 4 ; for, on account of, 

R. 844 ; dy proces, in process, B 2665 ; 

by 1/ie, beside me {wit/i accent on by), T. 

ii. 991 ; by the morwe, in the morning, 

L. 49. 
By, adv. beside; faste by, close at hand, 

R. 1274. 
By and by, adv. one after another, in 

due order, in due place, L. 304, A loir. 
Byde, z'. wait, T. i. 1067; A 1576; Bood, 

pt. s. waited, T. v. 29; Blden,/i/. stayed, 

E 1888. 
Bye, V. buy, pay for (it), D 167 ; go by, let 

us go to buy, G 1294 ; Bye, pr. pi. s/ibj. 

18. 26 ; Boghte, pt. s. bought, A 2088 ; 

redeemed, E 1153; i. agay//, redeemed, 

C776. 
Byhight, pp. promised, T. v. 1104. 
Bying-, f. buying, A 569. 
By-japed, pp. tricked, made a jest of, T. 

V. 1 1 19. 
Bynt him, binds himself, 4. 47 ; Bynt 

her, 4. 48. 
By-path, s. by-way, T. iii. 1705. 
Byrde, 5. maiden, lady, R. 1014. 
By-seke, v. beseech, T. iv. 131. 
Byte, V. bite, T. iii. 737 ; cut deeply, F 

158; burn, A 631; Boot, //. s. bit, B 

3791 ; Biten, pp. bitten, L. 2318. 
Bytinge, s. wound, B 3. m 7. 7. 
By-word, s. proverb, F. iv. 769. 
By-wreye, v. reveal, T. iii. 367. 



Caas, s. circumstance, I 105 ; sette caas 

= suppose, A. ii. 42. 24; Caas,//. cases 

of law, A 323. 
Cacche, v. catch, G 11; lay hold of, 3. 

969; come by, HF. 404; Caughte,//. s. 

took, conceived, E 619 ; took, A 498 ; 

pulled, L. 1854; Caught, //. obtained, 

E mo; taken, F740. 
Caitif, adj. captive, miserable, wretched, 

A 1552- 
Caitif, s. wretch, R. 340; //. captives, 

A 924. 
■Cake, s. a round and rather flat loaf of 

bread (in the shape of a large bun), 

A 668, 4094, C 322. 
Calcening, s. calcination, G 771. 



Calcinacioun, s. calcination, G 804. 
Calcule, V. calculate; Calculed, pt. s. F 

1284. 
Calculer, s. the calculator or pointer, A 

i. 23. 2. .See Almury. 
Calculinge, s. calculation, T. i. 71. 
Calendes, //. kalends, introduction to 

a new time, T. ii. 7. 
Calle, s. caul, a net used to confine 

women's hair, A. i. 19. 4; headdress, 

D 1018 ; to ' make a hood above a caul ' 

= to befool, T. iii. 775. 
Camaille, s. a camel, E 1196. 
Camuse, adj. low and concave, A 3934, 

3974- 

Can, I pr. s. know, L. 1987; know how, 
am able, E 304, F 4; can, B 42; under- 
stand, F 1266; am able to say, 5. 14; 
/;•. .r. knows, 3. 673 ; has, E 2245 ; knows 
(of), A 1780; has skill, T. ii. 1197; ca// 
o//, has knowledge of, F 786 ; c.i/i hi/- 
good, knows her own advantage, D 231 ; 
can t/ia//i, owes (them) thanks, A 1818; 
•2py.pl. know, B 1169. 

Canel-boon, s. collar-bone (lit. channel- 
bone, with reference to the depression 
in the neck behind the collar-bone), 

3- 943- 
Canelle, s. cinnamon, R. 1370. 
Cankedort, s. state of suspense, critical 

position, T. ii. 1752. 
Canon, %. the ' Canon,' the title of a book 

by Avicenna, C 890; rule, explanation, 

A. pr. 105. 
Canstow, 2 /. s. p/-. knowest thou, A. pr. 

20; canst thou, T. iv. 460. 
Cantel, s. portion, A 3008. 
Cape, ge/-. gape after, T. v. 1133. See 

Gape. 
Capel, s. horse, nag, H 64 ; cart-horse, 

D 2150. 
Cappe, s. cap, A 586; set the wrightes 

cappe, i. e. made a fool of him, A 3143. 
Carboucle, s. carbuncle-stone, R. 1120. 
Cardiacle, s. pain about the heart, C 313. 
Care, s. anxiety, sorrow, grief, trouble, 7. 

63; T. i. 505, 587; ill-luck, 5. 363; //. 

miseries, T. i. 264. 
Care, z^. feel anxiety, E 1212; Care thee, 

ii/ip. s. be anxious, A 3298. 
Careful, adj. full of trouble, 6. 44, 133 ; 

sorrowful, A 1565. 
Careyne, s. corpse, carcase, 5. 177. 
Carf, cut; see Kerve. 
Cariage, s. a carrying away ; upo/i c, in 

the way of carrying anything away, 

i. e. that I can carry away, D 1570; 

Cariages, s.pl. tolls due from the tenant 



#lo0!3arial Kittiex. 



19 



to his feudal lord imposed by authority, 

I 752. 
Carl, s. man, A 3469 ; rustic, countryman, 

A 545- . ^ . , 

Cdrole, s. a dance accompanied with 
sinking, R. 744. 781, 793. 

Carole, v. dance round singing, 3. 849; 
/)/. danced, R. 810. 

Carpe, v. talk, discourse, A 474. 

Carrik, s. barge, D 1688. 

Cart, s. chariot, HF. 943. 

Cartere, s. charioteer, B 5. p 4. 100. 

Cart-hors,/A chariot-horses, HF. 944. 

Cas, J. accident, chance, HF. 254, 1052; 
affair, L. 409; occasion, B 36; adven- 
ture, L. 1630; mischance, L. 1056; in 
cas that, in case, A. ii. 3. 2 ; tipon cas, by 
chance, A 3661 ; in cas if that, in case 
that, T. ii. 758; in no ntaner cas,\n no 
way, D 1831 ; set a cas, suppose that, T. 
ii. 729 ; to deyen i?i the cas, though 
death were the result, E 859. 

Cast, s. occasion, turn, B 3477; contri- 
vance, plan, HF. 1178. 

Caste, V. cast (accounts), B 1406; Casten, 
V. throw, T. ii. 513; c. with a spere, 
throw with a spear, HF. 1048; fling, 
A 3330; contrive, HF. 1170; Caste, i 
pr. s. conjecture, A 2172; Casteth,/^-. s. 
casts about, I 692; considers, G 1414; 
applies, B 2781; refi, devotes himself, 
G 738 ; Cast,;*;-, s. casts, R. 1574; Caste, 
\pt. s. threw, 5. 172; Casten,;^/. thrown, 
B 1796; Cast, pp. overthrown, T. ii. 
1389 ; contrived, B 3891 ; c. biforn, pre- 
meditated, I 543. 

Castelled. adj. castellated, I 445. 

Castel-yate, castle-gate, HF. 1294. 

Catapuce, s. caper-spurge {Euphorbia 
Lathyris), 64155. 

Catel, s. property, wealth, possessions, 
goods, A 373, 540. 

Cause, s. cause, i. 26; A 419; reason, T. 
V. 527; plea, 2. 46; Cause causinge, 
first cause, T. iv. 829; by the c. that, 
because, A 2488 ; by that c, because, 
T. iv. 99; Cause why, the reason why, 
T. iii. 795 ; the reason for it (was) , A 
4144. 

Causeles, adv. without cause, F 825. 

Cave, -f. cave, HF. 70; used to translate 
the astrological term ' puteus,' 4. 119. 

Cavillacioun, s. cavilling, D 2136. 

Celebrable, adj. celebrated, B 4. m 7. 30. 

Celerer, s. keeper of a cellar, B 3126. 

Celle, s. cell, A 172, 1376. 

Centaure, s. centaury, G-ntainea tiigra, 
IMI53- 



Centre, s. a point on a 7ete representing 
a star, A. i. 21. 12. 

Ceptre, s. sceptre, B 3334, 3563. 

Cercle, s. HF. 791 ; sphere, 16. 9. 

Cerclen,,^^-. to encircle, T. iii. 1767 ; pr. s. 
R. 1619. 

Cered, pp. as adj. waxed, G 808. 

Cerial, adj. belonging to a species of 
oak, the Quercus cerris, A 2290. 

Ceriously, adv. minutely, with full 
details, B 185. Ducange has ' Seriose, 
fuse, minutatim, articulatim." From 
Lat. series, order. 

Certein, a.dj. sure; Certeins, //. certain, 
B 5. p 5. 115; c.gold, a stated sum of 
money, B 242; c. tresor, a quantity of 
treasure, B 442 ; c. yeres, a certain 
number of years, B 3367; Certeyn, a 
certain sum, a fixed quantity, G 776. 

Certein, adv. certainly, indeed, assuredly, 

A 375- 

Certes, adv. certainly, R. 374, 439. 

Ceruce, s. white lead, A 630. 

Cese, V. cause to cease, T. i. 445 ; put an 
end to, 4. II. See Cesse. 

Cesse, V. cease, B 1066; c. cause, when 
the cause ceases, T. ii. 483 ; c. wind, when 
the wind ceases, T. ii. 1388. 

Cetewale, s. setwall, i. e. zedoary, A 3207, 
B 1951. O. F. citoal. A medicinal sub- 
stance obtained in the East Indies, 
having a fragrant smell, and a warm, 
bitter, aromatic taste, used in medicine 
as a stimulant. (The name setwall was 
also given to valerian.) 

Ceynt, s. cincture, girdle, A 3235. 

Chaffare, s. bargaining, I 851 ; traffic, 
G 1421 ; trade, A 4389; merchandise, 
ware, B 1475, D 521 ; matter, subject, 
E 2438. 

Chaffare, ger. to trade, barter, deal, 
traffic, B 139. 

Chaires, s.pl. thrones, B 4. m 2. 6. 

Chal^ng-e, v.; pr. s. \ p. claim, F 1324; 
Chaiaunged, pt. s. arrogated, B 2. p 6. 36. 

Chalanging, s. false claim, accusation, 
C 264. 

Chalaundre, s. a species of lark {Alauda 
calatidra) , R. 914 ; //. R. 663. 

Chalice, s. cup, 1 879. 

Chalk-stoon, s. a piece of chalk, G 1207. 

Chalons, pi. blankets or coverlets for a 
hefl, A 4140. Cf. E. shalloon. 

Chamberere, ^. maidservant, lady's maid, 
D 300. 

Chambre-roof, roof of my room, 3. 299. 

Champartye, s. equality, participation 
in power, A 1949. F. champ parti. 



(©lossarial JInticx. 



Chanon, s. canon, G 573. 

Chapeleine, s. chaplain, A 164. 

Chapelet, s. fillet, circlet for the head, 
chaplet, R. 563, 845, go8. 

Chapltre, s. chapter, D 1945. 

Chapman, s. trader, merchant, A 397; 
Chapmen,;*/. B 135. 

Chapmanhede, s. bargaining, B 1428 ; 
trade, B 143. 

Char. s. chariot, 7. 24, 39, 40. 

Charbocle, s. carbuncle (a precious 
stone), B 2061. 

Charge, j. load, burden, R. 1352; respon- 
sibility, 5. 507; consideration, A 1284; 
importance, 3. 894; care, A 733; par- 
ticular note, D 321 ; a heavy thing, 
HF. 746; weight, L. 620; consequence, 
L. 2383; 0/ that no ch., for that no 
matter, it is of no importance, G749. 

Charge, v. load, L. 2151 ; command, L. 
493; //• burdened, I 92; bidden, L. 
940. 

Chargeant, adj. burdensome, B 2433. 

Char-hors, //. chariot-horses, T. v. 1018. 

Charitable, adj. loving, L. 4-14 ; kind, A 

I43-. 
Charitee, s. charity, love, T. i. 49; for 

seinte ch., i. e. either (i) for holy charity ; 

or (2) for the sake of St. Charity, A 

1721, B 4510, D 2119. 
Charmeresses, fern. pi. workers with 

charms, HF. 1261. 
Chaste, v. to chasten; pp. taught, F 

491. O. V. chastier. See Chastyse. 
Chasteyn, s. chestnut, A 2922. See 

Chesteynes. 
ChAstisinge, s. chastening, i. 129. 
Chastyse, v. to rebuke, restrain, B 3695; 

chasten, I. 39. See Chaste. 
Chaunce, s. chance, A 1752; incident, 

3. 1285; destiny, 3. 1113; luck, G 593; 

' chance,' a technical term in the game 

of hazard, C 653. 
Chaunging, s. change, 21. 17. 
Chaunteth, />/-. s. sings, A 3367, E 1850. 
Chaunte-pleure, title of a song upon 

grief following joy, 7. 320. 
Chaunterie, s. an endowment for the 

payment of a priest to sing mass, agree- 
ably to the appointment of the founder, 

A 510. 
Chayer, i. chair, B 3803; throne, B i. 

I" S- 3- 
Cheef, adj. chief, 3. 910, 911. 
Cheef, s. chief, head, L. 2109. 
Cheek, s. cheek, i. e. cheekbone, B 3228. 
Cheep, s. market, price ; to greet cheep, 

too cheap, D 523 ; as good chep, as 



cheaply, T. iii. 641 ; a time of cheapness. 

I HF. 1974. 
Chees; see Chese. 

Cheeste, j-. wrangling, I 556. A. S. ceast. 
Chek, s. ns nit. check (at chess), 3. 659. 

I Chekkere, j. chess-board, 3. 660. 

i Chekmat, checkmate, T. ii. 754. 

, Chelaundre, R. 81; see Chalaundre. 

! Chep, -e ; sec Cheep. 

! Chepe.^o-^/-. to bargain (with her), D 268. 
Chere, .r. face, countenance, T. i. 14 ; look, 
mien, R. 1014; entertainment, A 747; 
favour, 7. 108 ; appearance, 19. 4 ; be- 
haviour, A 139 ; look, glance, sign, T. 
i. 312; good cheer, mirth, A 4363; 
kindly greeting, 4. 146; show, B 2377; 
kindly expression, E 11 12; doth hint 
chere, makes him good cheer, L. 2452 ; 
be of good ch., be of good cheer, '1". i. 
879; sory ch., mournful look, D 588; 
Cheres, pi. faces, R. 813; looks, T. ii. 

1507- 
Cherl, s. churl, boor, fellow, 5. 596; L. 

136; slave, I 463; man (in the moon), 

T. i. 1024; pi. violent men, fierce men, 

R. 880. 
Chert6e, s. affection, B 1526. 
Cherubinnes.^^i'^/. cherub's, A 624. 
Cheryse, pi. cherries, R. 1376. 
Ches, s. chess, 3. 619, 652, 664. 
Ch6se, V. choose, 5. 399, 400; Cheest,//-. 

s. chooseth, 5. 623; Chees, \pt. s. chose, 

3. 791 ; Chees, /A s. chose, B 3706 ; Chees, 

imp. s. choose, L. 1449; Cheseth, imp. 

pi. D 1232; Chose,/!/, chosen, 3. 1004. 
Chesinge, s. choosing, choice, B 2305, E 

162. 
Chests, s. chest, casket, T. v. 1368; box, 

trunk, L. 510; coffin, D 502. 
Chesteynes. //. chestnuts, R. 1375. 
Chevauchee ; see Chivachee. 
Cheve, v.; in phr. yvel mote he cheve 

= ill may he end, or ill may he thrive, 

G 1225. 
Chevesaile, s. (ornamented) collar or 

neckband of a gown, R. 1082. 
Chevisaunce, s. borrowing, L. 2434; 

agreement to borrow, B 1519; dealing 

for profit, A 282. 
Chevise, v. rejl. accomplish (her) desire. 

4. 289. O. F. chevir. \ 

Chideresse, s. a scold, R. 150. 
Chieftayn, s. captain, A 2555. 
Chiertee, s. fondness, D 396; love, F 

881. 
Chike, s. chicken, R. 541. 
Chiknes, //. chickens, A 380. 
Child, ,f. young man, A 3325; Childes 



#Io00artal Entjei. 



piey, child's play, E 1530 ; Childe, with, 

with child, L. 1323. 
Childhede, s. childhood, R. 399. 
Childly, adj. childlike, 3. 1095. 
Chilindre, s. cylinder, portable sun-dial, 

li 1396. 
Chimbe, s. rim of the barrel, A 3895. 
Chimbe, v. chime (as a bell), A 3896. 
Chimenee, s. fireplace, A 3776. 
Chinche, s. niggard, miser, B 2793, 2809. 
Chincherye, s. niggardhness, miserli- 

niss, B 2790. 
Chirche, .r. church, A 708, 2760. 
Chirche-hawe, s. churchyard, I 964; 

,'•/. 1 801. 
Ctairche-reves, //. church-officers, 

cliurchwardens, D 1306. 
Chirketh,//-. J. chirps, D 1804; pres.pt. 

rustling, B i. m 6. 10. 
Chirking, j-. creaking, grating noises, 

A 2004, I 605; Chirkinges, />/. shriekings, 

cries, HF. 1943. 
Chisels, s. scissors, I 418. 
Chit, chides ; /;'. s. of Ciiyde. 
Chiteren, v. chatter, prattle, G 1397. 
Chiteringe, s. chattering, chirping, T. 

ii. 63. 
Chivdchee, s. feat of horsemanship, H 

50; Chevauchee, swift course (lit. ride), 

4. 144. O. F. chevauchee, an expedition 

on horseback. 
Chivachye, s. a military expedition, A 

Chivalrye, s. knighthood, the accom- 
plishments of a knight, A 45 ; knightly 
conduct, valour, K. 1207; L. 608; troops 
of horse, cavalrv, company of knights, 
A 878. 

Chogh, s. chough, 5. 345. 

Choppen, v. strike downwards, knock, 
HK. 1824. 

Chose, //. of Chese. 

Chuk, s. cluck, 'chucking' noise, B 

43*^4- 
Chukketh, ;*/■. s. clucks, B 4372. 
Chyde, v. chide, T. iii. 1433; complain, 

F650; reproach, T. v. 1093; Chit, ;>/-. s. 

chides, scolds, G 921 ; Chidde, i //. s. 

chid, U 223. 
Chydester, s. (female) scold, 6 1535. 
Chydinges, //. scoldings, HF. 1028. 
Chyning, adj. gaping, yawning, B i. 

p 6. 41. A. S. c'lnart, to gape open. 
Ciclatoun, s. a costly kind of thin cloth, 

B 1924. 
Cinamome, s. cinnamon, as a term of 

endearment, sweet one, A 3699. 
Cink, }ium. cinque, five, C 653. 



Cipres, s. cypress, 5. 179; {collectively), 

cypresses, R. 1381. 
Circumscryve, v. enclose, comprehend, 

T. V. 1865. 
Citole, s. kind of harp, a stringed instru- 
ment, A 1959. 
Citrinacioun, s. citronising, the turning 

to the colour of citron, a process in 

alchemy, G 816. 
Citryn, adj. citron-coloured, A 2167. 
Clamb, pt. s. of Climben. 
Clamotir, s. A 995 ; outcry, D 889. 
Claperes, //. burrows (for rabbits), R. 

1405. 
Clappe, s. thunderclap, HF. 1040. 
Clappe, s. prating, foolish talk, A 3144. 
Clappe, V. clap; hence, chatter, prattle, 

G 965; pr. s. knocks, D 1581, 1584; pr. 

pi. talk unceasingly, I 406; Clappeth, 

/;;//. //. E 1200; Clapte, pt. s. shut 

quickly, A 3740. 
Clapping, s. chatter, idle talk, E 999. 
Clarioning, s. the music of the clarion, 

HP". 1242. 
Clarioun, s. clarion, trumpet, HF. 1240, 

1573. 1579- 
Clarree, s. clarified wine, wine mixed 

with honey and spices, and aftenvards 

strained till clear, A 1471, E 1807. 
Clasped, pp. fastened, A 273. 
Clatereth, pr. s. says noisily, B 2259; 

pt. pi. rattled, A 2423. 
Clateringe, s. clanking, A 2492 ; clashing, 

D 1865. 
Clause, s. sentence; also, agreement, 

stipulation, T. ii. 728 ; in a clause, in a 

short sentence, briefly, 22. 38. 
Clavre, V. rub, D 940; ger. to scratch, T. 

iv. 728 ; pt. s. stroked, A 4326 ; Clew, 

1 pt. s. rubbed, HF. 1702. 
Clearly, adv. entirely, B 1566. 
Cleernesse, s. glory, G 403. 
Clefte./A s. of Cleve (i). 
C16ne, adj. clean, A 504; unmixed, B 

1183. 
C16ne, arfw. clean, entirely, wholly, R. 1380. 
Clennesse, s. purity, A 506. 
Clense, v. cleanse, A 631. 
Clepen, v. call, name, A 643, 2730; call 

out, A 3577; pr. s. D 102; F 382; men 

cL, people call, E 115; Clepe . . . ayein 

{or again), v. recall, T. ii. 521; //. s. 

called, F 374; Clepte, pt. s. called, 

R. 1331 ; summoned, B 2432; Clept, ;*/. 

named, G 863. 
Clere, adj. clear, R. 681; bright, 3. 340; 

well-sounding, 3.347; noble, pure, HF. 

1575- 



(ilossartal Kntiex. 



Clere, adv. clearly, A 170 ; L. 139. 
Clere, v. grow clear, T. ii. 2, 806; ger. to 
glow bright, T. V. 519; to shine clearly, 

L- 773- 
Clerer, czdj. comp. brighter, 3. 822. 
Clergeon, s. a chorister-boy, B 1693. 
Clergial, adj. clerkly, learned, G 752. 
Clergye, s. learning, D 1277. 
Clerk, s. clerk, scholar, student, A 285 ; 

writer, D 689. 
Olernesse, s. brightness, L. 84. 
Cleve (i), V. cleave, cut, split, R. 859; L. 

758; Clefte, //. s. spht, 3. 72; Cloven, 

pp. A 2934; Clove, //. cleft, dimpled, 

R- 550. 

Cleve (2) , V. adhere ; pr. pi. B 3. p 11. 112. 

Cle'w, s. clew, L. 2140. 

Cle-w,//. s. of Clawe. 

Cley, s. clay, G 807. 

Clifte, s. cleft, L. 740; chink, B 4. p 4. 

296. 
Cliket, s. latch-key, E 2046, 2117, 2121, 

2123. 
Climben, v. climb, F 106; Clamb,//'. s. 

B 1987; Clomb, I pt. 5. climbed, HF. 

1 118; Clomben, />/.//. climbed, A 3636; 

Clamben, pt. pi. climbed, HF. 2151 ; 

Cloumben, B 2590; Clomben, pp. T. i. 

215 ; ascended, B 4388 ; Clombe, pp. 

risen, B 12; were clombe, hadst climbed, 

B 3592. 
Clinking', s. tinkling, B 3984. 
Clippe ( I ) , 1 pr. s. embrace, T. iii. 1344. 
Clippe (2), V. cut hair, A 3326. 
Clipping, s. embracing, R. 342. 
Clobbed, adj. clubbed, B 3088. 
Cloisterer, s. resident in a cloister, A 

259, 3661. 
Cloisterlees, adj. outside of a cloister, A 

179. 
Cloke, s. cloak, T. iii. 738. 
Clokke, J. clock, B 4044; 0/ the cl., by 

the clock, B 14. 
Clom, interj. be silent, mum ! A 3638. 
Clombe, -n ; see Climben. 
CI663, adj. close, secret, T. ii. 1534 ; closed, 

H 4522; Clos, closed, R. 1675. 
C166tli. s. piece of clothing, D 1633 ; 

infants' clothing, T. iii. 733. 
Clos, J-. enclosure, B 4550. 
Closet, s. small room, T. ii. 599, 1215. 
Closing, s. enclosure, boundary, R. 527. 
Closure, s. enclosure, I 870. 
Clote-leef, j. a leaf of the burdock or 

clote-bur, G 577. A. S. date, a bur- 
dock. 
Cloth, s. cloth, garment, D 238 ; clothes, 

D 1881. 



Clothen, v clothe, T. v. 1418 ; Cladde, 

//. s. ciad, T. iv. 1690 ; reji. clothed him- 
self, 7. 145 ; Cledde, //. .f. T. iii. 1521 ; 
Clad, //. R. 409; covered, A 294; fur- 
nished, 3. 352. 

Clothered, //. clotted, coagulated, A 
2745. (Other MSS. clotered, clotred.) 

Clothlees, adj. naked, 1 2,\Z- 

Cloud, s. sky, T. iii. 433. 

Cloumben ; see Climben. 

Clout, s. bit of cloth, C 736; patch, R. 
458 ; //. fragments, E 1953; rags, C 348. 

Clouted, //. patched up, R. 223. 

Cloven,//-. 0/ Cleve (i). 

Clowes, pi. claws, HF. 1785. 

Clow-gelofre, //. clove, the spice so 
called, R. 1368; Clowe-gilofre, B 1952,- 
Fr. clou de girojie. 

Clustred, //. covered with clouds, B i. 
m 3. 6. (IjaX.glomerantur.) 

Clymat, s. a belt or zone of the earth 
included between two given lines of 
latitude, A. ii. 39. 28 ; //. zones of lati- 
tude, A. i. 3. 4; Clymates, sets of almi- 
canteras calculated for various terrestrial 
latitudes, A. i. 14. 4. 

Cly ven, pr. pi. cleave, keep, B 3. p 11. 115. 

Cly ves, pi. cliffs, L. 1470. 

Coagulat, pp. clotted, G 811. 

Cod, s. bag ; used of the receptacle of the 
stomach, C 534. 

Coempcioun, s. an imposition so called, 
lit. joint purchase, the buying up of the 
whole of any commodity in the market, 
B I. p 4. 90. 

Cofre, s. coffer, chest, L. 380 ; money-box, 
F 1571 ; coffin, 5. 177. 

Cogge, s. cock-boat, L. 1481. 

Coghe, ger. to cough, T. ii. 254. 

Coillons, //. testicles, C 952. 

Cok, s. cock, 5. 350 ; tliridde c, third cock, 
A 4233. 

Cok ! cok ! the noise made by a cock, B 
4467. 

Cokenay, s. cockney, effeminate creature, 
A 4208. 

Cokewold, s. cuckold, A 3152. 

Cokkel, s. cockle, i. e. the corn-cockle, 
Agrostenfma githago, B 1183. 

Cokkes, corruption o/'Goddes, H 9, I 29. 

Cokkow, s. cuckoo, HF. 243. 

Col, f. coal, T. ii. 1332; Cole, A 2692. 

Col-blak, adj. coal-black, A 2142. 

Cold, adj. cold, A 420; chilling (often in 
phr. cares colde),'!. iii. 1260; disastrous, 
B 4446. 

Colde, V. grow cold, B 879, F 1023. 

Coler, s. collar, T. v. 811; Colers, pi. 



i3\o&emal KntiEi. 



23 



collars, A 2152 (or read colei d, provided 

with collars). 
Cohra (Lat.), choler, B 41 iS. 
Colere, s. choler, B 4136. 
Colerik, adj. choleric, A 587, B 4145. 
Col-fox, s. coal-fox, fox with black marks, 

B 4405. 
Collacioun, s. conference, E 325. 
Collateral, adj. adventitious, subordinate, 

T. i. 262. 
Collect,//, collected in groups, F 1275. 
Col6ur, s. colour, 7. 173; complexion, 

hue, R. 213; outward appearance, 2. 66; 

pretence, 10. 2i_; excuse, D 399; pL fine 

phrases, HF. 859; hues, pretences (a 

pun), F 511. 
Colpons, //. shreds, bundles, A 679; 

u,illets, A 2867. 
Coltish, adj. like a colt, E 1847. 
Columbyn, adj. dove-like, E 2141. 
Colver, s. dove, L. 2319. A. S. culfre. 
Combred, pp. encumbered, B 3. ni lo. 9. 
Corabre-"world, s. one who encumbers 

the world, who lives too long, T. iv. 279. 
Combust, //. burnt, G 811; quenched 

(as being too near the sun), T. iii. 717. 
Come, V. come ; cotne thereby, come by it, 

acquire it, G 1395; Come.^^r. to come, 

future, 3. 708 ; Comestow, comest thou, 

L. 1887; Cometh, pr. s. as fut. shall 

come, 4. II; Comth, pr. s. comes, B 

407 ; Cam, pf. s. came, F 81 ; Com, pt. s. 

3. 134; Comen,//. //. L. 1241 ; Comen, 

//. come, 4. 81 ; ien covien, are come, B 

1130; Com of, i. e. seize the opportunity, 

be quick, T. ii. 1738; D 1602; Cometh, 

imp. pi. A 839. 
Come, s. coming, G 343. A. S. cyme. 
Com6die, s. comedy, pleasant tale, one 

that ends happily, T. v. 1788. 
Comeveden, 2 pr. pi. as 2 pr. s., didst 

instisjate, T. iii. 17. See Commeveth. 
Comlily, adv. in a comely way, 3. 848. 
Commeveth, pr. s. moves, induces, T. v. 

1783; Commiiivc, pr. s. S!(/>;. move, T. v. 

1386. See Commoeve, Comeveden. 
Commoeve, ger. to move, influence, B 4. 

n 4. 275. 
Commoevinge, s. moving, disturbing, 

B I. m 4. 6. 
Commune, adj. general, common, B 155 ; 

III c, commonly, A 1261. 
Commune, s. the commons, E 70; //. 

commoners, A 2509. 
Compaig-nable.izr;^'. companionable, B 

II 94. 
Companye, s. company, A 24; com- 
panionship, 4. 219. 



Comparisoned, //. compared, B 2. p 7. 
118. 

Compas, s. circuit, 4. 137 ; circlet, wreath, 
R. 900 ; circle, A 1889 ; a very large 
circle, HF. 798; circumference, 20. 5; 
enclosure, orb, world, as in tryne compas, 
the threefold world (earth, sea, and 
heaven), G 45 ; pair of compasses, A. ii. 
40. 13; craft, contriving, HF. 462; //. 
circles {or, perhaps, pairs of compasses), 
HF. 1302. 

Compasment, s. plotting, contrivance, 
L. 1416. 

Compasse, v. contrive, R. 194; planned, 
L. 1414; Compassed, //. drawn with 
compasses, fashioned circularly, A. i. 
18. I ; planned, L. 1543. 

Compassing:, s. dimension, R. 1350 ; con- 
trivance, A 1996. 

Compeer, s. gossip, close friend, A 670 ; 
comrade, A 4419. 

Compilatour, s. compiler, A. pr. 70. 

C6mpleynt, s. a ' complaint ' or ballad, 2. 
43; 3-464- 

Coraplexioun, s. complexion, A 333 ; 
temperament, I 585 ; the (four) tempera- 
ments. HF. 21. 

Compline, s. evening service, A 4171. 

Complisshen, v. accomplish, B 4. p 4. 24. 

Comporte, v. bear, endure, T. v. 1397. 

Composicioun, s. agreement, A 848, 
2651. 

Compotent, adj. all-powerful, B 5. p 6. 

53- 

Compouned, //. composed, HF. 1029; 
tempered, L. 2585; mingled, HF. 2108; 
constructed, drawn, A. pr. 11. 

Comprehende, v. take (it) in, T. iv. 891 ; 
take in (in the mind), F 223; //•. j. com- 
prises, 1 1043. 

Comprende, v. comprehend, contain, '1'. 
iii. 1687. 

Comunalitee, s. empire, B 4. p 6. 402. 

Comune, adj. general, common to all, T. 
iii. 1415 ; accustomed to, 3. 812; Comun 
profit, the good of the country, 5. 47, 75. 

Comune, s. a common share in a thing, 
E 1313. 

Comyn, s. cummin, B 2045. 'A dwarf 
umbelliferous plant, somewhat resem- 
bling fennel, cultivated for its seeds." — 
Webster. 

Con, imp. s. grant; Con me thank, grant 
me thanks, thank me, A. pr. 62. 

Conceite, s. conception, thought, L. 1764 ,: 
idea, G 1214; notion, T. i. 996. 

Conclude, v. draw a conclusion, B 14 ; 
include, put together, G 429; attain to- 



24 



(ilossarial Ymticx. 



success, G 773; g'er. to summarize, A 
1358 ; Concluded, //. come to a con- 
clusion. E 1607. 

Conclusioun, s. decision, judgement, A 
1845 ; result, successful end of an experi- 
ment, G 672; purpose, D 115 ; moral, L. 
2723; reason, F 492; performance, V 
1263; result, summary, A 1743; end (of 
life), HF. 103; fate, 22. 23; as in c, 
after all, 4. 257; 15. 4; Conclusiouns, 
//. mathematical propositions, theorems, 
A 3193. 

Condys, //. conduits, R. 1414. 

Confedred, pp. rendered confederates, 
conjoined, 2. 42, 52. 

Conferme, v. confirm, T. ii. 1526. 

Conflrme, ,f^/-. B 4. p 7. 90 (but an error 
for con forme ; Lat. ' conformandae '). 

Conftteor, ' I confess,' I 386. 

Confiture, j. composition, C 862. Fr. 
confiture, a mixture, preserve. 

Conforten, v. comfort, E 1918; pr. s. en- 
courages, A 2716 ; pr.pl. strengthen, I 652. 

Confounde, v. destroy, 1.40; 12. 10; pp. 
put to confusion, i. 5; overwhelmed, B 
100 ; destroyed in soul, G 137. 

C6nfus, /I/, as adj. confused, T. iv. 356; 
convicted of folly, G 463; confounded, 
A 2230. 

Congeyen, v. give us our cong6e, tell us 
to depart, T. v. 479. 

Conjectest, Q.pr. s. supposest, T. iv. 1026. 

Conjectinges, pi. conjectures, B 2598. 

Conjoining'e, s. conjunction, G 95. 

Conjuracioun, s. conjuring, I 603. 

Conne, v. be able, L. 2044 ; know, T. iii. 
83 ; have experience, T. i. 647 ; know 
how, T. iii. 377; con, learn, B 1730; 
Conne, i pr. s. can, T. ii. 49 ; 2//-. s.siibj. 
canst, knowest how, T. ii. 1497; pr. s. 
subj. may, A 4396 ; i pr.pl. can, are able, 
B483; know, HF. 335; Conne, 2 pr. pi. 
can, A 4123; can (do),T. i.776; owe (me 
thanks), T. ii. 1466; Connen, pr. pi. 
know how to, E 2438 ; al conne he, 
whether he may know, G 846. 

Conning', s. skill, knowledge, L. 68,412; 
T. i. 83; experience, B 1671 ; learning, B 
2929. 

Conning, adj. skilful, B 3690. 

Conningest, most skilful, T. i. 331. 

Conningly, adv. skilfully, E 1017. 

Consecrat, consecrated, B 3207. 

Conseil, s. council, B 204 ; counsel, B 
425 ; secret counsel, A 1141 ; secret, A 
3504; advice, B 221 1; counsellor, A 
1 147. 

Conseile, v. counsel ; pt.pl. B 2554. 



Consentant, adj. consentient, consenting 
(to), C 276. 

Consentrik, adj. having the same centre, 
A. i. 17. s; tending to the same centre, 
A. i. 16. 9; at the same altitude, A. ii. 3. 
56. 

Consequent, .?. sequel, result, B 2577. 

Conservatif , adj. preserving ; c. the soun, 
preserving the sound, HF. 847. 

Conserve, v. keep, preserve, T. iv. 1664. 

Consist6rie, s. council, T. iv. 65 ; court 
of justice, C 162. 

Conspiracye, s. plot, B 3889, C 149. 

Constable, s. governor, B 512. 

Constdblesse, s. constable's wife, B 539. 

Constaunce, y. constancy, I 737. 

Constellacioun, s. influence of the stars, 
F 781. 

Constreyneth, pr. s. constrains, E 800 ; 
//. s. L. 105 ; pt. s. rejl. contracted her- 
self, B I. p I. 15 ; pp. constrained, com- 
pelled, E 527, F 764, 769. 

Constreynte, s. distress, T. iv. 741. 

Construe, v. divine, make out, T. iii. 33; 
_.^tv. to trrmslate, B 1718; m/. //. inter- 
pret, L. 152. 

Consulers, s.pl. consuls, B 2. p 6. 13. 

Consumpte, //.//. consumed, B 2. m 7. 

27- 
Contagious, adj. contiguous, B 3. p 12. 5. 
Contek, s. strife, contest, T. v. 1479; A 

2003. 
Contemplaunce, s. contemplation, D 

1893- 
Contenance, J. appearance, F 1485 ; show, 
B 2378 ; gesture, B 2227 ; demeanour, E 
924; self-possession, E iiio; pretence, 
I 858 ; fond his c, i. e. disposed himself, 
T. iii. 979 ; //. modes of behaviour, R. 

lOOI. 

Contene, v. contain, T. iii. 502 ; //. s. held 

together, B 3. p 12. 40. 
Continued, //. accompanied, eked out, 

I 1046. 
Contract, //. contracted, incurred, I 334. 
Contraire, adj. contrary, R. 348; T. i. 

212. 
Contraire, s. the contrary, HF. 1540; 

adversary, 2. 64. 
Contrdrie, adj. contrary, B 3964; in c. 

in contradiction, G 1477. 
C6ntrarie, .f. contrary, A 3057; contrary 

thing, HF. 808; opponent, A 1859; 

opposition, T. i. 418. 
Contrdrien, v. oppose, F 705 ; pt. s. gain- 
said, D 1044. 
Contrarious, adj. contrary, adverse, B 

2249 ; pi. B. 2311. 



(3\a&&mal InHtx, 



25 



Contrarioustee, s. contrary state, I 1077. 

Contree, country, R. 768; fatherland, 
home, B 2. p 4. 120. 

Contree-folk, people of his country, L. 
2161. 

Contree-houses, //. houses of his coun- 
try, homes, 7. 25. Lat. domos patrias. 

Contree-"ward., to his, towards his 
country, L. 2176. 

Contubernial, adj. familiar, at home 
with (lit. sharing the same tent with), 
I 760. 

Coiitiimax, adj. contumacious, I 402. 

Convenient, adj. fitting, suitable, I 421 ; 
pi. suitable, F 1278. 

Convers ; in convers, on the reverse side, 
r. V. 1810. 

Conversacioun, s. conversation, i. e. 
manner of life, 13 2501. 

Converte, v. change, T. i. 308; swerve, 
C 212; ger. to change his ways, T. iv. 
1412 ; to change her mind, T. ii. 903. 

Convertible, adj. equivalent, A 4395. 

Conveyen, v. introduce, E 55 ; pr. s. ac- 
companies, L. 2305 ; pt. pi. conducted 
on their way, A 2737. 

Convict, //. overcome, i. 86. 

Cony, s. rabbit ; Conies, //. R. 1404 ; 
Conyes, pi. 5. 193. 

Cook, .r. cook, A 351 ; Cokes, />/. C 538. 

Coomen,//". //. came, B 1805. 

Cop, s. top, A 554; summit, B 2. m 4. 6 ; 
hill-top, HF. 1166. 

Cope, s. cope, A 260 ; cape, R. 408 ; cloak, 
T. iii. 724; vault, L. 1527. 

Coper, s. copper, HF. 1487. 

Copie, s. copy, T. ii. 1697. 

Coppe, s. cup, A 134, F 942. 

Cord,ge, G6rage, s. heart, spirit, mind, 
disposition, mood, inclination, R. 257, 
423, 849, 1302, 1614 ; A 22 ; courage, B 
1970; will, desire, B 2713; impetuosity, 
I 655; attention, H 164; spite, R. \$i.\ 
encouragement, R. 22; of his c, in his 
disposition, F 22; Corages, //. disposi- 
tions, natures, A 11. 

Corbets, pi. corbels, HF. 1304. 

Cordeth, pr. s. agrees, T. ii. 1043. 

Cordewane, s. Cordovan leather, B 1922. 

Corfew-tyme, s. curfew-time, about 8 
p.m., A 3645. 

Corig'e, v. correct ; pr. s. B 4. p 7. 39. 

Cormeraunt, s. cormorant, 5. 362. 

Cor meuni ertictavit, D 1934. See Ps. 
xlv. I. 

Corn, s. grain, A 562; chief portion, B 
3144; Comes, pi. crops of corn, B 3225 ; 
grains of corn, HF. 698. 



Cornemuse, s. bagpipe, HF. 1218. Fr. 

cortienmse. 

Corniculere, s. registrar, secretary, G 
369. Lat. cortticularius, a registrar, 
clerk to a magistrate. 

Corny, adj. applied to ale, strong of the 
corn or malt, C 315, 456. 

Corone, s. crown, garland, E 381 ; Co- 
roune, crown, garland, 2. 58; C6roun, 
crown, L. 216; the constellation called 
'the Northern Crown,' L. 2224. 

Corosif, adj. corrosive, G 853. 

Coroumpinge, s. corruption, B 3. p 12. 
82. 

Cor6uned, pp. crowned, B 3555. 

Corpus, s. body, A 3743 ; Corpus, the body 
(e. g. of Christ), B 3096; Corpus Domi- 
nus, false Latin for corpus Domini, the 
body of the Lord, B 1625 ; Corpus 
Madrian, the body of St. Mathurin, 
B 3082; Corpus bones, a?t inte?itionally 
nonseJisical oath, composed of ' corpus 
domini,' the Lord's body, and ' bones,' 

C3M- 
Correccioun, s. fine, D 1617. 
Corrumpable, adj. corruptible, A 3010. 
Corrumpeth,//-. J', becomes corrupt, L. 

2237 ; pt. s. corrupted, I 819. 
Corrupcioun, s. destroyer, 5. 614. 
Cors, s. body, L. 676, 876 ; corpse, T. v. 

742. 
Corse, pr. s. subj. curse, E 1308. 
Corsednesse, s. abomination, T. iv. 994. 
Corseynt, s. a saint (lit. holy body) ; esp. 

a shrine, HF. 117. O. F. cors setnt. 
Corumpe, v. become corrupt, B 3. p 11. 

58. See Corrumpe. 
Corve, -n; see Kerve. 
Cosin, s. cousin, A 1131; as adj. akin, 

suitable to, A 742, H 210; Cosins ger- 

mayns, cousins-german, first cousins, B 

2558. 
Cosinage, s. kinship, B 1226, 1329. 
Cost (i), s. expense, A 192, 213. 
Cost (2), s. choice, condition; Nedes 

cost, of necessity (lit. by condition of 

necessity), L. 2697. Icel. kostr, choice, 

condition, state. 
Costage, i. cost, expense, B 1235, 1562. 
Coste, s. coast, B 1626; region, D 922; 

Costes,//. parts of the sky, A. i. 19. 10. 
Coateyins, pres. part, coasting, R. 134. 
Costlewe, adj. costly, I 415. Cf. Icel. 

kt'stltgr. 
Costrel, s. flask, kind of bottle, L. 2666. 
Cote, s. cot, E 398; dungeon, A 2457. 
Cote, s. coat, jacket (for a man), A 103, 

328; skirt, petticoat, or gown (for a 



26 



#lo0sarial h\tin. 



woman), R. 226; p/. coats, surcoats, or 
coats-of-arms (see below), HF. 1332. 

Cote-arm ure, coat-armour, coat shew- 
ing the arms, coat-of-arms, T. v. 1651. 

Couche, V. lay down, place; cower, E 
1206; pi. s. laid in order, placed, 5. 216; 
G 1157; //. set, placed, laid, A 2933, 
321 1 ; beset, begemmed, A 2161. 

Couching', s. laying down, letting the 
astrolabe lie flat on the ground, A. ii. 
29. 29. 

Coude, I //. s. could, was able, L. 116; 
knew how, 3. 517; pi. s. knew, 3. 667, 
1012 ; understood, R. 179 ; as mix. could, 
R. 175 ; Coude her good, knew what was 
for Dido's advantage, L. 1182; Coude 
no good, knew no good, was untrained, 
3. 390; Coud, />/>. known, 3. 787 ; learnt, 
I 1041. See Can, Conne. 

Counseil, s. advice, A 784; secrets, A 
665 ; Counseyl, secret, 5. 348. 

Counte, I //•. s. account, 11. 29; pt. s. 3. 
718. 

Countenaunce, s. appearance, show, A 
1926 ; looks, appearance, G 1264 ; shew- 
ing favour, 3. 1022 ; demeanour, R. 814 ; 
pretext, A 4421 ; //. looks, R. 1309. 

Countitig-bord, s. counting-house table, 
B 1273. 

Countour (i), s. arithmetician, 3. 435; 
auditor, A 359. 

Countour (2), s. abacus, counting-board, 
3. 436; counting-house, B 1403. 

Countour-hous, s. counting-house, B 
1267. 

Countrepeise, v. render equivalent, HF. 
1750; countervail, T. iii. 1407. 

Coiintrepleted, pp. made the subject of 
pleadings and counter-pleadings, argued 
against, L. 476. 

Countretaille, s. lit. countertally, i. e. 
correspondence (of sound) ; at Ike c, in 
reply, E 1190. 

Countrewaite, pr. s. subj. keep watch 
over, I 1005 ; watch against, B 2509. 

Coupable, adj. culpable, blameworthy, 
15 2731, I 414. 

Coupe, s. cup, L. 1 122. 

Coured, //. s. cowered, R. 465. 

Cours, s. course, T. ii. 970; life on earth, 
G 387 ; orbit, A 2454. 

Courser, s. horse, T. ii. loii ; //. steeds, 
A 2501. 

Court, s. court, A 140; manor-house, D 
2162. 

Courtepy, an upper short coat of a coarse 
material, R. 220; A 290, D 1382. 

Court-man, s. courtier, E 1492. 



Couthe, I pt. s. could, R. 513; knew, 3. 
800; knew how, A 390; Couth, pp. 
known, T. iv. 6i ; Couthe, pp. pi. well- 
known, A 14. 

Couthe, adv. in a known way, manifestly, 
HF.757. 

Coveityse, s. covetousness, A 3884, C 
424; bodily craving, I 819; lust, I 336. 

Covenable, adj. fit, proper, fitting, suit- 
able, 18. 25; agreeable, B 4. p 6. 224; 
congruous, B 3. p 12. 179. 

Covenably, adv. suitably, fitly, B 2423. 

Covent, s. convent, conventual body, B 
1827, D 1863. 

Coverchief, s. kerchief worn on the head, 
D 590 ; //. A 453. 

Covercle, s. pot-lid, HF. 792. 

Covered, pp. covered, A 354; recovered 
from, healed of, L. 762. 

Covertly, adv. secretly, R. 19. 

Coverture, s. disguise, R. 1588 ; Cover- 
tures, //. coverings, I 198. 

Covetour, .?. one who covets, 4. 262. 

Covyne, s. deceitfulness, A 604. ' Covine, 
a deceitful agreement between two or 
more to the prejudice of another;' 
Cowel, Law Dictionary. 

Cow, s. chough, D 232. See Chogh. 

Coward, adj. cowardly, 5. 349. 

Cowardye, s. cowardice, A 2730. 

Cowardyse, j. cowardice,'!', iv. 602, v. 412. 

Coy, adj. quiet, A 119; shy, L. 1548. 

Coye, V. quiet, calm, cajole, T. ii. 801. 

Coynes, //. quinces, R. 1374. O. F. coin, 
quince. 

Crabbed, adj. shrewish, cross, bitter, E 
1203. 

Cracching, s. scratching, .A. 2834. 

Craft, s. cunning, C 84; skill, T. i. 665; 
art, R. 687; trade, occupation, 3. 791; A 
692 ; secret, mystery, R. 1634 ; might, B 
3258 ; contrivance, F 249. 

Craftily, adv. artfully, in a studied man- 
ner, T. ii. 1026 ; skilfully, B 48. 

Crafty, adj. skilful, clever, A 1897; sensi- 
I'le, 3. 439- 

Craketh, //-. s. utters boldly, A 4001 ; 
sings in a grating tone (like a corn- 
crake), E 1850. 

Crampissheth, pr. r. draws convulsively 
together, contracts, 7. 171. Cf. ' Deth 
crampishlng into their hert gan crepe ; ' 
Lydgate, Falls of Princes, bk. i. c. 9. 
Cf. O.F. crampir, ' etre tordu ; ' Godefroy. 

erased, //. cracked, G 934. 

Creant, adj.; seith cteant, acknowledges 
himself beaten, I 698. Probably short 
for recreant. 



(glossarial EntJei. 



27 



Great, pp. created, 16. 2; B 2293. 
Creaunce, s. credence, belief, creed, B 

915 ; object of faith, B 340. 
Creaunce, v. borrow on credit, B 1479; 

pr. s. borrows, B 1493 ; //. B 1556. 
Creep, //. s. of Crepe. 
Crekes,//. crooked devices, wiles, A 4051. 

See Creek, s, (i), ^ 7, in the New E. 

Diet. 
Crepe, v. creep, 3. 144 ; Creep, pt. s. crept, 

A 4226; Crepten, ;>/.;>/. D 1698; Cropen, 

pp. crept, T. iii. ion. 
Crepul, J-. cripple, T. iv. 1459. 
Crepusculis, s. pi. twilights, durations 

of twilight, A. ii. 6. rubric. 
Crevace, s. crevice, crack, HF. 2086. 
Crinkled,//, full of turns or cranks, L. 

2012. 
Crips, adj. crisp, curly, HF. 1386; Crisp,- 

R. 824. 
Cristen, adj. Christian, B 222, 1679. 
Cristendom, s. the Christian religion, B 

351 ; Christianity, G 447. 
Cristenly, adv. in a Christian manner, B 

1122. 
Cristianitee, s. company of Christians, B 

544- 
Croce, s. staff, stick, D 484. See Crose, 

^ 2, in the New E. Diet. 
Crois, J, cross, i. 60. 
Croked, adj. crooked, R. 926; crooked 

(things), 13. 8 ; ' tortuous,' A. ii. 28. 32. 
Crokes, //. crooks, hooks, L. 640. 
Crokke, s. earthenware pot, 13. 12. 
Crommes, s. pi. crumbs, G 60. 
Crone, s. crone, hag, B 432. 
Cronique, s. chronicle, B 4398. 
Croos-lyne, s. cross-line, the line from 

right to left through the centre, A. i. 

12. 7. 
Crop, s. top, sprout, nevr twig, T. ii. 348 ; 

crop and rote, top and root, everything, 

T. v. 1245 ; Croppes, //. tree-tops, ends 

of branches, R. 1396; new shoots, 

A 7. 
Cropen, //. of Crepe. 
Croper, j-. crupper, G 566. 
Cros, s. cross, i. 82; Crois, i. 60. 
Croslet, s. crucible, G 1147. 
Crouche, i pr. s. mark with the cross (to 

dc-tend from elves), A 3479; E 1707. 
Croude, v. push, HF. 2095 ; pr. s. 2/. dost 

press, dost push, B 296. 
Crouke, s. pitcher, jug, A 4158. 
Croun, s. crown (of the head), A 4041 ; 

(referring to the tonsure), B 1499. 
Crouned, //. crowned, R. 1266 ; supreme, 

F 526. 



Croupe, s. crupper, D 1559. 

Crouperes, //. cruppers, I 433. 

Crowding", s. pressure, motive power, B 
299. 

Croys, s. cross, A 699, 4286. 

Crul, adj. curly, A 3314 ; //. A 81. Friesic 
krul, curly. 

Crydestow, didst thou cry out, A 1083; 
pp. proclaimed, HF. 2107. 

Cryinge, s. outcry, A 906. 

Cryke, j. creek, A 409. 

Cuc\irbit6s, s. pi. cucurbites, G 794. 
' Cucurbite, a chemical vessel, originally 
made in the shape of a gourd, but some- 
times shallow, with a wide mouth, and 
used in distillation.' — Webster. 

Culpa mea, i. e. I acknowledge my fault, 
T. ii. 525. 

Culpe, s. guilt, blame, I 335. 

Culter, s. coulter (of a plough), A 

3763- 

Cunning, adj. skilful, 2. 97. 

Cunning-, s. skill, 5. 167, 487. 

Cuppe, s. a cup, F 616. 

Curacioun, j. cure, healing, B 2463 ; mode 
of cure, T. i. 791. 

Curat, s. pari-sh-priest, vicar, A 219 (the 
words vicar and curate have now, practi- 
cally, changed places). 

Cure, s. cure, remedy, T. i. 469; charge, 
B 2. p 3. 32 ; diligence, A 1007 ; attention, 
A 303 ; heed, care, 2. 82 ; endeavour, B 188 ; 
careful purpose, HF. 1298; supervision, 
D 133; I do no cure, I care not, L. 152; 
fyth in his cure, depends on his care for 
me, L. 1 176; did /lis besy cure, was busily 
employed, 5. 369; his lyves cure, the ob- 
ject of his thoughts always, 4. 131 ; honest 
cure, care for honourable things, C 557 ; 
in cure, in her power, B 230. 

Curiositee, s. curious workmanship, HF. 
1 178; intricacy, 18. 81. 

Curious, adj. careful, attentive, B 1433; 
eager, R. 1052; skilful, A 577; delicately 
made, A 196; magical, F 1120. 

Currours, s. pi. runners, couriers, HF. 
2128. 

Cursednesse, s. abominable sin, wicked- 
ness, C 276, 400; shrewishness, E 1239; 
malice, B 1821. 

Curteis, adj. courteous, hence, compas- 
sionate, I 246; courteous, R. 538. 

Curteisye, s. courtesy, A 46, 132. 

Custume, J. custom, D682; //.payments, 
I 752; imports, I 567. 

Cut, .f. lot, A 835, 845, 854. 

Cutte, V. cut, C 954 ; Cutted, //. cut short, 
L- 973- 



28 



(glo00artal Intitx. 



Daf, s. foolish person, A 4208. 

Dagged, adj. tagged, cut into hanging 

peaks at the lower edge, I 421. 
Daggingre, s. a cutting into tags, I 418. 
Dagon, s. small piece, D 1751. 
Dalf , //. s. of Delve. 

Daliaunce, s, gossip, A 211 ; playful de- 
meanour, favour, 12. 8 ; //. dalliance, 

toying, C 66. 
Damageous, adj. injurious, I 438. 
Dame, s. mother, C 684; dam, A 3260; 

madam, A 3956; goodwife, D 1797. 
Damiselle, s. damsel, R. 1240 ; //. R. 1622. 
Dampnacioun, s. condemnation, C 500; 

curse, D 1067. 
Dampne, ger. to condemn, L. 401 ; pp. A 

1175, 1342; damned, I 191. 
Dan. s. {/or Dominus), lord, sir, a title of 

respect, HF. 161; B 3982; Daun, HF. 

137- 

Dappel-gray, adj. dapple-gray, B 2074. 

Dar, ipr. s. dare, A 1151; Darst, 2 pr. s. 
darest, T. i. 768 ; B 860 ; Darstovv, darest 
thou, L. 1450; Dorste, i pt. s. durst, 
might venture (to), L. 2054; pt. s. A 
227 ; Dorstestow, wouldst thou dare, T. 
i. 767 ; I pt. s. subj. might dare, 2. 60. 
See Durre. 

Dare, /'•. //. doze, B 1293. 

Darketh, pr. s. lies hid, L. 816. 

Darreyne, ger. to decide one's right to, 
A 1853; *o decide, A 1631; to decide 
your claims (to) , A 1609. O. F. deraisnier. 

Dart, s. dart, 6. 40 ; (given as a prize in an 
athletic contest), D 75. 

Daswen, ;>^. //. dase, are dazzled, H 31; 
pp. confused, HF. 658. O. F. daser 
(Godefroy). 

Date-tree, s. date-tree, R. 1364. 

Daun ; see Dan. 

Daunce, s. dance, R. 808; play, T. iv. 
1431 ; set, company, HF. 639 ; the tie^ve d., 
the new dance, T. ii. 553 ; the olde d.. the 
old game, the old way of love, A 476, C 79. 

Dauncen, v. dance, A 2202. 

Daunger, s. disdain, R. 1524; imperious- 
ness, 7. 186; liability, A 1849; sparing, 
stint, R. 1147; power, control, R. 1470; 
Power to harm (personified), L. 160; 
tn d., within his jurisdiction, under his 
control, A 663 ; in hir d., at her disposal, 
R. 1049; with d., sparingly, charily, D 
521. 

Daungerous, adj. forbidding, sparing, A 
517 ; niggardly, D 1427 ; grudging, hard 



to please, R. 1482, 1492 ; reluctant, D 514 ; 
inhospitable, R. 490. 
Daunten, v. tame, subdue, R. 880 ; pr. s. 
T. ii. 399, iv. 1589; //. frightened, D 

463- 
Da"we, V. dawn, B 3872, E 1832. 
Daweninge, s. dawn, A 4234, B 4072. 
Dawes, s.pl. days, F ii8o. 
Dawing, s. the Dawn (Aurora), T. iii. 

1466. 
Dawning, s. dawn, 3. 292. 
Day, J. day, A 19; time, B 3374; appointed 

time for repaying money, G 1040 ; on 

a day, one day, some day, R. 1493 ; 

Dayes, //. appointed days for payment, 

F 1568, 1575 ; lifetime, B 118 ; nowadayes, 

at this time, E 1164. 
Dayerye, s. dairy, A 597; //. D 871. 
Dayesye, j. daisy, L. 182, 184, 218. 
Debaat, s. strife, A 3230, B 2867; war, B 

130; mental conflict, 3. 1192; quarrelling, 

T. ii. 753- 
Debate, v. fight, war, B 2058 ; quarrel, C 

412. 
Debonair, adj. calm, benign, gentle, 

I 658 ; Debonaire, fern, well-mannered 

B 4061 ; gracious, courteous, R. 797; as 

s. kind person, 3. 624. 
Debonairely, adv. meekly, I 660 

graciously, 3. 851, 1284; with a good 

grace, HF. 2013; courteously, 3. 518 

T. ii. 1259. 
Debonairetee, s. gentleness, I 467 

giaciousness, 6. 108. 
Deceivable, adj. deceitful, 15. 3 ; E 2058. 
Declamed. pt.pl. discussed, T. ii. 1247. 
Declinacioun, s. declination, angular 

distance N. or S. of the equator, E 2223, 

F 1033. 
Declyneth, /r. s. turns aside, B 4. p 6. 

19s ; pr. s. possesses declination, A. ii. 

19. 12. 
Declyninge, adj. sloping, B 5. m i. 19. 
Decoped, //. lit. ' cut down ' ; hence, 

pierced, cut in openwork patterns, R. 

843- 

D6de, dead ; see D66d. 

D6de, ger. to grow dead, become stupe- 
fied, HF. 552. 

Deden, pt. pi. did, T. i. 82. See Doon. 

Dedicat, //. dedicated, I 964. 

Deduyt, s. pleasure, A 2177. 

Deed, s. deed, act ; Dede, dat. i. 45 ; B 
1999; /;/ dede, indeed, A 659, B 3511; 
with the dede, with the act thereof, D 
70 ; Dede,;>/. (A. S. dceda), 5. 82. 

D46d, adj. dead, R. 215; dead, livid (of 
hue), R. 441 ; for d., as dead, T. iv. 733; 



(fllossavial Infitx. 



29 



Dede, de/. L. 876 ; d. sUpe, heavy sleep, 
3. 127; Dede, //. sluggish, 5. 187; 
woundes dede, deadly wounds, 3. 121 1. 

D66dly, adj. mortal, I 99; dying, L. 885; 
deathlike, 3. 162. 

D66dly, adv. mortally, G 476. 

D66f, adj. deaf. T. i. 753 ; Deve,//. G 286. 

Deel, s. part, R. 1074 ; never a deel, not 
at all, I 1007; not a bit, HF. 331 ; every 
deel, every whit, wholly, T. ii. 590 ; Deel, 
//. times, 6. 35 ; Del, part, R. 28 ; share, 
3. looi ; every d., every whit, A 1825 ; 
eche a id., every whit, T. iii. 694 ; a greet 
del, to a large extent, A 415 ; very often, 
3. 1159; no del, no whit, T. i. 1089; 
never a d., not a whit, 3. 543. 

Deer, s.pl. animals, B 1926. 

Dees, pi. dice, T. ii. 1347. iv. 1098. 

Dees, s. dais, HF. 1360, 1658. 

Deeth, s. death, B 3567 ; pestilence, 
plague, T. i. 483 ; the deeth, the pesti- 
lence (with special references to the 
pestilences of 1349, 1361, and 1369), A 
605. 

Defame, s. dishonour, B 3788, C 612. 

Defaute, s. fault, 22. 56; fault (as a 
hunting term), 3. 384 (were on a defaute 
y-falle, had a check) ; lack, defect, 
want, 3. 5, 25, 223; sin, B 3718, C 370. 

Defence, s. resistance, L. 1931 ; hin- 
drance, R. 1142; covering, 5. 273; pro- 
hibition, T. iii. 138; denial, D 467. 

Defendaunt, s. ; in his d., in defending 
himself, in self-defence, I 572. 

Defende, ger. to defend, B. 2631 ; to 
forbid, G 1470. 

Defet, pp. exhausted (lit. defeated), T. 
V. 618 ; cast down, T. v. 1219. 

Deffendeth, pr. s. forbids, I 651 ; pp. I 
600. 

Defoulen, v. trample down, hence, defile, 
F 1418 ; //. trampled down, I 191 ; 
defiled, T. v. 1339; disgraced, B 4. m 
7. 47 (Lat. turpatus). 

Defyne, i pr. s. pronounce, declare, T. 
iv. 390. 

Degree, J. rank, 5. 453 ; condition, position, 
A 1841 ; step, R. 485 ; footstep, B 4. m i. 
42 ; horizontal stripes, B I. p i. 38 ; of the 
zodiac, F 386; at 'lowe degree, R. 883; 
at alle degrees, in every way, A 3724. 

Degys^, adj. elaborate^ I 417. 

Deg'ysinesse, s. elaborate style, I 414. 

Degysinge, s. elaborate ornamentation, 
I 425- 

Dekne, s. deacon, I 891. 

Del; see Deel. 

Delen, ger. to have dealing with, A 247 ; 



Dele, ger. to have dealings, T. iii. 322 ; 

to deal, L. 1158; v. argue, T. ii. 1749; 

Deled, pt. pi. had intercourse, L. 1517; 

Deled, //. apportioned, D. 2249. 
Deliberen, v. deliberate, consider, T. iv. 

169 ; pt. s. deliberated, B 2916. 
Delicacye, s. amusement, B 3669; wan- 
tonness, 9. 58. 
Delicat, adj. delicious, E 1646; delicate, 

E 682; dainty, I 432. 
Delices, s. pi. delights, B 2602; tender 

feelings, B 2. p 4. 78; sinful pleasures, 

B 3. p 7. I. 
Delicious, adj. giving delight, T. v. 443. 
Deliciously, adv. luxuriously, E 2025. 
Delitable, adj. delightful, R. 1440; de- 
licious, R. 1371 ; //. delightful, F 899. 
Delitably, adv. pleasingly, B 4. p i. 2. 
Delitous. adj. delicious, R. 489. 
Deliver, adj. quick, active, A 84. 
Delivere, v. set free, 13. 7 ; do away with, 

T. iii. 1012 ; ger. to set free (after a legal 

decision), 5. 508. 
Deliverly, adv. nimbly, B 4606 ; quickly, 

T. ii. 1088. 
Delivernesse, s. activity, B 2355. 
Delphyn, s. the constellation Dolphin, 

HF. 1006. 
Helte, pt.s. 0/ Delen. 
Delve, v. dig, A 536 ; Dalf, i //. s. dug, 

B 5. p I. 99; Dolve, pt. s. subj. had 

digged, B 5. p I. 87; Dolven,//. buried, 

3. 222. A. S. del/an. 
Delyces, s. pi. delights, pleasures, C 547, 

G 3 ; favourites ( Lat. delicias) , B 2. p 3. 

74- 
Dely6, adj. delicate, fine, B i. p i. 23. 

O. F. dehe. 
Delyt, s. delight, joy, 3. 606 ; pleasing 

ornamentation, L. 1199. 
Delytable, adj. delightful, L. 321. 
Delyte, v. delight, please, 5. 27 ; rejl. 

take pleasure, 5. 66 ; Delyte me, i //-. s. 

delight, L. 30. 
Delytous, adj. delicious, R. 90. 
Demaunde, s. question, T. iv. 1694, v. 

859- 

Deme, v. judge, 14. 6; decide, conclude, 
T. ii. 371 ; suppose, 4. 158 ; give a ver- 
dict, G 595; Demen, v. deem, judge, A 
3161 ; decide, B 3045 ; i pr. s. condemn, 
D 2024 ; decree, C 199 ; suppose, E 753 ; 
Demeth, imp. pi. judge, decide, L. 453; 
suppose, A 3172. 

Demeine, v. manage, HF. 959. 

Demeyne, s. dominion, B 3855. 

Demoniak;, s. madman, D 2240. 

Demonstracioun, s. proof, HF. 727. 



30 



(glossarial EntJei. 



Demonstratif, adj. demonstrable, D. 
2272. 

Denticle, s. pointer, A. i. 23. i. See Al- 
mury. 

Denye, v. refuse, T. ii. 1489; Deneyed, 
pp. denied, B 3. p 10. 16. 

Depardieux, mterj. on the part of God, 
by God's help, T. ii. 1058, 1212. 

Departs, v. separate, part, 7. 285 ; sever, 
T. ii. 531; divide, 1 1006; imp. s. dis- 
tinguish, T. iii. 404. 

Departinge, s. dividing, I 425, 1008; 
departure, 5. 675 ; separation, 4. 25. 

Depe, adv. deeply, 3. 165; 7. 8. 

Depeynted, pp. depicted, L. 1025 ; 
painted, R. 478 ; stained, T. v. 1599. 

Depper, adv. comp. deeper, T. ii. 485 ; 
B630. 

Depraven, pr. pi. calumniate, 4. 207. 

Depressioun, s. the angular distance of 
the southern pole from the horizon, A. 
ii. 25. 10. 

Dere, adj. dear, i. 99 ; 4. 147. 

Dere, adv. dearly, i. 86; 18. 26. 

Dere, s. dat. deer, R. 1453. 

D6re, v. injure, harm, T. i. 651. A. S. 
deiian. 

Dereling', s. darling, A 3793. 

Derk, adj. dark, R. 1009; inauspicious, 
4. 120 ; as s. inauspicious position, 4. 122. 

Derke, s. darkness, gloom, 3. 609. 

Derkest, adj. supetl. darkest, B 304. 

Derkly, adv. darkly, HF. 51. 

Derknesse, s. darkness, B 1451. 

Derne, adj. secret, A 3200, 3278. 

Derre, adv. comp. more dearly, T. i. 136, 
174; A 1448. 

Derth, s. dearth, HF. 1974. 

Dery veth, pr. s. is derived, A 3006. 

Desceivaunce, s. deception, B 3. p 8. 53. 

Descencioun, s. descension, A. ii. 4. 55. 
The technical signification seems to be 
— the 'house' or portion of the sky 
just above the western horizon, so that 
a planet in his descension is about to 
set. 

Descensories, s. pi. G 792. ' Descenso- 
ries, vessels used in chemistry for extract- 
ing o\\s per descensum ; ' Tyrwhitt. 

Descerne, v. discern, T. iv. 200. 

Descharge, pr. s. subj. disburden, I 360. 

Desclaundred, //. slandered, B 674. 

Descry ve, v. describe, R. 705 ; HF. 1105. 

Desdeyn, s. disdain, contempt, A 789. 

Desert, s. merit, 4. 31 ; //. merits, T. iii. 
1267. 

Deserte, adj. lonely, HF. 417. 

Deservedest, 2.pt. s, didst deserve, C 216. 



Desespaired, pp. in despair, 6. 7. 

Desespeir. t. despair, T. i. 605, ii. 6. 

Desesperaunce, s. hopelessness, T. ii. 
530, 1307. 

Desherite, ger. to disinherit, B 3025. 

Deshonestee, s. unseemliness, 1 833. 

D6sir6us, adj. ambitious, 9. 59; ardent, 
F23. 

Deslavee, adj. foul, I 629; inordinate, 
unrestrained, I 834. ' Deslave, pp. non 
lave, crasseux, sale ; ' Godefroy. 

Desordeynee, adj. unregulated, inor- 
dinate, I 818, 915. 

Desordinat, adj. inordinate, I 415. 

Despeired, pp. sunk in despair, 2. 91 ; T, 
v. 713. 

Despence, s. expense, D 1874; expendi- 
ture, money for expenses, B 105. 

Despende, v. spend, T. iv. 921; zpr.s. 
vvastest B 2121 ; //. spent, A 3983. 

Despendours, pi. spenders, B 2843. 

Despenses, pi. expenditure, B 2842. 

Desperacioun, s. despair, i. 21. 

D6spitous, adj. spiteful, R. 173 ; angry, 
jealous, D 761 ; merciless, A 516; scorn- 
ful, A 1777, I 395. 

Despitously, adv. scornfully, B 3785 ; 
angrily, A 4274; maliciously, B 605; 
cruelly, E ^,35. 

Desplayeth, pr. s. spreads open, A 966. 

Desponeth, pr. s. disposes, T. iv. 964. 

Desport, s. diversion, merriment, amuse- 
ment, T. i. 592; B 2158. 

Desporte, v. rejoice, T. v. 1398. 

Despoyled, pp. robbed, I 665. 

Despyt, s. malice, spite, T. i. 207; con- 
tempt, disdain, D 1876; scorn, L. 372; 
malice, L. 177 1 ; ill-humour, I 507; a 
deed expressing contempt, B 3738 : hi 
d. of, in contempt of, 5. 281 ; in your d., 
in contempt of you, B 1753 ; in his d., in 
scorn of him, L. 134. 

Desray, s. confusion, I 927. 

Desseveraunce, s. separation,T. iii. 1424. 

Destemperaunce, s. inclemency, B 3. 
p II. 130. 

Destempred, pp. distempered, I 826. 

Destinal, adj. fatal, B 4. p 6. 172; pre- 
destined, B 4. p 6. no. 

Destourbe, ger. to disturb; d. of, to 
disturb in, C 340; pr. s. hinders, I 576; 
interrupts, B 2167. 

Destourbing, s. trouble, 18. 44. 

Destrat, pp. distracted, B 3. p 8. 19. 

Destreyne, v. distress, T. iii. 1528 ; ger. 
constrain, force, H 161. 

Destroubled,//. disturbed, 3. 524. 

Desyringe, adj. desirous, B 2767. 



(3\ama.xml Entiei. 



31 



Detenninat, ad/, determinate, exact, 
fixed, D 1459; properly placed (on the 
astrolabe), A. ii. 18 (rubric). 

D6termyne, v. come to an end, T. iii. 
379; Determined, //. settled, B 5. p 
4. 9. 

Dette, s. debt, L. 541 ; A 280. 

Dettelees, adj. free from debt, A 582. 

Dettour, j. debtor, B 1587, D 155. 

/)eus /lie, God (be) here, D 1770. 

Deve, //. 0/ Deef, deaf. 

Devil, s. L. 2493 ; zv/iaf d., what the devil, 
L. 2694 ; /low d., how the devil, T. i. 623 ; 
a d. meye, in the way to the devil, in 
the devil's name, A 3134; a tiuenty devil 
way, in the way of twenty devils, i. e. 
to utter destruction, L. 2177; an excla- 
mation of petulance, A 3713, 4257. 

Devoir, s. duty, T. iii. 1045 : A 2598. 

Devyn, s. astrologer, T. i. 66. 

Devyne, v. guess, T. v. 288 ; ger. T. iii. 
765; to prophesy (by), 5. 182; Devyne, 
/;•. //. suspect, T. ii. 1745 ; Devyne, 
pr. s. subj. let (him) guess, HF. 14. 

Devyneresse,5.femalediviner,T. V. 1522. 

Devys, s. contrivance, R. 1413 ; suppo- 
sition, R. 651; direction, A 816; at /its 
a'., according to his own wish, R. 1326; 
at point d., with great exactness or 
exactitude, R. 830 ; Devyses, //. heraldic 
devices, badges, L. 1272. 

Devyse, v. to relate, tell, describe, T. iii. 
41; A 34; recommend, T.ii. 388 ; devise, 
suggest, ordain, L. 437; plan, L. 1453; 
ger. to tell, describe, 5. 398 ; to relate, 
A 994 ; to frame, E 739 ; to tell of, T. i. 
'^7 ! /''• ^- narrates, describes, 5. 317; 
pr. pi. imagine, discourse, F 261 ;' //. 
described to, told, R. 476. 

Devysing', 5. arrangement, A 2496. 

Dewe, adj. due, I 867. 

Dextrer, s. a courser, war-horse, B 2103. 
Yr. destrier, a war-horse, Low Lat. 
dextrarius. The squire rode his own 
horse, and led his master's horse 
beside him, on his rig/it hand. 

Deye, s. dairywoman, B 4036. Icel 
deigja. 

Deye, v. die, 5. 469, 651 ; Deyde, pt. s. A 
2846 ; Deyed, pp. R. 456 ; Deyde, //. s. 
subj. should die, A 3427. 

Deyen, ger. to dye, to dip, B 4. m 6. 14. 

Deyinge, s. death, B 1850; lay on deytng, 
lay a-dying, B 3906. 

Deyne, v. deign, 7. 231 ; Deyneth him, 
pr. s. he deigns, 7. 181; L. 395; /lim 
deyned, he deigned, B 3324, 4371 ; /lir 
deyned, she deigned, 4. 39. 



Deynous, adj. scornful, A 3941. 

Deyntee, s. worth, value, D 208 ; too/t 
lesse d. for, set less value on, 7. 143 ; 
a peculiar pleasure, B 139; pleasure, 
F681, 1003; Deyntees,/)/. dainties, A 346. 

Deyntee, s. as adj. dainty, pleasant, rare, 
T. V. 438 ; good, A 168. 

Deyntevous, adj. dainty, E 265. 

Deys, .f. dais, platform, the high table 
in a dining-hall, A 370, 2200. 

Diademe, j. diadem, crown of an em- 
peror, 14. 7. 

Did,pred., pp. as adj. variegated, diver- 
sifted with figures, A 2158. 

Dich, s. ditch, A 3964. 

Dichen, v. make a dyke round, L. 708 ; 
pp. provided with a moat, A 1888. 

Dide, Didest ; see Doon. 

Diets, s. diet, daily food, A 435. 

Diffamacioun, s. defamation, D 1304. 

Diffarae, s. ill report, E 540, 730. 

Dif tame, ger. to dishonour, HF. 1581 ; v. 
cry down, D 2212. 

DiflQnicioun, s. clear exposition, D 25. 

Diflanisshe, //•. s. subj. define, B 5. p 
I. 36. 

Diflanitif, adj. definite, final, C 172. 

Diffusioun, s. prolixity, T. iii. 296. 

Diffye, i pr. s. defy, spurn, D 1928. 

Diffyne, ,^^r. define, state clearly, 5. 529 ; 
2pr.pl. conclude, HF. 344. 

Digestible, adj. easy to be digested, A 

437- 

Dighte, V. prepare, L. 1288 ; prepare 
(himself), L. 1000; Dighte me, prepare 
myself to go, B 3104; ordain, place, 
T. iv. 1188; lie with, D 767; pi. s. rejl. 
hastened, betook himself, T. ii. 948; 
lay with, D 398; Dight, pp. arrayed, 
equipped, T. iii. 1773; served, H 312; 
prepared, R. 941 ; prepared him to go, 
B 3719; Dighte, //. pi. prepared, L. 
261 1. A. S. di/itan ; from Lat. dictare. 

Digne, adj. worthy, T. i. 429 ; honourable, 
noble, B 1175, C 695; suitable, B 778; 
proud, disdainful, A 517; scornful, re- 
pellent, A 3964. 

Dignely, adv. scornfully, T. ii. 1024. 

Dignitee, s. worth, dignity, C 701, 782; 
rank, E 470. Dignity, in astrology, 
signifies the advantages which a planet 
has when in a particular position in 
the zodiac, or in a particular position 
with regard to other planets (Bailey). 

Dilatacioun, s. diffuseness, B 232. 

Diluge, s. deluge, I 839. 

Dint, s. stroke, HF. 534. 

Direct, a^'. directed, addressed, 18. 75; 



32 



tfelossarial h\titx. 



in directe, in a line with, A. ii. 44. 26. 

A planet's motion is direct when it 

moves in the same direction as the 

sun in the zodiac. 
Directe, i pr. s. address, T. v. 1856. 
Disavaunce, v. defeat, T. ii. 511. 
Disaventure, s. misfortune, T. ii. 415. 
Disblatneth, ivjp. pi. free (me) from 

blame, T. ii. 17. 
Disceyving-, s. deception, R. 1590. 
Dischevele, adj. with (his) hair hanging 

loosely down, A 683; with hair in dis- 
order, L. 1315. 
Disciplyne, s. bodily mortification, I 

1052. 
Disclaundre, s. reproach, T. iv. 564; 

slander, I 623. 
Disconflture, s. defeat, A ioo8 ; grief, 

7. 326. 
Disconfort, s. discouragement, discom- 
fort, A 2010; grief, woe, T. iv. 311. 
Disconforten, v. discourage, A 2704. 
Discordable, discordant, T. iii. 1753. 
Discordances, s.pl. discords, I 275. 
Discorden, /;■. //. disagree, B 4. p 6. 

208. 
Discordinge, adj. different, B 3. p 2. 140. 

(I^at. dissidentes.) 
Discovered, pp. revealed, G 1468. 
Discovert, pp. uncovered; at d., when 

unprotected, I 714. 
Discry ve, V. describe, T. v. 267 ; Discreven , 

V. T. iv. 802. 
Discure, v. reveal, discover, 3. 549. 
Discussed, pp. discussed, 5. 624 ; driven 

away, B i. m 3. i. 
Disdeyn, s. disdain, R. 296. 
Disencreseth, pr. s. decreases, B 5. p 

6.85. 
Disese, s. discomfort, grief, misery, 4. 

216, 277 ; T. ii. 987 ; sorrow, 7. 226 ; dis- 
pleasure, T. ii. 147; disease, ill, HF. 89; 

inconvenience, I 609; distress, B 616; 

unrest, F 1314. 
Disesen, ger. to trouble, T. iii. 1468 ; v. 

vex, T. iv. 1304; distress, T. i. 573. 
Disesperat, adj. without hope, HF. 2015. 
Disflgurat, adj. disguised, 5. 222. 
Disflg'tire, s. disfigurement, D 960. 
Disfigtire, v. disguise, L. 2046; //. 

clianged, A 1403. 
Disgressioun, digression, T. i. 143. 
Disgyse, ger. to disguise, T. v. 1577. 
Disherited, //. disinherited, deprived, 

L. 1065. 
Dish-metes, //. spoon-meat, broth, I 455. 
Dishonest, adj. unfaithful, H 214; Dis- 

honeste, shameful, E 876. 



Disjoynt, s. failure, A 2962; difificult 
position, B 1601 ; dat. peril, T. iii. 496, 
V. 1618. 

Dismal, s. unlucky day, 3. 1206. 

Dismembred, /A//, dismembered, I 591. 

Dismembrlnge, s. dismembering, I 591. 

Disobeysaunt, adj. disobedient, 5. 429. 

Disordenaunce, s. violation of rules, 
HF. 27. 

Disparag'e, s. disgrace, E 908. 

Dispardg'e, v. dishonour, A 4271; //. 
misallied, D 1069. 

Dispeire yow, imp.pl. despair, E 1669. 

Dispence, s. expenditure, expense, A 
441; what I spend, D 1432; cost, B 
1195; lavish help, HF. 260; Dispenses, 
pi. expenses, R. 1144. 

Dispende, v. spend, B 3500; pp. spent, 
shared, B 2560. 

Dispeyred, adj. despairing, F 1084. 

Displtous, adj. spiteful, R. 156; T. iii. 
1458; grievous, sad, T. v. 199; Dis- 
pitouse, -00c. pitiless, T. ii. 435; def. 
fern, cruel, 3. 624. 

Dispitously, adv.2iX\gx\\y, A 1124; spite- 
fully, T. v. 1806; cruelly, HF. 161. 

Displesant, adj. displeasing, I 544, 697. 

Displesaunce, s. displeasure, T. iii. 480; 
offence, C 74; Displesances, //. annoy- 
ances, C 420. 

Dispone, imp. s. dispose, T. v. 300; pr. s. 
disposes, orders, regulates, B 4. p 6. 60. 

Disport, s. sport, pleasantry, A 137, 775 ; 
amusement, diversioun, D 839 ; pleasure, 
B 143 ; sport, 4. 177. 

Disporte, ger. to amuse, HF. 571; to 
exhilarate, T. ii. 1673 ; v. cheer, T. iii. 
1133; pr.pl. sport, play, E 2040. 

Disposed, pt. s. purposed, E 244; //. 
disposed, T. ii. 682; ready, T. iv. 230; 
wel d., in good health (the reverse of 
indisposed), H 33. 

Disposicioun, s. disposal, T. ii. 526, v. 2 ; 
position, A 1087; frame of mind, B 
2326. 

Dlspoyhnge, s. spoil, B 4. m 7. 32. 

Dispreisen, ger. to disparage, R. 1053 ; 
V. blame, B 2261 ; pres. pt. depreciating, 
B 2741. 

Dispreisinge, s. blame, I 497 ; contempt, 
B 2876. 

Disputisoun, s. argument, E 1474 ; dis- 
pute, B 4428, F 890. 

Dispyt, s. despite, scorn, L. 1822; dis- 
dain, HF. 17 16; vexation, R. 1487; in 
d. of, in spite of, HF. 1668. 

Disserveth, //-. s. deserves, 1 756. 

Dissever, v. part, 2. 115; 17. 15; ger. to 



(^lossarial Enliex. 



part, G 875 ; pp. separated, B 4. p 3. 

19. 
Disseveraunce, s. severing, B 3. p 11. 64. 
Disshevele, a((/'. with hair flowing down, 

5. 235. See Dischevele. 
Dissimulen, v. dissimulate, T. i. 322, iii. 

434- 

Dissimulinge, s. dissimulation, dissem- 
bling, T. V. 1613, G 1073. 

Dissimulour, s. dissembler, B 4418. 

Disslaundred, pp. defamed, L. 1031. 

Dissolveth, pr. s. puts an end to, B 2. 

P 3- 92. 
Distantz, adj. pi. distant ; evene distantz, 

equidistant, A. i. 17. 52. 
Distemperaunce, s. inclemency, I 421. 
Distempre, adj. distempered, furious, B 

4- P 3- 125. 
Distempre, v. vex, B 2426; imp. s. be 

out of temper, D 2195. 
Disteyne, -'. stain, bedim, dull, L. 255. 
Disting wed,//, distinguished, B 2.p 5. 75. 
Distourbe, v. disturb, T. iv. 563; (to) 

interfere with, T. iv. 934; prevent, T. iv. 

1 103. See Destourbe. 
Distreyne, v. constrain, A 1816; get 

into his grasp, clutch, 20. 8 ; //;//. s. 

constrain, T. v. 596; Distreyneth, pr. s. 

secures, clutches, grasps, 5. 337; afflicts, 

F 820; //. misled, T. ii. 840; assessed, 

taxed, I 752. 
Disturbed, //. altered, T. ii. 622. 
Disturne, v. turn aside, T. iii. 718. 
Ditee, s. ditty, song, B 3. p i. 2; //. HF. 

622. See Dyte. 
Diurne, adj. diurnal, E 1795. 
Divers, adj. diverse, various, 3. 653 ; dai. 

different, 2. 17. 
Diversely, adv. in different ways, R. 

1629. 
Diversitee, s. variety, T. v. 1793. 
Divinistre, s. theologian, A 2811. 
Divisioun, s. distinction, A 1781; differ- 
ence, 10. 33 ; 0/ my d., under my influ- 
ence, 4. 273. 
Divynailes, //. divinations, I 605. 
Divynen, v. guess, T. iii. 458; i pr. s. 

declare, 12. 19 ; pres. pt. guessing, A 2515. 
Divyninge, s. opinion, A 2521. 
Divynis, //. theologians, A 1323. 
Divynour, s. seer, soothsayer, B 5. p 

3- 149- 

Do ; see Doon. 

Doctour, s. doctor, A 411; (i.e. St. Au- 
gustine), C 117; theologian, I 85; //. 
teachers, D 1648. 

Dogerel, adj. doggrel, B 2115. 

Dogge, 5. dog, D 1369, E 2014. 



Doghter, s. daughter, L. 114; B 151; 
Doghtren, //. L. 1963; Doughtren, //. 
T. iv. 22. 

Doinges,//. deeds, L. 1681. 

Doke, s. duck, 5. 498, 589; A 3576. 

Dokke, s. dock (plant), T. iv. 461. 

Dokked, //. cut short, A 590. 

Dolve, Dolven; see Delve. 

Domb, adj. dumb, HF. 656. 

Domesday, s. doom's day, HF. 1284. 

Domesman, s. judge, B 3680, I 594. 

Dominacioun, s. power, A 2758 ; do- 
minion, C 560; chief influence, F 352; 
supremacy, H 181. 

Domirius; see Corpus. 

Domus Dedali, the labyrinth of Daedalus, 
HF. 1920. 

Don, imp. s. don, put on, T. ii. 954. 

Don, Done ; see Doon. 

Dong-carte, s. dung-cart, B 4226. 

Dongeoun, s. keep-tower, A 1057. 

Donne, adj. pi. dun, dusky, T. ii. 908 r 
dun-coloured, 5. 334. 

Doom, s. judgement, F 928 ; opinion, B 
3127; sentence, decision: hir d., the 
decision passed on them, 5.308; Dome,. 
dat. opinion, T. i. 100; judgement, HF. 
1905 ; C 637 ; to my d., in my opinion, R. 
901; stonde to the d., abide by the de- 
cision, 5. 546; Domes, //. judgements, 
A 323. 

Doon, V. do, execute, A 960; do, 3. 194; 
act, B 90 ; cause, B 3618 r doon us hon^s^e, 
cause us to be hung, C 790; don her 
company e, accompany her, 4. 125 ; leet 
don cryen, caused to be cried, F 46 ; Do, 
V. cause, T. iv. 1683; use, B 2204; fulfil, 
B 1653 ; make, 3. 145 ; do werche, cause 
to be built, G 545; T)one,ger. to do, T. 
i. 1026 ; luhat to done, what is to be done, 
3. 689 ; for to done, a fit thing to do, I 62 ; 
to be done, L. 1597 ; Y)oon, ger. to do, A 
78, 768; to commit, I 90 ; to cause, R. 
1178 ; to force, 5. 221 ; to don, from doing, 
B 4. p 6. 323 ; Do, ger. to make, 3. 1260 ; 
to cause, T. ii. 1022; to commit, I 129; 
Doost, 2 pr. s. makest, C 312; Dostow, 
doest thou, L. 315 ; Dooth, pr. s. causes, 
A 2396 ; Doth, /^. 5. makes, 2. 7 ; causes, 
6. 21; Doth forth, continues, E 1015; 
Doon, pr.pl. do, A 268 ; Do, imp. s. make, 
H 12; bring (it) about, A 2405 ; cause, G 
32; do /i(2;;^^, cause me to be hung, G 1029; 
do fee c he, cause to be fetched, B 662 ; do 
wey, put away, lay aside, G 487 ; take 
away, A 3287 ; do sttyken hir out, cause 
her to be struck out, D 1364; do come, 
cause to come, B 2035 ; Dooth, imp.pl. do 



34 



@lo0sarial hxbtx. 



ye, C 745, 1 105 ; as dooth, pray do, F 458 ; 
Didest, 2 pt. s. didst, T. iii. 363 ; Dide, 
pt. s. did, 3. 373 ; caused, R. 607 ; put on, 
B 2047 ; dide hem drawe, caused to be 
drawn, B 1823 ; dide don sleen, caused to 
be slain, caused (men) to have them 
slain {sleen, like don, is in the infin. 
mood), D 2042 ; dide of, took off, 3. 516 ; 
Dide, pt. s. subj. should do, F 1404; 
Diden, pt. pi. made, 22. 28 ; //. //. suhj. 
should do, L. 723 ; Doon, //. done, 
I. 54; past, ended, 3.40; doon to dethe, 
done to death, L. 889; doon make, 
caused to be made, E 253 ; hath doon 
yow kept, has caused you to be pre- 
served, E 1098 ; doon ther write, caused 
to be written (or described there), R. 
413 ; don to ^^,done to death, murdered, 
R. 1063 ; Do, pp. done, L. 957 ; ended, E 
2440. 

Dore, s. door, R. 537, A 550 ; out at d., out 
of doors, D 1757, H 306. 

Dormant, s. table dormant, a permanent 
side-table, A 353. 

Dorre, Dorring ; see Durre, Durring. 

Dorste ; see Dar. 

Dortour, s. dormitory, D 1855. 

Doseyn, s. a dozen, A 578. 

Dossers, pi. baskets to carry on the back, 
HF. 1940. 

DostO'W, doest thou, D 239. 

Dotard, adj. foolish, D 291. 

Dote, V. dote, grow foolish, L. 261 a; 
Doten, act foolishly, G 983. 

Doth, pr. s. causes, R. 389 ; Doth . . . carie, 
causes to be carried, A 3410; makes, F 
1257 ; imp. pi. do ye, B 2785. See Doon. 

Double, adj. twofold, 4. 109; deceitful, 
HF. 285. 

Doublenesse, s. duplicity, 7. 159; 9. 63. 

Doucet, adj. dulcet, i. e. dulcet (pipe), 
sweet-sounding (pipe), HF. 1221. 

Doughter, s. daughter, T. iii. 3 ; Dough- 
tren, pi. T. iv. 22. 

Doumb, adj. dumb, A 774. 

Doun, s. down, soft feathers, 9. 45. 

Doun, adv. down, F 323; up and doun, in 
all directions, in all ways, B 53. 

Doune, dat. down, hill, B 1986. 

Dounere, adv. more downward, A. ii. 12. 
22. 

Doun-right, adv. at once, H 228. 

Dounward, adv. outward, southward, A. 
ii. 40. 63. 

Doutance, s. doubt, T. iv. 963 ; //. per- 
plexities, T. i. 200. 

Doute, s. doubt, i. 25 ; fear, F 1096, 1 91 ; 
peril, L. 1613 ; suspense, E 1721 ; lack. 



T. ii. 366 ; out of doute, doubtless, A 487 ; 
sans d., without doubt, D 1838; zvith- 
outen d., certainly, L. 383. 

Doutelees, adv. without doubt, certainly, 
T. ii.494; A 1831. 

Douten, v. fear, I 648; pr. s. fears, I 953; 
Douteth, imp.pl. fear, T. i. 683. 

Doutous, adj. doubtful, T. iv. 992. 

D'outremere, adj. from beyond the seas, 
foreign, imported, 3. 253. 

Douve, .(. dove, 5. 341 ; pigeon, C 397. 

Do-wraire, s. dower, E 848. 

Dowe, I pr. s. grant, give, T. v. 230. 

Dowve ; see Douve. 

Dradde ; see Drede. 

Draf, s. draff, refuse (of corn), chaff, I 35 ; 
L. 312 a. 

Draf-sek, s. sack full of ' draff,' A 4206. 

Dragges, //. digestive sweetmeats, A 
426 (in MS. Had. only; other MSS. 
have drogges). 

Dragoun, s. dragon, L. 1430, 1581 ; tail 
of the dr., the Dragon's tail, A. ii. 4. 36; 
the point where a planet (esp. the moon) 
passed from the northern to the southern 
side of the ecliptic. (The opposite node 
was called the Dragon's Head.) 

Drasty, adj. filthy, worthless, B 21 13, 2120. 
Cf. A. S. dresten, dcBrstan, dregs. 

Drat, pr. s. o/" Drede. 

Draught (of drink), L. 2667; move at 
chess, 3. 682. 

Drawe, v. draw, incline, E 314; dr. him, 
withdraw himself, F 355 ; bring forward, 
R. 6; V. attract, R. 1183; recall, A 2074; 
ger. to draw, to carry, A 1416 ; to bring 
back, I 239 ; Draweth along, pr. s. pro- 
longs, B I. m I. 32 (Lat. protrahit) ; pr. 
pi. ref. withdraw themselves, F 252; 
Drough, pt. s. drew, A 4304; drew along, 
T. v. 1558 ; rej2. drew himself, approached, 
B 1710; t)Tov/,pt. s. drew, B 3292; drew 
near, D 993; moved (as the sun), 5. 490; 
hoisted, L. 1563 ; Drew, pt. s. attracted, 
3. 864 ; dro7vc to record, didst bring to 
witness, 16. 22; Drowe, pt. pi. drew, R. 
1678 ; Drawe, pp. drawn, "T. iii. 674 ; 
pres.part. resorting, B 1217. 

Drecche, v. be tedious, T. ii. 1264; ger. 
to ve.x, T. ii. 1471 ; 2 pr. pi. tarry, T. iv. 
1446; pp. vexed, troubled, B 4077. 

Drecchinge, s. prolonging, I 1000; 
Drecching, delay, T. iii. 853. 

Drede, s. dread, fear, A 1998 ; uncertainty, 
17. 28 ; doubt, 5. 52 ; it is no drede, with- 
out doubt. B 869, E 1 155; out of drede, 
without doubt, E 634; //. fears, T. i. 
463- 



(glossarial Inliex. 



35 



Drede, w. dread, fear, i. 76; refi. dread, 
A 660 ; ger. to be dreaded, to be feared, 
B 4253; Drat,//-, s. dreadeth, dreads, T. 
iii. 328 ; Dredde, \ pt. s. was afraid, T. ii. 
482; Dradde, //. s. feared, B 3402; 
Dradde him, was afraid, B 3918; l3rad- 
den,//. pi. G 15 ; Drad, pp. E 69. 

Dredeles, adj. fearless, B 3. m 12. 11. 

Dredeles, adv. without doubt, certainly, 

3- 764- , , , 

Dredful, adj. terrible, B 3558; fearful, 
timid, L. 109; cautious, A 1479. 

DredfuUy, adv. timidly, T. ii. 1128. 

Dreint, -e ; see Drenchen. 

Dremed me, pt.s. I dreamt, R. 51. 

Dreminges, pi. dreams, B 4280. 

Drenchen, (i) ger. to drown, A 3617; 
Drenche, v. drown, HF. 205; do me 
drenche, make (men) drown me, cause 
me to be drowned, E2201 : Drenchen (2) 
V. be drowned, A 3521 ; be overwhelmed, 
L. 2919; pr. s. swamps, I 363; Dreinte, 
pt.s. (i) drowned, 3. 72; Dreynte, ;)/. j. 
drowned, I 839; Dreynte, pt. s. (2) was 
drowned, B 923 ; Dreynte, 2 pt. pi. were 
drowned, T. iv. 930; pt.pl. drowned, F 
1378 ; Drenched, //. drowned, L. 2178 ; 
Dreynt, pp. 3. 148 ; Dreynte, pp. as def. 
adj. drowned, B 69; pp. pi. HF. 233. 

Drenching-, 5. drowning, A 2456, B 485. 

Drerinesse, s. sadness, T. i. 701. 

Drery, adj. sad, E 514; terrified, L. 810. 

Dresse, v. direct, 14. 3 ; dispose, get ready, 
T. ii. 71 ; prepare, E 1049; set in order, 
A io6 ; v. refi. address oneself, E 1007 ; 
direct himself, go, A 3468 ; direct myself, 
R. no; address himself, direct himself 
(pr perhaps, mount), T. v. 37; Dresse 
her, settle herself, L. 804 ; Dresse, ger. 
to direct, B 2308 ; ger. refi. prepare him- 
self, T. V. 279; prepare, 5. 88 ; pt. s. refi. 
raised himself, T. iii. 71 ; took up his 
station, A 3358 ; //. arrayed, E 2361 ; 
prepared, 5. 665. 

Dreye, adj. dry, A 3024 ; as s., 5. 380. 

Dreyeth, pr. s. dries up, drains, I 848. 

Dreynt, -e ; see Drenche. 

Drogges, pi. drugs, A 426. 

Drogh: see Drawe. 

Droghte, s. drought, A 2. 595. 

Dronkelewe, adj. addicted to drink, B 
2383, C 495, D 2043. 

Drough, pt. s. of Drawe. 

Droughte, s. thirst (siti), B 2. p 7. 44. 

Drouped, pt. s. were draggled, A 107. 

Drovy, adj. dirtv, muddy, I 816. 

Dro"wr, -e ; see Drawe. 

Druerye, s. affection, R. 844. 



Drugge.^^r. to drudge, A 1416. 
Drunken, adj. causing drunkenness, 5. 

181. 
Drye,^^/-. to endure, T. v. 42; v. suffer, 

endure, 4. 251. 
Dry ve, z'. drive, F 183; hasten, D 1694; 

whirl round, 10. 46; pass away, T. v. 

394 ; dryve aiuay, pass away, C 628 ; 

Dryveth forth, pr. s. continues, goes on 

with, T. i. 1092; Dryfth, //-. s. impels, 

T. V. 1332 ; Dryven (the day) , pr. pi. pass 

(the day) , L. 2620 ; Droof, pt. s. drove, 

brought, T. v. 475; incited, T. iii. 994; 

Drive, pp. driven, passed away, T. v. 

389; completed, F 1230. 
Duetee, s. duty, A 3060; debt, D 1391; 

sum due, D 1352. 
Dulcarnon, s. an inexplicable dilemma, 

one's wit's end, T. iii. 931. 
DuUe, ger. to feel dull, T. ii. 1035 ; makes 

dull, stupefies, G 1073, 1172; Dulled,//. 

made of none effect, I 233. 
Dun, adj. swarthy, R. 1213; Donne,//. 

dusky, T. ii. 908 ; dun-coloured, 5. 334. 
Dun, s. the dun horse, H 5. ' Dun is in 

the mire ' is the name of an old rustic 

game. 
Dungeoun, s. keep-tower, chief castle, L. 

937- 
Dure, V. last, endure, A 2770; remain, A 

1236; live, T. iv. 765; continue, F 836. 
Duresse, s. hardship, T. v. 399. 
Durre, ger. to dare (to do) , T. v. 840. See 

Durren in Stratmann ; and see Dar. 
Durring, s. daring, bravery ; d. don, 

daring to do, courage to execute, T. v. 

837- 
Durste ; see Dar. 
Dusked, //. //. grew dim, A 2806. 
Dwale, s. soporific drink, A 4161. 
Dwelle, V. remain, A 1661 ; tarry, stay, 3. 

712; ^^^T. to delay, HF. 252; Dwelled,//. 

dwelt, A 1228; hitp.s. remain, T.iv. 1449. 
Dwellinges, s. pi. delays, B i. m i. 33 

(Lat. moras). 
Dwyned, //. as adj. dwindled, R. 360. 
Dy, say ; jle vous dy, I tell you, D 1832, 

1838. 
Dye, V. die, 2. 7 ; ger. to die, B 114 ; Dyde, 

//. .f. died, HF. 106, 380; //. s. subj. 

would die, D 965. See Deye. 
Dyen, ger. to dye, B 4648. 
Dyere, s. dyer, A 362. 
Dyinge, s. death, B 3073. 
Dyke, v. to make dikes or ditches, A 536. 
Dys, //. dice, A 1238. See Dees. 
Dyte, .r. ditty, 23. 16. See Ditee. 
Dy verseth', pr. s. varies, T. iii. 1752. 



C 2 



36 



(§Io0sarial Entiei. 



E. 

Ebbe, s. low water, F 259. 

Ebben, v. ebb, T. iv. 1145. 

Ecclesiaste, s. minister, A 708. 

Ech, adj. each, A 39, 369. 

Eche, V. increase, augment, T. i. 887, iii. 
1509; ^er. enlarge, add to, HF. 2065. 

Echines, s. pi. sea-urchins, B 3. m 8. 20 
(Lat. ech in is). 

Echoon, each one, L. 290; A 2655; 
Echone,/i/. (?), all, every one, C 113. 

Edified, pp. built up, B 4. p 6. 284. 

Eek, adv. also, eke, moreover, A 5, 41. 

Eem, s. uncle, T. i. 1022. A. S. earn. 

Eest, adv. eastward, 3. 88. 

Eet, -e ; see Ete. 

Effect, s. deed, reality, T. i. 748; result, 
HF". s; Theffect {for the effect), the 
sequel, L. 622 ; in effect, in fact, in 
reality, in practice, A 319. 

Eft, adv. again, A 1669; another time, 3. 
41. 

Eft-sone, adv. soon after, G 1288 ; im- 
mediately afterwards, I 89; soon after 
this, H 65 ; hereafter, G 933 ; again, B 
909 ; Eftsones, adv. very soon, L. 2322. 

Egal, adj. equal, T. iii. 137. 

Egal, adv. equally, T. iv. 660. 

Egalitee, s. equality, I 949. 

Egaly, adv. equably, B 2. p 4. 141 ; im- 
partially, B 5. p 3. 142. 

Egge, s. edge, sharp side, T. iv. 927 ; sword, 
9. 19. 

Eggeth, pr. s. incites, R. 182. 

Eg-gement, s. instigation, incitement, B 
842. 

Egging, s. instigation, E 2135. 

Egle, s. eagle, HF. 499. 

Egre, adj. sharp, sour, R. 217; bitter, B 
2367 ; keen, I 117. 

Egremoine, s. agrimony, G 800. 

Egren, v. incite (lit. make eager), B 4. 
P 6. 335. 

Eighte. eighth, F 1280. 

Bightetene, eighteen, A 3223. 

Bightetettie, ord. adj. eighteenth, B 5. 

Eir, s. air, A 1246, 3473. 

Eisel, s. vinegar, R. 217. 

Ekko, s. echo, E 1189. 

Elde, s. old age, age, T. ii. 393, 399; long 
lapse of time, 7. 12. 

Elde, V. grow old, R. 396; //•. s. ages, 
makes old, R. 391. 

Elder, adj. older, B 1720, 3450. 

Elder-fader, s. grandfather, B 2. p 4. 

50- 
Eldres, //. ancestors, B 3388. 



Eleccioun, s. choice, 5. 409, 621 ; election 

(in astrology), B 312. 
Elenge, adj. miserable, B 1412, D 1199. 
Elevat, pp. elevated, .A., ii. 23. 29. 
Elf-queen, s. fairy-queen, B 1978, D 860. 
Ellebor, s. hellebore, Helleborus niger, B 

4154- 
Elles, adv. else, otherwise, 3. 997; elles 
god forbede, God forbid it should be 

otherwise, G 1046. 
Elongacioun, s. angular distance, A. ii. 

25. 66. 
Elvish, adj. elvish, i. e. absent in demea- 
nour, B 1893 ; foolish, G 751, 842. 
Embassadrye, s. embassy, negociation, 

B 233. 
Embaume, v. embalm, L. 676; pp, 

covered with balm, R. 1663. 
Embelif, adj. oblique, A. i. 20. 3; (as 

applied to angles) acute, A. ii. 26. 39. 

See the New E. Diet. 
Embelised, pp. beautified, B 2. p 5. 75. 
Embosed, pp. plunged deeply into the 

thicket, quite hidden, 3. 353. 
Embracinge, s. embrace, I 944. 
Embrouded, //. embroidered, adorned, 

A 89. 
Embroudinge, s. embroidery, I 417. 
Enibusshements,//.ambuscades,B2509. 
Emeraude, s. emerald, B 1799. 
Ernes, gen. uncle's, T. ii. 466. See Eem. 
Emforth, prep, as far as e.xtends, to the 

extent of, A 2235. Em- is from A. S. 

einii, for efen, even. 
I Emisperies, j. //. hemispheres, A. i. 18. g. 
i Enapeireden, //.//. made worse, B 2209. 
! Emplastre, 2 pr.pl. plaster over, bedaub, 
I E 2207. 

\ Empoisoned, //. poisoned, B 2519, 3850. 
Empoisoning, s. poisoning, C 891. 
Empoysoner, s. poisoner, C 894. 
j Emprenting, s. impression, F 834. 
j Emprinteth, imp.pl. impress, E 1193; 

Emprented, pp. imprinted, F 831 ; taken 

an impression of, E 21 17. 
Empryse, s. enterprise, undertaking, L. 

617, 1452. 
Empte, v. empty, make empty, G 741 ; 

pp. as adj. exhausted, B i. p i. 10; worn 

out, shrunken (Lat. effelo) , B i. m i. 20. 
Enbasshinge, s. bewilderment, amaze- 
ment, B 4. p I. 43. 
Enbatailled, adj. embattled, R. 139. 
Enbibing, j-. absorption, G 814. 
Enbrace, v. embrace, hold firmly, 21. 11 ; 

Enbraced,//!. surrounded, T. v. 1816. 
Enbrouden, v. embroider, L. 2351 ; pp. 

L. 119, 227. 



(^lossarial IrCbtx. 



37 



Encens, s. incense, A 2429. 

Encense, v. to offer incense, G 395, 413. 

Enchantours, p/. wizards, I 603. 

Enchaufeth, pr. s. burns, B 5. in 3. 19. 

Enchaunten, v. enchant, T. iv. 1395. 

Enchesoun, s. occasion, reason, B 2783 ; 
cause, '!'. i. 681. 

Enclos, />p. enclosed, R. 138, 1652. 

Enclyning', s. inclination, HF. 734. 

Encomberous, adj. cumbersome, op- 
pressive, burdensome, 18.42; HF. 862. 

Bncoinbraunce,5. encumbrance, E i960. 

JBncombre, v. encumber, L. 2006; pp. 
endangered, stuck fast, A 508 ; ham- 
pered, R. 889; hindered, I 687; embar- 
rassed, weary, A 718. 

Encorporing, s. incorporation, G 815. 

Encrees, j. increase, A 2184. 

Encrese, v. increase, 2. 103; Encressed, 
pp. E 408 ; enriched, B 1271. 

Endamagen, v. harm, B i. p 4. 91 ; //. 
compromised, B i. p i. 73. 

Ende, s. end, A 15; purpose, B 481; 
point, R. 973. 

Ended, pp. finite, B 2. p 7. 113. 

Endelees, ad/, infinite, H 322. 

Endelongr, adv. all along, A 2678 ; length- 
ways, A 1991. 

Endelong, prep, all along, F 992; along, 
L. 1498 ; down along, F 416. 

Endentinge, s. indentation, I 417. £n- 
dented or Indented is an heraldic term, 
signifying notched with regular and 
equal indentations. 

Endere, s. cause of the end, A 2776; i. e. 
who dost end, C 218. 

Endetted, pp. indebted, G 734. 

Ending-day, s. death-day, 18. 55. 

Enditements, s. pi. indictments, I 800. 

flndlang:, adv. along, lengthways. See 
Endelong. 

Endouted, //. feared (with me), R. 
1664. 

Endyte, v. write, dictate, A 95, 325 ; en- 
dite, compose, write, L. 414, 2356; re- 
late, G 80; tell, L. 1678; indict, B 3858; 
pp. related, B 3170. 

Endyting, s. composing, i8. 77 ; //. com- 
positions, I 1085. 

Enfamyned, pp. starved, L. 2429. 

Enfecteth,//-. s. infects, L. 2242. 

Enforcen, ger. to enforce, B 2233 ; 
strengthen (your position) , D 340 ; i pr. 
s. refi. insist, T. iv. 1016; Enforcen, pr. 
pi. gain strength, B 2355 ; imp. s. en- 
deavour, B 2237. 

Enformed, pp. informed, E 738, F 335 ; 
instructed, I 658. 



Enforttined, //. s. endowed with powers, 
4- 259. 

Engendre, v. procreate, B 3148 ; pro- 
duce, B. 2582 ; V. beget, E 1272 ; /;-. //. 
are produced, B 4113. 

Engendringe, s. product, B 2580. 

Engendrure, s. procreation, B 3137; 
begetting, 5. 306; generation, D 128, 
134 ; progeny, offspring, I 621 ; frater- 
nity. I 375- 

English, s. power of expression in Eng- 
lish, L. 66. 

Engreggen, /r. //. burden, I 979. 

Engyn, s. contrivance, T. iii. 274; device, 
R. 511; machine, F 184; skill. HF. 528. 

Engyned, pp. tortured, racked, B 4250. 

Enhabit, //. devoted, T. iv. 443. 

Bnlaauncen, v. raise, A 1434; ger. to 
exalt, I 614; Enhaunceth, pr. s. elevates, 
I 730 ; pt. -f. raised, B 2291 ; //. promoted, 
L. 1411. 

Enhaused, pp. elevated, lifted above 
(the horizon), A. ii. 26. 37. 

Enhausing, s. elevation, A. ii. 39. 26. 

Enhorte, ger. to exhort, A 2851. 

Enlaceth, pr. s. entangles, B i. m 4. 
23 ; //. involved, made intricate, B 3. p 
8.6. 

Enlumine, v. illumine, I 244; //. s. E 

33- 
Enluting, s. securing with ' lute,' daubing 

with clay, &c., to exclude air, G 766. 
Enoynt, pp. anointed, A 2961. 
Enpeiren, v. injure, B 4. p 3. 56. 
Enpoysoninge, j. poisoning, B i.p 3.59. 
Enprented, pp. imprinted, E 2178. 
Enpresse, v. make an impression on, 

21. 8. 
Enquere, v. enquire, A 3166; search 

into, B 629. 
Enqueringe, s. inquiry, B 888. 
Ensample, s. example, A 496,505; pat- 
tern, 3. 911; warning, R. 1539; instance, 

R. 1584; in e., to signify, A. i. 21. 41; 

pi. examples, F 1419; cases, A 2842. 
Ensaumpler, s. prototype, B 3. m 9. 17. 
Enseigne, s. ensign, standard, R. 1200. 
Enseled, pp. sealed up, T. v. 151; fully 

granted, T. iv. 559. 
Entaile, s. cutting, intaglio-work, R. 1081 ; 

Entayle, shape, description, R. 162. 
Entaile, v. carve, R. 609 ; //. R. 140. 
Entalenten, pr. pi. stimulate, B 5. p 5. 6. 
Entame, v. re-open (lit. cut into), 1.79. 

O. F. entamer. 
Enteccheth, pr. s. infects, B 4. p 3. 83 ; 
pp. endued with (good) qualities, T. v. 

832. O. F. entecliier, entachier. 



38 



(il000arial Intiex. 



Entencioun, s. intent, C 408 ; attention, 
T. i. 52; design, T. i. 211. 

Entende, v. attend, T. iii. 414; give 
attention to, D 1478 ; dispose oneself, 
F 689 ; £'er. to apply oneself, B 3498 ; 
to aim (after), incline (to), T. ii. 853; 
Entende, i pr. s. perceive, T. iv. 1649 ; 
attend, R. 597; pres. part, looking in- 
tently, B I. p 2. 3. 

Entendement, s. perception, HF. 983. 

Entente, s. intention, intent, A 958, 1000; 
design, B 3835 ; wish, 18. 68 ; meaning, 
F 400, 959 ; attention, D 1374 ; endeav- 
our, G 6; feeling, 5. 532, 580; mind, B 
1740; plan, B 147, 206; do thyn <?., give 
heed, 3. 752 ; as to comun e., in plain 
language, F 107. 

Ententeden, //. pt. gave their attention, 
L. 1 155. 

Ententif, Ententyf, adj. attentive, HF. 
1120; B 2205; eager, R. 685; diligent, 
R. 436; devoted, R. 339; careful, E 
1288. 

Ententifly, adv. attentively, HF. 616. 

Entermedled, //. intermixed, R. 906. 

Entraille, s. entrails, B 1763; inside, E 
1188. 

Entre.^'f/-. to enter, 5. 147, 153. In A. ii. 
44. 4, entere hit = set down in writing. 

Entrechaungeden, pt. pi. interchanged, 
exchanged, T. iii. 1369; //. inter- 
changed, T. iv. 1043. 

Entrechaunginges, s. pi. mutations, 
B I. m 5. 38 ; vicissitudes (Lat. uiccs), 
B 2. m 3. 20. 

Entrecomunen, v. intercommunicate, 
T. iv. 1354. 

Entrecomuninge, s. interchange, B 2. 
P 7- 63. 

Entredited, //. interdicted, I 965. 

Entree, entry, entrance, R. 517, 530, 538 ; 
pi. entrances, HF. 1945. 

Entrelaced, //. intricate, B 3. p 12. 166. 

Entremedled, //. intermingled, HF. 
2124. 

Entremes, s. intervening course, 5. 665. 
'Entremets, certaine choice dishes 
served in between the courses of a 
feast ; ' Cotgrave. 

Entremette, v. refi. interfere, D 834; 
Entremeten (him), meddle with, 5. 515; 
imp. s. take part (in), meddle (with), 
T. i. 1026. 

Entreparten, ger. to share, T. i. 592. 

Entreteden, pt. pi. treated of, discussed, 
B 2466. 

Entryketh, pr. s. hold fast in its subtle 
grasp, ensnares, 5. 403; Entryked, //. 



entrapped, R. 1642 ; ' Intriquer, to intri- 
cate, involve ; ' Cotgrave. 

Entune, v. intone, tune, T. iv. 4. 

Entunes, s. pi. tunes, 3. 309. 

Entysinge, s. allurement, I 353. 

Enveniminge, s. poisonous effect, E 
2060 ; poison, I 854. 

Envenyme, v. infect, D 474; //. B 3314. 

Environinge, s. surface, B 5. m 4. 172; 
circumference, B 4. p 6. 85. 

Enviroun, adv. roundabout, L. 300. 

Enviroune, v. encompass, B 3. m 9. 45; 
pres. part, skirting, going round, R.526. 

Env61uped, //. enveloped, involved, C 
942. 

Envye, s. envy, B 3584 ; longing, R. 1653 ; 
to e., in rivalry, 3. 173. 

Envye, v. vie, strive, 3. 406; vie (with), 
HF. 1231. 

Envyned, //. stored with wine, A 342. 

Episicle, s. epicycle, A. ii. 35. 29. A 
small circle, the centre of which moves 
along the circumference of a larger one. 

Equacion, s. equal partition, A. ii. 37. 
24; Equacions, //. equations, F 1279; 
Equaciouns, A. ii. 36 (rubric) ; calcu- 
lations, A. i. 23. 5. By ' equations of 
houses ' is meant the division of the 
sphere into twelve equal portions (or 
' houses '), for astrological purposes. 

Equales, adj. pi. of equal length ; houres 
eqiiales. hours each containing sixty 
minutes, A. ii. 8. 3. 

Equinoxial, s. equinoxial circle, B 4046. 

Er, adv. before, formerly, A 3789. 

Er, co)ij. before, A 1040, 1155; er that, 
before, A 36. 

Er, /;■('/. before, C 892 ; er tho, before 
then, L. 1062; er 710W, ere now, F 460. 

Erbe, j. herb, L. 109 a. 

Erbe yve, s. herb ive, ground ivy, Ajuga 
(Jiamacpitys, B 4156. 

Erber, s. arbour, L. 97 a. See Herber. 

Erchedeken, s. archdeacon, D 1300. 

Ere (66r3), j. ear, D 636; at ere, in (her) 
ear, T. i. 106. 

Ere, s. ear (of corn), L. 76. 

Ere (^x^),ger. to plough, A 886; //. HF. 
485. A. S. erian. 

Erl, s. earl, B 3597, 3646. 

Erme, v. feel sad, grieve, 3. 80; C 312. 
A. S. eartnian, yrman. 

Ernestful, adj. serious, T. ii. 1727; E 

1175- 
Erratik, adj. wandering, T. v. 1812. 
Errauct,-" adj. arrant, H 224; errant, 

stray (because near the middle of the 

chess-board), 3. 661. 



(Slassarial Inliex. 



39* 



Errest, ipr. s. wanderest, T. iv. 302. 
Ers, s. buttocks, A 3734. A. S. ears. 
Erst, adv. first, at first, HF. 2075 ; A 776 ; 

before, 16. 21; aforetime, R. 692; a/ e., 

first, for the first time, B 1884, G 151 ; 

at last, T. i. 842 ; e. than, before, A 1566 ; 

long e. er, long first before, C 662. 
Erthes, s. pi. lands, countries, B i. 

m 5. 61. 
Eschaufen, ger. to burn ; pr. s. chafes, 

I 657 ; pp. heated, I 546. 
Eschaufinge, s. heating, I 537; //. en- 
kindlings, I 916. 
Eschaunge, s. exchange, A 278 ; //. in- 

terchangings, HF. 697. 
Eschew, adj. averse, I 971; Eschii, E 

1812. 
Eschewe, v. escape; Eschue, v. avoid, 

T. ii. 696; A 3043; shun, G 4; ■zpr. pi. 

eschew, avoid, T. i. 344; Eschevk^ed, //. 

B 4528 ; ?w/. s. T. ii. 1018. 
Ese, s. ease, E 217, 434; amusement, 

delight, A 768, G 746 ; do yotv e., give 

you pleasure, 6. 78 ; wel at e., fully at 

ease, T. ii. 750. 
Ese, V. ease, 3. 556; relieve, L. 1704; give 

ease (to), R. 316; Esen.^^r. to entertain, 

A 2194; //. entertained, A 29. 
Esement, s. benefit, A 4179, 4186. 
Espace, s. space of time, B 2219. 
Especes, s.pl. kinds, varieties (of sin), I 

448. 
Espiaille, s. sets of spies, B 2509, D 1323. 
Espye, s. spy, T. ii. 1112. 
Espye, ger. to observe, R. 795 ; v. per- 
ceive, HF\ 706; enquire about, B 180; 

look about, L. 858. 
Essoyne, s. excuse, I 164. Mod. E. essoin. 
Est, s. east, B 297, 493, 3657. 
Estableth, pr. s. settles, causes, B 4. p 

4-5I- 
Estat, s. state, condition, L. 125 ; rank, 

T. V. 1025 ; position, E 1969 ; Estaat, 

state, condition, rank, B 973, 3592, 3647; 

way, E 610 ; term of office, D 2018. 
Estatlich, adj. stately, dignified, A 140; 

suitable to one's estate, B 3902. 
Estatuts, J. ordinances, B 2. p i. 48. 
Estraunge, adj. strange, T. i. 1084. 
Estres, //. inward parts, recesses (of 

a building), L. 1715; A 197 1 ; recesses, 

R. 1448 ; interior, A 4295. 
Esy, adj. easy, A 223 ; moderate, A 441 ; 

gentle, 5. 382. 
Ete, V. eat, A 947; Et,/r. s. eats, L. 1389; 

Eet, pt. s. ate, T. v. 1439; A 2:48, 3421 ; 

Eete, pt. pi. ate, 9. 11; Ete, //. pi. 3. 

432 ; Eten, //. eaten, A 4351. 



Eterne, adj. eternal, A 1109, 1990; s. 

eternity, T, iv. 978. 
Ethe, adj. easy, T. v. 850. 
Etik, the Ethics of Aristotle, L. 166. 
Evangyle, s. gospel, R. 445 ; //. B 666. 
Even, adj. even, equal, same, HF. 10; 

exact, R. 1350. 
Even, adv. exactly, 3. 441 ; evenly, D 

2249 ; regularly, R. 526 ; Evene joynant, 

closely adjoining, A 1060 ; ful even,, 

actually, 3. 1329. 
Evene-cristene, s. fellow-Christian, I 

395. 805. 
Even-lyk, adj. similar, B 5. p 2. 25. 
Ever, adv. ever, always, A 50, &c. ; Ever 

in oon, always alike, continually, T. 

v. 451 ; incessantly, A 1771. 
Everich, each, A' 1186; every, A 241; 

each one, A 371 ; every one, E 1017 ; 

e. of hem, either of the tv^^o, B 1004; 

Everich other, each other, 7. 53. 
Everichoon, every one, A 31, 747; each 

one, L. 2567 ; Everichone, pi. each one 

(of us), HF. 337; each of them all, all 

of them, T. iii. 412. 
Ever-mo, adv. for ever, always, con- 
tinually, L. 1239, 2035, 2634. 
Everydeel, adv. every whit, A 368, D 162 ; 

altogether, A 3303. 
Evidently, adv. by observation, A. ii. 23, 

rubric. 
Ew, s. yew-tree, A 2923 ; {collectively) yew- 
trees, R. 1385. 
Exaltacioun, s. (astrological) exaltation, 

D 702, E 2224. 
Exaltat, as pp. exalted, D 704. 
Exametron, s. a hexameter, B 3169, 
Excusascioun,^. false excuse, 1 680; plea, 

I 164. 
Excuse, s. ; for tnyn e., in my excuse, 7. 

305- 
Executeth, pr. s. performs, A 1664 ; Exe- 

cut, pp. executed, T. iii. 622. 
Executour, s. executant, D 2010. 
Executrice, s. causer, T. iii. 617. 
Exercitacioun, s. exercise, B 4. p 6. 298. 
Existence, v. reality, HF. 266. 
Exorsisaciouns, pi. exorcisms, spells to 

raise spirits, HF. 1263. 
Expans, adj. (calculated) separately, F. 

1275. See Anui expansi. 
Expoune, v. explain, B 3398, G 86; Ex- 

pouned,//. s. B 3346, 3399. 
Expres, adj. expressed, made clear, D 

1 169. 
Expres, adv. expressly, C 182, D 719. 
Expresse.^^r. to declare, 17. 5 ; v. relate,. 

C 105. 



40 



(^lossarial Intjtx, 



Bxpulsif, adj. expellent, A 2749. 

Extender!, /r.//. are extended, B 461. 

Extree, j. axle-tree, A. i. 14. 2. 

Ey, ,f. egg, B 4035, G 806. 

Ey, inter j. eh ! T. ii. 128 ; alas I T. iv. 1087 ; 
what ! C 782. 

Eye, s. eye; at eye, evidently, L. 100; 
Eyen, //. eyes, i. X05 ; Eyen sight, eye- 
sight, D 2060. See Ye. 

Eyed, adj. endowed with eyes, T. iv. 1459. 

Eyle, V. ail, A 3424. 

Eyr, s. air, HF. 954 ; L. 1482 ; Eir, A 1246, 
3473 ; Eyre, dat. air, gas, G 767. 

Eyr, s. heir, L. 1598, 1819. 

Eyrish, adj. of the air, aerial, HF. 932, 965. 

Eyse, s. ease, D 2101. See Ese. 



F. 

Face, ,r. face, A 199, 458 ; a technical term 
in astrology, signifying the third part 
of a sign (of the zodiac), ten degrees in 
extent, F 50, 1288. 

Facound, adj. eloquent, 5. 521. 

Facounde, J-. eloquence, fluency, 3. 926 ; 
C50. 

Facultee, s. capacity, authority, or dis- 
position, A 244; branch of study, HF. 
248. 

Fade, adj. faded, R. 311. 

Fader, j. father, A 100; Fader, gen. A 
jZi; fader day, father's time, B 3374; 
fader kin, father's race, ancestry, G 829 ; 
pi. ancestors, E 61 ; originators, B 129. 

Fadme, pi. fathoms, A 2916. 

Fadres-in-lawe, //. parents-in-law, B 2. 

P 3- 42. 

Faile, s. failure; withouten f, without 
fail, 2. 48 ; sans faille, B 501. 

Fallen, v. fail, grow dim, 5. 85; pres.part. 
failing, remote, A. ii. 4. 30. 

Fair, adj. fine, D 2253 ; good, excellent, A 
154; a fair, a good one, A 165; as ,s., a 
fair thing, excellent thing (sarcasti- 
cally), T. iii. 850; voc. O fair one! HF. 
518; //. A 234; clean, R. 571; specious, 

R. 437- 
Faire, adv. fairly, R. 774, 798; honestly, 

A 539 ; courteously, R. 592 ; clearly, D 

1142; prosperously, L. 186, 277. 
Faire, s. fair, market, B 1515. 
Faire Rewthelees, Fair Unpitying One, 

La Belle Dame sans Merci, 6. 31. 
Fairnesse, s. beauty, A 1098 ; honesty of 

life, A 519. 
Fair-Semblaunt, Fair-show, R. 963. 
Falding, ^. a sort of coarse cloth, A 391, 

3212. 



Fallen, v. happen, T. iv. 976; light, E 
126; suit, E 259; prosper, L. 186; pr.s. 
sttbj. may befall, R. 798 ; nnpers. may it 
befall, L. 277 ; pr. s. comes as by acci- 
dent, 6. 4 ; comes, 3. 706 ; suffers de- 
pression (an astrological term), D 702, 
705; Falles, /ir. s. (Northern form), falls, 
A 4042; belongs, 3. 257; Fallen,//-.//. 
happen, come to pass, R. 20; Fel, ipt.s. 
fell, 2. 15; Fil, pt. s. fell, A 845; hap- 
pened, L. 589, 1162; was fitting, L. 2474 ; 
fil on slepe, fell asleep, HF. 114; yf/ of 
his accord, agreed with him, F 741; as 
fer as reson fil, as far as reason extended, 
F 570; Fille, xpt.pl. fell, became, D 
812; Fillen, //. //. fell, B 3183, 3620; 
Fille,//.//. HF. i6^(); fille in speclie = 
fell to talking, F 964; Falle, //. fallen, 
L. 1726, 1826; happened, A 324; acci- 
dentally placed, F 684; Falling, prcs. 
pt. felling, causing to fall, T. ii. 1382. 

Fals, adj. false, 3. 618 ; false get, cheating 
conirivance, G 1277; voc. B 4416. 

Falsen, v. falsify, A 3175 ; deceive, L. 1640 ; 
betray, T. v. 1845 ; False, v. be untrue 
to, 3. 1234; //. falsified, broken (faith), 
F 627. 

Falwe, adj. fallow, yellowish, HF. 1936; 
A 1364. 

Falvsres,//. fallow-ground, D 656. 

Fame, s. notoriety, A 3148 ; rumour, L. 
1242; good report, E 418; Fames, //. 
rumours, HF. 1292. 

Familer, j. familiar friend, B 4, p 6. 255. 

Famulier, adj. familiar, at home, A 215, 
B 1221 ; of one's own household, E 1784 ; 
Famulere, affable, L. 1606. 

Fan, s. vane, quintain, H 42. 

Fanne, s. fan, A 3315. 

Fantastyk, adj. belonging to the fancy, 
A 1376. Used with reference to the 
portion of the brain in the front of the 
head. 

Fantasye, s. fancy, HF. 593; delight, A 
3191 ; imagining, HF. 992; fancy, pleas- 
ure, D 190; imagination, A 3835, 3840; 
imaginary object, 9. 51 ; desire, will, B 
3475; Fantasyes, //. fancies, F 205; 
wishes, B 3465. 

Fant6me, s. phantasm, delusion, B 1037. 

Farced, //. stuffed, L. 1373. 

Fare, s. behaviour, conduct, A 1809, B 
1453; condition, 2. 62; good speed, HF. 
682; business, goings-on, T. iii. 1106; 
bustle, ado, HF. 1065; company, T. iii. 
605 ; evel fare, ill hap, 2. 62. 

Faren, 7/. behave, T. iv. 1087; doth fare, 
causes to behave or feel, T. i. 626; Fare, 



(3\o&mxid\ IriUtx. 



41 



^■er. to go, travel, T. v. 21, 279 ; lo pro- 
ceed. A 243s ; Fare, i /»: s. go, G 733 ; it 
is with me (thus), 7. 320; am, B 1676; 
Farest, 2 /'-. s. actest, 5. 599 ; art, HF. 
887; Fareth, pr. s. acts, D 1088 ; is, 3. 
113; happens, HF. 271 ; I pr.pl. live, G 
662; 2 //•. pi. behave, D 852; //•. //. 
seem, I 414; Fare, //■. s. subj. may fare, 
F m79; Ferde, 1 pt. s. fared, T. ii. 1006; 
felt, 3. 99, 785 ; was placed, q. 152; pt. s. 
behaved, A 1372; happened, T. i. 225; 
was, R. 876 ; seemed, R. 249 ; went on, 
HF. 1522; Ferden, //. //. behaved, A 
1647; Ferde, pt. s. subj. should fare, R. 
271 ; Faren, pp. fared, T. v. 466 ; D 1773 ; 
gone, B 4069 ; Fare, //. fared, D 1782, 
gone, A 2436; walked, L. 2209; Ferd, 
//. fared, '1'. iv. 1094; Faringe, /;«.//. 
as adj.; best /., best looking, fairest of 
behaviour, F 932 ; f. aright, prosper, T. 
i. 878; /(ir tw/, farewell, B 116; Fareth, 
imp. pi. fare, E 1688 ; /. wel, farewell, T. 
V. 1412. 

Fare-cart, s. travelling cart, T. v. 1162. 

Fare-wel, interj. it is all over I F 1204, G 
907 ; go farewel, be lost sight of, A. ii. 23. 
12. 

Farsed, //. stuffed, A 233. 

Fasoun, s. fashion, appearance, R. 708; 
shape, R. 551. 

Fast, s. fasting, T. v. 370. 

Fast, adj. firm, 7. 313. 

Faste, adv. closely, R. 1346; close, near, 
A 1478; tight, R. 431; fast, quickly, T. 
i. 748 ; aj/i, very quickly, G 1235 ; hard, 
soundly, 5. 94; intently, eagerly, R. 
793 ! faste by, near to, A 1476 ; faste by, 
close at hand, 3. 369. 

Faster, adv. closer, B 3722. 

Fatte, V. fatten, D 1880. 

Faucon, s. falcon, F 411, 424. 

Fauconers, s. pi. falconers, F 1196. 

Fanned, //. s. fawned on, 3. 389. 

Faunes, //. Fauns, A 2928. 

Fawe, adj. fain, glad, D 220. 

Fawe, adv. fain, anxiously, T. iv. 887. 

Fay, s. ; see Fey. 

Fayerye, s. troop of fairies, E 2039; 
troops of fairies, D 859; enchantment, 
E 1743 ; Fairye, fairy-land, F 96 ; en- 
chantment, F 201 ; pi. fairies, D 872. 

Fayn, adj. glad, L. 130, 1137 ; fond, R. 1376. 

Fayn, adv. gladly, A 766; zvolde f., 
would be glad to, E 696. 

Feblesse, s. weakness, T. ii. 863 ; I 1074. 

Fecches, pi. vetches, T. iii. 936. 

Fecchen, ger. to fetch, T. v. 485 ; ger. to 
fetch, to be brought (i. e. absent), T. iii. 



609; Fette, 2 pt. s. didst fetch, T. iii. 

723; //. s. fetched, L. 676; brought, T. 

v. 852 ; pt. pi. B 2041 ; Fet, //. fetched, 

A 2527 ; brought, A 819 ; brought home, 

D 217. 
Fecching, s. fetching, rape, T. v. 890. 
Fedde, //. j. fed, A 146. 
Fee, s. reward, pay, 7. 193 ; Fee simple, an 

absolute fee or fief, not clogged with 

conditions, A 319. 
Feeld, j-. field, A 886, 3032 ; (in an heraldic 

sense), B 3573. 
Feendly, adj. fiendlike, devilish, B 751, 

783- 
Feet, s. performance, E 429. E. feat. 
Feffe, V. enfeoff, endow, present, T. iii. 

901 ; ger. to present, T. v. 1689; pp. en- 
feoffed, put in possession, endowed, E 

1698. 
Fel, s. skin, T. i. 91. 
Fel, adj. dreadful, T. v. 50 ; cruel, A 2630 ; 

deadly, D 2002; terrible, B 2019; Felle, 

voc. cruel, A 1559 ; destructive, T. iv. 44. 
Felawe, s. companion, comrade, A 395, 

648. 
Felaweshipe, s. partnership, A 1626; 

cf)mpanionship, B 2749; company, A 26. 
Felawshipeth, pr. s. accompanies, B 4. 

m ;. 12. 
Feld, //>. ^/'Feile. 
Feldefare,\r. field-fare, 5. 364 ; T. iii. 861 ; 

farewel f, i e. farewel), and a good rid- 

utcnc; ; because fieldfares depart when 

the warm weather comes. 
Felden, pt.pl. c/ Felle. 
Fele, adj. many, R. 189; E 917. 
Felen, v. feel, experience, L. 692; Fele, 

understand by experiment, HF. 826; 

try to find out, T. ii. 387 ; Felte, i pt. s. 

4. 217; Felede, //. s. G 521; Feled,//. 

perceived, T. iv. 984. 
Fele-folde, adj. manifold, B 2. p i. 16. 
Feling, s. affection, 3. 1172. 
Felle, //. and voc. s. o/Fel, adj. 
Felle, V. fell, A 1702; Felden,/^.//. caused 

to fall, R. 911; Feld, //. cut down, A 

2924. 
Fellen, pt. pi. happened, T. i. 134. See 

Fallen. 
Felliche, adj. bitingly, severely, B 2. m 

3- 13- 

Felnesse, s. fierceness, B i. m 6. 11. 

Felon, adj. angry, T. v. 199. 

Felonous, adj. fierce, wicked, B i. m 4. 
15 ; mischievous, I 438. 

Felonye, s. injustice, B 4. p 6. 278 ; crime, 
A 1996; treachery, R. 165, 978; pi. in- 
iquities, 1 281. 



C 2 



42 



(ilogsarial hibtx. 



Femele, adj. female, D 122, I 961. 
Femininitee, s. feminine form, B 360. 
Fen, s. chapter or subdivision of Avi- 

cenna's book called the Canon, C 890. 
Fenel, s. fennel, R. 731. 
Fenix, s. phoenix, 3. 982. 
Fer, ad/, far, A 388, 491 ; Ferre, de/. A 

3393- 
Fer, adv. far, B 1781 ; Fer ne ner, neither 

later nor sooner, A 1850 ; how f. so, how- 
ever far, 5. 440. 
Ferd, s. dat. fear, T. iv. 607. (Always in 

■phr. for ferd, QX for ferde.) 
Ferd, pp. c/'Fere, v. 
Ferd, -e ; see Faren, v. 
Fere, s. dat. fear, B 3369; panic, HF. 174. 
Fere, r. companion, L. 969 ; mate, 5. 410, 

416 ; wife, T. iv. 791 ; pi. companions, T. 

i. 224. 
Fere, s. dat. fire, T. iii. 978. 
Fere, v. frighten, T. iv. 1483; Fered,//. 

afraid, G 924; Ferd,//. afraid, T. ii. 124. 
Ferforth, adv. far ; as f. as, as far as, T. 

iv. 891 ; as long as, 1". i. 121 ; so f. to 

such a degree, i. 170; M«j /., thus far, 

T. ii. 960. 
Ferforthly, adv. thoroughly; so f., to 

such an extent, A 960; so far, L. 682; 

as f., as completely, D 1545. 
Ferfulleste, most timid, T. ii. 450. 
Ferly. adj. strange, A 4173. 
Fermacies, //. remedies, A 2713. 
Ferine, adj. firm, E. 663. 
Ferine, imp. s. make firm, B i. m 5. 61 

( V.AX.firma) . 
Ferme, s. rent, A 252 b. 
Fermely, adv. firmly, T. iii. 1488. 
Fermerere, s. friar in charge of an infirm- 
ary, D 1859. 
Fermour, s. farmer of taxes, L. 378. 
Fern, adv. long ago ; so fern = so long 

ago, F 256. 
Fern-asshen, s. pi. ashes produced by 

burning ferns, F 254. 
Ferne, //. of Ferren, distant, remote, 

A 14. 
Ferne ; f.yere, last year, T. v. 1176. 
Ferre, adj. def. distant, A 3393. 
Ferre, comp. adv. farther, HF. 600; 

Ferrer, A 835. 
Ferreste, sttperl.pl. farthest, A 494. 
Fers, s. queen (at chess), 3. 654, 655; 

Fcrses, //. the pieces at chess, 3. 723. 
Fers, adj. fierce, T. i. 225 ; voc. 7. i. 
Fersly, adv. fiercely, T. iii. 1760. 
Ferthe, fourth, T. iv. 26, v. 476. 
Ferther, adj. farther, B 1686, E 2226. 
Ferther, adv. further, i. 148, 3. 1254. 



Ferther-over, conj. moreover, A. ii. 26. 

13- 

Ferthing, s. farthing, D 1967; a very 
small portion, A 134. 

Fery, adj. fiery, T. iii. 1600. 

Fest, s. fist, A 4275, C 802. 

Feste, s. feast, festival, A 883, B 418 ; to 
f, to the feast, B 380; encouragement, 
T. ii. 361 ; meriiment, T. ii. 421 ; Maketh 
feste, flatters, 3. 638 ; //. tokens of 
pleasure, T. v. 1429. 

Festeth, /;-. .r. feasts, A 2193. 

Festeyinge, pres. part, feasting, enter- 
taining, F 345. 

Festeyinge, s. festivity, T. v. 455. 

Festlich, adj. fond of feasts, F 281. 

Festne,^^;-. to fasten, A 195. 

Fet ; see Fecchen. 

Fete, dat.pl. feet, 3. 199, 400, 502. 

Fether, s. wing, A 2144. 

Fetis, adj. neat, well-made, handsome, 
A 157; R. 776; splendid, R. 1133; grace- 
ful, C 478. 

Fetisly , adv. elegantly, A 124, 273 ; neatly, 
trimly, A 3205, 3319; exquisitelv, R. 

837- 
Fette ; see Fecchen. 
Fetys, adj. well-made, R. 532 ; handsome, 

R. 821; splendid, R. 1133 ; graceful, 

C 478. 
Fetysly, adv. exquisitely, neatly, R. 1235. 
Fey, s. faith, A 1126, 3284; fidelity, L. 778. 
Feyn, adj. glad, 7. 315. 
Feyne, v. feign, pretend, A 736; speak 

falsely, 2. 4; feyne 11s, feign, pretend, 

B 351 ; Feigne, who-so f. may, let him, 

who can, pretend, B 3. p 10. 93. 
Feynest, adv. most gladly, 5. 480. 
Feyning, s. pretending, cajolery, F 556; 

pretence, feigning, L. 1556. 
Feynt, adj. feigned, R. 433. 
Feyntest, 2/r. s. enfeeblest, B 926. 
Ficchen, ger. to fix, B 5. m 4. 18. 
Fiers, adj. fierce, A 1598 ; proud, R. 1482. 
Fifte, fifth, R. 962, 982; 16. 9. 
Figes, pi. fig-trees, R. 1364. 
Fighten, v. fight, L. 1996; Fight, pr. s. 

fights, 5. 103; Faught, pt. s. fought, A 

399; Foughten, //. A 62. 
Figiire, s. shape, 16. 27 ; form (as a man), 

B3412; figure, I. 94; figure (of speech), 

A 499; Figure, type, i. 169; //. figures 

(of speech), E 16; markings, A. pr. 75. 
Figuringe, s. form, L. 298; figure, G 96. 
Fil. pt. s. 0/ Fallen. 
Fild, //. filled, 5. 610. 
Fincli, s. finch (bird), R. 915; pulle a 

finch, pluck a dupe, A 652. 



(^Icssarial Inbex, 



43 



Pinde, v. find, i. 72; A 648; invent, 

A 736 ; ^er. to provide for, C 537 ; Fint, 

pr. s. finds, G 218; Fynt, p>: s. L. 1499; 

Fond, pf. s. discovered, A 2445 ; found 

out, T. i. 659 ; provided for, B 4019 ; 

Fonde,/A s. subj. could find, 5. 374; //. 

found, E 146; Founden, pp. found, 

B 612; provided, B 243. 
Finding, s. provision, A 3220. 
Fint, pr. s. finds, G 218. 
Firre, s. fir-tree, A 2921. 
Firste, adj. def. first, 3. 1166; my firste, 

my first narration, F 75; with the firste, 

very soon, T. iv. 63. 
Fish, s. the sign Pisces, F 273. 
Fit, s. a ' fyt ' or ' passus,' a portion of 

a song, B 2078 ; bout, turn, A 4184. 
Fithele, s. fiddle, A 296. 
Fixe, pp. as adj. fixed, T. i. 298 ; solidified, 

G779. 
Flambe, s. flame, I 353. 
Flatour, s. flatterer, B 4515. 
Flaumbe, s. flame, HF. 769. 
Flayn, pp. flayed, I 425. 
Fledde, pt. s. fled, avoided, B 3445, 3874; 

Fledde herself, took refuge, L. 1225. 
Flee (i), V. flv, F 503; leet fiee, let fly, 

A 3806; Fleigh, pt. s. flew, HF. 921, 

2087; Fley, //. J. B4362; Vlo-wen, pt. pi. 

flevk', B 4581 ; pp. flown, HF. 905. 
Fleen (2) , v. escape, A 1170 ; flee, L. 1307, 

2020; Fleeth, imp. pt. 4.6; Fleigh,//. s. 

fled, B 3879. 
Fleen, s.pt. fleas, H 17. 
Flees, s. fleece, L. 1428, 1647. 
Fleet, pr. s. floats, B 463. 
Flekked, pp. spotted, E 1848, G 565. 
Flemen, ,^,?r. to banish, T. ii. 852; pr.s. 

H 182; pp. banished, G 58. 
Flemer, s. banisher, driver away, B 460. 
Flenninge, s. banishment, flight, T. iii. 

933- 

Flen, pr. pi. fly, T. iv. 1356. 

Fleshly, ai/z^.'carnally, B 1775. 

Flete, z'. float, bathe, T. iii. 1971 ; ipr.s. 
subj. may float, A 2397 ; Fleteth, pr. s. 
floats, B 901; flows, abounds (Lat. in- 
fluat), B 1. m 2. 28; Fleet, /r. 5. floats, 
B 463 ; pres. pt. floating, A 1956 ; Flet- 
mge., pres.pt. flowing, B i. p 3. 78 (Lat. 
limpha?ite). 

Flex, s. flax. A 676. 

Fley, pt. s. flew, B 4362. 

Flikered, pt. s. fluttered, T. iv. 1221 ; 
pies. pt. pi. fluttering, A 1962. 

Flitte, V. pass away, I 368 ; pp. removed, 
T. V. 1544 ; pres. pt. unimportant, 3. 801. 

Flo, .f. arrow, H 264. 



Flokmele, adv. in a flock, in a great 

number, E 86. 
Flood, s. flood-tide, F 259; on a fi., in 

a state of flood, T. iii. 640. 
Florisshinges,//. florid ornaments, HF. 

1301. 
Fiorouns, s. pi. florets, L. 217, 220. 
Floteren, pr. pi. fluctuate, waver, B 3. 

p II. 227. 
Flotery, adj. fluttering, wavy, A 2883. 
Flough, 2//. s. didst fly, B 4421. 
Flour, j^. (i) flower, L. 48 ; of alle fioures 
flour, flower of all flowers, i. 4; flower, 

i. e. choice, A 4174; choice part, A 982; 

time of flourishing, A 3048 : (2) flour, 

R. 356- 

Flour-de-lys, s. fleur-de-lis, lily, A 238. 

Floureth, pr. s. flourishes, T. iv. 1577 ; 
blooms, 7. 306. 

Flourettes, s. pi. flowerets, buds, R. 891. 

Floury, ad/, flowery, 3. 398. 

Floute, ,f. flute, HF. 1223. 

Floutours, //. flute-players, R. 763. 

Flowen, pt.pl. and pp. of Flee (i). 

Floyting'e,//-^^.//. playing on the flute, 
A 91. 

Fneseth, pr. s. breathes heavily, puffs, 
snorts, H 62. 

Po, s. foe, enemy, B 1748 ; Foo, A 63 ; 
Foon,//. B 3896; ¥oos,pl. B 2160. 

Pode, s. food, D 1881, I 137. 

Foisoun, s. plentv, abundance, R. 1359. 

Folde, s. fold, sheepfold, A 512. 

Folden,//-. folded, T. iv. 359, 1247. 

Poled,//, foaled, born, D 1545. 

Polily, adv. foolishly, B 2639. 

Polk, s. folk, people, A 12, 25 ; sort, com- 
pany, 5. 524; //. companies, 5. 278. 

Folowed wel, followed as a matter of 
course, 3. 1012; Folweth, imp. pi. imi- 
tate, E 1189. 

Pol^, adv. foolishly, 3. 874. 

Folye, s. folly, foolishness, A 3045. 

Folyen, pr. pi. act foolishly, B 3. p 2. 
100. 

Pomen, //. foe-men, T. iv. 42. 

Fomy, adj. foaming, covered with foam, 
A 2506. 

Fond ; //. s. of Finde. 

Ponde, V. endeavour, R. 1584 ; v. attempt, 
try, E 283 ; try to persuade, B 347. 

Ponde,//. s. subj. could find, 5. 374. 

Pongre, V. receive, B 377. 

Fonne, s. fool (Northern), A 4089. 

Pont-ful water, fontful of water, B 357.. 

Fontstoon, s. font, B 723. 

Foo ; see Fo. 

Foo, s. ioo',for foot, A 3781. 



44 



(©lossarial hxtitx. 



Fool, adj. foolish, silly, R. 1253. 

Fool, s. fool, A 3005; jester, B 3271; //. 
wicked persons, E 2278. 

Fool-large, adj. foolishly liberal, B 2789, 
2S10. 

Fool-largesse, j. foolish liberality, I 813. 

Foom, s. foam, A 1659, G 564. 

Foo-men, j. //. foes, B 3255, 3507. 

Foon, Foos; see Fo. 

Foot, as pL feet, A 4124. 

Foot-brede, s. foot-breadth, HF. 2042. 

Foot-hot, adv. instantly, on the spot, 
B438. 

Foot-mantel, s. foot-cloth, ' safeguard ' to 
cover the skirt, A 472. 

For, prep, for, A 486, &c.; in respect of, 
5. 336 ; by reason of, R. 1564 ; for the 
sake of, B 4. p 6. 190 ; /or me, by my 
means, T. ii. 134 ; /or which, wherefore, 
F 1525 ; against, to prevent, in order 
to avoid, L. 231 ; /or /ay ling, to prevent 
failure, T. i. 928 ; in spite of, C 129 ; /or 
al, notwithstanding, A 2020 ; /or my 
dethe, were I to die for it, 4. 186 ; to 
have /or excused, to excuse, A. pr. 31. 

For, couj. for, A 126, i&c. ; because, 3. 735, 
789 ; in order that, B 478, F 102. 

For to, with in/in. in order to, to, A 13, 
78, &c. 

Forage, s. provision of fodder, E 1422; 
food, B 1973; winter-food, as hay, &c., 
A 3868. 

For-bede, v. forbid, T. iii. 467; For- 
bedeth, //•. s. B 2774; Forbet, /y/- For- 
bedeth,//-. s. forbids, T. ii. 717; in phr. 
god f., or Crist f. = God forbid, Christ 
forbid, T. ii. 113, 716; Forbad, //. s. 
E 570 ; Forbode, pp. forbidden, E 2206. 

Forbore, v. forbear (to mention), A 885 ; 
leave (him) alone, D 665 ; spare, A 3168 , 
little consider, T. ii. 1660; Forbar, pt. 
s. forbare, T. i. 437 ; iijip. pi. forgive, L. 
80. 

For-blak, adj. extremely black, A 2144. 

Forbode, s. prohibition ; goddes /orbode, 
it is God's prohibition (i. e. God forbid), 
L. lo a. 

Forbrak, i //. s. broke off, interrupted, 
B 4. p I. 7. 

For-brused, //. badly bruised, B 3804. 

Forby, adv. by, past, L. 2539. 

Forbyse, ger. to instruct by examples, T. 
ii. 1390. (A false form; iox /orbisne(n) , 
the former n lieing dropped by confusion 
with that in the suffix.) 

Force ; see Fors. 

Forcracchen,^^^. to scratch excessively, 

R- 323- 



Forcutteth, pr. s. cuts to pieces, H 340. 

For-do, V. destroy, ' do for,' T. i. 238, iv. 
1681 ; For-dide,//. s. slew, L. 2557 ; For- 
doon, pp. overcome, vanquished, T. i. 
525 ; ruined, T. v. 1687 ; destroyed, H 
290; slain, L. 939. 

Fordriven, //. driven about, B i. p 3. 71. 

For-dronken, //. extremely drunk, A 
3120, 4150. 

Fordrye, adj. very dry, withered up, 
F 409. 

Fordwyned, adj. shrunken, R. 366. 

Fore, s. path, trace of steps, D no; 
course, track, D 1935. A. '&. /dr. 

Foreyne, adj. extraneous, B 3. p 3. 73. 

Foreyne, s. outer chamber {or court- 
yard ?) , L. 1962. 

Forfered, //. exceedingly afraid; /or- 
/ered of= very afraid for, F 527. 

Forfeted,//. s. did wrong, 1 273. 

Forgaf , //. s. 0/ Foryeve. 

Forgat, //. s. of Foryete. 

Forgift, s. forgiveness, L. 1853. 

For-go^ pp. overwalked, exhausted with 
walking, HF. 115. 

Forgon, ger. to give up, forego, (better 
foigo), T. iv. 195 ; lose, R. 1473 ; Forgoon, 
//. lost, B 2183. 

Forheed, s. forehead, R. 860 ; Forheved, 
B I. p 4. 139. 

For-hoor, adj. very hoary, R. 356. 

Forkerveth, pr. s. hews in pieces, H 340. 

Forlaft,//. abandoned, C 83. 

Forleseth, //•. s. loses, I 789. See For- 
lorn. 

For-leten, v. abandon, give up, C 864; 
yield up, B 1B48 ; Forlete, /;-. //. for- 
sake, I 93 ; Forleten, //. abandoned, 
given up, HF. 694. 

Forliven, v. degenerate, B 3. p 6. 56; 
Forlived, pp. as adj. degenerate, ignoble, 
B 3. m 6. 13. 

Forlorn, //. utterly lost, L. 2663. See 
Forlese. 

Forlost,//. utterly lost, T. iii. 280. 

Forloyn, s. note on a horn for recall, 3. 
386. 

Forme, s. form, A 305; form, lair (of 
a hare), B 1294. 

Forme-fader, s. fore-father, first father, 
B 2293. 

Formel, s. companion (said of birds), 

5- 371. 373- 
Formely, adv. formally, T. iv. 497. 
Former, s. Creator, C 19. 
Former age, the Golden Age of old, 9. 2. 
Formest, adj. sup. foremost, 3. 890. 
Forn-cast, pp. premeditated, B 4407. 



(^lossarial Intiei. 



45 



Forneys, s. furnace, A 202, 559. 

Por-old. iidj. extremely old, A 2124. 

Forpampred,//. exceedingly pampered, 
spoilt by pampering, 9. 5. 

For-pyned, //. wasted away (by torment 
ox pine), A 205. 

Fors, s. force, A 2723; no/ors, no matter, 
no consequence, A 2723, B 285 ; no force, 
no matter, 18. 53 ; no fors is, it is no 
matter, T. iv. 322; no force of, no matter 
for, 10. 13 ; no fors of me, no matter 
about me, 4. 197 ; thereof no fors, never 
mind that, 3. 1170; tnake fto fors, pay 
no heed, H 68; I do no fors, I care not, 
D 1254 ; / do no fors thereof, it is nothing 
to me, 3. 542 ; doth no fors, takes no ac- 
count, I 711; what fors, what matter, 
T. ii. 378. 

Forsake, v. deny, B i. p 4. 164; leave, 
B 3431 ; Forsook, //. s. forsook, R. 1538 ; 
Forsaken, //. R. 1498 ; i/np. pi. give up, 
C 286. 

Forseid, pp. as adj. aforesaid, 5. 120. 

Forseinge, s. prevision, T. iv. 989. 

Porshapen, pp. metamorphosed, T. ii.66. 

For-shrig-ht, pp. exhausted with shriek- 
ing, T. iv. 1147. 

For-sight. s. foresight, T. iv. 961. 

For-sleuthen, v. waste in sloth, B 4286. 

Forsleweth,/r. s. wastes idly, I 685. 

Forslugg-eth,//-. j. spoils, allows (goods) 
to spoil, I 685. 

Forsongen, pp. tired out with singing, 
R. 664. 

Forster, s. forester, A 117. 

Forstraught, pp. distracted, B 1295. 

Fors'wor him, pt. s. was forsworn, HF. 
389 ; Forswore, //. falsely sworn by, L. 
2522; Forsworn, forsworn, L. 927. 

Forth, adv. forth, on, further, onward, 5. 
27; D 1569, F 604, 605, 964; forward, 
HF. 2061; out, 5. 352; continually, F 
1081 ; away, T. i. 118; still, 4. 148; tha 
f., thenceforth, T. i. 1076; forth to love, 
i. e. they proceed to love, T. ii. 788. 

Forther, adv. more forward, A 4222; 
Further, (go) further, A 41 17. 

Portheren,,^^/-. to further, T. v. 1707. 

Forthering, s. furtherance, aid, L. 69 a. 

Forther-moor, adv. further on, A 2069 ; 
Forthermore, moreover, C 357. 

Forther-over, adv. moreover, C 648. 

Forthest, adj. and adv. furthest, B4. p 6. 
136. 

For-thinke, 57. seem amiss, (or here) seem 
serious, T. ii. 1414 ; //-. s. iwpers. seems 
a pity (to me), E 1906; Forthoughte, 
//. J. subj. should displease, R. 1671. 



Forthren, ger. to further, help, assist, 

L. 71, 472, 1618; ger. to further, T. v. 

1707. 
Forth-right, adv. straightforwardly, 

straightforward, R. 295 ; F 1503. 
Forthward, adv. forwards, B 263, F 1169. 
For-thy, adv. therefore, on that account, 

A 1841, 4031. 
Fortroden, //. trodden under foot, I 

190. 
Fortuit, adj. fortuitous, B 5. p i. 91. 
Fortuna maior, a name for the auspicious 

planet Jupiter, T. iii. 1420. (Or else, 

a cluster of stars near the beginning of 

Pisces; cf. Dante, Purg. xix. 4.) 
Fortunel, adj. accidental, B 5. m i. 16. 
Fortunen, v. to give (good or bad) 

fortune to, A 417; Fortunest, 2 pr. s. 

renderest lucky or unlucky, A 2377 ; pt. 

pi. happened, chanced, 3. 288 ; //. en- 
dowed by fortune, 4. 180. 
Fortunous, adj. fortuitous, accidental, 

B I. p 6. 9. 
Por-waked, //. tired out with watching, 

3. 126 ; B 596. 
For'TO'ard, adv. foremost; first and f., 

first of all, B 2431. 
Forward, s. agreement, covenant, A 33, 

829. 
Forwelked, adj. withered, wrinkled, 

deeply lined, R. 361. 
Forweped, //. weary, exhausted through 

weeping, 3. 126. 
Forwer'ed, //. worn out, R. 235. 
For-wery, adj. very tired, 5. 93. 
Forwes, //. furrows, 9. 12. 
Por-why, conj. for what reason, T. iii. 

1009 ; wherefore, why, HF. 20 ; because, 

3. 461, 793. 
For--witer, s. foreknower, B 5. p 6. 329. 
Porwiting, s. foreknowledge, B 4433. 
For-wot, //•. s. foreknows, foresees, HF. 

45- 

For wrapped, //. wrapped up, C 718 ; 
concealed, I 320. 

Por-yede, pt. s. gave up, T. ii. 1330. 

Foryelde, v. yield in return, requite, E 
831. 

Poryetelnesse, s. forgetfulness, I 827. 

Poryeten, v. forget, T. iii. 55 ; pr. s. for- 
gets, T. ii. 375; Forget, for Forgeteth, 
//-. s. forgets, R. 61 ; Forgat, i //. s. 
forgot, C 919 ; For-yat, //. s. T. v. 1535 ; 
For-yeten, pp. forgotten, A 2021 ; For- 
geten, pp. B 2602. 

Poryetful, adj. forgetful, E 472. 

Foryetinge, s. forgetfulness, B 2. p 7. 98. 

Foryeve, f. forgive, B 994; Foryaf,//. ,f. 



46 



(^lossarial Entiex. 



forgave, T. iii. 1129, 1577; Forgaf, //. s. 

L. 162 ; Foryeve, pi. pi. L. 1848 ; For- 

yeven,//. forgiven, T. ii. 595. 
Foryifnesse, s. forgiveness, B 2963. 
Fostreth, pr. s. cherishes, E 1387; 

Fostred, //. s. nourished, fed, kept, 

E 222, H 131 ; //. nurtured, nourished, 

C 219. 
Fostring, s. nourishment, D 1845. 
Fote, s. foot, short distance, F 1177; dat. 

L. 2711; him to /., at his foot, L. 1314; 

on f., on foot, F 390. 
Fother, s. load, properly a cart-load, A 

530 ; great quantity, A 1908. 
Fot-hoot, adv. hastily, immediately, 3. 

375- 
Foudre, s. thunderbolt, HF. 535. 
FougMen, //. fought, A 62. 
Foul, f. bird, F 149 ; //. birds, L. 37, 130. 
Foule, adv. vilely, D 1069; foully, 3. 623 ; 

5. 517; evilly, A 4220; shamefully, L. 

1307 ; hideously, D 1082 ; meanly, R. 

1061. 
Fouler, adj. camp, uglier, D 999. 
Fouler, s. fowler, L. 132. 
Founde {\),ger. to found, T. i. 1065. 
Founde (2), v. seek after, 7. 241 ; i //•. s. 

try, endeavour, 7. 47. 
Foundement, s. foundation, HF. 1132. 
Foundred, pt. s. foundered, stumbled, 

A 2687. 
Founes, s. pi. fawns, 3. 429 ; Fownes 

( metaphorically') , young desires, T. i. 465. 
Fourneys, j. furnace, B 3353. 
Fourtenight, fourteen nights, a fort- 
night, T. iv. 1327. 
Fo'wel, s. bird, A 190, 2437. 
Foyne, p>\ s. imp. let him thrust, A 2550; 

pr. s. A 2615 ; pr. pi. A 1654. 
Foyson, s. abundance, plenty, A 3165. 
Fraknes, //. freckles, A 2169. 
Frame, ger. to put together, build, T. iii. 

530- 

Franchyse, j. liberality, E 1987; noble- 
ness, F 1524 ; privilege, I 452. 

Frankeleyn, s. franklin, freeholder, A 

331- 

Frankes, pi. franks, B 1371, 1377. 

Fi"ape, s. company, pack, T. iii. 410. 
O. F. prafe, troop. 

Fraught, //. freighted, B 171 ; han doon 
fr., have caused to be freighted. 

Frayneth, pr. s. prays, beseeches, B 1790. 

Free, adj. liberal, generous, B 1366, 1854; 
bounteous, liberal, 3. 484; noble, beau- 
tiful, C 35 ; profuse, lavish, A 4387 ; as 
s. noble one, 6. 104. 

Freedom, s. liberalitv, L. 1127. 



Freele, adj. frail, fragile, I 1078. 

Freend. s. friend, A 670. 

Freendlich, adj. friendly, A 2680. 

Freletee, s. frailty, C 78, D 92. 

Fremede, adj. foreign ; Fremed {before a 
vowel), strange, wild; fremed and tame, 
wild and tame, every one, T. iii. 529; 
Fremde, foreign, F 429. A. S. fremede. 

Frenesye, s. madness, D 2209. 

Frenetyk, adj. frantic, T. v. 206. 

Frenges, pi. fringes, D 1383 ; borderings, 
HF. 1318. 

Frere, j. friar, A 208, D 829. 

Fresshe, adv. newly, L. 204. 

Fresshe, v. refresh, R. 1513. 

Fret, s. ornament, L. 215, 225, 228. 

Freten, v. eat (governed by saugh), A 
2019 ; pr. s. devours, R. 387 ; //. //. con- 
sumed, D 561 ; Freten, //. eaten, de- 
voured, A 206S ; Fvete, pp. B 475. 

Fretted,//, adorned, set, L. 1117. 

Freyne, v. ask, question, T. v. 1227 ; //. s. 
B 3022 ; //. G 433. 

Fro, prep, from, A 44; out of, 4. 254; to 
and fro, L. 2358, 2471. 

Frog'ges, //. frogs, R. 1410. 

From, prep, from, A 128 ; apart from, T. 
iv. 766 ; from the time that, R. 850. 

Frosty, adj. frosty, cold, A 268 ; which 
comes in the winter, 5. 364. 

Frote, ger. to rub, T. iii. 1115; pr. s. A 

3747- 
Frothen, pr. pi. become covered with 

foam, A 1659. 
Fro-this-forth, henceforward, T. iv. 314. 
Frounced, adj. wrinkled, R. 365. 
Frounceles, adj. unwrinkled, R. 860. 
Frount, s. true countenance, B 2. p 8. 7. 
Fructuous, adj. fruitful, I 73. 
Fruit, J-. fi uit, i. 38 ; result, F 74. 
Fruytesteres, s. pi. fem. fruit-sellers, C 

478. 
Frye, v. fry, A 383, D 487. 
Fugitif, adj. fleeing from {L.sX.profugus), 

HF. 146. 
Ful, adj. satiated, T. iii. 1661 ; atte fiille, 

at the full, completely, A 651. 
Ful, adv. fully, F 1230; very, quite, B 

3506, F 52 ; /; many, very many, F 128. 
Fulfllle, V. fulfil, 6. 17; Fulfelle (Kentish 

ioKw\), ger. T. iii. 510; Fulfuldest, "zpt. s. 

didst satisfy, B 2. p 3. 66; Fulfilled,//. 

quite full, L. 54. 
Fulsomnesse, s. copiousness, excess, F 

405- 
Fume, s. vapour, B 4114. 
Fumetere, s. fumitory, Fumaria offici 

nalis, B 4153. 



(Jflossarial hxXicx. 



47 



Fumositee, s. fumes arising from drunk- 
enness, C 567, F 358. 

Pundement (i), .f~ foundation, D 2103; 
(2) fundament, C 950. 

Funeral, adj. T. v. 302; funereal, A 2864, 
2912. 

Furial, adj. tormenting, furious, F 448. 

Furie, s. monster, A 2684; rage, T. v. 212. 

Furlong's, //. furlongs, A 4166 ; Furlong- 
wey, a short distance, B 557 ; Forlong- 
wey, a brief time (lit. time of walking 
a furlong, 2i minutes), T. iv. 1237. 

Furre, s. fur, R. 228. 

Furred, //. furred, trimmed with fur, 
R. 227. 408. 

Furringe, s. fur-trimming, I 418. 

Further-over, moreover, 2. 85. 

Furthre,^^/-. to help, HF. 2023; //. ad- 
vanced, 7. 273. 

Fusible, adj. capable of being fused, 
G 856. 

Fustian, s. fustian, A 75. 

Futur, adj. future, T. v. 748. 

Fyle, V. file, smoothe by filing, 5. 212; 
Fyled,//. A 2152. 

Fyn, s. end, R. 1558; death, T. ii. 527; 
result, B 3348, 3884; aim,E 2106; object, 
T. ii. 425, iii. 553 ; for fyn, finally, T. iv. 

477- 
Fyn, adj. fine, strong, A 1472; of fyne 

force, of very need, T. v. 421. 
Fyne, v. finish, T. iv. 26 ; cease, end, T. ii. 

1460. 
Fynt, pr. s. finds, A 4071 ; Fint, G 218. 
Fyr, s. fire, B 3734 ; Fyr of Seint Antony, 

erysipelas, I 427. 
Fyr-makinge, s. making of the fire, A 

2914. 
Fysicien, s. physician, B i. p 3. 4. 



G. 



Gabbe, ^^r. to boast, prate, A 3510 ; ipr. s. 

lie. speak idly, 3. 1075 ; Gabbestow, liest 

thou, T. iv. 481. 
Gabber, s. liar, idle talker, I 89. 
Gable, s. gable-end, A 3571. 
Gadeling, s. idle vagabond, gad-about, R. 

938. 
Gadereth, pr. s. gathers, A 1053. 
Gaderinge, s. gathering, B 2765. 
Gaillard, adj. joyous, merry, lively, A 

4367- 
Galantyne, s. a kind of sauce, galantine, 

9. 16; 12. 17. 
Galaxye, s. the Galaxy, Milkv Way c;. 

56; HF.936. 



Gale, V. sing, cry out, D 852; pr. s. subj. 
exclaim, D 1336. 

Galianes, s. pi. medicines, C 306. So 
named after Galen. 

Galingale, s. sweet cyperus, A 381. (A 
spice was prepared from the root of the 
plant.) 

Galle, J. sore place, D 940. 

Galles, pi. feelings of envy, 9.47. 

Galoche, s. a shoe, F 555. 

Galoun, s. gallon, H 24. 

Galping,/;-«. pi. gaping, F 350. 

Galwes, s. pi. gallows, B 3924. 

Gamed, //. s. impers. it pleased, A 534. 

Gamen, s. game, sport, T. ii. 38, in. 250 ; 
joke, jest, E 733 ; amusement, fun, merri- 
ment, A 2286, 4354. 

Gan, pt. s. of Ginne. 

Ganeth,//-. s. yawneth, H 35. 

Gape, z/. gape, gasp, B 3924; Gapeth,/r. 
s. opens his mouth, L. 2004; Gape (^also 
C&pQ),pr. pi. gape, stare, A 3841. 

Gapinges, s.pl. greedy wishes, B 2. m 2. 
17 (Lat. hiatus). 

Gappe, s. gap, A 1639, 1645. 

Gardin-wal, s. garden-wall, A 1060. 

Gardinward, adv. gardenward; to the g., 
towards the garden, F 1505. 

Gargat, s. throat, B 4524. 

Garleek, s. garlick, A 634. 

Garnement, s. garment, R. 896. 

Garnere, s. garner, granary, R. 1148. 

Garnisoun, s. garrison, B 2217. 

Gas,//-, s. goes (Northern), A 4037. 

Gastly, adv. terrible, A 1984. 

Gastnesse, s. terror, B 3. p 5. 29. 

Gat,//, s. (7/Geten. 

Gat-tothed, adj. having the teeth far 
apart, A 468, D 603. 

Gaude, s. gaud, toy, pretence, T. ii. 351 ; 
trick, C 389; //. pranks, I 651. 

Gaud6, adj. dyed with weld, A 2079. Fr. 
gauder, to dye with weld. 

Gauded, //. furnished with beads called 
gauds, A 159. (The bead or gaud was 
formerly called gaudee, from Lat. imp. 
\>\. gaudete.) 

Gaure, v. stare, T. ii. 1157; ger. to stare, 
gaze, A 3827. 

Gay, adj. finely dressed, A 74, iii ; joyous, 
R. 435 ; wanton, A 3769. 

Gaylard, adj. lively, A 3336. 

Gayler, s. gaoler, A 1064. 

Gayneth,//-. s. avails, A 1176; pt. s. pro- 
fited, T. i. 352. 

Gay tres beryies, berries of the gay-tree 
or gait-tree (goat-tree), berries of the 
Rhamnus cat/iarticus, or buckthorn, B 



48 



(©lossarial Enliei. 



4155. Called getbars trd, goat-berry-tree, 
in Swedish dialects (Rietz). 

Geaunt, s. giant, B 1997, 3298. 

Gebet, s. gibbet, gallows, HF. ig6. 

Geen, pp. gone (Northern), A 4078. 

Geeth,/r. s. goes, L. 2145. 

Generally, adv. everywhere, T. i. 86. 

Gent, adj. refined, exquisite, noble, B 
1905; slim, A 3254; T^w. graceful, R. 
1032. 

Genterye, s. nobility, magnanimity, L. 
394; gentility, D 1146; gentle birth, I 
452; rank, I 461; sign of good birth, 
I 601. 

Gentil, adj. gentle, refined, A 72; gentle, 
worthy, B 1627; excellent, A 718; mild 
in manner, compassionate, A 647 ; well- 
bred, D III; beautiful, R. 108 1 ; charm- 
ing, R. 1016. 

Gentiillesse, s. gentleness, noble kindness, 
courtesy, good breeding, L. 610, loio, 
1080; A 920; nobility, B 3854 ; gentility, 
D 1109; worth, E 96; kindness, G 1054; 
condescension, B 853 ; high birth, I 585 ; 
slenderness, symmetry, F 426 ; delicate 
nurture, E 593. 

Gentilleste, adj. sup. noblest, E 72, 131. 

Gentilly, adv. gently, honourably, A 
3104; courteously, B 1093; frankly, F 
674. 

Gentils, s.pl. gentlefolk, A 3113. 

Geoniancie, s. divination by figures made 
on the earth, I 605. 

Geometriens, s.pl. geometricians, B 3. 
P 10. 143- 

Gere, s. gear, armour, A 2180; equip- 
ment, A 4016; property, B 800; utensils, 
A 352; apparel, A 365; pi. contrivances, 
F 1276. 

Gere, s. changeful manner, A 1372; //. 
changeful ways, A 1531. 

Gerful, adj. changeable, T. iv. 286; A 
1538. Cf. Gery. 

Gerland, s. garland, R. 566. 

Gerner, s. garner, A 593. 

Gery, adj. changeable, A 1536. 

Gesse, v. suppose, imagine, R. 1115 ; \pr. 
s. suppose, A 82, 117 ; B 3435, 3960. 

Gessinge, s. ojjinion, B i~ p 4. 315. 

Gest. s. guest, HF. 288. 

Geste, s. romance, tale, story, T. ii. 83, 
iii. 450; in geste, in romance-form, like 
the common stock-stories, B 2123; //. 
stories, D 642; occurrences, T. i. 145; 
exploits, affairs, T. ii. 1349; histories, 
history, B 1126; deeds, HF. 1434. 

Gestours, s. pi. story-tellers, B 2036; 
Gestiours, HF. 1198. 



Get (jet) , s. contrivance, G 1277. 

Geten, v. obtain, get, L. 2370; beget, E 
1437 ; Get, pr. s. procures, I 828 ; Gete, 
■zpr.pl. asfut. (ye) will get, 5. 651; Gat, 
//. s. begat, B 715 ; got, 7. 206; procured 
for, A 703 ; Geten, pp. gotten, obtained, 
A 291 ; won, L. 1753; begotten, L. 1402; 
han geten hem, to have acquired for 
themselves, F 56. 

Gif, conj. if (Northern), A 4181, 4190. 

Gigges,//. rapid movements, HF. 1942. 

Gigginge, pres. pt. pi. fitting with straps, 
A 2504. From O. Y.guigtie, a handle of 
a shield. 

Gilden, adj. golden, 3. 338. 

Gilt. s. guilt, offence, F 757, 1039 ; //. sins, 

B 3015- 
Giltelees, adj. guiltless, innocent, A 1312. 
Giltif, adj. guilty, T. iii. 1019. 
Gin, s. contrivance, snare, G 1165; //. 

traps, snares, R. 1620. 
Gingebreed, s. gingerbread, B 2044. 
Gingere, s. ginger, R. 1369. 
Ginglen, -'. jingle, A 170. 
Ginne, 77. begin, attempt, HF. 2004; Gan, 

I //. ^. began, T. i. 266; {as auxiliary 

verb), did, R. 734, 1129; Gonne,//. did, 

E 1103; HF. 944, 1002; began, C 323; 

Gonnen, //. //. began, 5. 531; Gunne, 

//.//. began, HF. 1658; did, HF. 1384; 

Gunnen, //.//. did, T. ii. 150. 
Ginninge, s. beginning, T. i. 377. 
Gipoun, s. a short cassock or doublet, 

A 75, 2120. 
Gipser, s. pouch, purse, A 357. 
Girdel, j. girdle, A 358,3250; central line, 

or great circle, A. i. 17. 49. 
Girden, ger. to strike, B 3736. Properly 

to switch. 
Girdilstede, s. waist, R. 826. 
Girles, //. young people, whether male 

or female, A 664. 
Girt,//-, f. girds, L. 1775 ; //. girded, A 329. 
Giser. s. gizzard, liver, B 3. m 12. 47. 
Giterne, s. kmd of guitar, cittern, A 3333. 
Giterninge, s. playing on the gittern, or 

cittern, A 3363. 
Glade, ger. to gladden, cheer, E 1174; 

ger. to console, A 2837 ; to rejoice, 5. 687 ; 

Gladed, //. s. cheered, T. i. 116; imp. s. 

3/. may he comfort, E 822; Gladeth, 

imp. pi. rejoice, 4. i. 
Glader, s. one that cheers, A 2223. 
Gladly, tfd'j/. fitly, 887; willingly, F 224; 

by preference, L. 770: that been gl. wyse, 

that would be thought wise, F 372. 
Gladsom, adj. pleasant, B 3968. 
Glareth, pr. s. glistens, shines, HF. 272. 



(@Io00arial Irdttx, 



49 



Glase, ^er. to glaze, furnish with glass, T. 
V. 469. 7b glaze one's hood = to provide 
with a useless defence. 

Glasing, s. glass-work, 3. 327. 

Glede, s. burning coal, glowing coal or 
ashes, B iii; coloured as the glede, of 
a bright red, gules, B 3574; //. glowing 
coals, L. 235. See Gleed. 

Gledy, adj. glowing (as a coal), burning, 
L. 105. 

Glee, J. music, T. ii. 1036; entertainment, 
B 2030; //. musical instruments, HF. 
1209. 

Gleed, .r. glowing coal, L. 735. 

Glente,/A//. glanced, T. iv. 1223. 

Glewe, V. fasten, glue, HF. 1761. 

Gleyre, s. white (of an egg), G 806. 

Gliden, pp. (?/ Clyde. 

Glimsing, s'. imperfect sight, E 2383. 

Gliteren, //•.//. glitter, A 977. 

Glood, //. s. o/Glyde. 

Glose, s. glosing, comment, L. 328; F 
166; explanation, D 1792; commentary, 
hence margin, 3. 333. 

Glose, ger. to interpret, explain, T. iv. 
1410 ; to flatter, B 3330 ; speak with 
circumlocution, E 2351 ; persuade cun- 
ningly, T. iv. 147 1 ; cajole, D 509; com- 
ment on, B 1180. 

Glosinge, s. explaining, D 1793. 

Glyde, I/, glide, A 1575; ascend, G 402; 
slip, T. iv. 1215 ; up gl., rise up gradually, 
F 373 ; Glood, //. s. went quickly, B 
2094; Gliden,//. glided, passed, E 1887. 

Gnlden, /^. //. rubbed, 9. 11. From A. S. 
g^itidati. 

Gnof, s. churl (lit. thief), A 3188. Mod. 
YL.gonoph. 

Gnow,//. s. gnawed, B 3638. 

Gobet, s. piece, morsel, fragment, A 696. 

God, s. A 769; God be with you, farewell, 
C 748; Goddes, God's, Christ's, B 1166; 
(^pronounced god's), D 1096; Goddes, 
//. gods, false gods, 3. 1328. 

Godhede. s. divinity, A 2381. 

Godlihede, s. beauty, T. iii. 1730. 

Godsib, s. sponsor, I 909. 

Gold, s. made of gold, R. 1193. 

Gold-bete, adorned with beaten gold, 
gilt, 7. 24. Cf. Y-bete. 

Goldes, //. marigolds, A 1929. 

Gold-he wen, //. hewn of gold, cut out 
of or made of gold, A 2500. 

Goldlees. adj. moneyless, B 1480. 

Goldsmithrie, s. goldsmiths' work, A 
2498. 

Golee, s. gabble (lit. mouthful), 5. 566. 
O. F. i'olee. 



Golet, s. throat, gullet, C 543. 

Goliardeys, s. buffoon, scurrilous talker, 
A 560. 

Gomme, s. gum, L. 121. 

Gon, V. go, proceed, F 200; walk, L. 1399; 
move, A 2510; lete it goon, let it go, G 
1475 ; to walk, I 105 ; move, F 921 ; roam, 
L. 2066 ; Goost, 2 //-. s. goest, C 56 ; 
Coth, pr. s. goes, I. 68 ; Gooth about, 
seeks for, T. i. 1091 ; Gooth, goes, B 385 ; 
Geeth, L. 2145; Gas (Northern), A 
4037 ; Goon, pr.pl. proceed, go along, E 
898; Coon,//, gone, L. 792; B. 17 ; Go, 
//. gone, G 907; Ceen (Northern), A 
4078; Go, pr. s. subj. may walk, L. 2069; 
Go we, let us go, T. ii. 615; Goth, imp. 
pl- go, B 3384. 

Gonfanotan, s. gonfanon, gonfalon, a 
sacred banner, R. 1201. 

Gonge, s. privy, I 885. 

Gonne, s. missile, L. 637; gun, cannon, 
HF. 1643. 

Gonne, -n; see Ginne, v. 

Good, s. property, goods, 5. 462; Gode, 
dat. benefit, HF. i, 58; property, wealth, 
L. 2638 ; Codes,//, goods, B 2605. 

Goodlich, adj. kind, bountiful, C 1053. 

Goodliheed, s. seemliness, T. ii. 842; 
goodly seeming, HF. 330; a goodly out- 
side, HF. 274. 

Goodly, adj. kindly, B 2921 ; excellent, 
L. 77 ; pleasing, right, B 3969 ; portly, 
B 4010. 

Goodly, adv. patiently, T. iii. 1035 ; well, 
B2420; kindly, HF. 565 ; reasonably, T. 
iii. 990; favourably, T. iii. 654; rightly, 
B 2860. 

Good-man, s. master of the house, C361 ; 
householder, L. 1391. 

GooSj s. goose, 5. 358 ; Gees, pi. E 2275. 

Goosish, adj. goose-like, foolish, T. iii, 

584- 
Goost, 2pr. s. goest, B. 2501. 
Goot, s. goat, A 688, C 886. 
Gore, s. 'gore' or gusset of a garment, B 

1979; a triangular piece cut out, A 3237. 
Goshauk, s. goshawk, B 1928. 
Gossib, s. female companion, D 529; 

male (spiritual) relation, D 243 ; Godsib, 

sponsor, I 909. 
Gossomer, s. gossamer, F 259. 
Gost, s. spirit, ghost, HF. 185 ; soul, r. 56 ; 

mind, L. 103; ghost (ironically), H 55; 

the Holy Spirit, I. 93 ; G 328 ; yeldeth 

up the gost, gives up the ghost, L. 886. 
Gostly, Goostly, adj. spiritual, I 392. 
Gostly, adv. spiritually, mystically, G 

109 ; devoutly, truly, T. v. 1030. 



C3 



50 



(!§l00sartal Inliex. 



Goter, s. gutter, channel for water, L. 
2705. 

Goune-clooth, j. cloth to make a gown, 
D 2247, 2252. 

Governaille, s. mastery, E 1192 ; //. rules, 
B I. p 6. 32. 

-Governaunce, s. management, control, 
rule, HF. 945, 958 ; providence, T. ii. 
467 ; dominion, B 3541 ; manner of 
action, F 311; self-control, T. ii. 1020; 
charge, care, C 73 ; demeanour, T. ii. 
219. 

Oov^rne, v. control, T. iii. 475; inip.pl. 
arrange, regulate, B 1451, E 322. 

•Gov6rneresse, s. /em. governor, ruler, 
mistress, I. 141 ; 2. 80. 

Governour, s. ruler, umpire, A 813; 
leader, L. 1060. 

'Grace, s. favour, i. 46; mercy, F 999; 
pardon, B 647; good opinion, R. 1169; 
virtue, R. 1099 '< ■'"'' S*'^<^(< her favour 
(i. e. that of the Virgin), B 980; of grace, 
out of favour, in kindness, F 161 ; 
sory grace, din ill favour^HF. 1790; dis- 
favour, D 746 ; harde grace, displeasure, 
5. 65 ; displeasure, disgust, D 2228 ; 
severity, HF. 1586; disfavour, misfor- 
tune, T. i. 713 ; ill luck (i. e. a curse upon 
him), G 665; Graces,//, thanks, B 2994. 

Gracelees, adj. unfavoured by God, G 
1078 ; out of favour, T. i. 781. 

Grame, s. anger, grief, harm, 7. 276. 

Grange, s. barn, granary, A 3668. 

Grant mercy, best thanks, G 1380. 

Grapenel, s. grapnel, L. 640. 

Gras (i), s. grass, R. 1419. 

Gras (2), 5. grace, B 2021. 

Graspe, v. grope, T. v. 223. 

Gras-tyme, j. time of eating grass, time 
of youth, A 3868. 

Graungres, //. granges, barns, granaries, 
HF. 698. 

Graunt, s. grant, R. 851. 

Graunt mercy, best thanks, G 1156. 

Graunten, v. grant, R. 1483; fix, name, 
E 179 ; pt. s. assented to, L. 2665 ; pt. pi. 
consented to, A 786. 

Grave, s. A 2778 ; pit, L. 680. 

Graven, v. engrave, F 830 ; Grave, v. dig ; 
dol/i she gr., she causes to be dug, L. 678 ; 
bury, E 681 ; to engrave, C 17 ; Graven, 
//. engraved, graven, HF. 193; buried, 
L. 785 ; Grave,//, graven, HF. 157. 

Grayn, s. dye ; i/i grayn, in dye, i. e. 
dyed of a fast colour, B 1917. 

Graythe, ger. to clothe, dress, R. 584. 

•Grece, s. grease, A 135. 

Gredy, adj. greedy, ready, T. iii. 1758. 



Gree (i),j. favour, good part, R. 42; good 
will, 18. 73 ; in gree, favourably, T. ii. 529. 
Gree (2), s. degree, rank, L. 1313; supe- 
riority, A 2733. 

Greef, s. grievance, D 2174. 

Greet, arf/'. great, 3. 954; principal, B 1181 ; 
voc. B 1797; //. L. 929; luxuriant, C 37; 
a greet, a great one, A 339 ; Grete, def. 
adj. as s., the chief part, L. 574. 

Grehound.es, s.pl. greyhounds, A 190. 

Greithe, v. prepare, B 3784. 

Gr6ne, adj. as s., green colour, R. 573 ; A 
103 ; green clothing (the colour of in- 
constancy), 21. 7; green place, green 
space, F 862. 

Grenehede, v. greenness, wantonness, B 
163. 

GrenniQg,pres.part. grinning, R. 156. 

Gres, s. grass, T. ii. 515 ; //. grasses, HF. 

1353- 
Grete, v. greet; i»rp. s. L. 2299; Grette, 

I //. s. L. 116. 
Gretter, adj. comp. greater, A 197. 
Grevaunce, s. grievance, trouble, hard- 
ship, B 2676; complaint (against us), 

I. 63 ; discomfort, 5. 205 ; affliction, 10. 

47 ; //. distresses, T. i. 647. 
Greve, s. grove, T. v. 1144; //. A 1495; 

boughs, sprays, L. 227. 
Greve, _^tfr. to harm, R. 1042; feel vexed, 

grumble, T. i. 343 ; //■. s. grieves, harms, 

A 917 ; impcrs. it vexes, E 647. 
Grevous, adj. grievous, painful, T. v. 

1604. 
Greyn, s. grain, corn, A 596; grain (dye), 

B 4649 ; in greyn, of a fast colour, F 511 ; 

Greyn de Paradys, grains of paradise, 

R. 1369; Greyn, grain (of paradise), 

cardamom, A 3690. 
Grey then, pr. pi. prepare (themselves), 

get ready, A 4309; ger. to adorn, clothe, 

dress, R. 584. lce\.grei'Sa. 
Griffon, s. griffin, A 2133. 
Grille, adj. pi. horrible, R. 73. 
Grim, adj. angry, A 2042; fierce, A 2519. 
Grimnesse, s. horror, I 864. 
Grinte, //. s. grinned, D 2161. 
Grintinge, s. gnashing (of teeth), I 208. 
Grisel, s. name given to an old man, 

whose hair is gray (lit. old horse), 16.35. 
Grisly, adj. horrible, terrible, awful, A 

1363, 1971 ; very serious, T. ii. 1700. 
Grobbe, v. dig, grub (up), 9. 29. 
Grome, s. man ; gr. and wenclie, man 

and woman, HF. 206; //. men, R. 200. 
Gronte, //. s. groaned, B 3899. 
Grope, V. try, test, examine, A 644 ; ger. 

to search out, D 1817. 



(gbssarial EntJti. 



51 



Grot, s. particle, atom, D 1292. 
Gr5te, s. groat, (Dutch) coin, C 945. 
Grounded, //. well instructed, A 414; 

founded, T. iv. 1672. 
Groyn (i),s. (a swine's) snout, I i^d. 
Groyn (2), s. murmur, T. i. 349. 
Groyning', s. murmuring, A 2460. 
Grucche, v. murmur, T. iii. 643; ^nr. to 

grumble, D 443. 
Grucching, s. grumbling, complaining, 

murmuring, D 406, I 499. 
Gruf, adv. on their faces, grovellingly, 

in a grovelling posture, A 949, B 1865. 

Cf. Icel. dgrufu, face downwards. 
Grypen, ger. to grasp, R. 204. 
Grys, adj. gray, G 559; po/nely giys, i. e. 

dapple-gray. 
Grys, s. a gray fur, A 194. The fur of 

the gray squirrel. 
Guerdon, j. recompense, meed, reward, 

R. 1526; him to g., as a reward for him, 

L. 2052. 
Guerdons, v. reward, I 283 ; pp. B 2462. 
Guerdoning, t. reward, 5. 455. 
Gyde, s. guide, A 804; ruler, G 45; 

guide, wielder, 5. 136. 
Gyde, ger. to direct, lead, T. i. 183; to 

guide, T. iii. 1811 ; pr. pi. conduct, T. 

ii. 1 104. 
Gyderesse, s. conductress, B 4. p i. 9. 
Gyding, i^. guidance, T. v. 643. 
Gye, V. guide, A 1950, E 1429; conduct 

(myself), L. 2045 ; govern, A 3046 ; rule, 

B 3587; instruct, control, B 1286; ger. 

to guide, T. v. 546 ; to regulate, I 13 ; 

as wisly he gye, so verily may he guide, 

25. 8. 
Gyle, s. deceit, A 2596; trick, T. iii. 777. 
Gylour, s. beguiler, trickster, A 4321. 
Gyse, s. guise, way, A 663; manner, 

R. 789, A 1208, 1789; custom, A 993; 

way, plan, T. iv. 1370. 
Gyte, s. dress, perhaps skirt or mantle, 

A 3954 ; pi. D 559. Ci.gyde in Jamieson's 

Diet., where the sense is dress, skirt, 

or mantle. Gascoigne uses gife in the 

sense of dress in his Philomena, 1. 117: 

'A stately Nimph, a dame of heauenly 

kinde, Whose glittering gite so glimsed 

in mine eyes.' 

H. 

Ha ! ha ! inter; . B 4571. 
Haberdassher, s. seller of hats, A 361. 
Habergeoun, s. a hauberk or coat of 

mail, A 76, 21 19. 
Habitacle, s. habitable space, B 2. p 7. 

59; Habitacles,//. niches, HF. 1194. 



Haboiindaunt, pres. pt. abounding, B 

3. p 2. 32. 
Habounde, v. abound, B 3938, E 1286. 
Habundant, adj. abundant, E 59. 
Habundaunce, s. plenty, B 2322. 
Habyten, // . //. inhabit, R. 660. 
Hacches, //. hatches, L. 648. 
Hailes, pi. hail-storms, HF. 967. 
Hainselins, s. pi. short jackets, I 422. 

O. F. kaniserm, hamcellin, a sort of robe ; 

cf. G. Hemd, shirt. 
Haire, s. hair-shirt, R. 438. 
Hakeney, .f. old horse, R. 1137 ; G 559. 
Halde, //. held, esteemed (Northern), A 

4208. 
Hale, V. draw, attract, 5. 151; //-. s. 

draws back, i. 68. 
Half, s. side, HF. 1136; behalf, T. ii. 

1734; Halfe, dat. 5. 125; on iny halfe, 

from me, 3. 139; a goddes halfe, on 

God's side, in God's name, D 50; Halve, 

dat. side, part, T. iv. 945 ; pi. sides, 

A 3481. 
Half-goddes, //. demi-gods, L. 387. 
Half-yeer age, of the age of half a year, 

A 3971- 
Haliday, s. holiday, A 3309, 3340. 
Halke, s. corner, R. 464; hiding-place, 

L. 1780 ; nook, F 1121 ; //. G 311. 
Halle, s. hall, A 353 ; dining-room, T. ii. 

1 170 ; parlour, B 4022. 
Halp, pt. s. of Helpe. 
Hals, s. neck, H F. 394 ; B 73 ; citt the hals, 

cut in the throat, L. 292 a. 
Halse, I pr. s. I conjure, B 1835. The 

proper meaning of A. S. healsian is to 

clasp round the neck (A. S. heals), and 

thence to beseech, supplicate. 
Halt, pr. s. of Holde and Halten. 
Halten, ger. to limp, T. iv. 1457; Halt, 

pr. s. goes lame, 3. 622. 
Halve goddes, //. demigods, T. iv. 

1545- 
Halvendel, s. the half part (of), T. v. 

335- 

Halwen, ger. to hallow, I 919. 

Halwes, pi. saints, B 1060; apostles, 3. 
831 ; shrines of saints, A 14. 

Haly-dayes, //. holy-days, festivals, A 
3952, I 667. 

Ham, s. home (Northern), A 4032. 

Hameled, //. cut oif, T. ii. 964. (It 
refers to the mutilation of dogs that 
were found to be pursuing game 
secretly. They were mutilated by 
cutting off a foot.) A. S. hamelian, to 
mutilate. 

Hamer, s. hammer, A 2508. 



52 



(3\oQQma\ Knliei. 



Hampred, //. hampered, burdened, R. 

1493- 

Hand, s. hand, A io8 ; in his hanJe, 
leading by his hand, L. 213. 

Handebrede, s. hand's breadth, A 381 1. 

Handwerk, s. creatures, things created, 
D 1562. 

Hangeth, /r. s. asfut. will hang, R. 193; 
Heeng,//. J. hung, A 3250; Heng,/;". J. 
hung, R. 224, 240; (which) hung, E 
1883; hung down, T. ii. 689; Hanged, 
pp. hung round, A 2568 ; hung, T. ii. 353. 

Hap, s. chance, E 2057 ; luck, success, 
B 3928, G 1209; good fortune, 3. 1039; 
h. other grace, a mere chance or a 
special favour, 3. 810; //. occurrences, 
3. 1279. 

Happe, V. happen, befall, A 585; /;. how 
h. may, happen what may, T. v. 796. 

Happen,//-, s. subj. (it) may happen, L. 
78. 

Happy, adj. lucky, T. ii. 621. 

Hard, adj. hard, A 229; of hard, with 
difficulty, T. ii. 1236; dcf. cruel, 6. 106; 
F 499 ; ^vlth h. grace, with displeasure, 
severity (see Grace). 

Harde, adv. tightly, A 3279. 

Hardely, adv. boldly, R. 270; unhesitat- 
ingly, 6. 118; scarcely, R. 4; certainly, 
HF. 359. 

Hardiment, s. boldness, T. iv. 533. 

Hardinesse, j. boldness, A 1948, B 3210; 
fool-hardiness, B 2508 ; insolence, I 438. 

Harding', s. hardening, tempering, F 243. 

Hardn6sse, s. cruelty, 4. 232 ; hardship, 
I 688. 

Hardy, adj. bold, A 405 ; sturdy, F 19 ; 
rash, R. 1038. 

Harie, ger. to drag, I 171; Haried, //. 
pulled forcibly, A 2726. 

Harlot, s. a person of low birth, servant- 
lad, D 1754; ribald, A 647; rogue, 
rascal, A 4268; Harlotes, pi. thieves, 
pick-pockets, R. 191. (Used of both 
sexes.) 

Harlotrye, s. ribaldry, A 3145 ; wicked- 
ness, D 1328; evil conduct, E 2262; //. 
ribald jests, A 561. 

Harm, s. harm, 3. 492; A 385; broken 
harm, occasional injury, petty annoy- 
ance, E 1425. 

Harneised, //. equipped (lit. harnessed), 
A 114. 

Harneys, s. armour, A 1006; gear, ar- 
rangement, I 974; fittings, A 2896; 
harness, I 433; provision, I) 136. 

Harpe-Stringes, //. harp-strings, HF. 
777- 



Harping, s. playing on the harp, A 266. 

Harpour, s. harper, T. ii. 1030. 

Harre, s. hinge, A 550. A. S. heorra. 

Harrow ! wte/j. help ! A 3286. O. F. haro. 

Harwed,//. s. harried, despoiled, A 3512, 
D 2107. (Alluding to the harrying or 
harrowing of hell by Christ.) A. S. 
hergian. 

Hasard, s. dice-play, C 465, 591. 

Hasardour, s. gamester, C 596. 

Hasardrye, s. gaming, playing at hazard, 
C 590. 

Hasel-"Wode, s. hazel-wood, i. e. no news 
(see below), T. v. 505, 1174; //. hazel- 
bushes, T. iii. 890. (Hazel-woods shake, 
i. e. that is no news, it is of no use to 
tell me that.) 

Haspe, s. hasp, A 3470. 

Hast, hast thou (so)? A 4268. 

Hast, s. haste, T. iii. 1438. 

Hasteth, imp. pi. make haste, I 72. 

Hastif , adj. hasty, A 3545. 

Hastifnesse, j. hastiness, B 2312. 

Hastow, ■zpr.s. hast thou, A 3533. 

Hateful, adj. hateful, D 366; odious 
(Lat. odibilc), D 1195. 

Hateredes, s. pi. hatreds, B 4. m 4. 2. 

Haubergeons, j.;>/.hauberks,1 1052,1054. 

Hauberk, s. coat of mail, A 2431, B 2053. 

Haunche-bon, s. thigh-bone, A 3803; 
//. haunch-bones, A 3279. 

Haunt, s. abode, B abode, B 2001 ; ' limit,' 
usual resort, A 252 c; use, practice, 
skill, 447. 

Haunteth, pr. s. habitually uses, T. v. 
1556; is used to, A 4392; practises, C 
547 ; pr. pi. resort to, I 885 ; practise, 
I 780, 847. 

Hauteyn, adj. proud, stately, 5. 262 ; 
loud, C 330; Hautein, haughty, I 614. 

Haven, z^. have, T. iii. 1463 ; Han, v. F 56 ; 
keep, retain, C 725 ; take away, C 727 ; 
obtain, G 234; possess (cf. 'to have and 
to hold'), B 208; Hast, 2 pr. s. hast 
thou so? A 4268; Hath, pr. s. has, 
L. 2700; Han, i /;-. //. have, L. 28; 
■2. pr.pl. A 849; Han, pr.pl. E 188, 381; 
possess, A. pr. 24 ; Hadde, i pi. s. pos- 
sessed, 2. 34; Hadde,//. J. had, L. 1859; 
had, possessed, E 438; took, E 303; 
Hade (used for the rime), //. s. A 554, 
617 ; Hadden, //. //. had, kept, E 201 ; 
Hadde,//.//. L. 1841 ; 7 hadde lever, I 
would rather, B 3083; Have, /mp. s. 
take, F 759; Have doon, make an end, 

5- 492. 
Havinge, s. possession {habendi), B 2. 

m 5. 33- 



(^loggartal Enliex. 



53 



Hawe, (i), J. haw, yard, enclosure, C 855. 
Hawe, (2), J. haw (fruit of dog-rose), D 
659 ; with hawe bake, with baked haws, 
i. e. with coarse fare, B 95. 

Hay, s. hedge, R. 54. 

Hayl, interj. hail ! A 3579. 

Hayt, interj. come up ! D 1543. 

He, pron. he, A 44, &c. ; used for it, G 867, 
868 ; that he, that man, HF. 2069 ; He . . . 
he, this one . . . that one, 5. 166 ; He and 
he, one man and another, T. ii. 1748 ; 
Him, dat. and ace. himself, A 87 ; Him 
or here, him or her, HF. 1003; hi7n 
semed, it seemed to him, he appeared, 
B 3361; Hem, pi. dat. and ace. them, 
A II; hem seemed, it seemed to them, 
they supposed, F 56. 

Hed, pp. hidden, L. 208. 

Hede, s. heed, A 303; tak Z^., take care, 
1.47. 

Hede, v. provide with a head, T. ii. 1042. 

H66d, s. head, A 198, 293, 455 ; source, 
16. 43; beginning, F 1282; on his h., 
at the risk of his head, A 1725 ; malgre 
hir hede, in spite of all they can do, 
4. 220; maugrec hir heed, in spite of ail 
she could do, D 887 ; tnaugre thyn heed, 
in spite of all thou canst do, B 104; 
Hedes,//. heads, or first points of signs, 
A. i. 17. 20 ; Hevedes, heads, B 2032. 

Heef , pt. s. of Heve. 

Heeld,//. j."(?/Holde. 

Heelp,/^ s. of Helpe. 

Heeng, pt. s. of Hange. 

H66p, s. heap, i. e. crowd, host, A 575 ; 
great number, crowd, T. iv. 1281. 

H66r, s. hair, R. 549; Heres, pt. HF. 
1390. 

H66r, adv. here, B 1177; Heer and ther, 
never long in one placi>, G 1174; ^^f 
and ther, hither and thither, B 5. p 
5- 33- 

Heer-ag-ayns, prep, against this, I 668. 

Heer-biforn, adv. here-before, before 
this, F 1535. 

Heer-forth, adv. in this direction, D looi. 

Heer-mele, s. the thickness of a hair, 
a hail's breadth, A. ii. 38. 17. 

Heeste, s. commandment, I 845. 

B.eet,pt.s. (7/ Hole. 

Heg-ge, s. hedge, T. v. 1144; //. B 4408. 

Heigh, adj. high, A 316, 522; great, A 
1798; lofty, B 3192; learned, E 18; 
severe, B 795 ; Heighe, def. C 633 ; in 
h. and lowe, in both high and low 
things, i. e. wholly, A 817, B 993. 

Heighe, adv. high up, T. iv. 996; heigh, 
B 4607 ; an heigh, on high, F 849. 



Heighly, adv. strongly, T. ii. 1733. 

Helde, v. hold, retain, D 272. See Holde 
(the usual form). 

Helde, //. //. poured out, HF. 1686. 
(Better than ' held.') See Hielde. 

Hele, s. health, L. 1159; recovery, well- 
being, I. 80 ; prosperity, L. 296. A. .S. 
hcelti. 

H61e, dat. heel, T. iv. 728. 

Hele, V. conceal, B 2279; //. hidden, B 
4245. A. S. helan. 

Helelees, adj. out of health, T. v. 1593. 

Helen, v. heal, 11. 4; pp. A. 2706. 

Helle, s. hell, 4. 120; L. 2, 6. 

Helpe, s. helper, assistant, L. 1616. 

Helpe,T'.help,A258; H. of, cure of, A 632; 
Heelp, \ pt. s. helped, A 4246; Heelp, 
//. s. B 920; Halp,//. s. A 1651 ; Helpeth, 
imp.pl. L. 68; Holpe,//. s. subj. helped, 
R. 1230; Holpen, //. helped, aided, 
F 666; healed, A 18. 

Helply, adj. helpful, T. v. 128. 

Hem, them ; see He. 

Hemi-spere, hemisphere, T. iii. 1439. 

Hem-self, pron. pi. themselves, B 145; 
Hem-selven, F 1420. 

Hen, s. hen, A 177 ; (as a thing of small 
value), D 1112. 

Hende, adj. courteous, polite, gentle, 
A 3199, 3272, 3462. 

Henne, adv. hence, T. i. 572. 

Hennes, adv. hence, T. v. 402; now, HF. 
1284. 

Hennes-forth, adv. henceforth, R. 701. 

Hente, v. catch, I 355 ; seize, A 3347 ; 
acquire, get, A 299 ; circumvent, "T. iv. 
137 1 ; dide her for to hente, caused her 
to be seized, L. 2715 ; Hent,//-. j. seizes, 
catches, T. iv. 5 ; Hente, pr. s. subj. 
may seize, G 7 ; Hente, //. s. caught, 
took, A 957; caught away, B 1144; 
seized, caught hold of, T. ii. 924 ; grasped, 
C 255 ; took forcibly, E 534 ; took in 
hunting, B 3449; lifted, G 205; pt. pi. 
seized, A 904; caught, R. 773; //. 
caught, A 158 1. 

Henteres, s. pi. filchers, B i. p 3. 8g. 

H6pe, s. hip, the fruit of the dog-rose, B 

1937- 
Hepen,/r. //. augment, B 5. p 2. 46; //. 

accumulated, T. iv. 236. 
Her, Hir, pron. poss. their, B 136. A. S. 

heora, hira, of them ; gen. pi. of he, he. 
Heraud, s. herald, A 2533. 
Heraude, ger. to proclaim as a herald 

does, HF. 1576. 
Herber, s. garden, T. ii. 1705 ; arbour, L. 

203. 



54 



i3lamaxia\ Intiei. 



Herberg'ag'e, s. a lodging, abode, A 4329 ; 

154179. 
Herbergeours, s. />/. harbingers, pro- 

vidt'is of lodgings, B 997. 
Herberwe, or Herberw, x. harbour, A 

403; inn, A 765; lodging, shelter, A 

4119; dwelling, position, F 1035. 
Herberwe, ^<?/-. to shelter, R. 491 ; Her- 

berweden,/^. //. lodged, B 2. p 6. 75. 
Herberwing-, s. lodging, sheltering, A 

4332- 
Her-biforn, ady. before this time, L. 73; 

;i while ago, 3. 1136. 
Her-by, adv. with respect to this matter, 

I) 2204; hence, HF. 263. 
Herde, s. shepherd, G 192; keeper of 

cattle, A 603. 
Herde-gromes,//. herdsmen, HF. 1225. 
Herdes, />/. coarse flax, ' hards,' R. 1233. 
Herdesse, s. shepherdess, T. i. 653. 
Here, />ron. her, R. 1260; &c. 
Here, pass, pro/i. her, T. i. 285; &c. 
Here, adv. here, in this place, on this 

spot,T. V. 478. (Dissyllabic.) See Heer. 
Here, v. hear, A 169; Heren, v. HF. 879; 

Herestow, 2//-. s. hearest thou, A 3366; 

Berth, />r. s. hears, L. 327 a; Herde, 

p(. s. heard, A 221 ; Herdestow, heardest 

thou, A 4170; Herd,//, heard, 3. 129. 
Here-agayns, against this, A 3039 ; Here- 

avi'iiis, in reply to that, T. ii. 1380. 
Here and howne, T. iv. 210; perhaps 

gentle and savage, i. e. one and all 

(doubtful). Cf. here, gentle, in Strat- 

inann ; and A. S. HTma, a Hun. 
Herie, v. praise, T. iii. 1672; Heriest, 

2 //•. s. worshippest, B 3419; /'•. s. B 

1155; pt.pl. worshipped, L. 786; pp. B 

872. A. S. herian. 
Herke, /w/. 5. hearken, F 1323; Herketh, 

ii)ip. pi. D 1656. 
Herknen, v. hearken, listen, I 81 ; ger. 

to listen to, 3. 752; Herkne, v. G 1006; 

ger. B 3159; pt. s. listened to, A 4173; 

Herkned, pp. listened, R. 630; h. after, 

expected, F 403. 
Heme, s. corner, F 1121 ; //. G 658. 
Herneys, s. armour, A 2496 ; //. sets of 

armour, A 1630. 
Heroner, v. falcon for herons, T. iv. 413. 
Heronere, adj. used for flying at herons, 

L. 1 1 20. -Said of a falcon. 
Heronsewes, s. pi. hernshaws, young 

herons, F 68. Heronsew is derived, 

regularly, from A. F. herouncel, later 

herouiigeaii ; a diminutive from luroun, 

like lioncel from lion. 
Herse, s. hearse, 2. 15, 36. 



Hert, s. hart, 3. 351 ; 5. 195. 

Herte,.f. heart, A 150,229; dear one, T. ii. 

1096; courage, 3. 1222; Hertes, gen. 

heart's, i. 164; llerte, ,^'^//. T. ii. 445; 

Herte rote, root (bottom) of the heart, 

R. 1026 ; 7nyn hertes, <jf my heart, 4. 57. 
Herte, pt. s. hurt, 3. 883. 
Herte-blood, heart's blood, A 2006, C 902. 
Hertelees, adj. heartless, without heart, 

T. v. 1594 ; deficient in courage, B 4098. 
Hertely , adv. heartily, A 762 ; thoroughly, 

L. 33; earnestly, 3. 1226; truly, 3. 85. 
Herte-rote, s. root of the heart, depth of 

the heart, L. 1993. 
Herte-spoon, s. ' the concave part of the 

breast, where the ribs unite to form 

the cartilago ensiformis' (Tyrwhitt), A 

2606. 
Hert-hunting, s. hunting of the hart, 3. 

1313- 
Herth,/r. s. heareth, L. 327 a. 
Hertly, adj. heartfelt, honest, L. 2124; 

hearty, E 176, 502, F 5. 
Heryinge, s: praising, I 682; praise, B 

1649 ; glory, T. iii. 48. 
Heste, s. command, commandment, be- 
hest, B 382; promise, F 1064; Heeste, 

commandment, I 845. 
H6te, r. heat, R. 1508; passion, 4. 127; 

heat, but put for surge, B I. m 7. 4. 
Hete, V. promise, vow, 6. 77; pr. s. subj. 

promise, A 2398; i pr. s. B 334; Hette, 

pt. s. 4. 185. See Hote. 
Heterly, adv. fiercely, L. 638. 
H6then, adv. hence (Northern), A 4033. 
Hethenesse, s. heathen lands, A 49, B 

1112. 
Hething, s. contempt, A 4110. Icel. 

Hette, //. s. heated, inflamed, 5. 145. 
Hette, //. s. promised, 4. 185. See Hote. 
Heve. V. heave, lift, A 550; ger. to use 

exertion, labour, T. ii. 1289; pr. s. lifts 

up, B 5. m 5. 18; Haf, /A s. heaved, A 

3470; Heef,//. s. lifted, B I. p I. 19. 
Heved, s. head, HF. 550; beginning, .A. 

ii. 16. 3; Hevedes,//. B 2032. 
Heven, s. heaven, A 519; the celestial 

sphere, B 3300 ; supreme delight, F 558 ; 

beautiful sight, T. ii. 637; Hevene,,^^«. 

heaven's, D 1181, G 542. 
Hevenish, adj. heavenly, HF. 1395; of 

the spheres, 4. 30. 
Hevieth./r.//. weigh down, B 5. m 5. 16. 
Hevy, adj. heavy, R. 229; sad, 4. 12. 
Hewe, (i), s. hue, colour, complexion, 

A 394, 1364 ; outward appearance, mien, 

D 1622 ; pretence, C 421. 



(glossarial SntJci. 



55 



Hewe, {2),s. (household) -servant, domes- 
tic, E 1785. A. S. /iiwa. 

Hewed, aclj. coloured, R. 213. 

Hey, s. hay, A 3262 ; grass, B 3407. 

Hey! inierj. hey \ L. 1213. 

Heye, adj. def. high, A. i. 16. 11. 

Heyg-hte, s. height, A. ii. 22. 8. 

Heyne, s. wretch, G 1319. 

Heynous, adj. heinous, odious, T. ii. 1617. 

Heyre, adj. hair, made of hair, C 736. 

Heyre, s. hair-shirt, G 133. 

Heysuggre, s. hedge-sparrow, 5. 612. 

Heyt, interj. come up, D 1561. 

Hider, adv. hither, 4. 165. 

Hidous, adj. hideous, A 3520 ; terrible, 
horrible, dreadful, A 1978, B 4583 ; ugly, 
R. 158. 

Hidously, adv. terribly, A 1701. 

Hielde, pr. s. subj. pour out, shed, B 2. 
m 2. 2 \L,3X. fundat) . 

Hierdes, female guardian, protectress, 
T. iii. 619. See Herdesse. 

Hight, Highte ; see Hote. 

Highteth, pr. s. adorns, gladdens, B i. 
m 2. 25. 

Hild, pt. s. bent, inclined, 3. 393. 

Hinde, s. hind, 3. 427. 

Hindre, v. hinder, R. 1039. 

Hindreste, superl. hindmost, A 622. 

Hipes, //. hips, A 472. 

Hir, (i), pers. pron. dat. and ace, to her, 
her, A 126, B 162, &c. 

Hir, (Q.),poss. pron. her, A 120, B 164, &c. 

Hir, (3), gen. pi. of them; Hir aller, of 
them all, A 586; Hir bothe, of both of 
them, B 221. 

Hir, {j\), pass. pron. their, A 11, B 140, &c. ; 
Her, B 3536, &c. 

Hir thankes, with their good will, will- 
ingly, A 21 14. 

Hires, hers, 5. 482, 588. 

Hirnia, s. hernia, I 423. 

His, gen. masc. his, A 47, 50, &c. ; neut. 
its, I. 178; T. iii. 1088, V. 1379; in phr. 
Mars his = of Mars, L. 2593. 

His thankes, with his good will, will- 
ingly, A 2107. 

Historial, adj. historical, C 156. 

Hit, pron. it, 2. 117 ; Hit am I, it is I, 3. 186, 
L. 314; Hit weren, they were, HF. 1323. 

Hit, pr. s. hides, F 512. Hit is a con- 
tracted form, equivalent to hideth. 

Ho, interj. hold ! stop I B 3957. 

Ho, s. exclamation commanding silence, 
A 2533 ; stop, cessation, T. ii. 1083. 

Hochepot, s. hotch-potch, mixture, B 
2447. 

Hoke, dat. of Hook. 



Hoker, s. scorn, frowardness, A 3965. 

A. S. Iiocor. 
Hokerly, adv. scornfully, I 584. 
Hold, s. possession, B 4064 ; grasp, F 167 ; 

keeping, D 599 ; fort, castle, B 507. 
Holde, V. keep, preserve, D 1144; hold, 
keep, B 41 ; continue, go on with, T. ii. 
965; restrain, 7. 309, 310; keep to (see 
Proces), F 658 ; Holden, v. hold, keep, 
F 763; keep, F 1163; think, consider, 
L. 857 ; do than holde herto, keep to it 
then, 3. 754; Holde up, hold up, 2. 24; 
Holde his pees, hold his peace, B 4625; 
Holde, I /;•. s. consider, deem, G 739; 
Boldest, 2 pr. s. accountest, L. 326 ; 
Halt, pr. s. holds, 11. 16; T. v. 348; 
keeps, T. ii. 37 ; holds fast, 1". iii. 1636 ; 
considers, G 921 ; esteems, D 1185 ; per- 
f(irms, 3. 621 ; remains firm, 10. 38 ; 
Holt,//-, s. holds, T. iii. 1374; Holden, 
2 pr. pi. keep, L. 2500; Holde, 2 pr.pl. 
esteem, deem, T. v. 1339; Heeld, i pt. s. 
considered, E 818; Heeld, /A 5. held, A 
175 ; took part, A 3847 ; esteemed, C 625 ; 
ruled, B 3518 ; Holden, //. esteemed, 
held, A 141 ; considered, E 205 ; observed, 
F 1587 ; esteemed, L. 1709 ; bound, T. ii. 
241 ; made to be, C 958 ; Holde, pp. 
esteemed, A 1307 ; bet for the have holde, 
better for thee to have held, 5. 572; 
Hold up, imp. pi. hold up, A 783; 
Holdeth, imp. pi. keep, B 37; consider, 
A 1868. 

Holdinge in hondes, cajolery, HF. 
692. 

Holly, adv. wholly, T. iii. 145. 

Holm, s. evergreen oak, A 2921. 

Holour, s. lecher, adulterer, D 254. 

Holpe. -n; see Helpe. 

Holsom, adj. wholesome, T. i. 947 ; heal- 
ing, 5. 206. 

Holt, s. plantation, A 6. 

Holt, pr. s. holds, T. iii. 1374. 

Holwe, adj. hollow, G 1265. 

Holwe, adv. hollow, A 289. 

Horn, adv. homewards, F 635. 

Homicyde (i), j. man-slayer, E 1994. 

Homicyde (2), manslaughter, murder, 
C 644. 

Hond, 5. hand, A 193, 399; Beren him on 
h., make him believe, T. iv. 1404; Bere 
on h., accuse (of), D 226; Bar on h., 
made (them) believe, D 380; Bar him 
on h., assured him, T. iii. 1154; Holden 
in h., retain, cajole, T. ii. 477; Holde 
in h., T. iii. 773 ; delude with false hopes, 
3. 1019. 

Honest, adj. creditable, A 246 ; honour- 



56 



(ilossarial hxQtx. 



able, worthy, B 1751 ; seemly, decent, 
C 328 ; luxurious, E 2028. 

Honestee, s. honour, L. 1673 ; goodness, 
B 3157 ; honourableness, 2. 40 ; womanly 
virtue, C 77. 

Honestetee, s. honour, E 422 ; modesty, 
I 429; neatness, I 431. 

Honestly, adv. honourably, B 1434; 
richly, E 2026. 

Honge, V. hang, A 2410 ; be hung, C 790 ; 
do me /t., cause me to be hanged, T. i. 
833; 2, pr.pl. subj. hesitate, T. ii. 1242. 

Hony, s. honey, A 2908; beloved one, 
A 3617. 

Hony-comb, a term of endearment, 
sweet one, A 3698. 

Hony-swete, sweet as honey, E 1396. 

Hoodless, adj. without a hood, 3. 1028. 

H66k, s. hook, T. v. 777 ; sickle, B 3. m i. 
3 ; crosier, D 1317. 

H5ol, adj. wliole, T. i. 961 ; sound, D 
1370; unwounded, F iiii; perfect, G 
III, 117; restored to health, L. 2468; 
entire, 3. 554. 

Hobl, adj. as adv. wholly, T. i. 1053 ; al 
hopl, entirely, T. iii. 1013. 

Hoolly, adv. wholly, R. 1163. 

Hoolnesse, s. integrity, B 4. p 6. 202. 

Hoolsome, adj. wholesome, B 22S5. 

Hoolsomnesse, s. health, B 2303. 

H66m, s. as adv. home, homewards, L. 
1619. 

Hoomlinesse, s. domesticity, E 429; 
familiarity, B 2876. 

Hoomly. adj. belonging to one's house- 
hold, E 1785. 

Hoomward, adv. homeward, T. iii. 621 ; 
Homward, A 2956. 

Hoor, adj. hoary, white-haired, grey- 
headed, A 3878. 

Hoors, adj. ; see Hors. 

Hoost, s. army, A 874. 

H66t, adj. hot, L. 914; fervent, I 117; as 
s. 5. 380; Hote, de/. hot, 5. 266; vora- 
cious, 5. 362 ; (as epithet of Aries, which 
induced heat of blood), F 51. 

Hope, s. expectation, G 870. 

Hope, I /;■. s. fear, A 4029. 

Hoper, s. hopper, A 4036, 4039. 

Hoppe, V. dance, A 4375. 

Hoppesteres, //. dancers; i/sed as adj., 
dancing, A 2017. 

Hord, s. hoard, treasure, C 775 ; store (of 
apples), A 3262; treasure-house, I 821; 
avarice, 13. 3. 

Hore,//. o/Hoor, adj. 

Horn, s. horn, T. ii. 642; (musical instru- 
ment, used metaphorically), H 90; //. 



drinking-horns, A 2279; horns (of the 

moon), T. v. 652. 
Horoscopo ; in lioroscopo, within that part 

of the sky considered as the ascendent, 

A. ii. 4. 14. 
Horowe, adj. pi. foul, scandalous, 4. 206. 

Cf. A.S. horig, filthy. 
Hors, J-, hors, A 168 ; the ' horse,' a name 

for the little wedge that passes through 

a hole in the end of the ' pyn,' A. i. 14. 

7 (Arabic alpheraz, the horse) ; Hors, pi. 

A 74. 598. 

Hors, adj. hoarse, 3. 347; Hoors, T. iv. 
1 147. A. S. has. 

Horsly, adj. like all that a horse should 
be, F 194. 

Hose, s. hose, covering for the feet and 
legs, A 3933, G 726; Hosen, //. A 456; 
Hoses,//. A 3319. 

Hospitallers, s. pi. knights hospitallers, 
1 891. 

Hoste, s. host (of an inn), keeper of a 
lodging, A 747. Often spelt oste. 

Hostel, s. hostelry, HF. 1022. 

Hostelrye, s. hostel, inn, A 23. 

Hostiler, s. innkeeper, A 241 ; //. ser- 
vants at an inn, I 440. 

Hote, adj.; see Hoot. 

Hote, adv. hotly, A 97, 1737. 

Hote, V. command, promise; also, be 
called, R. 38 ; Hoten, v. be called, D 144 ; 
Hote, I pr. s. command, HF. 1719; 
Hight, pt. s. as pr. s. is called, L. 417; 
Highten, //. pi. as pr. pi. are called, L. 
423; Hight, //. s. was named, L. 725; 
Highte, //. s. was called, was named, 
R. 588, 745; I pt. s. was called, A 4336; 
I pt. s. promised, 17. 5; Highte, //. s. 
promised, T. v. 1636; 2 pt.pl. promised, 
E 496; Hatte, pt. s. as pr. s. is called, is 
named, T. iii. 797; Hatte, //. //. were 
called, were named, HF. 1303; Hette, 
I pt. s. promised, 4. 185 ; Heet, pt. s. was 
named, HF. 1604; (who) was called, F 
1388; Hete (/'/• Heet), 3. 200; Hoten, 
//. called, A 3941 ; Hight,//. promised, 
T. ii. 492 ; named, HF. 226. A. S. hatan. 
The parts of the verb show great con- 
fusion. 

Hottes, //. baskets carried on the back, 
HF. 1940. O. F. hotte. 

Hound, s. dog, T. iii. 764. 

Houndflsh, s. dogfish, E 1825. 

Houped, //.//. whooped, B 4590. 

Hous, s. house, A 252, 343; to hous, to 
a reception bv, L. 1546 ; Hous and hoom, 
house and home, H 229 ; Hous by hous, 
to each house in order, D 1765 ; a house- 



(glassarial Unticx. 



57 



hold, F 24 ; a ' mansion ' of a planet (in 
astrology), F 672; a 'house' or portion 
of the sky (in astrology), B 304. The 
whole celestial sphere was divided into 
twelve equal portions, called houses, by 
six great circles passing through the 
north and south points of the horizon ; 
two of these circles being the meridian 
and the horizon. A house, when used 
for a ' mansion,' is a sign of the zodiac; 
thus Aries was the mansion of Mars. 

H6usbonde, s. husband, B 2241. 

Housbondrye, s. economy, A 4077 ; 
household goods, D 288. 

Housled, pp. made a recipient of holy 
communion, I 1027. 

Hove, V. hover, dwell, T. iii. 1427; pr.pl. 
wait in readiness, hover, L. 1196; //. s. 
waited about, T. v. 33. 

How, iuterj. ho I A 3437, 3577- 

Howne, savage (?), T. iv. 210. See Here. 

Howve, s. hood, T. iii. 775 ; Sette his 
howve, set (awry) his hood, make game 
of him, A 3911. 

Humanitee, s. kindness, E 92. 

Humbely, adv. humbly, T. v. 1354. 

Humblely.flo'z^.humbly, T.ii. 1719; L.is6. 

Humblesse, s. meekness, A 1781, B 165. 

Humbling, s. low growl (lit. humming), 
HF. 1039. 

Humme, ger. to hum, T. ii. 1199. 

Hunte, s. huntsman, A 2018, 2628. 

HuQter, s. huntsman, A 1638. 

Hunteresse, s. fern, female hunter, A 

2347- 
Hurlest, 2 pr. s. dost hurl, dost whirl 

round, B 297. 
Hurt, pr. s. hurteth, hurts, T. v. 350. 
Hurtleth, pr. s. pushes, A 2616 ; pr. pi. 

dash together, L. 638. 
Husht, pp. hushed, silent, L. 2682; Hust, 

as imp. s. be silent, A 3722. 
Hy, adj. high, A 306 ; Hye, dat. HF. 1133 ; 

great, E 135 ; Hye weye, dat. (the) high 

way, main road, A 897. 
Hyde, v. hide, A 1477, 1481 ; lie concealed, 

F 141 ; Hydestow, hidest thou, D 308 ; 

H\i,pr.s. hides, F 512; Hidde, 1 pt. s. 

hid, F 595 ; Hed, pp. hidden, L. 208 ; 

Hid, pp. hidden, R. 1598. 
Hye, adv. high, aloft, HF. 905; L. 1200; 

loudly, 3. 305; proudly, T. ii. 401. 
Hye, V. hasten, hie, A 2274, G 1151 ; h. ine, 

make haste, G 1084 ; ger. to bring 

hastily, F 291 ; to hasten, HF. 1658 ; Hy 

thee, imp. s. rejl. G. 1295. 
Hye, s. haste; only in phr. in hye, in 

haste, T. ii. 88, 1712. 



Hyene, s. hyaena, 10. 35. 

Hyer, adj. higher, upper, HF. 1117. 

Hyne, s. hind, servant, peasant, A 603, 
C 688. A. S. hlna. 

Hyre, s. hire, A 507 ; reward, i. 103 ; pay- 
ment, D 1008; ransom, T. iv. 506. 



I-, common prefix 0/ past participles ; see 

Y-. 
Icched, //. itched, A 3682. 
Ich,//w/. I, T. i. 678, iii. 1818. 
I-comen, //. come, T. iii. 1668. 
Idus, s.pl. ides, F 47. 
Ignotum, s. an unknown thing, G 1457. 

Lat. ignotum, an unknown thing ; comp. 

ignotius, a less known thing. 
I-graunted, //. granted, T. iv. 665. 
I-halowed, pp. view-hallooed (of the 

hart), 3. 379. 
Ik, I, A 3867, 3888. 

II, adj. evil, A 4174. (A Northern word.) 
Il-hayl, bad luck (to you), A 4089. (A 

Northern form.) 
like, adj. same, very, A 64, 175 ; that 

Hike, that same, B 3663 ; ilke same, very 

same, L. 779. 
Imaginatyf , adj. ; No-thing list him to 

been imaginatyf = it did not at all 

please him to imagine, he did not care 

to think, F 1094. 
Imagining, s. plotting, A 1995 ; fancy, 

18. 36. 
Imperie, s. government, rank, B 2. p 6. 13. 
Impertinent, adj. irrelevant, E 54. 
Impes, //. grafts, scions, B 3146. A. S. 

imp. 
Impetren, //•. //. impetrate, ask for, B 5. 

p 3. 225. 
Importable, adj. insufferable, B 3792, E 

1 144. 
Impossible, adj. impossible, T. i. 783; 

as s., thing impossible, D 688. 
Impressen, v. imprint, T. iii. 1543 ; im- 
print (themselves), find an impression, 

E 1578 ; /;■. //. make an impression 

(upon), G 1071. 
Impressioun, s. remembrance, F 371 ; //. 

notions, HF. 39. 
In, s. dwelling, house, A 3547, 3622; inn, 

B 4216; lodging, B 1097. 
In, prep, in, A 3, &c. ; into, B 119 ; = come 

within, 20. 6; on, I 105; against, I 695. 
In manus tuas, into Thy hands (1 commend 

my spirit), A 4287. 
In principle, in the beginning, A 254, B 

4353. Part of St. John, i. 1. 



C4 



58 



(^lossartal hxiitx. 



Inde, adj. indigo, dark blue'R. 67. 
Indeterminat, adj. not marked upon the 

A^trolalje, A. ii. 17. rubric. 
Indifferently, adv. impartially, B 5. p 3. 

142. 
Induracioun, s. hardening, G 855. 
Inequal, adj. unequal, A 2271 ; Inequales, 

//. of varying length ; hoiircs inequales, 

hours formed by dividing the duration 

of daylight by twelve, A. ii. 8. I. 
Infect, adj. of no effect, A 320; dimmed, 

B 4. m 5. 12. 
In-f ere, adv. together, B 328, D 924. Orig. 

in fere, in company. 
Infoftunat, adj. unfortunate, unlucky, 

inauspicious, B 302. 
Infortune, f. misfortune, ill fortune, T. 

iii. 1626, iv. 185. 
Infortiined, pp. ill-starred, T. iv. 744. 
Infortuning, j. unlucky condition, A. ii. 

4-43- 
Ingot, s. a mould for pouring metal into, 

G 1206, i2og. 
Inhelde, imp. s. pour in, infuse, T. iii. 44. 
Injure, s. injury, T. iii. 1018. 
In-knette, //. s. knit up, drew in, T. iii. 

1088. 
Inly, adv. inwardly, intimately, ex- 
tremely, greatly, T. i. 140; exquisitely, 

3. 276. 
In-mid. prep, amid, HF. 923. 
Inmortal, adj. immortal, T. i. 103. 
Inne, dat. of In, s. 
Inne, adv. in, within, T. i. 387, 821. 
Inned, pp. housed, lodged, A 2192. 
Inobedience, ,v. disobedience, I 391. 
Inobedient, adj. disobedient, I 392. 
Inordinate, adj. unusual, I 414. 
Inpacience, .f. impatience, B 2734. 
Inpacient, adj. impatient, B 2730. 
Inparfit, adj. imperfect, B 3. p 10. 18. 
Inplitable, adj. intricate, impracticable, 

B I. p 4. 90. 
Inpossible, s. impossible thing, F 1009. 
Inset, pp. implanted, B 2. p 3. 19. 
Inspired, pp. quickened, A 6. 
Instable, adj. unstable, E 2057. 
Instance, j^. suggestion, T. ii. 1441 ; urgent 

request, E 161 1. 
Intendestow, dost thou intend, T. v. 478. 
Intervalle, s. interval, B 2724. 
In-til, prep, unto, as far as, R. 624. 
Into, prep, unto, B 2423. 
Intresse, s. interest, 10. 71. 
In-Tvith, prep, within, in, B 1794, 2159, 

E 870, 1394, 1586, 1944. 
Ipocras, a kind of cordial drink, E 1807. 

Named after Hippocrates. 



Ipocrite, s. hypocrite, R. 414. 

Ire, s. irritability, R. 314; quickness of 

temper, I 665 ; anger, A 1997. 
Irous, adj. angry, B 2315, D 2014. 
Irreguler, adj. asinner against his orders, 

I 782. 
Is, I pr. s. am (Northern), A 4031, 4045, 

4202; 2/r. s. art (Northern), A 4089. 
Issest, ipr. s. issuest, B 3. p 12. 168. 
Issue, s. outlet, vent, T. v. 205. 
It am I, it is I, A 1736. 
I-wis, adv. certainly, truly, verily, 6. 48. 



Jade, v. a jade, i. e. miserable hack, B 4002. 
Jagounces, //. garnets (w-rubies), R.I 1 17. 
Jalous, ,;(//. jealous, A 1329. 
Jalousye, s. jealousy, A 3294. 
Jambeux, s. pi. leggings, leg-armour, B 

2065. From F.Janibe, the leg. 
Jane, s. a small coin of Genoa, B 1925, 

E999. 
Jangle, v. chatter, prate, T. ii. 666. 
Janglere, s. story-teller, jester, babbler, 

A 560; talkative person, H 343. 
Jangleresse, j. (female) chatterbox, 

prattler, D 638. 
Janglerye, .?. gossip, T. v. 755 ; talkative- 
ness, B 2252. 
Jangles, .v. pi. idle pratings, HF. i960; 

disputes, arguments, D 1407. 
Janglinge, s. chattermg, idle talking, 

I 649. 
Jape, ,f. jest, trick, A 3390, 3799, 4201 ; jest, 

foolish conduct, D 1961 ; laughing-stock, 

HF. 414. 
Jape, V. jest, T. i. 929; ger. to jest, L. 

1699; H 4; Japedest, 2pt. s. didst jest, 

T. i. 508, 924; //. tricked, A 1729. 
Japere. s. jester, T. ii. 340; mocker, I 89. 
Japerie, j. buffoonery, I 651 ; jesting 

mood, E 1656. 
Jape-worthy, adj. ridiculous, B 5. p 3. 

148. 
Jargon, s. talk, E 1848. 
Jargoning, s. jargoning, chattering, R. 

716. 
Jaunyce, s. jaundice, R. 305. 
Jeet, f. ji't, B 4051. 

Jelous. adj. jealous, suspicious, 4. 140. 
Jet. c. fashion, mode, A 682. 
Jeupardyes, s. pi. problems (at chess) , 

3. 666. 
Je^verye, s. Jewry, Jews' quarter, B 1679. 
Jo, V. take effect, come about, T. iii. 33. 

O. V.Joer (F.Jouer). 
Jogelour, s. juggler, D 1467 ; //. R. 764. 



(glossarial IlntiEi. 



59 



Jogelrye, s. jugglery, F 1265. 

Jolif, adj. joyful, merry, R. 109, A 3355 ; 

in good spirits, B 4264 ; jovial, R. 435 ; 

frisky, A 4154 ; pretty, R. 610. 
Jolily, adv. merrily, A 4370. 
Jolitee, s. sport, amusement, merriment 

A 1807 ; joviality, jollity, mirth, R. 616 

enjoyment, F 344; comfort, A 680 

excellence, H 197; happiness, HF. 682 
Joly, adj. full of merriment, D 456 

jolly, joyous, R. 620; delightful, L. 176 

festive, B 11S5. See Jolif. 
Jolyer, adj. comp. handsomer, F 927. 
Jolyf ; see Jolif. 
Jolynesse, s. festivity, F 289 ; amusement, 

U 926. 
Jolytee ; see Jolitee. 
Jompre, imp. s. jumble, T. ii. 1037. 
Jordanes, pi. chamberpots, C 305. 
Jossa, down here, A 4101. O. F. jos, 

down ; fa, here. 
Jouken, v. slumber, T. v. 409. O. F. 

joquicr, jouquier, etre en repos, jucher. 
Journee, s. day's work, R. 579; day's 

march, A 2738 ; journey, E 783. 
Jowes, s. pi. jaws, B i. p 4. 107 (where 

the Latin text has faucibus) ; jaws, 

jowls, HF. 1786 (riming with clowes, 

claws). 
Joynture, j. union, B 2. p 5. 51. 
Jubbe, 5. vessel for holding ale or wine, 

A 3628, B 1260. (It held 4 gallons.) 
Judicial, adj. judicial, A. ii. 4. 59. 

yudicial astrology pretended to forecast 

the destinies of men and nations ; 

natural astrology foretold natural events, 

such as the weather and seasons. 
Juge, s. judge, A 814; umpire, A 1712, 

1864. 
Juge, s. judge ; but an error for jug, 

a yoke, I 898. Belial is explained to 

mean ' absque iugo,' in the Vulgate. 
Juge, I pr. s. judge, decide, 5. 629; //. 

HF. 357. 
Jug'ement, s. judgement, decision, A 

778 ; opinion, B 1038; sentence, 5. 431. 
Juggen, V. judge, T. ii. 21 ; deem, T. 

V. 1203 ; imp.pl. judge ye, T. iii. 1312. 
Juparte, 2 pr. pi. jeopard, imperil, en- 
danger, T. iv. 1566. 
Jupartye, s. jeopardy, peril, hasard, T. 

ii. 465, 772. 0.¥. jeu parti (Lat. iocus 

partitas), a divided game. 
Just, adj. just, exact, correct, D 2090. 
Juste, V. joust, tourney, tilt, A 96, 2604. 
Justes, s. pi. as sing, a jousting-match, 

A 2720. 
Justing, J. jousting, L. 1115. 



Justyse, s. judge, B 665, C 289. 
Justyse, s. judgement, condemnation, i. 

142; administration of justice, C 587. 
Juyse, J', justice, judgement, B 795 ; sea- 

tence, A 1739. O.Y.juise. 



K. 



Kalender, s. calendar, almanack, A. i. 

II. I ; hence, a complete record of exam- 
ples, L. 542 ; ;*/. I. 73. 
Kalendes, i. e. beginning, introduction, 

T. v. 1634. (Because the Kalends fall 

on theyf«/ of the month.) 
Karf, //. s. ^/"Kerve. 
Kaynard, s. dotard, D 235. O. F. caig- 

nard, cagnard, sluggard. 
Kecche, v. catch, clutch, T. iii. 1375. 
Kechil, s. small cake, D 1747. O. E. 

coecil, small cake. 
Keep, s. care, heed, notice (only in the 

phrase take keep); tak keep, take notice, 

D431. 
Keep, imp. s. take care ! mind ! A 4101. 
Kek ! interj. (represents the cackle of a 

goose) , 5. 499. 
Kembe, ger. to comb, R. 599; pr. s. E 

2011 ; Kembde, pt. s. F 560; Kempte, 

//. s. A 3374; Kembd, //. combed, 

trimmed, A 2143. 
Kempe, adj. pt. shaggy, rough, A 2134. 

Cf. Icel. kampr, beard, moustaches, 

whiskers of a cat; and see Camp, s. (4) 

in the New E. Diet. 
Ken, J. kin, kindred, men, 3. 438. (A 

Kentish form.) 
Kene. adj. keen, eager, 21. 6; cruel, 10. 

27 ; bold, B 3439 ; sharp, A 2876. 
Kene, adv. keenly, 6. 63 ; xi. 3. 
Kenne, v. discern, HF. 498. 
Kepe, V. take care (of), A 130; keep, 

preserve, L. 384 ; I pr. s. care, L. 1032 ; 

intend, T. i. 676 ; regard, reck, A 2238 ; 

/ kepe han, I care to have, G 1368 ; //'. 

s. subj. may (He) keep, F 889; pt. s. 

E 223; retained, A 442; took care of, 

A 415, 512, B 269; imp. s. take care! 

A 4101 ; imp.pl. keep ye, B 764. 
Kepe, s. heed (only in the phrase take 

kepe or take keep) ; I take kepe, 3. 6. 
Keper, s. keeper, i. e. prior, A 172. 
Kerchief, finely woven loose covering, 5. 

272; kerchief, B 837. 
Kers, s. cress ; thing of small value, A 

3756. 
Kerve, v. carve, cut, T. ii. 325, F 158;. 

Karf, //. s. carved, A 100; cut, B 3647^ 



6o 



(glossarial hxOtx. 



3791; Corven, //. cut, A 2696; carved, 
HF. 1295 ; slashed, A 3318. 

Kerver, s. carver, A 1899. 

Kervingr, s. carving, A 1925 ; cutting, 
crossing over, A i. 19. 4. 

Kervingr-toles, s. pi. tools to cut with, 
T. i. 632. 

Kesse, v. kiss, E 1057 ; Keste, pt. s. Y 350. 
(A Kentish form.) See Kissen. 

Kevere, v. to recover, T. i. 917 ; //. 
covered, HF. 275, 352. 

Keye, s. G 1219; key {in place ^i/rudder), 
B 3. p 12. 80. Chaucer has translated 
clauo (rudder), as if it were claue (key). 

Kichenes, //. kitchens, D 869. 

Kid, Kidde ; see Kythen. 

Kike, V. kick, D 941. 

Kimelin, s. a large shallow tub, A 3548, 
3621. 

Kin, s. kindred, R. 268 ; sojn kin, of some 
kind. B 1137 ; alles kinnes, of every kind, 
HF. 1530. 

Kinde, s. nature, R. 412, 1699; race, 
lineage, stock, D noi ; seed, I 965; the 
natural world, HF. 584; natural bent, 
F 608, 619; natural disposition, HF. 43; 
natural ordinance, 3. 494 ; kind, species, 
5. 174; of k., by nature, naturally, F 
768 ; pi. sorts, HF. 204. 

Kinde, adj. kind, A 647 ; natural, HF. 
834. 836. 

Kinde, adv. kindly, 7. 267. 

Kindely, adj. natural, HF. 842. 

Kindely, adv. by nature, D 402; natu- 
rally, HF. 832. 

Kindenesse, s. kindness, 4. 298 ; love, 
devotion, L. 665. 

Kinges note, the name of a tune, A 3217. 

Kinrede, s. kindred, B 2558; relations, 
A 1286; birth, A 2790; family, L. 2094. 

Kirtel, s. kirtle, A 3321. A kirtle usually 
means a short skirt with a body. 

Kissen, v. kiss, L. 761 ; Kiste, pt. pi. R. 
788; kist they been, they have kissed 
each other, B 1074. See Kesse. 

Kitte, pt. 5. cut, B 600, 1761. 

Knakkes, s. pi. tricks, I 652 ; contempti- 
ble ways, 3. 1033. 

Knarre, s. a thickset fellow, sturdy churl, 

A 549- 
Knarry, adj. gnarled, A 1977. 
Knave, s. boy, servant-lad, page, R. 886; 

man-servant, servant, L. 1807 ; peasant, 

D 1 190; Knave child, male child, B 715. 
Knavish, adj. rude, H 205. 
Knede, v. knead, A 4094 ; Kneden, //. 

kneaded, R. 217. 
Knet, Knette; see Knitte. 



Knettinge, s. chain, B 5. p i. 39. 
Knightly, adv. bravely, L. 2085. 
Knitte, ger. to knit, I 47 ; 2 /;•. s. rejl. 

joinest (thyself), art in conjunction, B 

307 ; Knit, //. L. 89; conjoined, 5. 381 ; 

agreed, F 1230; wedded, F 986; joined 

in love, 4. 50; Knet,//. R. 1397. 
Knittinges, pi. connections, B 5. m 3. 18. 
Knohbes, //. large pimples, A 633. 
Knoppe, s. bud, R. 1702. 
Knotte, s. knot, gist of a tale, F 401, 407. 
Knotteles, adj. without a knot, T. v. 769. 
Knotty, adj. covered with knots, A 1977. 
Knowe, dat. knee, T. ii. 1202. 
Kno'we, v. know, A 382; Knowestow, 

thou knowest, A 3156; Knewe, ■z pt. s. 

knewest, 10. 21; Knew, //. s. A 240; 

Knewe, i //. s. subj. could know, F 466 ; 

Knewe, //. //. D 1341 ; Knewe, pt. s. 

subj. were to know, R. 282; Knowen,//. 

known, L. 421 ; shown, B 2702; Knowe, 

//. known, L. 1382. 
Kno'wing, s. knowledge, R. 1699; con- 
sciousness, 6. 114. 
Kno'winge, adj. conscious, B 3. p 11. 168 ; 

Knowinge with me, i. e. my witnesses, 

B I. p 4. 50. 
Knowleciaeth. //-. s. acknowledges, B 

2964. 
Knowleching, s. knowing, knowledge, 

G 1432; cognition, B 5. p 5. 3. 
Konning, s. cunning, skill, F 251. 
Konninge, adj. skilful, T. i. 302. 
Kukkow ! int. cuckoo I 5. 499. 
Kyken, pr. pi. peep, A 3841 ; //. gazed, 

A 3445. I eel. kikja, Swed. kika. 
Kyn, //. kine, cows, B 4021. 
Kyndely, adj. natural, 3. 761. 
Kyndely, adv. naturally, by nature, 3. 

778. 
Kyte. s. kite (bird), A 1179. 
Kythe, v. shew, shew plainly, display, 

F 748 ; declare to be, 7. 228 ; shew, 10. 

63 ; pr. s. shews, L. 504 ; Kidde, pt. s. 

shewed, T. i. 208 ; Kid, //. made known, 

L. 1028 ; known, 9. 46 ; Kythed, pp. 

shewn, G 1054; Kythe, pr. s. subj. may 

shew, B 636; Kyth, imp. s. shew, T. iv. 

538; display, T. iv. 619; HF. 528; 

Kytheth, imp.pl. 4. 298. 

L. 
Laas ; see Las. 
Labbe, s. blab, tell-tale, A 3509. 
Labbing, pres. part, blabbing, babbling, 

E 2428. 
Label, 5. the narrow revolving rod or 



t^lossarial Intfi. 



6i 



rule on the front of the astrolabe, A. i. 

22. I. 

Ldborous, adj. laborious, D 1428. 

Lacche, s. snare, springe, R. 1624. 

Lace ; see Las. 

Laced, pp. laced up, A 3267. 

Lacerte, s. a fleshy muscle, A 2753. 

Lache, adj. lazy, dull, B 4. p 3. 132. 

Lachesse, s. laziness, I 720. 

Lacings, s. lacing ; with layneres /., with 
the fastening up of straps, A 2504. 

Lad, Ladde ; see Lede. 

Lade, ger. to load, cover, T. ii. 1544. 

Lady,^<?//. lady's, A 88, 695. 

Laft, Lafte ; see Leve. 

Lak, s. want, defect, lack, 3. 958 ; blame, 
dispraise, L. 298 a ; Lakke, dat. lack, 
want, 5. 87, 615 ; loss, F 430 ; ace. fault, 
E 2199. 

Lake, s. a kind of fine white linen cloth, 
B 2048. The word probably was im- 
ported from the Low Countries, as 
laken is a common Dutch word for 
cloth or a sheet. 

Lakken, v. find fault with, disparage, 
blame, R. 284 ; pr. s. lacks, B 1437 ; pr. 
s. impers. lacks ; me lakketh, I lack, 2. 105. 

Lakking-, s. lack, stint, R. 1147. 

Lambish, adj. gentle as lambs, 9. 50. 

Lampe, s. lamina, thin plate, G 764. 
F. hiiiie, a thin plate, Lat. lamina. 

Lange, adj. long (Northern), A 4175. 

Lang6ur, s. weakness, i. 7 ; slow starva- 
tion, R. 214; B 3597; languishing, R. 
304; sickness, F iioi. 

Languisshe, v. fail, HF. 2018. 

Lapidaire, a treatise on precious stones, 
HF. 1352. 

Lappe, s. fold, lappet, or edge of a gar- 
ment, F 441, G 12; lap, A 686; a wrap- 
per, E 585. 

Lappeth, pr. s. enfolds, embraces, 4. 76. 

Large, adj. large, A 472, 753 ; great, I 705 ; 
wide, broad, R. 1351 ; liberal, bounteous, 
R. 1 168 ; at /lis /., free (to speak or to be 
silent), A 2288; free to move, HF. 745; 
af our /., free (to go anywhere) , D 322. 

Large, adv. liberally, i. 174. 

Largely, adv. fully, A 1908 ; in a wide 
sense, I 804. 

Largenesse, s. liberality, I 105 1. 

Largesse, s. liberality, R. 1150; bounty, 
B 2465 ; liberal bestower, i. 13. 

Las, s. lace, snare, entanglement, L. 600; 
net, A 2389; Laas, lace, i. e. thick string, 
A 392; band, G 574; lace (i. e. laces), R. 
843 ; Lace, snare, entanglement, 18. 50. 

Lasse, adj. comp. less, R. 118; lesser, 



A 1756; smaller, B 2262; less (time), 
A 3519; lasse and more, smaller and 
greater, i. e. all, E 67; the lasse, the 
lesser, R. 187. 
Lasse, adv. less, 3. 927 ; the las, the less, 

3- 675- 

Last, s. pi. lasts, i. e. burdens, loads, 
B 1628. A. S. hlcEst, a burden, load, 
a ship's freight. 

Laste, adj. last, 10. 71 ; atte /., at last, 3. 
364 ; lastly, A 707. 

Laste, V. endure, 4. 226; Last,//-, s. lasts, 
E 266; Laste, pt. s. lasted, B 1826; 
delayed, L. 791. 

Late, adj. late; bet thatt never is late, 
G 1410; til now late, till it was already 
late, 3. 45. 

Late, -n, let; see Lete. 

Lathe, s. barn (Northern), HF. 2140; 
A 4088. Icel. hlaSa. 

Latis, J. lattice, T. ii. 615. 

Latitude, s. (i) breadth, A. i. 21. 43; 
(2) the breadth of a climate, or a line 
along which such breadth is measured, 
A. ii. 39. 42 ; (3) astronomical, the angu- 
lar distance of any body from the ecliptic, 
measured along a great circle at right 
angles to the ecliptic, A. pr. no ; (4) ter- 
restrial, the distance of a place N. or S. 
of the equator, E 1797. 

Latoun, s. latten, a compound metal, 
like pinchbeck, containing chiefly copper 
and zinc, A 699. 

Latrede, adj. tardy, dawdling, I 718. 
A. S. latrcede. 

Latter, adv. more slowly, I 971. 

Laude, s. praise, honour, HF. 1575 ; //. 
lauds, a service held at 2 or 3 a.m., A 
3655- 

Laughe, v. laugh, A 474; Laugheth of, 
smiles on account of, A 1494; Lough, 
strong pt. s. laughed, R. 248 ; Laughede, 
zueak pt. pi. R. 863. 

Launce, v. rear, HF. 946. 

Launcegay, s. a kind of lance, B 1942, 
201 1. Originally of Moorish origin. 

Launcheth, //•. s. pushes, lets slide, D 
2145. 

Launde, s. a grassy clearing (called dale 
in 5. 327) , 5. 302 ; glade, plain surrounded 
by trees, A 1691. 

Laure, s. laurel-tree, HF. 1107. 

Laureat, adj. crowned with laurel, B 
3886, E 31. 

Laurer, s. laurel-tree, 5. 182. 

Laurer-crouned, laurel-crowned, 7. 43. 

Lauriol, s. spurge-laurel. Daphne Lau- 
reola, B 4153. 



62 



(©lossarial Inlici. 



Laus, adj. loose, B 4. p 6. 147. 

Laven, ger. to exhaust, B 4. p 6. 14 ; 
Laved, pp. drawn up, B 3. m 12. 125. 
A. S. lafian. 

Lavender, s. laundress, L. 358. 

Laverokkes, pi. sky-larks, R. 662. 

Lavours,//. basins, D 287. 

Laxatif , adj. as s. looseness, A 2736 ; s. 
laxative, B 4133. 

Lay (1), s. song, lay, B 1959; Layes, //. 
songs, F 710, 712, 947. 

Lay (2), s. law; hence belief, faith, T. i. 
340 ; creed, L. 336. 

Layneres, pi. straps, thongs, A 2504. 
O. V . laniere ; mod. E. lanyard. 

Layser, s. leisure, T. ii. 227. 

Liazar, s. leper, A 242. 

Leche, s. physician, A 3904, C 916. 

Lechecraft, s. art of medicine, T. iv. 436 ; 
skill of a physician, A 2745. 

Lecher, j. healer, B 4. p 6. 238. 

Lechour, s. lecher, B 1935. 

Lede, v. lead, T. i. 259 ; carry, T. iv. 1514 ; 
lead, take, L. 2021 ; draw, R. 1608 ; 
govern, B 434 ; lead (his life), R. 1321 ; 
lead, R. 1129; Lede,,^^^. to lead, spend, 
F 744 ; to guide, R. 400 ; Let, pr. s. leads, 
T. ii. 882; Ladde, pi. s. led, R. 581; 
brought, 7. 39; carried, L. 114; con- 
ducted, B 3747; continued, R. 216; 
Ladden, //. //. led, R. 1310; Ledden, 
p(. pi. 9. 2 ; Ladde, pt. pi. B 3920 ; Lad, 
//. led, L. 1 108, 1948; brought, A 2620; 
conducted, A 4402; carried, L. 74. 

Leden, adj. leaden, G 728. 

Ledene, s. {dal.) language, talk, F 435, 
478. 

Leed, s. lead (metal) , HF. 739, 1448, 1648 ; 
a copper, or caldron, A 202. 

Leef , adj. lief, A 1837 ; dear, R. 103 ; pre- 
cious, G 1467 ; lief, pleasing, T. v. 1738 ; 
pleasant, R. 1688 ; yow so leef, so desired 
by you, C 760; that leef me were, which 
I should like, HF. 1999; Leve, def. dear 
(one), A 3393; vocative, HF. 816; Lefe, 
adj. fern. voc. HF. 1827 ; Leve, pi. dear, 
T. iv. 82, v. 592. 

Leef, adj. as s. what is pleasant ; for I. ne 
looth, for weal nor for woe, Ll. 1639; 
what is dear (to him), T. iv. 1585; be- 
loved one, lover, lady-love, T. iii. 3. 

Leef, s. leaf, L. 72 ; Leves, //. leaves, R. 
56 ; (of a book) , D 790. 

Leefful ; see Leveful. 

Leefsel, s. the ' bush ' or leafy bundle (as 
a sign) , at a tavern-door, I 411 ; Levesel, 
arbour of leaves, A 4060. Cf. Swed. 
lofsal, a hut made of green boughs. 



Leek, s. leek, R. 212 ; a thing of no value, 

G795- 
Leen, hup. s. of Lene. 
Leep (le6p), ;>/. s. of Lepe. 
Lees (les6), s. leash, G 19; snare, 7. 233. 
Lees, adj. untrue, R. 8. 
Lees (166s), s. deceit, fraud; a shrewed 

lees, a wicked fraud, L. 1545 ; withouten 

lees, without deceit, verily, H¥. 1464. 
Lees, pt. s. of Lese. 
Leeste, adj. sup. least, B 2513; atte I. 

weye, at the very least, A 1121. 
Leet, //. s. of Lete. 
Lef, imp. s. of Leve (leave). 
Lefe, adj. fern. voc. dear, HF. 1827, 
Leful ; see Levefiil. 
Leg-ge, -n; see Leye, v. 
Leide, \pt. s. of Leye. 
Leigh, //. s. of Lye (2). 
Lekes, //. leeks, A 634. 
Lemes, pi. flames, B 4120. A. S. leoma. 
Lemman, j. masc. (male) lover, sweet- 
heart, A 4240, 424.J ; fern, (female) lover, 

lady-love, A 3278, 3280 ; concubines, I 903. 
Lendes, //. loins, A 3237, 3304. A. S. 

lenden, pi. lendenu. 
Lene, adj. lean, thin, R. 218,444; weak, 

T. ii. 132. 
Lene, ger. to lend, give, A 611 ; Lene, 

imp. s. lend, B 1376 ; Leen, imp. s. give, 

A 3082. A. S. lanan. 
Lene, v. lean, incline, B 2638. 
Leng, adv. longer; ever I. the wers, the 

worse, the longer it lasts, A 3872. 
Lenger, adj. longer, L. 450, 2025. 
Lenger, adv. longer, B 374, 2122, 3709; 

ever the I., the longer, the more, 7. 129 ; 

ever I. the more, E 687. 
Lengest, adv. sup. longest, 5. 549. 
Lente, s. Lent-season, D 543. 
Lenvoy, s. I'envoy, i. e. the epilogue or 

postscript addressed to the hearers or 

readers, E 1177 {rubric). 
Leonesse, s. lioness, L. 805. 
Leonyn, adj. lionlike, B 3836. 
Leos, J. people, G 103, 106. Gk. Aecis. 
Leoun, s. lion, L. 627, 829 ; Leon, the 

sign Leo, F 265. 
Lepd,rt, s. leopard, A 2186; Libardes, //. 

R. 894. 
Lepe, v. run, A 4378 ; leap, L. 2008 ; Lepe 

up, V. leap up, HF. 2150; L66p, //. s. 

leapt, A 2687. 
Lere, s. flesh, skin, B 2047. Properly the 

muscles, especially the muscles of the 

thigh, which special sense is perfectly 

suitable here. A. S. lira, flesh, muscle. 
"LjerByger. (i) to teach, 7. 98; z/. teach, T.iv. 



(ilossarial Intiei. 



63 



441 ; (2) to learn, T. v. 161 ; L,eve,^er. to 

learn, find out, D 909; here, pr. pi. (i) 

teach, 5. 25; (2) learn, F 104; Lered, />/. 

(2) learnt, T. iii. 406. 
Lered, adf. instructed, learned, C 283; 

A. S. Idred. 
Lerne, v. learn, A 308, D 994; Lerned of, 

taught by, G 748. (Chaucer here uses 

the word wrongly, as in mod. provincial 

English.) 
Lese, s. dat. pasture, T. ii. 752 ; HF. 1768. 

A. S. IcBs. 
Lese, V. lose, A 1215, 1290; Lese me, v. 

lose myself, be lost, 5. 147 ; Lees, //. s. 

lost, L. 945 ; Leseth, imp. pi. B 19 ; 

Loren,/^. lost, L. 1048; Lorn, />/. lost, 

T. i. 373, iii. 1076, iv. 1613; forlorn, 

wasted, R. 366. 
Lesing, s. falsehood, lie, HF. 2089; G 

479; Lesinges, pi. lies, deceits, R. 2; 

lying reports, HF. 2123. 
Lesinge, s. loss, 1 1056; Lesing, A 1707; 

for leshige, for fear of losing, B 3750. 
Lessoun, s. lesson, lection, A 709. 
Lest, J. pleasure, 3. 908; delight, A 132; 

desire, E 619; inclination, HF. 287; 

Lestes,//. desires, HF. 1738. A Kentish 

form; for lust. 
Lest,//-. J-. impers. (it) pleases, L. 1703; 

(it) pleases (me), D 360; Thee lest, it 

pleases thee, 5. 114; Lesteth, (it) pleases, 

L. 480 a\ Leste,//. J. impers. (it) pleased, 

T. V. 517; pers. was pleased, T. iii. 452; 

Leste,/ir. s. subj. (it) may please, L. 1338 ; 

As yow leste, as it may please you, L. 

449; (it) would please, F 380; ffer leste, 

it should please her, 5. 551. Kentish 

forms. 
Leste, adj. superl. least, T. i. 281 ; at the 

I., at least, 3. 973 ; atte I., at least, B 38 ; 

Leste, as s., the least one, 3. 283 ; at the 

leeste iveye, at any rate, E 966. 
Let, pr. s. of Lede. 
Lete, V. let, B 3524; let, leave, A 1335; 

give up, let go, T. v. 1688 ; forsake, T. 

iv. 1199; let alone, leave, D 1276; quit, 

I. 72; give up, lose, G 406; omit, depart 

from, 5. 391; Lete of, ger. to leave off, 

18. 52 ; Leten, v. let, L. 2107 ; give up, R. 

1690 ; forsake, T. iv. 1556 ; Leten, ger. to 

let go, T. i. 262 ; Late, v. let, T. iii. 693 ; 

Laten, v. let, A 3326; Lete, i /;-. s. leave, 

7. 45; Let, pr. s. lets go, repels, 5. 151; 

V.A.\,pr. s. lets, permits, '1". iv. 200;' Lete, 

2 pr. pi. abandon, B 2505 ; Le6t, pt. s. 

let, A 128; let go, A 1206; allowed, HF. 

243 ; left off, A 3311 ; left, A 508 ; caused, 

permitted, B 373; caused, B 2194; 



caused (to be) , B 959 ; leet . . . fecche, 
commanded (men) to fetch, D 2064; Icet 
don cryeti, caused to be proclaimed, F 
45 ; leet make, caused to be made, B 
3349; leet biiide, caused to be bound, B 
1810; Let, //. s. caused, L. 2624; let 
fii//^, caused to be called, L. 1684; let, 5. 
279; Lete, //.//. let, B 3898; Lete, //. .f. 
suhj. were to let, T. iii. 1762 ; Leet, imp. 
s. let, C 731; Lat, imp. s. let, i. 79, 84; 
let alone, give up, T. ii. 1500 ; Lat be, let 
be, do away with, A 840; let me alone, 
A 3285 ; give up, HF. 992 ; Lat do, cause, 
C 173 ; Lat take, take, G 1254, H 175 ; 
Lat see, let us see, A 831 ; Lat goon, let 
slip (the dogs) , L. 1213 ; Laten blood,//, 
let blood, A 4346. A. S. Icetan. 

Lette, s. hindrance, T. i. 361 ; delay, T. 
iii. 235. 

Lette, V. hinder, T. ii. 732; prevent, L. 
732 ; oppose, stay, B 3306 ; cause delay, 
B 1117; wait, B 1440; tarry, B 4224; 
stop, desist, B 4279; cease, R. 279; Letten, 
ger. to put obstacles in the way (of) , to 
decline (from), A 1317; Let,//-, s. pre- 
vents, B 3. p 10. 162; Lette,//-. s. subj.; 
lette him no man, god forbede, God forbid 
that any should hinder him, T. iii. 
545; Letted, pt. s. hindered, A 1891 ; 
was hindered, B 2591; Letteth, itnp.pl. 
hesitate, T. ii. 1136. 

Lette-game, s. 'let-game,' one who hin- 
ders sport, T. iii. 527. 

Lettres,//. letters (^also as sing, a letter), 

B736; 5- 19- 
Lettrure, s. learning, B 3486; book-lore, 

B 3686. 
Letuarie, s. electuary, remedy, C 307; 

//. electuaries, A 426. Lat. electuarium. 
Le"ve, dear; see Leef. 
Leve, s. leave, B 1637,0 908; permission, 

L 22S1 ; bisyde hir leve, without her 

leave, T. iii. 622. 
Leve (i), ^'. leave, E 250; let alone, G 714; 

let go, 3. iiii; go away, 5. 153; leave 

alone, T. i. 688 ; ger. to leave off, T. i. 

686 ; to forsake, G 287 ; Leve, i pr. s. 

leave, 2. 50; Leveth, pr. s. remains, 3. 

701 ; Lafte, i pt. s. left, C 762 ; Lefte, le'ft 

off, F 670; Laften, //. //. L. 168; Left, 

//. omitted, I 231 ; Laft, //. left, L. 

1260 ; Leef, imp. s. leave, T. iv. 852 ; 

leave (it) alone, T. v. 1518 ; Lef, imp. s. 

forego, D 2089 ; Leve, imp, s. leave, A 

1614 ; Leveth, imp. pi. leave, C 659. 

A. S. lafan. 
Le-ve (2) , V. believe, 5. 496 ; L. 10 ; ger. to 

be believed, HF. 708; Levestow, be- 



64 



(glossarial JlntJei. 



lievest thou, G 212 ; Leveth, imp. pi. 
believe, 6. 88. A. S. le/an, lyfaii. 

Leve {'i^,ger. to allow, L. 2280; godleve, 
God grant, L. 2083, 2086. A. S. lefan, 
fy/an. 

Leveful, adj. allowable, A 3912; per- 
missible, D 37; Leefful, allowable, I 41, 
917; Leful, permissible, T. iii. 1020. 

Levene, s. flash of lightning, D 276. 

Lever, adj. comp. liefer, rather ; tne were 
lever, I had rather, T. i. 1034, iii. 574 ; 7ne 
nis lever, L. 191 ; tkee were I., thou hadst 
rather, B 2339 ; him was /., A 293 ; him 
were I., L. 2413; have 1 1., I would rather. 
T. ii. 471 ; F 1360 ; hadde I /., D 168 ; 
hath I., F 692 ; hadde I., L. 1536 ; had hir 
I., she would rather, E 444; him had 
be /., he would rather, A 3541. 

Levesel ; see Leefsel. 

Levest, sup. dearest, most desirable, HF. 
87. 

Lewed, adj. ignorant, A 502, 574 ; un- 
learned, C 2B3; unskilled, rude, HF. 
1096; wicked, foolish, F 1494; wanton, 
E 2129. A. S. IcBwed. 

Lewedly, adv. simply, HF. 866 ; igno- 
rantly, B 47 ; ill, G 430. 

Le'wednesse, j. ignorance, ignorant be- 
haviour, D 1928. 

Ley, lied ; pt. s. of Lye. 

Leye, v. lay, 4. 205 ; lay, cause to lie, T. 
iii. 659; lay a wager, HF. 674; pledge, 
T. iii. 1605 ; Leyn, ger. to lay up, to 
hoard, R. 184 ; Leggen, ger. to lay, A 
3269; Legge, V. A 3937; Leyth,/r. 5. A 
4229; Leith,/r. s. D 2138; Leye, \ pr.pl. 
lay out, expend, G 783; Leyn, //•. //. 
lay, H 222 ; Leyde,//. s. 3. 394; Leyde, 
2 //. //. L. 2501 ; Leyden forth, pt. pi. 
brought forward, B 213; Leyd,//. laid, 
A 3262; placed, R. 1184; overlaid, R. 
1076 ; / ^vas leyd, I had laid myself 
down, L. 208 ; Leyd, pp. laid, A 81 ; 
fixed, 3. 1146; set, 3. 1036; Ley on, lay 
on, A 2558. 

Leyser, s. leisure, R. 462; A 1188; de- 
liberation, B 2766 ; opportunity, A 3293. 

Leyt, s. flame (of a candle), I 954. A. S. 
leget, lyget, M. E. leit, lightning. 

Libardes, //. leop^irds, R. 894. 

Libel, s. written declaration, D 1595. 

Licentiat, adj. one licensed by the pope 
to hear confessions, independently of 
the local ordinaries, A 220. 

Liche, adj. like, R. 1073 ; similar, 7. 76 ; 
// liche, like it, F 62. 

Liche, adv. alike, HF. 10. 

Liche-wake , i. watch overacorpse, A 2958. 



Licoryc©, s. liquorice, R. 1368. 

Lic6ur, J. moisture, A 3; liquor, T. iv. 
520 ; Llcour, juice, C 452. 

Lief, adj. dear, A 3501 ; Lief to, glad to, 
given to, A 3510 ; cherished, E 479 ; 
goode leef my ivyf, my dear good wife, 
B 3084 ; hadde as lief, would as soon, D 
1574 ; as s. dear one, B 4069. 

Lift, adj. left (said of the left hand or 
side), R. 163. 

Lige, adj. liege, C 337; Lige man, vassal, 
L. 379 ; Liges, s. pi. vassals, L. 382 ; //. 
subjects, B 240. F. lige, from O. H. G. 
ledic (G. ledig) , free. A liege lord was a 
free lord ; in course of time his subjects 
were called lieges, from confusion with 
Lat. ligare, to bind. 

Ligeaunce, s. allegiance, B 895. 

Liggen, v. lie, B 2101 ; lAggmge, pres. pt. 
lying, T. iv. 29; Ligging, A 1611. 

Light, adj. lightsome, joyous, R. 77 ; 3. 
1 175; active, nimble, R. 832; easy, 3. 
526 ; wearing but few clothes (aAi?, fickle), 
21. 20; Lighte, //. light (of weight), 5. 
188 ; easy, A. pr. 36. 

Lighte, adv. brilliantly, R. 1109. 

Lighte, ^6'r. (i) to make light, rejoice, T. 
V. 634; to render cheerful, T. i. 293; 
alleviate, T. iii. 1082; (2) ger. to feel 
light, to be glad, F 396, 914; Lighte, 
//. s. lighted; either in the sense (i) 
lightened, made light, made happy, or 
(2) illuminated, B 1661. 

Lighte, V. alight, descend, HF. 508; //. s. 
alighted, B 786. 

Lighten, v. shine, I 1037; Lighted,//, 
brightened, i. 74; Light,//, illuminated, 
L. 2506; Lighte, imp. s. illumine, G 71. 

Lightly, adv. lightly, F 390; readily, 4. 
205; quickly, I 534; easily, T. ii. 289; 
carelessly, I 1023 ; joyfully, A 1870. 

Lightned, //. enlightened, illuminated, 
F 1050. 

Lightnesse (i), s. brightness, 5. 263. 

Lightnesse (-2), s. agility, A 3383. 

Lightsom, adj. gay, R. 936. 

Ligne, s. line, T. v. 1481. 

Ligne-aloes, wood of the aloe, T. iv. 
H37. (Properly a compound, i. e. ligne- 
aloes ; where aloes is a plural form.) 

Likerous, i/^'. lecherous, H 189; wanton, 
A 3244, 3345, E 214; gluttonous, C 540; 
greedy after indulgence, D 466; eager, 
F 1 119; very vile (Lat. neqiiissinu) , B 3. 

P 4- 31- 
Likerousnesse, s. lecherousness, D 611 ; 
licentiousness, I 430; greediness, I 377; 
eagerness, I 741 ; appetite, C 84. 



#lo00arial Intiei. 



65 



Lilting-horne, s. born to be played for 
a lilt, HF. 1223. 

Limaille ; see Ijymaille. 

Lime, s. limb, 3. 499; Limes,//. R. 830. 

Limitacioun, s. limit, D 877. 

Limitour, s. limitor, a friar licensed to 
beg for alms within a certain limit, A 
209, D 874. 

Linage, J. lineage, race, A iiio; family, 
D 1135; noble family, R. 258; high 
birth, B 3441; kinsfolk, B 2192; kin- 
dred, B 999 ; consanguinity, L. 2602. 

Lind, s. lime-tree, A 2922. 

Lipsed, p(. s. lisped, A 264. 

Lisse, s. comfort, T. v. 550; joy, T. iii. 
343; assuaging, HF. 220; solace, 3. 1040 ; 
alleviation, F 1238. A. S. /iss. 

Lissen, v. alleviate, T. i. 702; soothe, 6. 
6; Lissed, //. relieved, F 1170. A. S. 
/issi'an. 

List (i), s. pleasure, T. iii. 1303; will, 
D633. 

List (2), s. ear, D 634. A. S. A/ys/. 

List, />/-. s. impers. it pleases (usually with 
dat.), A 1021, B 521 ; me list right evel, I 
was in no mind to, 3. 239 ; you list, 
it pleases you, 11. 77; List, pr. s. 
pers. is pleased, pleases, T. i. 518, 797; 
wishes, A 3176; Listeth, pr. s. impers. 
(it) pleases, T. ii. 700; pers. pleases, is 
pleased, HF. 511; likes, F 689; Listen, 
2, pr.pl. are pleased, T. iii. 1810; Listen, 
pr. pi. list, choose, B 2234; Listen 
trete, choose to write, L. 575 ; Liste, 
pt. s. impers. (it pleased), L. 332; her 
liste, it pleased her, she cared, 7. 190; 
him liste, he wanted, 4. 92; hem liste, 
(it) pleased them, F 851. A. S. lystan. 

Listes, //. ill sing, sense, lists, a place 
enclosed for tournaments, .A 63. 

Listes, s. pi. wiles ; in his I., by means of 
his wiles, i. 85. 

Listeth, imp. pi. listen ye, B 1902. 

Litarge, s. litharge, ointment prepared 
from proto.\ide of lead, A 629 ; protoxide 
of lead, G 775. 

Litargie, s. lethargy, B i. p 2. 22. 

Lite, adj. little, I 295 ; as s., a little, T. i. 
291 ; adv. little, T. iv. 1330. 

Litestere, s. dyer, 9. 17. Icel. lita, to dye. 

Lith, s. limb (viz. of herself ), B 4065. A. S. 
liS. 

Litherly, adv. ill, A 3299. A. S. lyfjer, evil. 

Livere (i), s. liver, D 1839. 

Livers (2),.?. liver (one who lives), B 1024. 

Liveree, s. livery, A 363. 

Livinge, s. life-time, 7. 188; manner of 
life, C 107; state of life, G 322. 



Lixt, liest; see Lye (2). 

Lode, 5. load, A 2918. 

Lodemenage, s. pilotage, A 403. Lode- 
manage is the hire of a pilot, for con- 
ducting a ship from one place to another. 

Lodesmen, j. pi. pilots, L. 1488. 

Lode-sterre, s. polar star, lodestar, A 
2059. 

Lofte, dat. upper room, L. 2709; on lo/te, 
in the air, HF. 1727; aloft, B 277. 

Logge, s. resting-place, B 4043. 

Logging, s. lodging, B 4185. 

Loke, V. {weak) lock up, D 317. 

Loken, ger. to look, A 1783; v. behold, 
R. 812; Loked, //. s. looked, A 289; 
Lokeden, //. //. L. 1972 ; imp. s. see, HF. 
893 ; take heed, D 1587 ; Loke he, let 
him take heed, I 134; Loketh, imp.pl. 
behold, G 1329 ; search ye, C 578. 

Loken,//. ofstrongverb (Louken), locked 
up, B 4065. 

Loking, s. look, gaze, 3. 870; counte- 
nance, B 2332 ; glance, L, 240 ; glance (of 
the eye), A 2171 ; aspect, 4. 51; examin- 
ing, 5. no; appearance, R. 290; looks, 
F 285. 

Lokkes,//. locks of hair, A 81, 677. 

LoUer, s. a loUer, a lollard, B 1173. Loller 
(one who is sluggish) was confused with 
the name Lollard. 

Lomb, s. latnb, L. 1798. 

Lond, s. land, A 194, 400, 579; country, 
B 3548 ; upon lond, in the country, A 
702. 

Lone, J. dat. loan, B 1485 ; gift, grace, D 
1861. 

"LiOng, prep.; the ^hr^sn. wher-on . . long 
= long on wher, along of what, G 930; 
Long on, along of, because of, G 922. 

Long, adj. {before a vowel), tall, R. 817; 
pi. tall, high, R. 1384; long, A 93. 

Longe, adv. long, A 286; for a long time, 
L. 2261. 

Longe (i), V. desire, long for, L. 2260; 
yearn, T. ii. 546; Longen (2), v. belong, 
A 2278; pr. s. belongs, R. 754; (it) con- 
cerns, T. ii. 312; pr. pi. belong, F 1131 ; 
pt. s. befitted, R. 1222; Longing for, 
suitable for, F 39. 

Longes, //. lungs, A 2752. 

Longitude, j. the distance between two 
given meridians, A. ii. 39. 19; the length 
or extent of a ' climate,' in a direction 
parallel to the equator, or rather a line 
along which to measure this length ; 
A. ii. 39. 28. The longitude of a star is 
measured along the zodiac ; that of a 
town, from a fixed meridian. 



'66 



(glossarial Intiei. 



Loos, s. praise, renown, B 2834, 3036. 

O. F. /OS. 
Loos, adj. loose, A 4064, 4138 ; Lous, free, 

HF. 1286. 
Looth {166th), adj. loath, odious, A 486; 

hateful, A 3393; mn were /., it would 

displease me, B 91 ; as s., what is hate- 
ful, misery, L. 1639. 
Loothly, adj. hideous, D iioo. 
Loppe. s. a spider, A. i. 3. 6. 
Loppewebbe, s. cobweb, A. i. 21. 3. 
Lordeth,//-. s., rules over, 4. i66. 
Lordings, s.pl. sirs, C 329, 573. 
Lore, s. teaching, L. 2450; advice, T. i. 

1090; Ipsson, T. i. 645, 754; instruction, 

B 342; learning, B 761; study, G 842; 

profit, 5. 15 ; doctrine, A 527. A. S. lar. 
Lore, //. of Lese. 
Lorel, s. worthless man, abandoned 

wretch, D 273. 
Loren, //. of Lese. 
Lorer, s. laurel, R. 1379. 
Lorn, //. of Lese. 

Los (i), s. loss, A 2543; occasion of per- 
dition, D 720. 
Los (2), s. praise, renown, fame, L. 1514 ; 

report, L. 1424 ; /// her loses, in praise 

of them, HF. 1688. O. F. los. 
Losengere, s. flatterer, R. 1050;//. R. 

1056. O. F. losengeur. 
Loseng-erie, s. flattery, I 613. 
Losenges,//. lozenges, HF. 1317; small 

diamond-shaped shields, R. 893. 
Lost, s. loss, B 2. p 4. 185. 
Loth, adj. loath, 3. 8; displeasing, R. 233. 
Lotlier, adj. comp. more hateful, L. 191. 
Lothest, adj. superl. most loath, F 1313. 
Lotinge, pres.part. lurking, G 186. A. S. 

lutian, to lurk. 
Loude, adv. loudly, A 171. 
Lough, //. s. of Laughe. 
Louke, s. accomplice, A 4415. 
Loured, //. frowned, HF. 409. 
Lous, adj. loose, free, HF. 1286. 
Lousy, adj. full of lice, miserable, D 1467. 
Loute, V. bow, do obeisance, T. iii. 683; 

ger. to bow down, B 3352 ; \pt. s. stooped, 

bent, R. 1554. 
Love, s. love, A 475 ; fern, lady-love, 4. 31 ; 

voc. O my love, A 672; masc. lover, L. 

862. 
Lovedayes, ;*/. days for settling disputes 

l)v arbitration, A 258; HF. 695. 
Love-drury, s. affection, B 2085. The 

latter part of the word is O. F. drurie, 

driierie, love, passion. 
XiOveknotte, s. looped ornament, A 197. 
Loves, s.pl. loaves, B 503. 



Lovyere, s. lover, A 80. 

Lowenesse, s. lowliness, I 1080. 

Lowly, adj. humble, .\ 99. 

Luce, s. luce, pike, A 350. 

Lucre, s. lucre, gain, G 1402; lucre of 
vilanye = vile gain, B 1681. 

Lufsom, adj. lovely, T. v. 911 ; lovable,'!". 
V. 465. 

Lulleth,/;. s. lulls, soothes, B 839. 

Luna. s. the moon, G 826; a name for 
silver, G 1440. 

Lundrie, s. lunary, moon-wort, G 800. 

Lure, s. a hawk's lure, D 1340; //. entice- 
ments, L. 1371. 

Lusshebiirghes, //. spurious coin, B 
3152. Named.from the town of Luxem- 
bourg. 

Lust, s. desire, R. 1653; amusement, R. 
1287; pleasure, R. 616; delight, i. 106; 
will, desire, wish, B 188; interest in a 
story, F402; //. delights, 3. 581. A. S. 
lust. 

Lusteth,//'. 5. inipers. (it) pleases, L. 996; 
Lust, /r. J. Z^^-j. pleases, E 1344; impers. 
(it) pleases, E 322 ; Luste, //. s. pers. 
desired, G 1344; Luste,//. J. impers. it 
pleased, G 1235. 

Lustier, more joyous, G 1345. 

Lustihede, s. cheerfulness, 3. 27 ; delight, 
H 274 ; enjoyment, F 288 ; vigour, L. 
1530. 

Lustily, adv. gaily, merrily, R. 1319. 

Lustinesse, s. pleasure, jollity, A 1939; 
vigour, R. 1282. 

Lusty, adj. pleasant, gay, A 80; jocund, 
¥ 272 ; lusty, H 41 ; joyous, R. 581 ; 
happy, R. 1303 ; joyful, A 1513 ; vigorous, 
L. 1038. 

Luxures, s. pi. lusts, B 3. p 7. 12. 

Luxurie, s. lechery, B 925, C 484. 

Lyard, adj. grey, D 1563. 

Lycorys, s. liquorice, A 3690. 

Lye (i), V. lie, remain, 10.52; 'L.ye.ger. to 
lodge, D 1780; Lye . . by, v. lie beside, 
B 3470 ; Lye upright, lie on one's back, 
lie dead, R. 1604; Lystow, thou liest, H 
276; Lyth, pr. s. lies, is, remains, R. 
782; lies, 3. 146, 181; (he) lies, B 634; 
(that) lies, D 1829; remains, resides, B 
3654; lies (dead), 3. 143; Lyth therto, 
belongs here, is needed, 3. 527; Lay. 
ipt.s. lodged, A 20; was, A 538; Laye, 
pi. s. subj. would lie, T. iv. 1560; Ly, 
imp. s. T. ii. 953. 

Lye (2), V. tell lies, lie, A 763; Lixt, 2 
//-. s. liest. D 1618, 1761 ; Ley, strong 
pi. s. lied, T. ii. 1077; Lyed, weak pt. s. 
lied, A 659. A. S. leogait. 



(glassartal Intiei. 



67 



^y® (3). ^- blaze, D 1 142. A. S. lyge,s. 
flame. 

Lyer, j. liar, B 2256. 

Lyes, s.pl. lees, dregs, HF. 2130. 

Lyes, //. (i) lees; or (2) lies, D 302. 
Perhaps a double meaning is intended. 

Lyf, s. life, A 71, 2776; Lyves, ^<?«. life's, 
6. 60; of my life, 3. 920; Our present 
worldes lyves space, the space of our 
present life in the world, 5. 53 ; Lyves 
day, lifetime, L. 1624 ; Lyve, dat. L. 59 ; 
On lyve, alive, L. 1792; in his time, D 
43; Upon lyve, alive, T. ii. 1030; Of 
lyve, out of life, T. v. 1561 ; Bringe of 
lyve, cause to die, T. ii. 1608 ; My lyve, 
in my life, T. ii. 205 ; By thy lyf, during 
thy life, B 1621 ; Thy lyf, during thy 
lifetime, 17. 19; His lyve, in his life, L. 
1099; Hir lyve, in their life, D 392; 
Lyves, pi. B 3284. 

Lyflode, .5. means of living, I 685. Mod. 
E. livelihood. 

Lyfly, adv. in a lifelike way, A 2087. 

Lyke, v. please, T. i. 431 ; ger. HF. 860; 
to be liked, R. 1357; Lyketh, pr. s. 
pleases, E 103 1 ; impers. (it) pleases, E 
311, 845; us I. yoiv, it pleases us with 
respect to you, E io6 ; \^y]ie, pr. s. s/ibj. 
may please, D 1278 ; thee I. nat, it may 
not please you, L. 490 ; Lyked, pt. s. 
impers, pleased, R. 1312. 

Lyking, s. pleasure, C 455; delight, B 

3499- 
Lyking', adj. pleasing, R. 868 ; pleasant, 

R. 1416; thriving, R. 1564. 
Lyklihed, s. dat. likelihood, E 448. 
Lyklinesse, s. probability, 22. 15. 
Lykly, adj. likely, like, 16. 32. 
Lykne, \ pr. s. compare, 3. 636. 
Lyknesse, s. parable, A 2842. 
Lym. J-. lime, F 1149; quicklime, L. 649. 
Lymaille, s. filings of any metal, G 1162; 

Lymail, G 1164; Limaille, G 853. 
Lyme. .^V;^. to cover with birdlime, T. 1.353. 
Lymere, s. hound held in Icash, 3. 365. 
Lymrod, s. lime-twig, B 3574. 
Lyne, s. line, T. i. 1068 ; fishing-line, 4. 

242; line of descent, D 1135; as lyne 

right, straight as a line, T. iii. 228. 
Lyned. pp. lined, A 440. 
Lyne-right, adj. in an e.xact line, exactly 

in a line with, A. i. 21. 31. 
Lyoun, j. lion, T. iii. 1780; v. 830; 

Lyouns,;*/. R. 894. See Leoun. 
Lyst, 2 pr, s. liest, reclinest, T. ii. 991 ; 

Lystow, liest thou, H 276. 
Lytarg-ye, s. lethargy, T. i. 730. 
Lyte, adj, small, little, R. 532; slight. 



I 689; Lyte, s. a little, L. 29, 535 ; Lyte, 

pi. little, A 494. 
Lyte, adv. little, 3. 884; a little, E 935; 

in a small degree, G 632, 699; /. and I., 

by little and little, D 2235. 
Lythe, adj. easy, soft, HF. 118. 
Lythe,^!?/-. to alleviate, cheer, T. iv. 754. 
Lyve ; see Lyf. 

Lyvely, adv, in a lively way, 3. 905. 
Lyves; see Lyf. 
Lyves, adv. in life ; hence, as adj. living, 

alive, T. iv. 252; no lyves creature, no 

living creature, T. iii. 13. 

M. 

M', sometimes put fory\.& (before a vowel) ; 
as in masterte/&r me asterte. 

Ma fey, my faith ! T. iii. 52. 

Maad; //. c/Make. 

Maat, adj. dejected, B 2. p 4. 42. 

Mad, pp. made, L. 286. See Make. 

Madde, v, go mad, 4. 253; ger. to be 
furious, T. i. 479. 

Mader, s. madder, 9. 17. 

Magik, s. magic, A 416. 

Magistral, .f. magistracy, B 3. p 4. 26. 

Maheym, s. maiming, I 625. Mod. E. 
iiiaitn. 

Maille, s. mail, ringed armour, E 1202. 

Maister, s. master, B 1627 ; doctor, D 
2184; doctor (of divinity), D 1638; (as 
a term of address) , 17. i ; one in authority, 
A 261. 

Maisterful, adj. masterful, T. ii. 756. 

Maister-strete, s. main street, L. 1965. 

Maister-temple, s. chief temple, L. 1016. 

Maister-toun, s. chief town, L. 1591. 

Maister-tour, s. chief tower, F 226. 

Maistow, inayest thou, HF. 699. 

Maistresse, s. mistress, L. 88; govern- 
ess, C 106. 

Maistrye, s. mastery, great skill, A 3383 ; 
inastery, F 747, 764 ; control, B 3689, C 
58 ; superiority ; for the maistrye, as 
regards authority, A 165 ; victory, B 
3582; specimen of skill, HF. 1074; art, 
elegance, R. 842 ; a masterly operation 
(cf. F. coup de mal/re), G 1060. 

Majestee, s.; his real majestee = his royal 
majesty, i. e. high treason, B 1. p 4. 162. 

Make, s. mate, D 270, H 186; equal, 
match, A 2556 ; wedded companion, wife, 
B 700; bride, E 1882; husband, D 85. 

Make, v. make, A 184; compose, write, 
L. 69 ; ger. to compose, to write (about), 
R. 41 ; pretend to, counterfeit, T. ii. 
1522; cause (it), T. ii. 959; Makestow, 



68 



(©lossarial Entei, 



2 pr. s. B 371 ; Maketh, pr. s. causes, A 
3035; Maken, pr. pi. make, utter, A 9; 
Maked, //. s. made, A 526; Makeden, 
pt. pi. T. iv. 121 ; Made,;)/, j. subj. may 
have made, 4. 227 ; Made . . . bioght, 
caused to be brought, HF. 155; Maked, 
pp. made, A 1247 ; composed, 5. 677; 
Maad, //. made, A 394 ; Mad, pp. 3. 415. 

Makelees, adj. peerless, T. i-.- 172. 

Making, s. poetry, composition, L. 74, 

413. 4S3- 

Malapert, adj. forward, T. iii. 87. 

Male [\),s. bag, wallet, A 694, 3115. 

Male (2), s. male, D 122. 

Maleflce. s. evil contrivance, I 341. 

Mal6ncolyk, adj. melancholy, A 1375. 

MalgTe,/rtyi. in spite of, 4. 220. 

Malison, s. curse, I 443; cursing, I 619. 

Malliable, adj. malleable, such as can 
be worked by the hammer, G 1130. 

Malt, pt. s. melted, HF. 922. 

Maltalent, s. ill-will, ill-humour, resent- 
ment, R. 273, 330. 

Man, s. A 167, 209, 223 ; (used indefinitely) 
one, B 43, D 2002 ; hero, B 3331 ; servant, 
I 772; Mannes, gen. of mankind, T. ii. 
417; Men, //. men, people, 18. 26; A 
178 ; sing, (uncwphatic form tyman) , one 
(tvith sing, verb) , A 149, 232, C 675, G 392. 

Manace, ger. to threaten, E 1752. 

Manasinge, s. threatening, A 2035. 

Mandement, .f. summons, D 1346. 

Maner, s. manor, place to dwell in, 3. 1004. 

Manere, j. manner, A 858, U 1229; de- 
portment, A 140; disposition, L. 251; 
manner, way, 3. 1130; ease of behaviour, 
3. 1218 ; goodly courtesy of manner, 4. 
294; of manere, in his behaviour, F 546; 
Maner, way, 3. 433; manner, kind, sort 
{used without ol following) , as in maner 
doctrine, B 1689; pi. kinds, R. 1406. 

Manhede, s. manliness, A 1285. 

Mannish, ndj. manlike, T. i. 284; human, 
B 2454; unwomanly, B 782. 

Mannish, adv. like a man, boisterously, 
E 1536. 

Mansioun, s. dwelling, A 1974; (a term 
in astrology), F 50; mansion (of the 
moon), F 1285; pi. daily positions or 
' stations ' of the moon, F 1130. A man- 
sion of a planet is the sign (or signs) of 
the zodiac in which the planet was 
thought to be peculiarly at home. A 
mansion of the moon refers to its posi- 
tion dav by day in the sky. 

Mansuete, adj. courteous, T. v. 194. 

Mansuetude. s. meekness, I 654. 

Mantelet, s. short mantle, A 2163. 



Manye, s. mania, A 1374. 

Mappemounde, map of the world, 12. 2. 

Mapul, s. maple-tree, A 2923. 

Marble-stoon, s. piece of marble, R. 
1462. 

Marchal, j. marshal, E 1930. 

Marchandyse, s. barter, I 777. 

Marchant, s. merchant, A 270. 

Marcial, adj. warlike, T. iv. 1669. 

Marcien, adj. devoted to Mars, D 610. 

Mareys, s. marsh, D 970; Mareys, //. 
marshes, B 2. p 7. 42. 

Marie, inter/, marry, i. e. by St. Mary, G 
1062. 

Mark ( i) , j. mark, fixed spot, L. 784 ; se.v, 
race, D 696; sign, I 98. 

Mark (2), s. a piece of money, of the 
value of i3,f. 4^. in England, G 1026; //. 
Mark, C 390. 

Market-beter, s. swaggerer in a market, 
A 3936. 

Markis, s. a. marquis, E 64; ge>/. sing. 
marquis's, E 994. 

Markisesse, j-. a marchioness, E 283. 

Martyre, s. martyrdom, T. iv. 818. 

Martyreth, pr. s. torments, A 1562. 

Mary, v. marrow, pith, C 542. 

Mary-bones, s.pl. marrow-bones, A 380. 

Mase, J. maze, labyrinth, L. 2014; be- 
wilderment, T. V. 468 ; bewildering posi- 
tion, B 4283. 

Mased, adj. bewildered, B 526 ; stunned 
with grief, 7. 322. 

Masednesse, s. amaze, E 1061. 

Maselyn, s. a bowl made of maplewood, 
B 2042. 

Massedayes, pi. massdays, B 4041. 

Masse-peny , s. penny for a mass, D 1749. 

Mast, s. mast, i. e. the fruit of forest- 
trees, acorns and beech-nuts, 9. 7, 37. 

Masty, adj. fattened, sluggish, HF. 1777. 
Lit. ' fattened on mast.' 

Mat, adj. dejected, A 955 ; exhausted, T. 
iv. 342; dead, L. 126; defeated utterly, 

B 935- 

Mate, interj. checkmate ! 3. 660 ; adj. 
exhausted, 7. 176. 

Materes, //. materials (of a solid char- 
acter), G 779. 

Matrimoine, s. matriinony, A 3095, E 

1573- 
Maugre, Maugree, in spite of; as in 
niaugre al thy might, A 1607 ; maitgree 
hir eyen two, A 1796; maugree thyne yen, 
D 315 ; m. her, L. 1772 ; w. Philistiens, B 
3238 ; m. my heed, in spite of all I can 
do, 3. 1201 ; m. thyn heed, B 104; ;;/. his 
heed, .\ 1169; w. her (hir) heed, L. 2326, 



(glogsarial InQzx. 



69 



D 887; m.your heed, in spite of all you 

can do, B 4602. 
Maumet. s. idol, I 860. 
Maumetrye, s. Mahometanism, idolatry, 

B 236. Maumet is a corruption of 

Mahomet or Muhammed ; our ancestors 

wrongly held the Mahometans to be 

idolaters. 
Maunciple, s. manciple, A 544. An 

officer who purchases victuals for an 

inn or college. 
Mavis, s. song-thrush, R. 619. 
MaAve, s. maw, stomach, B 486. 
May, s. maiden, B 851. 
Mayde child, girl, B 1285. 
Maydenheed, s. maidenhood, virginity, 

D 888. 
Mayle, s. mail-armour, T. v. 1559. 
Mayntene, v. maintain, R. 1144 ; uphold, 

A 1778. 
Mayster-hunte, s. chief huntsman, 3. 

375- 
Maystres, s.pl. masters, B 3. m 2. 12. 
Maystrie, s. masterly act; No maystrie, 

an easy matter, L. 400. 
Maze, 7.pr.pl. are in a state of bewilder- 
ment, E 2387. 
Mechel, adj. much ; for as mechel, for as 

much, A. pr. 6. 
Mede (i), s. mead (drink), B 2042. See 

Meeth. 
Mede, s. (2), mead, meadow, A 89. 
Medeleth,//-. s. mingles, L. 874. 
Medeling, s. admixture, B i. p 4. 279. 
Medevre, .r, meadow, R. 128. 
Mediatours, s. pi. go-betweens, I 967. 
Media, v. mingle, HF. 2102; meddle, take 

part in, G 1184; dye {miscere), B 2. m 5. 

10; Medly, v. mingle, mix, B 2. m 5. 7; 

imp. pi. meddle, G 1424. 
Medlee, adj. of a mixed colour, A 328. 
Meed, s. reward, L. 1662 ; Mede, meed, 

reward, A 770 ; to niedes, for my meed, 

for my reward, T. ii. 1201. 
Meel-tyd, s. meal-time, T. ii. 1556. 
Meeth, s. mead, A 3261, 3378 ; Meth, A 

2279. 
Megre, adj. thin, R. 218, 311. 
Meinee ; see Meynee. 
Meke, i pr. s. humble, B 2874. 
Meke, adv. meekly, 7. 267. 
Melancolious {accented m61anc61ious), 

adj. melancholy, HF. 30. 
Mel^ncolye, s. melancholy, 3. 23. 
Mele, -f. meal (of flour), A 3995. 
Melle, s. mill, A 3923, 4242. 
Melte, V. melt, T. iv. 367 ; Malt, //. s. 

HF. 922; Molte,//. HF. 1145, 1149. 



Memorial, adj. which serves to record 
events, 7. 18. 

Memdrie, s. memory, G 339; remem- 
brance, A 31 12, B 3164. 

Men, pi. (^yMan ; also a weakened form of 
Man, in the sense of ' one,' or ' some 
one ' ; used with a singular verb. See 
Man. 

Mendinants, pi. mendicant fiiars, D 
1907, 1912. 

Mene, adj. middle, B 3. m 9. 28 ; mene 
7ohyle, mean while, G 1262; of middle 
size, T. v. 806 ; Mene, adj. pi. inter- 
mediate, 7. 286. 

Mene, s. means, way, 11, 36; middle 
course, T. i. 689; instrument, E 1671 ; 
mediator, i. 125 ; go-between, T. iii. 254; 
intermediary, I 990; the mean, L. 165; 
//. means, instruments, D 1484. 

Meneliche, adj. moderate, B i. p 6. iii. 

Menen,^^/-. to say, HF. 1104; to signify, 
B 3941 ; \pr. s. intend, A 793 ; Menestow, 
meanest thou, G 309 ; Mente, i pt. s. 
meant, intended, B 4614; purposed, 18. 
50; declared, 7. 160; Ment,//. intended, 
5- 158. 

Mene-whyle, mean time, D 1445. 

Mening, s. intent, F 151. 

Menivere, s. miniver, a fine fur, R. 227. 

Menstralcies, //. minstrelsies, HF. 1217. 

Mente, pt. t. of Menen. 

Mentes.//. plants of mint, R. 731. 

Mercenarie, s. hireling, A 514. 

Merciable, adj. merciful, B 1878, 3013. 

Mercy, j'. i. 7 ; (have) mercy, i. 36 ; gratint 
tiiercy, much thanks, 10. 29. 

Mere, s. mare, A 541 ; Mare, A 4055. 

Meridian, adj. at the moment of south- 
ing, southern, A. pr. 93. 

Meridie, s. midday, A. ii. 44. 48. 

Meridional, adj. southern, F 263. 

Merier, adj. pleasanter, sweeter, B 2024, 
4041. 

Meritorie, adj. meritorious, I 831. 

Merk, s. image, F 880. 

Merken, v. brand, B i. \i 4. 139. 

Merlion, s. merlin, small hawk, 5. 339. 

Mermaydens, sirens, R. 680, 682. 

Mersshy, adj. marshy, D 1710. 

Merveille, j. marvel, B 2736. 

Merveillous, adj. marvellous, B 1643. 

Mery, adj. merry, gay, R. 580; pleasant, 
A 235, 757; pleasant to hear, B 1 186; 
Meriemen, followers, B 2029. 

Mes ; at good mes, at a favourable distance, 
so as to have a fair shot, R. 1453. O. F. 
mes. 

Meschaunce, s. misfortune, A 2009; evil 



70 



(Slossarial Intiei. 



occurrence, T. i. 92; a miserable con- 
dition, B 3204; unfortunate conduct, C 
80; ill luck, B 4623; ill luck (to him), 
B 896; with m., with a mischief, H 

193- 
Meschief, s. misfortune, A 493, B 3513; 

trouble, mishap, A 2551 ; tribulation, H 

76. 
Mesel, J-. leper, I 624. O. F. tuesel. 
Meselrie, s. leprosy, I 625. 
Message, s. (i), message, T. iii. 401; 

errand, B 1087; (2) messenger, B 144, 

333- 
Messag-er, s. messenger, A 1491. 
Messagerye, s. a sending of messages 

(personified), 5. 228. 
Messanger, s. messenger, HF. 1568. 
Messe, s. mass, B 1413. 
Messuage, s. dwelling-house, A 3979. 
Meste, pi. most, i. e. highest in rank, 

greatest, E 131 ; at the in., at most, T. v. 

947- . r. • , 

Mester, j. service, office, occupation, A 
1340. O. F. mester ; Lat. ministerium. 

Mesurable, ;7i^. moderate, A 435 ; modest, 
I 936. 

Mesurably, adv. moderately, B 2795. 

Mesure, s. moderation, 3. 881 ; measure, 
E 256; plan, 5. 305; bym., not too much, 
3. 872; moderately, R. 543; over m., 
immeasurably, 5. 300; out of m., im- 
moderately, B 2607 ; withoute ?n., beyond 
measure, 3. 632. 

Mesuring, s. measure, R. 1349. 

Met, s. measure of capacity, I 799. 

Metamorphoseos,^6vi. s. (the book) of 
Metamorphosis ; it should be pi. Meta- 
morphoseon ; B 93. 

Mete, adj. meet, befitting, 3. 316; fit, L. 
1043 ; P^- meet, A 2291. 

Mete, s. equal, 3. 486. 

Mete, s. meat, food, A 136, 1900; meat, 
L. 1 108; repast, T. ii. 1462; eating, A 
127. 

Mete, V. meet, L. 148 ; find, 5. 698 ; to 
meet together, B 1873; Meteth, pr. s. 
meets {men being singular = c//£?), A 
1524; Mene, pt.pl. met, E 390; Metten, 
pt. pi. HF. 227 ; wel met, D 1443. 

Mete, V. dream, T. iii. 1559, iv. 1396, v. 249 ; 
Met,/!/-. 5. 5. 104, 105; Mette, i pt. s. 5. 
95 ; Me mette, i pt. s. refl. I dreamt, R. 
26; pt. s. impers. 3. 276; yifi\,pp. B 4445. 

Mete, \pr. s. (I) measure, A. ii. 41. 8. 

Metely, adj. well-proportioned, R. 822. 

Meth, s. mead (drink), A 2279. 

Meting (i), s. meeting, L. 784. 

Meting (2), s. dream, 3. 282. 



Meve, V. move, stir, T. i. 472; to him 
meved, urged against him, L. 344. 

Mewe, s. mew, i. e. coop wherein fowls 
were fattened, A 349 ; properly, a coop 
for hawks when moulting, F 643 ; 
hiding-place, T. iii. 602. 

Mewet, adj. mute, T. v. 194. 

Mexcuse,yb/- Me excuse, excuse myself, 
16. 36. 

Meynee, s. household, B 1238 ; company, 
R. 1305 ; followers, suite, retinue, re- 
tainers, household-servants, R. 615, 634 ; 
household, menials, A 1258 ; army, troop, 
B 3532; assembly, HF. 933; Meinee, 
retinue, I 437 ; troop, A 4381 ; Meiny, 
crew, L. 2201. O. F. ineisiiee, maisnee, 
household. 

Meyntenaunce, s. demeanour, 3. 834. 

Michel, adj. much, A. ii. 23. 30. 

Mid, adj. middle, 3. 660. 

Middel, s. waist, R. 1032. 

Midel, adj. neither tall nor short, 7. 79. 

Mikel, adj. great, 7. 99; much, L. 1175. 

Mile-"wey , s. & space of 5°, which answers 
to twenty minutes of time, the average 
time for walking a mile ; hence the 
term, A. i. 7. 11. 

Milksop, s. a piece of bread sopped in 
milk ; hence, a weak, effeminate man, 
B 3100. 

Milne-stones, ;*/. mill-stones, T. ii. 1384. 

Minde, s. remembrance, T. ii. 602; 
memory, B 527 ; i/i m., in remembrance, 
F 109, 607. 

Ministres, //. officers, B 4233. 

Ministreth, pr. s. administers, governs, 
B 3. m 6. 3. 

Minne, imp. s. remember, mention, 16.48. 

Minstralcye, s. minstrelsy, E 1718; 
musical instrument, H 113; sound of 
music, F 268. 

Mintinge,/r^j-. //. intending, B i. m 2. 3. 

Miracle, s. wonder, A 2675 ; legend, B 
1881 ; pleyes of m., miracle-plays, D 558. 

Mirour, s. mirror, R. 567, 1585. 

Mirre. s. myrrh, A 2938. 

Mirthe, s. pleasure, amusement, R. 601 ; 
Mirthe, Sir Mirth (personified), R. 733. 

Mirtheles, adj. sad, 5. 592. 

Mis, adj. wrong, amiss, T. iv. 1348 ; bad, 
HF. 197s; blameworthy, G 999. 

Mis, s. wrong, evil, L. 266 a. 

Mis, adv. amiss, wrongly, T. i. 934. 

Mis, I pr. s. lack, have not, 6. 47. 

Misacounted, pp. miscounted, T. v. 
1185. 

Misaunter, jr. misadventure, misfortune, 
T. 766. 



(3lo&&mal InOtx. 



J 



Misaventure, s. misadventure, mishap, 

B616; mischief, R. 422. 
Misavyse,/r.//. re^. act unadvisedly, D 

230. 
Misbileve, s. suspicion, G 1213. 
Misbileved, infidels, i. 146. 
Misboden, //. offered (to do you) evil, 

insulted, A 909. 
Misborn, p/>. misbehaved, B 3067 (lit. 

' borne amiss '). 
Miscarie, f. go amiss, A 513. 
Mischaunce, s. ill luck, R. 1548 ; mis- 
chance, R. 251; misfortune, L. 1826; io 

7nischaunce, i. e. to the devil, T. ii. 222, 

V. 359 ; how m., how the mischief, T. iv. 

1362. 
Mischeef , s. misfortune, L. 1278 ; danger, 

4. 58 ; harm, R. 253. 
Misconceyveth, pr. s. misunderstands, 

E 2410. 
Miscounting', s. fraudulent reckoning, R. 

ig6. 
Misdemeth, pr. s. misjudges, E 2410. 
Misdeparteth, //-. s. parts or divides 

amiss, B 107. 
Misdooth, pr. s. ill-treats, B 3112. 
Misdra'wing-es, s. pi. way of drawing 

aside, B 3. p 12. 107. 
Misericorde, s. (there is) mercy, pity, T. 

lii. 1 177 ; pity, B 2608. 
Mis6rie, s. misery, B 3167. 
Misese, ,r. trouble, I 806; discomfort, 

I 177; //. injuries, B i. p 4. 73. 
Misesed, pp. vexed, I 806. 
MisflUe, />/. s. subj. it went amiss (with), 

A 2388. 
Misforyaf, pt. s. misgave, T. iv. 1426. 
Misg-oon,//i. gone astray, I 80. 
Misgovernaunce, s. misconduct, B3202. 
Misgyed, pp. misconducted, B 3723. 
Mishap, s. ill luck, B 3435. 
Mishappe, v. meet with misfortune, B 

2886 ; ;*/-. s. subj. (it) may happen ill for, 

A 1646. 
Mishappy, adj. imhappy, B 2758. 
Misknowinge, j.ignorance.B 3. m 11. 27. 
Mislay, //. s. lay in an uncomfortable 

position, A 3647. 
Misledden, pt.pl. misconducted, T. iv. 48. 
Misledinges, //. misguiding ways, B 3. 

p 8. 2. 
Mislylieth,//-. s. displeases, L. 1293. 
Mislyved, pp. of ill life, treacherous, T. 

iv. 330. 
Misnaetre, pr. s. subj. scan amiss, T. v. 

1796. 
Mis-sat, //. s. was not where it should 

be, 3. 941 ; misbecame, R. 1194. 



Misse, V. fail, D 1416; draw to an end, 5. 
40; pt. s. was wanting (to), T. iii. 445; 
pp. missing, T. iii. 537. 

Mis-set, //I. misplaced, 3. 1210. 

Misseye, ipr.s. speak amiss, 7. 317 ; pr. s^ 
slanders, I 379; missayd or do, said or 
done wrong, 3. 528. 

Misspeke, i pr. s. subj. speak wrongly, A 
3139. 

Mistaketh, 2 pr. pi. transgress, trespass,, 
R. 1540. 

Mister, s. trade, handicraft, occupation, 
A 613 ; need, R. 1426 ; Mester, occupa- 
tion, A 1340; what m. men, men of what 
occupation, what sort of men, A 1710. 
See Mester. 

Misterye, s. ministry, profession, I 895. 
From Lat. minister iu?n. 

Mistihede, s. mystery, 4. 224. 

Mis-torneth, pr. pi. turn aside, B 3. 

P3-9- 
Mistyde, v. be unlucky, B 2886. 
Mis-wanderinge, adj. straying (Lat. 

deiiiiis), B 3. p 2. 27. 
MisMrent, //. gone amiss, T. i. 633. 
Mis-weyes, s. pi. by-paths, B 3. m 11. 3. 
Miteyn, s. mitten, glove, C 372. 
Mixen, ,f. dunghill, I 911. 
Mo (moo), adj. more, A. pr. 27 ; more (in 

number), A 576, 849; besides, L. 917; 

others, E 2113; another, E 1039 ; (others) 

besides, E 2263 ; many others besides, 

D 663 ; tymes mo, at other times, E 449; 

ot/iere mo, others besides, G looi ; na mo, 

no more, none else, B 695. 
Mo, adv. more, any longer, D 864; never 

the mo, never mo, never, D 691, 1099. 
Mochel, adj. great, L. 1966 ; much, G 611. 
Mochel, adv. much, B 3959. 
Mochel, s. size, 3. 454, 861. 
Moder, s. mother, B 276; the thickest 

plate forming the principal part of the 

astrolabe (Lat. mater or rotula), A. i. 3. 

I ; Modres, gen. B 1783 ; Modres, ;*/. 

C93- 
Moeble, adj. moveable, A. i. 21. 80. 
Moeble, s. moveable goods, personal 

property, T. iv. 1380, 1460 ; pi. G 540. 
Moedes, s.pl. moods, strains (of music),, 

B 2. p I. 50. 
Moevable, adj. fickle, B 4. m 5. 32; as s. 

The firste m., the ' primum mobile,' A. i., 

17. 50. 
Moevabletee, s. mobility, B 4. p 6. 126. 
Moeve, ^^^r. to stir up, B 2218; v. move, 

I 133- 
Moevere, j. mover, A 2987. 
Moevinge, s. moving, motion, A. pr. 99 ; 



72 



©lossartal Inttx. 



Firste moeving, the ' primum mobile,' 
A. i. 17. 45. 

Moiste, //. supple, A 457. 

Moiste, ad/, as s. moisture, R. 1564. 

Mokereres, s.p/. misers, B 2. p 5. 18. 

Mokre, v. hoard up, T. iii. 1375. 

Molestie, s. trouble, B 3. p g. 105. 

Molliflcacioun, .f. softening, G 854. 

Molte,//. ; see Melte. 

Monche, v. munch, T. i. 914. 

Mone, s. moon, A 2077; i. e. position or 
'quarter' of the moon, A 403; Mone, 
^^i^n. B 2070; Mones, ^d?//. F 1154. 

Mone, s. moan, complaint, A 1366, F 920. 

Mone, V. refi. to lament, T. i. 98. 

Monstre, s. prodigy, F 1344; //. B3302. 

Montaigne, s. mountain, B 24. 

Mood, s. anger, A 1760; thought, C 126. 

Moon, s. moan, lamentation, complaint, 
L. ii6g, 1799. 

Moorne, \pr. s. mourn, A 3704. 

Moorninge, ,(. mourning, plaint, A 3706. 

Moot, s. pi. notes on a horn, 3. 376. 

Moot, \pr. s. must, shall, B 1853; //-. s. 
must, ought to, A 232 ; is to (go) , B 294 ; 
Mot, I pr. s. may, 4. 267; must, have 
to, B 227 ; Most, 2 pr. s. B 104 ; Mot, 
//'. s. must, has to, L. 388, 1945 ; Mote, 
2/r. pi. may, T. ii. 402; Moten, must, 
L. 343 ; Mote (or Moot) ,/;-. s. subj. may, 
HF. 102; L. 843; is sure to, L. 1632; 
Moot {or Mote) I goon, may I still go, 
may I still retain the power to walk, 
F 777; So moot {or mote) I thee, as 
I may thrive, as I hope to tlirive, C 
309; As ever mote I, A 832; Foule 
moot thee falle, ill may it befall thee, 
H 40; Moot {or Mote) thou, mayst thou, 
B 1626; Moste, 1 pt. J. must (go), B282; 
Moste, pt. s. must, 4. 250; had to, B 
886; ought to (be), F 38; was made to, 
B 3700; Mosten, pt. pi. should, L. 99; 
Moste, //. s. sttbj. might, L. 1573 ; us 
mostf, we must resolve to, G 946. 

Moral, adj. excellent in character, T. iv. 
1672. 

Moralitee, s. moral tale, I 38; moral 
writing, I 1088. 

Mordre, s. murder, R. H36; m. wol out, 
B 4242. 

Mordre, ger. to murder, kill, L. 1536. 

Mordrer, s. murderer, 5. 353, 612. 

Mordring, s. murdering. A 2001. 

More, adj. greater, B 2396, E 1231 ; larger, 
HF. 500; More and lesse, all alike, 
every one. B 959; More and more, HF. 
532 ; vjtth-outen fnore, without further 
trouble, T. iv. 133. 



More, adv. more, A 219; in a greater 
degree, B 3745. 

More, s. root, T. v. 25. A. S. 7noru. 

Mormal, s. sore, gangrene, A 386. 

Morne, s. morning; viorne wi//fe, morning- 
milk, A 358, 3236. 

Morsel, s. morsel, bit, A 128; m. breed, 
morsel of bread, B 3624. 

Morter, s. mortar, 9. 15 ; a metal bowl for 
holding wax, with a wick for burning, 
T. iv. 1245. 

Mortifye, v. kill ; used of producing 
change by chemical action, G 1431; 
pp. deadened, I 233. 

Mortreux, pi. thickened soups or pot- 
tages, A 384. (Also spelt mortrewes ; 
thus X is for j.) 

Morwen, s. morning, morrow, T. ii. 1555 ; 
Morwe, L. 49, 108 ; fore part of a day, 
T. iv. 1308 ; by the morwe, early in the 
morning, A 334. 

Morweninge, J. morning, A 1062; dawn- 
ing, 4. 26. 

Mor-we-song, s. morning-song, A 830. 

Morwe-tyde, j. morning-hour, E 2225; 
in the m., in the morning, B 4206. 

Mosel, s. muzzle, A 2151. 

Most, 2 pt. s. oughtest (to), 8. 3; Moste, 
pt. s. must, ought (to), A 3088; must 
(go), HF. 187; had to go, T. v. 5; was 
obliged to, T. iii. 540; must, miglit, E 
2102 ; pt. s. subj. might, L. 1594 ; Mosten, 
//. pi. must, might, T. ii. 1507 ; could, 
HF. 2094. 

Moste, adj. Slip, greatest, F 199; chief, 
D 1041 ; chiefest, F 361. 

Mote (i), s. atom, T. iii. 1603; Motes,//, 
specks of dust, D 868. 

Mote (2), s. motion (Lat. motus),A. ii. 44. 
22. The ' mene mote ' or mean viotion 
is the average motion of a planet dur- 
ing a given period. 

Moire,. ^cr. to mutter, T. ii. 541. 

Mottelee, s. motley array, A 271. 

Motthes, s.pl. moths, B 2187. 

Motyf, f. motive ; hence idea, notion, B 
628. E 1491. 

Moulen, v. grow mouldy, B 32; //. A 
3870. 

Mountance, s. amount, value, quantity, 
A 1570; amount (of time), L. 307; length, 
T. ii. 1707; value, H 255. 

Mourdaunt, s. chape, or metal tag, at 
the end of a girdle, R. 1094. (Not ' the 
tongue of a buckle.') 

Moustre, s. pattern, 3. 912. 

Moveresse, s. a fomentress of quarrels, 
R. 149. 



(glossarial JIntiex. 



73 



Mowe, J. grimace, T. iv. 7 ; //. HF. 1806. 

Mowen, v. be able ; mowen sheiuen, be- 
come evident, B 5. p 4. 163 ; Mowen, ^«-. 
to liiive power, T. ii. 1594 ; May, i pr. s. 
may, B 89; can, B 231; Maystow, may- 
est thou, A 1918 ; Mowe, i pr. pi. can, 
B 2939; may, HF. 1735; Mowen, 2 //-. 
//. can, 19. 25 ; Mowe, 2 pr. pi. may, L. 
92; can, 3. 552; Mowen, //■. pi. are 
able to, D 1722; Mowe, //'. //. may, 
can, A 2999 ; Mowe, 2/r. s. sithj. mayest, 
G 460 ; Mighte, pt. s. might, A 169, &c. ; 
I pt. s. subj. could, E 638. 

Mowinge, s. ability, B 4. p 4. 32. 

Mowled, pp. decayed, A 3870. 

Moysoun, s. crop, growth, R. 1677. O. F. 
vioison ; Lat. ace. rnensioncm. 

Moyste, adj. fresh, new, B 1954, C 315. 

Moysty, adj. new (applied to ale), H 60. 

Muable, adj. changeable, T. iii. 822. 

Muchel, adj. much, great, A 2352; a 
great deal of, F 349; in so m., in so 
much, B 2644; many, G 673. 

Muchel, adv. greatly, A 258; much, F 
1 1 29. 

Mulier est hominis confusio, woman is 
man's confusion, B 4354. 

Mullok, s. a heap of refuse, A 3873 ; con- 
fused heap of materials, G 938, 940. 

Multiplicacioun, s. multiplying, i. e. 
the art of alchemy, G 849. 

Multiplye, v. to make gold and silver by 
the arts of alchemy, G 669. 

Murmuracion, s. murmuring, I 499. 

Murmuring'e, s. murmur, A 2432. 

Murthe, s. mirth, joy, E 1123. 

Murye, adj. merry, A 1386. 

Muscle, r. mussel, D 2100. 

Muse, s. muse, poetic faculty, 16. 38. 

Muse, ,^er. to consider, T. iii. 563 ; pr. s. 
gazes into, R. 1592; pp. gazed, R. 1645. 

Musice, Music, B 2. p i. 49. 

Musyke, music, 5. 62; Musik, B 4483. 

Muwe, s. mew, pen (for hawks), cage, 
T. i. 381; in muwe, cooped up, T. iv. 
496. 

Muwe, V. change, T. ii. 1258. 

Myle, s. mile, HF. 1038; fyve m., five 
miles, G 555. 

Mynde, s. dat. mind, recollection, 3. 15 ; 
ace. reason, 2. 34; 3. 511; have minde 
upon, remember, 19. 26. 

Myne, v. undermine, T. iii. 767. 

Mynour, s. one who mines, A 2465. 

Myrie, adj. merry, A 1499. 

Myrie, adv. merrily, A 3575. 

Myrier, adv. eomp. merrier, R. 876. 

Mys, pi. mice, B 2. p 6. 37. 



Myte (i), s. mite, thing of no value, A 

1558. 
Myte (2), mite, insect; //. D 560. 

N. 
N', for ne, not; as in nacheveth for ne 

achcveth, and the like. 
Na, no (Northern), A 4175. 
Na mo, i. e. no more, none else, B 695. 
Nacheveth, for ne acheveth, achieves 

not, T. V. 784. 
Nadde,//. s. {for ne hadde), had not, R. 

457- 
Naddre, s. adder, E 1786. 
Nadir, s. the point of the ecliptic exactly 

opposite to that in which the sun is 

situate, A. ii. 6. i ; see 1. 12. 
Nadstow, 2 pt. s. haddest thou not, didst 

thou not, A 4088. 
Naille, imp. s. 3 /. let it nail, let it fasten, 

E 1184. 
Naiteth, pr. s. refuses, B i. m i. 25. 
Nake, 2 pr.pl. make naked, B 4. in 7. 70; 

Naked,//, as adj. naked, A 1956, 1 105 ; 

bare, HF. 133; destitute, void, weak, 

G 486 ; simple, plain, A. pr. 30. 
Nakers, //. kettle-drums, A 2511. From 

the Arabic. 
Nale ; atte 7iale, at the ale, at the ale- 
house, D 1349. 
Nam, {for ne am), i pr. s. am not, A 

1122, B 2710; nam but deed, am only a 

dead man, 3. 204. 
Nam, //. s. took, G 1297. 
Name, s. good name, reputation, L. 1812; 

title, B 3. p 6. 36. 
Namely, adv. especially, A 1268, 2709. 
Namo, {for w2l mo), no more in number, 

A loi, 544; none other, no one else, 

D 957- 
Namore, adv. no more, A 98. 
Napoplexye, for Ne apople.xye, nor 

apoplexy, B 4031. 
Nappeth, pr. s. naps, slumbers, nods, 

H9. 
Narette ; see Arette. 
Nart, ( for ne art), art not, G 499. 
Narwe, adj. small, B 4012; //. A 625; 

close, closely drawn, D 1803. 
Narwe. adv. narrowly, closely, A 3224; 

tightly, L. 600; carefully, E 1988. 
Nas, {for ne was), was not, A 251, 288; 

/ nas but, I was simply, 2. 21. 
Nassayeth, for ne assayeth, attempts 

not, T. V. 784. 
Nat, adv. not, A 74; Nat but, only, 

merely, L. 1899; quite, L. 2091. 
Nat, {for ne at), nor at, B 290. 



D 2 



74 



(glossarial lEntiEX. 



Nat forthy, adv. notwithstanding, B 2165. 
Natal, adj. who presides over nativities, 

'\. iii. 150. 
Nath, {for ne hath), pr. s. hath not, A 

923- 

Nathelees, nevertheless, A 35. 

Nature, s. nature, A 11; kind, race, 5. 
615 ; seed, I 577. 

Naturel, adj. natural, A 416. A ' day 
natural ' is a period of 24 hours. 

Naught, adv. not, B 1701 ; not so, G 269. 

Nave, s. nave (of a wheel), D 2266. 

Naxe, {/or ne axe), ask not, T. v. 594. 

Nay, adv. nay, no, G 1339; {opposed to 
yea) , E 355 ; (answers a direct question) , 
B 740; surely not I 3. 1309; as s. nay, 
untruth, 3. 147 ; It is no nay, there is 
no denying it, B 1956. 

Nayte, v. withhold, deny, I 1013. 

Ne, adv. and co/tj. not, A 70; nor, A 179, 
526; ne . . . tie, neither . . . nor, A 603; 
(when used with a verb, a second neg- 
ative is often added). 

Nece, -(. niece, B 1290. 

Necesseden, //. //. compelled, B 3. m 
9.8. 

Neddre, s. adder; //. L. 699. 

Nede, s. need, extremity, B 102, 658, 
2360; extremity, difficult matter, B 
2917; peril, B 3576; at nede, at need, 
I. 112; for nede, if needful, R. 1123; 
J-. as adj. needful, A 304; //. matters of 
business, B 174, 1266; necessities, T. ii. 
954 ; needs, G 178 ; for nedes, for very 
need, 3. 1201. 

Nede, adv. necessarily, of necessity, R. 

1441. 1473- ,,, , , 

Nede, v. be necessary, B 871 ; Nedeth, 

pr. s. (it) is necessary, (it) needs, A 462 ; 

wAat n., what is the need of, A 849; 

NededS, pt. s. impers. (there) needed, A 

4020, 4161 ; us neded, we should need, 

T. iv. 1344. 
Nedely, adv. of necessity, necessarily, 

B 4435- 

Nedes, adv. needs, necessarily, of neces- 
sity, L. 1298. 

Nedes-cost, adv. of necessity, A 1477, 
L. 2697. 

Needly, adv. necessarily, B 3. p 9. 87. 
See Nedely. 

Neen, no (Northern), A 4185, 4187. 

Near, adv. comp. nearer, A 839, 968 ; neer 
and neer, A 4304 ; as pos. adv. near, A 
1439 ; fer or neer, far or near, T. i. 451. 

Neet, //. neat, cattle, A 597. 

Negardye, s. niggardliness, 10. 53. 

Neghen, v. draw nigh, L. 318. 



Neigh, adj. near, nigh, B 2558. 
Neigh, adv. nearly, T. i. 60. 
Neighebour, s. neighbour, A 535. 
Neighen, v. draw near, T. ii. 1555. 
Neither nother, (in) neither the one 

nor the other, B 5. m 3. 53. 
Nekke-boon, s. neck-bone, B 1839 ; neck, 

U 906 ; nape of the neck, B 669. 
Nel, 1 pr. s. will not, T. ii. 726. 
Nempnen, v. name, B 507. 
Nenvye, for ne envye, imp. s. envy not, 

T. V. 1789. 
Ner, adv. comp. nearer, 3. 888 ; T. i. 448 ; 

Nere, 3. 38; 7ier and ner, B 1710; Ner 

the les, nevertheless, 4. 130. 
Nercotikes,//. narcotics, A 1472. 
Nere {for ne were) , 2 //. s. wast not, 4. 

112; //. //. were not, A 875, D 1944; 

1 pt. s. subj. should not (I) be, T. ii. 409; 

Nere, pt. s. suhj. would not be, should 

not be, A 1129; were not, B 3984; were 

it not, B 132; were it not (for), i. 24, 

180. 
Nere, adv. nearer, R. 1454. 
Nerf, s. nerve, i. e. sinew, T. ii. 642. 
Nescapest {for Ne escapest), escapest 

not, L. 2643. 
Nest, s. D i6gl ; wikked nest, i. e. mau ni, 

or Mauny (referring to Sir Oliver 

Mauny), B 3573; //. HF\ 1516. 
Net-herdes, gen. neat-herd's, B 2746. 
Nether, adj. lower, A 3852. 
Netherest, adj. superl. lowest, i.e. outer- 
most, A. i. 18. 7. 
Nevene, v. name, G 821 ; herd hir name 

71., heard (him) name her name, T. 

i. 876 ; pr. pi. subJ. may mention , G 

1473- 
Never, adv. never, A 70; n. dide but, 

never did aught that was not, 4. 297; 

;;. the neer, none the nearer, G 721. 
Neveradel, adv. not a bit, C 670. 
Never-mo, adv. never oftener, never 

(with two exceptions), A. ii. 31. 5; never, 

3. 1 1215. 
Nevew, s. nephew, L. 1442; grandson, 

L. 2659. 
Newe, adv. newly, freshly, afresh, A 365, 

428; of newe, new, fresh, T. ii. 20; Newe 

and newe, again and again, T. iii. 116; 

continually, C 929. 
Ne-wed, //. s. had something fresh in it, 

3. 906; pp. renewed, B 3036. 
Ne-wefangel, adj. fond of novelty, F 618, 

H 193. 
New-fangelnesse, s. fondness for nov- 
elty, L. 154 ; F 610. 
Newe-thought, s. Inconstancy, R. 982. 



(©lossarial Jlntjcx. 



75 



Nexte, adj. sup. nearest, A 1413; easiest, 

T. i. 697. 
Ney, adj. nigh, A. ii. 3. 78. 
Nigard, adj. niggardly, R. 1172. 
Nigard, s. miser, niggard, B 4105. 
Nlgardye, s. miserliness, B 1362. 
Nighte, ger. to grow dark, become night, 

T. V. 515. 
Nighter-tale, s. ; by n., in the night-time, 

A 97. This expression seems to have 

resulted from a confusion of Icel. a 

ndttar-peli, in the dead of night, with 

Icel. nattar-tal, a tale or number of 

nights. 
Night-spel, s. night-spell, night-incan- 
tation, A 3480. 
NigTomanciens, s. pi. necromancers, 

I 603. 
Nil, I pr. J. will not, 3. 92, 1125; will (I) 

not, shall (I) not, T. v. 40, 43, 44; desire 

not, dislike, E 646; Nille, i //-. s. will 

not, G 1463; Nil,/;-, s. will not, B 972; 

will not (have), 3. 586; will (she) not, 

3. 1140 ; Nilt, 2 pr. s. wilt not, T. ii. 1024 ; 

Niltow, thou wilt not, T. i. 792. 
Nillinge, s. refusing, B 5. p 2. 23. 
Nin,yy/- Ne in, nor in, E 1511, F 35. 
Nis, for 7ie is, is not, 2. 77 ; Ther nis no 

more but, all that remains is that, L. 

847. 
Niste, I //. s. knew not, F 502; //. s. 

knew not, A 3414, 4225. 
Noble, s. a gold coin, A 3256; //. HF. 

1315. (Worth 6s. 8d.) 
Nobledest, pi. s. 2 /. ennobledest, didst 

ennoble, G 40. A translation of Dante's 

iiobilitasti. 
Noblesse, s. nobleness, R. 780; noble 

cheer, T. v. 439; nobility, D 1167 ; (title 

of respect), B 2956; magnificence, B 

3438 ; high honour, B 3208 ; nobility, 

rank, R. 1034; worthy behaviour, B 

185, 248. 
Nobley, s. nobility, dignity, splendour, 

HF. 1416; noble rank, T. iv. 1670; 

assembly of nobles, G 449 ; state, F ']']. 
Nof {for Ne of), nor of, D 571, 660. 
Noghit, adv. not, A 107 ; by no means, 

in no respect, A 1226; Noght but for, 

only because, D 645. 
Noght, s. nothing, C 542; N. worth, 

worth nothing, H 200. 
Noisen, 2 pr.pl. cry aloud, B 3. m 6. 10. 
Nokked, //. notched, R. 942. 
Nolde, I //. s. would not, did not want, 

5. 90; (I) should not desire, G 1334; 

Noldest, 2 //. s. wouldst not, 3. 482; ! 

Noldestow, if thou wouldst not, T. iii. ! 



1264; Nolde, pt. s. would not, i. 31 r 

would not (have), A 1024. 
Nombre, jr. number, A 716; amount,. 

sum, A. ii. 24. 5. 
Nombred, //. counted in, T. iii. 1269. 
Nomen, //. taken, T. v. 514 ; put, R. 408 ; 

Nome, pp. L. 822, 1018, 1777. Pp. of 

?iiiiie?i. 
Nones, for the, for the nonce, for the 

occasion, for this occasion, A 379, 523, 

545, 879; on the spur of the moment,. 

T. i. 561 ; for the time, T. ii. 1381 ; With 

the nones, on the condition, HF. 2099, 

L 1540. Originally for then aiies, for 

the once; where then is the dat. of the 

def. article (A. S. Sam). 
Nonne, s. nun, A 118; Nonnes Freest, 

Nun's Priest, B 4637. 
Nonnerye, s. nunnery, A 3946. 
Noon, none, no, A 318, 449; or noon, or 

not, or no, D 2069. 
Noot, I pr. s. know not, L. 2660; Not, L. 

193; Nost, knowest not, 3. 1137 ; Nostow, 

thou knowest not, HF. loio; Noot,//-. j. 

knows not, C 284; Not, 4. 214. A. S. 

nat. 
Norice, s. nurse, B 4305. 
Norice, v. nourish, foment, B 2204; //. 

brought up, E 399. 
Norissing, s. nutriment, A 437; growth, 

A 3017 ; Norishinge, bringing up, E 

1040 ; //. refections, B 4. p 6. 38 ; 

sustenance, B i. p 6. 93 (V,aX. fotnitem). 
Noriture, s. nourishment, T. iv. 768. 
Nortelrye, s. education, A 3967. 
Northren, northern, A 1987. 
Norture, s. instruction, good manners, 

R. 179. 
Nory, s. pupil (lit. foster-child), B 3. 

p II. 233; Norry, B I. p 3. 14. 
Nose-thirles, //. nostrils, A 557, I 209. 
Noskinnes, /;>/- Noneskinnes, of no kmd, 

HF. 1794. From nones, gen. of noon, 

none ; and kinnes, gen. of kin, 
Nost, Nostow, Not ; see Noot. 
Not but, only, 4. 121 ; T. iii. 1636. 
Nota, i. e. observe, A. ii. 26. 33. 
Notabilitee, s. notable fact, B 4399. 
Notdble, adj. notorious, remarkable, B 

1875- 
Notaries, s. pi. scribes, I 797. 
Note, s. (i), note(in music), A 235, B 1737 ; 

musical note, peal, HF. 1720; tune, 5. 

677; by n., accordmg to musical notes, 

by note, R. 669; in concord, all at once, 

T. iv. 585. 
Note, J. (2), employment, business, task,. 

job, A 4068. A. S. not2i. 



76 



(Slossarial Entex. 



Noteful, adj. useful, A. pr. 120. 

Notemuge, s. nutmeg, B 1953. 

Notes, s.pl. nuts, R. 1360. 

Not-heed, s. crop-head, a head with hair 
cropped short, A 109. 

Nother, neither, 7. 253; neither (of them), 
L. 192. 

Nothing, adv. in no respect, in no degree, 
not at all, A 2505; for n., by no means, 
D II 21. 

Notiflcacions, //. hints, B 5. m 3. 23. 

Notifle, pr. pi. indicate, I 430; //. pro- 
claimed, B 256. 

Nouchis, J. //.jewelled ornaments, jewels 
(properly, setting for jewels), clasps, 
HF. 1350; Nowches, E 382. Yj.ouc/i. 

Nought, adv. not, T. ii. 575, 673 ; not at 
all, 3. 3 ; B 2262. 

Noumbre, s. number, 3. 440. 

Noumbre, v. number, 3. 439 ; //. counted 
in, T. iii. 1269. 

Noun-certeyn, s. uncertainty, 18. 46 ; T. 

i- 337- 
Noun-power, s. impotence, B 3. p 5. 22. 
Nouthe, now, T. i. 985; as tiouihe, at 

present, A 462. 
Novelrye, s. novelty, T. ii. 756. 
Now, adv. now, A 715 ; for now, for the 

present, 7. 343 ; now and now, from time 

to time, occasionally, F 430. 
Nowches ; see Nouchis. 
Noyous, adj. troublesome, HF. 574. Short 

for anoyous. 
Ny, adj. near, B 2562 ; Nye, de/. the one 

who is near, A 3392. 
Ny, adv. nigh, nearly, B 2735 ; as ny as, 

as close to, A 588 ; 7vel ny, almost, A 

1330. 
Ny. prep, nigh, B 550. 
Nyce, adj. foolish, B 3712,4505; ignorant, 

R. 1257; foolish, weak, B 1083, G 493; 

ludicrous, A 3855 ; scrupulous, A 398. 
Nycely, adv. foolishly, T. v. 1132. 
Nycetee, s. folly, G 463 ; simplicity, A 

4046 ; foolish behaviour, pleasure, D 

412; scrupulousness, T. ii. 1288. 
Nye ; see Ny. 
Nyfles, pi. mockeries, pretences, D 1760. 

Lit. ' sniffings ' ; O. F. nijler, to sniff. 



O (66) , one, A 304, 363 ; a single, B 5. p 6. 
158; one and the same, T. ii. 37; one 
continuous and uniform, HF. iioo. See 
Oon. 

Obeisant, adj. obedient, E 66, I 264. 

Obeisaunce, s. obedience, E 24, 502; 



obedient act, E 230; obedient farewell, 
L. 2479; in your 0., in obedience to you, 
2. 84; unto her 0., in obedience to her, 
L. 587 ; Obeisaunces, //. acts of dutiful 
attention, L. 149 ; observances, L. 1268. 

Obeising, adj. yielding, L. 1266. 

Objecte, adj. presented, B 5. p 5. 5. 

Obligacioun.j.bond, 15.2; Obligaciouns, 
//. sureties, B 3018. 

Oblige, v.; o. to you, lay an obligation on 
you (to make me), T. iv. 1414. 

Obsequies, //. funeral rites, A 993. 

Observaunce.j^. respect, A 1045 ; homage, 
7.218; observance, L. 1608; ceremony, 
T. ii. 112; heed, I 747; //. customary 
attentions, F 956 ; duties, L. 150. 

Observe, v. favour, B 1821 ; //-. s. takes 
heed, I 303. 

Occasioun. s. cause, L. 994. 

Occident, s. west, B 297. 

Occidentale, adj. western, A. i. 5. 9. 

Occupye, v. take up, F 64; pr. s. follows 
close upon, 1". iv. 836; dwells in, B 424; 
imp. s. hold to, B 4. p 7. 103. 

Octogamye, s. marrying eight times, D 

33- 

Oi,prep. of, A 2, &c. ; by, R. 1260; con- 
cerning, about, F 1179; during, B 510; 
for, 13. 19; off, from, 3. 964; on account 
of, B 2208; as to, as regards, in respect 
of, F 425 ; as to, 3. 966 ; upon, 5. 555 ; 
over, B 2947 ; with, A 2055 ; some, A 
146 ; of a puipos, on purpose, deliber- 
ately, B 2273 ; ('/ al my lif, in all my life, 
5. 484 ; of grace, by his favour, out oi 
his favour, E 178 ; fulfild of, filled with, 
7.42. 

Of, adv. off, away, 5. 494 ; (come) off, T. 
iv. 1106 ; off, A 2676; com of, be quick, 
have done, A 3728. 

Offensioun, damage, A 2416. 

Offertorie, .f. offertory, A 710. 

Office, s. office, employment of a secular 
character, A 292 ; employment, B 3446 ; 
duty, 5. 236; property, D 1144; place of 
office, D 1577; with 0., by the use of 
(Lat. officio), B i. p 1.3; houses of 0., 
servants' offices, E 264. 

Of-newe, adv. newly, again, R. 1613; 
lately, E 938. 

Of-shbwve, v. repel (lit. shove off), A 
3912. 

Of-taken, //. taken away, B 1855. 

Ofte, adj. pi. many ; Ofte sythes, often- 
times, A 485; Ofte tyme, often, A 52; 
Tymes ofte, E 226. 

Ofter, adv. cotnp. oftener, E 215. 

Of that, conj. because, L. 815. 



(ilossarial Hintitx. 



77 



Of-thowed,//. thawed awav, HF. 1143. 

Oght, s. aught, anything, F 1469; any- 
thing of value, G 1333; as adv. ought, 
at all, B 1792. 

Oghte ; see Owen. 

Oke, Okes; see Ook. 

Olifaunts, s.pi. elephants, B 3. p 8. 29. 

Oliveres, s.p/. olive-trees, R. 1314; olive- 
yards, B 3226. 

Olyve, s. olive-tree, 5. 181. 

Omelies, s. pi. homilies, I 1088. 

On, prep, on, A 12; in, F 921 ; at, T. iii. 
32; of, T. iii. 18; as regards, E 1424; 
against, T. ii. 865; towards, 4. 298; 
binding on, 10. 43; hir on, upon her, 3. 
1217 ; OH eve, in the evening, E 1214; on 
I este, at rest, F 379. 

On, one ; see Oon. 

Onde, s. envy, R. 148. A. S. anda. 

Oneden, //. pi. united, I 193; pp. united, 
complete, D 1968. 

Ones, adv. once, B 588 ; united in design, 
C 696 ; at ones, at once, A 765. 

On-lofte, adv. aloft, up in the air, in the 
sky, 5. 203, 683 ; above ground, E 229. 

On-iy ve, adv. alive, F 932. Lit. ' in life.' 

Oo, one; see Oon. 

Ook, s. oak, A 1702 ; Oke, dat. 3. 447 ; 
{collectively) , oaks, R. 1384. 

Oon, one, R. 624; always the same, the 
same, one and the same, B 2142; united, 
agreed, T. ii. 1740; alone, unwedded, D 
66; the same, i. e. of small consequence, 
3. 1295; the same thing, alike, F 537; 
oon the faireste, one of the fairest, E 
212 ; in oon, in the same state, un- 
changeably; ever in oon, ever alike, 
always in the same manner, E 602; 
continually, D 209; oon and oon, one by 
one, A 679 ; after oon, equally good, A 
341 ; that oon, one thing, T. iv. 1453 ; 
the one, C 666; inayiy oon, many a one, 
A 317, E 775 ; felle at oon, came to one 
agreement, T. iii. 565 ; many on, many 
a one, D 680 ; everich on, every one, B 
1164; Oo, one, G207; a single, R. 1236; 
one and the same, 3. 1293. 

Ooned, //. united, B 4. p 6. 81. 

Open-ers, s. fruit of the medlar, A 3871. 

Open-heeded, with head uncovered, D 
645- 

Opie. J. opium, A 1472; Opies,//. opiates, 
L. 2670. 

Opned, //. opened, T. iii. 469. 

Opposen, V. oppose; o. me, lay to my 
charge, D 1597. 

Oppresse, v. suppress, 10. 60; violate, Y 
141 1 ; ger. to put down, G 4. 



Oppressioun, s. 
2592 ; tyranny. 



oppression, wrong, L. 
10. 19; violation, L. 



Or, conj. ere, G 314. 

Or, prep, before, R. 864. 

Or, conj. or, A 91, &c. ; Or ... or, either 
. . . or, R. 261. 

Oratorie, s. closet for prayers, A 1905. 

Ordal, s. ordeal, T. iii. 1046. 

Orde, dat. point, L. 645. A. S. ord. And 
see Word. 

Ordenee, adj. well-ordered, B 4. p i. 46. 

Orden61y, adv. conformably, in order, 
B4. p6. 313. 

Ordenour, s. ruler, B 3. p 12. 102. 

Ordeyned. //. provided, .\ 2553; ap- 
pointed, F 177; prepared, G 1277; 
ordered, I 336; (= ordeynee) ,//. regu- 
lated, T. i. 892. 

Ordinaat, adj. orderly, E 1284. 

Ordinatly, adj. methodically, I 1045. 

Ordinaunce, s. arrangement, A 3012; 
provision, B 250; orderly arrangement, 
A 2567 ; consideration, 18. 38 ; order, B 
2303; resolve, B 2258; command, 10. 
44. 

Ordred, //. as adj. ordained, I 782. 

Ordure, s. filthiness, I 841 ; rubbish, T. 

V. 385- 

Ore, s. grace; thyn o., (I pray for) thy 
grace, A 3726. A. S. ar. 

Ore, s. ore (of metal), D 1064. A. S. dr. 

Ores, s.pl. oars, L. 2308. 

Orfrays, s. gold embroidery, gold braid, 
fringe with golden threads, R. 462, 869, 
1076. A. F. orfreis, O. F. orfrois. 

Organs, s.pl. ' organs,' the old equivalent 
of organ, G 134. 

Orgon, pi. as sing, organ (Lat. organd) , B 
4041. 

Orient, s. east, A 1494. 

Oriental, adj. eastern ; (hence) of supe- 
rior quality, L. 221. 

Orisonte, s. horizon, T. v. 276. 

Orisoun, s. prayer, A 2372. 

Orison rectum, or right horizon, A. ii. 26. 
35. This means the horizon of any 
place situate on the equator, which 
could be represented by a straight line 
UDon a disc of the astrolabe. 

Orloge, s. clock, 5. 350; B 4044. 

Orphelin, adj. orphaned, B 2. p 3. 33. 

Orpiment, s. orpiment, G 759, 774, 823. 
' Orpiment, trisulphide of arsenic ' ; 
Webster. 

Oruscupum, i. e. horoscope, A. ii. 3. rubric. 

Osanne, i. e. Hosannah, B 642. 

Ost, s. host, army, L. 1906. 



78 



(glossarial Inter. 



Ostelments, s. pi. furniture, household 
goods, B 2. p 5. 135. (L. supellectilis). 
Cf. F. outil. 

Ostesse, s. hostess, B 4. m 3. 23. 

Otes, s. pi. (of) oats, D 1963. 

Other, adj. second, R. 953, 976 ; the other, 
A 427; vjhat o., what else, T. i. 799; 
Hull o., the other, F 496; Other, //. 
others, R. 1304; Othere, //. other, A 
794; others, HF. 215 1 ; ^nr;?. //. others', 
HF. 2153; Otheres, ^e>!. sing, each 
other's (lit. of the other), C 476. 

Other, cotzj. or. 3. 810; Other ... or, 
either ... or, G 1149. 

Other-whyle, adv. sometimes, B 2. p i. 
120. 

Ouche, s. nouch, clasp, D 743. See Nou- 
chis. 

Ought, s. anything, 3. 459 ; as adv. at all, 
T. ii. 268 ; in ought that, in as far as, T. 
iii. 1241. 

Oughtestow, oughtest thou, L. 1957. 

Oule, J. owl, D 1081. 

Oules, pi. awls ; spiked irons for tor- 
menting men, D 1730. A. S. awel. 

Ounces, //. small portions, A 677 ; ounces, 
G 756. 

Ounded, pp. wavy, T. iv. 736. 

Oundinge, 5. adornment with waved 
lines, I 417. 

Oundy. adj. wavy, HF. 1386. F. ondi-. 

Out, adv. out, A 45, &c. ; used for come 
out, HF. 2139; go out, T. iv. 210; fully, 
T. iii. 417 ; mordrc wil out, murder will 
out, B 1766; Out and out, entirely, T. ii. 

739- 
Out, inter/, alas I A 3825 ; Out ! harrow ! 

B 4570. 
Out of, prep, without, C 157 ; out of, A 

452. 
Out-breke, v. break out, break silence, 

2. 12. 
Out-breste, v. burst out, T. iv. 237. 
Out-bringe, v. utter, L. 1835. 
Outcast, pp. cast out, T. v. 615. 
Out-caughte, //. s. drew out, B 1861. 
Out-drawe, pp. drawn out, T. iv. 1226. 
Oute, adv. away, T. v. 553; out, i. e. 

uttered, D 977. 
Outen, V. put out, utter, exhibit, G 834; 

utter, E 2438 ; Oute, i pr. s. utter, offer, 

D 521. A. S. utian. 
Outereste, adj. siiperl. uttermost, far- 
thest, B 2. m 6. 17. 
Outerly, adv. utterly, entirely, E 335. 
Outfleyinge, s. flying out, HF. 1523. 
Out-hees, j. outcry, hue and cry, alarm, 

A 2012. 



Outher, conj. either, R. 250. 
Outherwhyle, adv. sometimes, B 2733, 

2857. 
Outlandish, adj. foreign, 9. 22. 
Outrage, s. excess {luxit), B 2. m 5.5; 

cruelty, injustice, A 2012. 
Outrageous, adj. excessive, B 2180; im- 
moderate, I 743 ; violent, rampant, R. 

174; excessively bold, R. 1257. 
Outrageously, adv. excessively, A 3998. 
Outrance, s. great hurt, excessive injury, 

24. 26. 
Outraye, v. lose temper, E 643. O. F. 

oiitrt'er, to surpass. 
Outrely, adj. utterly, B4419; entirely, B 

2943, 3072; decidedly, B 2210. 
Out-ringe, v. ring out, T. iii. 1237. 
Out-rood,//. J. rode out, T. v. 604. 
Out-rydere, s. rider abroad, A 166. The 

name of a monk who rode to inspect 

granges, &c. 
Out-springe, v. come to light, T. i. 745; 

Out-sprong, pt. s. spread abroad, C iii. 
Out-sterte. pt.pl. started out, B 4237. 
Out-straughte, pt. s. stretched out, R. 

1515- 
Out-taken, pp. excepted, B 277. 
Out-t-wyne, 2 /;-. //. twist out, utter, 12. 

II. 
Out-'wende, v. proceed, HF. 1645. 
Over, prep, above, R. 1475 ; beyond, D 

1661 ; besides, F 137 ; Over hir might, 

to excess, C 468. 
Over, adj. upper, A 133 ; Overest, superl. 

uppermost, A 290. 
Over-al, adv. everywhere, A 216, 249, 

1207 ; in all directions, T. i. 928 ; on all 

sides, D 264; in every way, E 2129; 

throughout, E 1048 ; Over al and al, 

beyond every other, 3. 1003. 
Over-blowe,//. past, L. 1287. 
Overcaste, v. overcast, sadden, A 1536. 
Overcomer, s. conqueror, B i. m 2. 15. 
Overdoon, pp. carried to excess, G 645. 
Over-gilt, adj. worked over with gold, 

R. 873. 
Over-goon, v. pass away, T. 1. 846 ; over- 
spread, B 2. p 7. 42. 
Overkerveth, pr. s. cuts across, crosses, 

A. i. 21. 90. 
Overlad, //. put upon, B 3101. Lit. led 

over. 
Overlade, v. overload, L. 621. 
Overlight, adj. too feeble, B 4. m 3. 34. 
Over-loked, pp. perused, 3. 232. 
Overly eth, pr. s. lies upon, I 575. 
Over-passeth, pr. s. surpasses, B 5. p 6. 

117. 



(glossarial JInti£i. 



79 



Over-raug'hte, //. s. reached over, Aence, 
ur^ed on, T. v. loiS. 

Over-shake,//, shaken oif, 5. 681. 

Overshote, //. ; /lad overshote hem, had 
over-run the scent, 3. 383. 

Over-skipte, i pt. s. skipped over, 
omitted, 3. 1208. 

Oversloppe, s. upper-garment, G 633. 
Cf. I eel. yfirsloppr, an upper garment. 
See Sloppes. 

Oversprede, v. spread over, cover, E 
1799 ; Over-sprat, pr. s. over-spreadeth, 
T. ii. 767 ; Overspradde, pt. s. covered, 
A 2871. 

Overspringe, pr. s. subj. overpass, F 
1060. 

Overtake, v. overtake, attain to, G 682; 
Overtook, i pt. s. caught up, 3. 360. 

Overte, udj. open, HF. 718. 

Overthrowe, v. be overturned, be ruined, 
HF. 1640. 

Over-throwinge, adj. overwhelming, B 
I. m 2. 2; headlong (Lat. praecipiti), 
B 2. m 7. 1 ; headstrong (Lat. praecipiti) , 
B I. m 6. 25 ; revolving, B 3. m 12. 43. 

Overthrowinge, s. falling down, B 2755 ; 
pi. destruction (I.,at. ruinis), B 2. m 4. 17. 

Overthwart, adv. across, A 1991 ; op- 
posite, T. iii. 685; askance, R. 292. 

Overtymeliche, adv. untimely, B r. m 
I. 18. 

Over-whelveth, pr. s. overturns, turns 
over, agitates, B 2. m 3. 17. 

Owen, V. owe, own, possess ; Oweth, 
pr. s. owns, possesses, C 361; Oweth, 
pr. s. refl. it is incumbent (on him), 
L. 360 a ; Oghte, i pt. s. ought, 4. 216 ; 
Oughtestow, 2 //. s. oughtest thou, T. 
v. 545 ; L. 1957 ; Oghte, pt. s. impers. it 
were necessary, B 2188 ; him o^hte, he 
ought, L. 377; it became him, B 1097; 
hir oghte, became her, E 1120; us oghte, 
it behoved us, we ought, i. 119; hem 
oghte, they ought, G 1340; us oghte 
(subj.), it should behove us, we ought, 
E 1150; Oghte, //. J. owed, L. 589; 
ought, A 505; Owed,//, due, B 4. p 
5. 18. 

Owene, adj. def. own, C 834 : myn oivene 
woman, independent, T. ii. 750 ; his 
owne hand, with his own hand, A 3624. 

Owh, interj. alas, B I. p 6. 25. 

Owher, adv. anywhere, A 653. 

Oxe, J. ox,C354; Oxes, ^^». E 207 ; Oxen, 
//. A 8S7. 

Oxe-stalle, s. ox-stall, E 398. 

Oynement, s. ointment, unguent, A 631. 

Oynons, //. onions, A 634. 



Paas, s. pace, step, L. 284 ; goon a paas, 

go at a footpace, C 866. 
Pace, V. pass, go, A 1602; pass, T. i. 371 ; 

go away, 15. 9 ; pass away, A 175 ; sur- 
pass, go beyond, T. iii. 1272; walk, T. v. 

1791 ; overstep, HF. 392; come, HF. 

720 ; /. of, pass over, T. ii. 1568 ; 0/ this 

thing to p., to pass this over in review, 

HF. 239; to pace of, to pass from, B 

205; ipr. s. pass over (it), go on, HF. 

1355; proceed, go on, A 36; i pr. s. 

subj. depart, F 494; 2 pr. s. subj. go, 

D 911. 
Paillet, s. pallet, T. iii. 229. 
Paire, s. pair, A 473; set, A 159; as pi. 

pairs, 5. 238. {Pair, in the sense of 

' set,' is applied to many things of the 

same kind and size.) 
Paisible, adj. peaceable, 9. i. 
Palasye, s. palsy, R. 1098. 
Pale, s. perpendicular stripe, HF. 1840. 
Palestral, adj. athletic, pertaining to 

wrestling, T. v. 304. 
Paleth, pr. s. renders pale, B 2. m 3. 3. 
Paleys-, or Paleis - chaumbres, //. 

palace-chambers, 9. 41. 
Paleys-gardyn, palace-garden, T. ii. 508. 
Paleys-ward, to, toward the palace, T. 

ii. 1252. 
Paleys-yates, //. gates of the palace, 

4. 82. 
Palinge, s. adorning with (heraldic) 

pales, or upright stripes, I 417. 
Palis, s. palisade, stockade, B i. p 6. 41 ; 

paling, rampart, B i. p 3. 86. O. F. 

palis, paleis. 
Palled, //. pale, languid, H 55. 
Pan, s. brain-pan, skull, A 1165. 
Panade, s. kind of knife, A 3939, 3960. 
Panier, s. pannier, E 1568; //. baskets 

for bread, HF. 1939. 
Panne, s. pan, A 3944. 
Panter, s. bag-net for birds, L. 131 ; //. 

nets, R. 1621. O. Y. pantiere. 
Papejay, s. popinjay, B 1559, 1957. E 2332 ; 

applied in England to the green vvt)od- 

pecker {Gecinus viridis). 
Paper, s. account-book, A 4404. 
Paper-whyt, adj. white as paper, L. 

IiqS. 

Papingay, s. popinjay, R. 81. See Pape- 
jay. 
Par atnour ; see Paramour. 
Par cas, by chance, C 885. 
Par companye, for company, A 3839, 4167. 
Paradys, s. paradise, R. 443. 



8o 



(©logsarial Inbtx. 



Pardire, s. kindred, birth, D 250; rank, 
D 1 120. 

Paraments, //. mantles, splendid cloth- 
ing, A 2501. See Parements. 

Paramour, {ior par amour) , adv. for love, 
B 2033; longingly, B 1933; with devo- 
tion, A 1155 ; Paramours, passionately, 
T. V. 332; A 2112 ; with excessive 
devotion, L. 260 a ; by way of passionate 
love, T. V. 158 ; for p., for the sake of 
passion, E 1450 ; for paramours, for love's 
sake, A 3354. 

Paramour, s. (i) concubine, wench, D 
454 '• P^- ^ 3756 ; lovers, paramours, T. 
ii. 236; Paramour (2), love-making, A 

4372- 
Paraunter, perhaps, L. 362. 
Paraventure, peradventure, perhaps, F 

955- 

Parcel, .f. part, F 852 ; small part, 2. 106. 

Parchemin, s. parchment, B 5. m 4. 14. 

Pardee, (F.par Dieu), a common oath, 
A 563, 3084 ; Pardieux, T. i. 197. 

Pardoner, s. seller of indulgences, A 
543, C 318. 

Paregal, adj. fully equal, T. v. 840. 

Parements, s.pl. rich hangings or orna- 
ments, (applied to a chamber), L. 1106; 
F 269. See Paraments. 

Parentele, s. kinship, I 908. 

Parfey, by my faith, in faith, HF. 938. 

Parflt, adj. perfect, A 72, 422. 

Parfltly, adv. perfectly, R. 771 ; wholly, 
B 2381. 

Parfourne, v. perform, B 2402; Par- 
fourne, ger. to fulfil, B 3137 ; /. up, 
complete. D 2261. 

Parfourninge, s. performance, I 807. 

Parisshens, //. parishioners, A 482. 

Paritorie, s. pellitory, Parietaria offici- 
nalis, G 581. 

Parlement, s. (i) deliberation, decision 
due to consultation, A 1306 ; (2) par- 
liament, T. iv. 143 ; /. of Briddes, 
Parliament of Birds, I 1086. 

Parodie, s. period, duration, T. v. 1548. 
(A curious confusion of parodie (so 
pronounced) '^'\\h period.) 

Parsoneres, s. pi. partners, partakers, 
B 5. p 5. loi. 

Parten, v. share, T. i. 589 ; ger. To p. 
with, participate in, L. 465; i pr. s. 
part, depart, T. i. 5 ; Parteth, pr. s. 
departs, L. 359; Parted,//, dispersed, 
T. i. 960 ; gone away, taken away, L. 
mo. 

Parteners, s. pi. partners, partakers, I 



Parting-felawes, s. pi. fellow-partakers, 
I 637. 

Part-les, adj. without his share, B 4. p 3. 
44. 

Partrich, s. partridge, A 349. 

Party, adv. partly, A 1053. 

Partye, s. portion, A 3008 ; partial um- 
pire, taker of a side, A 2657 ; portion, 
T. ii. 394. 

Parvys, s. church-porch, A 310. 

Pas, s. pace, B 399; step, D 2162; dis- 
tance, R. 525 ; foot-pace, A 825 ; grade, 
degree, 4. 134 ; grade, I 532 ; passage, 
B 2635 ; a pas, at a footpace, T. ii. 627, 
v. 60; F 388; //. paces, yards, A 1890; 
thousand pas, a mile, B i. p 4. 270. 

Passage, s. period, R. 406. 

Passant, pres. pt. as adj. surpassing, A 
2107. 

Passen, ger. to surpass, exceed, conquer, 
A 3089 ; overcome, L. 162 ; outdo, G 
857 ; pr. s. passes away, F 404 ; Paste, 
pi. s. passed, T. ii. 658 ; passed by, T. 
ii. 398 ; Passing, pres. pt. surpassing, 
A 2885 ; //. past, spent, E 610 ; sur- 
passed, 7. 82; passed by, 5. 81; over- 
blown, gone off, R. 1682. 

Passing, adj. excellent, F 929; extreme, 
E 1225. 

Passioun, s. suffering, B 1175; passion, 
I. 162 ; passive feeling, impression, B 
5. m 4. 52. 

Pastee, s. pasty, A 4346. 

Patrimoine, s. patrimony, I 790. 

Patroun, s. patron, 4. 275 ; protector, 7, 
4 ; pattern, 3. 910. 

Pawmes,//. palms (of the hand), T. iii. 
1114. 

Pax, s. the ' osculatorium,' or ' paxbrede," 
a disk of metal or other substance, used 
at Mass for the ' kiss of peace,' I 407. 

Pay, s. pleasure, 5. 271 ; more to pay, so 
as to give more satisfaction, 5. 474. 

Paye, v. pay, A 806; //. s. A 539; //. 
satisfied, pleased, 9. 3 ; holde her payd, 
think herself satisfied, 3. 269. 

Pay en, adj. pagan, A 2370. 

Payens, s. pi. pagans, L. 786. 

Payndemayn, s. bread of a peculiar 
whiteness, B 1915. Lat. panis Domini- 
cus. 

Payne, s. pain; dide his payne, took 
pains, F. 730. 

Payre, s. a pair, R. 1386; Paire,//. pairs, 
R. 1698. 

Pece, s. piece, 5. 149; //. pieces, T. i. 833. 

Peches, //. peaches, R. 1374. 

Pecok, v. peacock, 5. 356. 



#lo00artal Intiw. 



Pecok-arwes, //. arrows with peacocks' 

feathers, A 104. 
Pecunial, adj. pecuniary, D 1314. 
Pees, s. peace, A 532, 1447; in p., in 

silence, B 228. 
Pees, peace ! hush ! be still ! B 836. 
Pekke, s. peck (quarter of a bushel), A 

4010. 
Pekke, imp. s. peck, pick, B 4157. 
Pel, s. peel, small castle, HF. 1310. O. F. 

pel; from Lat. a.cc. palum. 
Pelet, s. pellet, stone cannon-ball, HF. 

1643. 
Penaunt, s. a penitent, one who does 

penance, B 3154. 
Pencel (i), s. pencil, brush, A 2049. 
Pencel (2),^. small banner, sleeve worn 

as a token, T. v. 1043. Short ior penoncel. 
P6nible, aif/'. painstaking, B 3490; Peni- 

ble, careful to please, E 714; Penyble, 

inured, D 1846. 
Penitauncer, 5. confessor who assigns a 

penance, I 1008. 
Penitence, s. penance, I loi, 126. 
Penne, s. pen, quill, L. 2357. 
Penner, s. pen-case, E 1879. 
Penoun, s. pennon, ensign or small flag 

borne at the end of a lance, A 978. 
Pens ; see Peny. 
Peny, s. penny, R. 451; money, A4119; 

Penyes, //. pence, R. 189; Pens, //. 

pence, C 376. 
Per cas, by chance, L. 1967. 
Pf?- conseqtiens, consequently, D 2192. 
Peraventure, adv. perhaps, HF. 304; C 

935- 
Percen, v. pierce, B 2014; pr. s. pierces 

w ith his gaze, 5. 331. 
Perche, s. perch (for birds to rest on), 

A 2204 ; wooden bar, R. 225 ; a horizon- 
tal rod, A. ii. 23. 44. \ja.\.. pertica. 
Percinge, s.\ for percinge = to prevent 

any piercing, B 2052. 
Perdurable, adj. everlasting, eternal, 

B 2699; Perdurables, a^'.//. everlasting, 

I 811. 
Perdurabletee, s. immortality, B 2. p 7. 

63, 103. 
Pere s. peer, equal. B 3244, F 678. 
Peregryn, adj. peregrine, i. e. foreign, 

F 428. 
Pere-jonette, j. a kind of early-ripe 

pear, A 3248. 
Peres, pi. pears, R. 1375, E 2331. 
Perflt, adj. complete, A. i. 18. 4. 
Perfltly, adv. perfectly, A. pr. 21. 
Perfourne, ger. to perform, B 2256; be 

equivalent to, A. ii. 10. 16. 



Peril, s. B 2672 ; in p. in danger, 4. 108 ; 

upo7i my p., (I say it) at my peril, D 

561. 
Perisse, v. perish, I 254. 
Perle, s. pearl, L. 221. 
Perled, pp. fitted with pearl-like drops, 

A 3251- 
Perr6§, s. jewellery, precious stones, 

gems, B 3495, 3550. 
Perrye, s. jewellery, A 2936; Perrie, HF. 

1393- 
Pers, adj. of Persian dye, light-blue, 

R. 67. 
Pers, s. stuff of a sky-blue colour, A 439, 

617. 
Pers6veraunce, j. endurance, T. i. 44; 

constancy, 3. 1007. 
Persevere, v. continue, D 148; pr. s. 

lasts, C 497. 
Pers6veringe, s. perseverance, G 117. 
Persly, s. parsley, A 4350. 
Pers6ne, s. person, figure, T. ii. 701 ; 

P6rsoun, parson, A 478. 
Pert, adj. forward, frisky, A 3950. Short 

for apert. 
Pertinacie, s. pertinaciousness, I 391. 
Pertinent, adj. fitting, B 2204. 
Pertourbe, ger. to perturb, 'I', iv. 561. 
Perturbacioun, s. trouble, B i. p i. 98. 
Perturbinge, s. perturbation, D 2254. 
Pervenke, s. periwinkle, R. 903; Per- 

vinke, R. 1432. 
Pesen, //. peas, L. 648. 
Pesible, adj. calm, B i. p 5. 3. 
Pestilence, s. the (great) pestilence, A 

442, C 679 ; curse, B 4600, D 1264. 
Peter, interj. by St. Peter, B 1404, G 665. 
Peyne, s. pain of torture, A 1133, T. i. 

674; in the p., under torture, T. iii. 

1502; care, F 509; toil, G 1398; penalty, 

B 3041 ; endeavour, R. 765 ; penance, 

B 2939 ; iipoti p., under a penalty, E 586. 
Peyne, v. refi. take pains, endeavour, B 

4495; put (myself) to trouble, HF. 246; 

Peyne, i //-. s. rejl. take pains, C 330, 

395; Peyned hir,//. j. reJl. took pains, 

A 139, E 976; Peyned hem, pt. pi. rejl. 

R. 107. 
Peynte, v. paint, C 12; colour highly, 

HF. 246; smear, L. 875 ; do p., cause to 

be painted, 3. 259; pt.s. F 560; Peynted, 

pp. painted, L. 1029; Peynt,//. R. 248. 
Peyntour, s. painter, T. ii. 1041. 
Peynture, s. painting, C 33. 
Peyre, s. pair, A 2121 ; a set (of similar 

things), D 1741. 
Peysible, adj. tranquil, B 3. m 9. 51. 

(L. tranquilla.) 



D3 



82 



(3\amaxinl Intstx. 



Peytrel, s, poitrel, breast-piece of a 
horse's harness ; properly, the breast- 
plate of a horse in armour, G 564 ; //. 
I 433. A. Y.peitrel, \jsA.pectorale. 

Phitonesses, //. pythonesses, witches, 
HF. 1261. 

[Physices, gen. of physics, or natural 
philosophy, B 1189. Lat. physices, gen. 
oi physice, natural philosophy. (I pro- 
pose this reading.)] 

Pich. f. pitch, A 3731, I 854. 

Pietee, s. pity, T. iii. 1033, v. 1598. 

Pietous, adj. piteous, sad, T. iii. 1444; 
sorrowful, T v. 451 ; merciful, F 20. 

Pig-ges-nye (lit. pig's eye), a dear little 
thing, A 3268. 

Pighte,//. s. refi. pitched, fell, A 2689; 
pt. s. siibj. should pierce, should stab, 
I. 163 (but this is almost certainly an 
error iox priglite, pt. s. subj. oi prikke) . 

Piked, pt. s. stole, L. 2467. 

Pikerel, s. a young pike (fish), E 1419. 

Pilche, s. a warm furred outer garment, 
20. 4. 

Pile, ger. to pillage, plunder, I 769; v. 
rob, despoil, D 1362. 

Piled, //. deprived of hair, very thin, 
A 627 ; bare, bald (lit. peeled), A 3935. 

Pileer, s. pillar, HF. 1421. 

Pilled, pp. robbed, L. 1262. 

Pilours, p/. robbers, pillagers, A 1007, 
1020. 

Pilwe, s. pillow, E. 2004. 

Pilwe-beer, s. pillow-case, A 694. 

Piment, s. sweetened wine, A 3378. 

Pin, s. pin, small peg, F 127, 316; fasten- 
ing, brooch, A 196; thin wire, A. ii. 
38. 8 ; Hangeth on a joly pin, is merry, 
E 15 16. 

Pinche, v. find fault (with), pick a hole 
(in), A 326; Pinchest at, zpr.s. blamest, 
10. 57 ; pp. closely pleated, A 151. 

Piper, s. as adj. suitable for pipes or 
horns, 5, 178. 

Pissemyre, s. pismire, ant, D 1825. 

Pistel, s. epistle, E 1154; message, sen- 
tence, D. 1021. 

Pit, pp. put (Northern), A 4088. 

Pitaunce, s. pittance, A 224. 

Pitee, s. pity, i. 68; Pite were, it would 
he a pity (if), 3. 1266. 

Pith, ,f. strength, R. 401 ; D 475. 

Pit6us, Pitous, ad/, compassionate, A 
143; merciful, C 226; pitiful, A 953; 
plaintive, R. 89, 497; mournful, R. 
420; piteous, sad, sorrowful, A 955; 
pitiable, B 3673 ; Pitouse, /em. full of 
compassion, L. 2582. 



Pitously, adv. piteously, B 1059 ; pitiably, 

B 3729; sadly, A 11 17. 
Place, s. place, A 623 ; manor-house 

(residence of a chief person in a small 

town or village), B 1910, D 1768. 
Placebo, vespers of the dead, so called 

from the initial word of the antiphon 

to the first psalm of the office (see Ps. 
— c.xiv. 9 in the Vulgate version), I 617; a 

song of flattery, D 2075. 
Plages, s. pi. regions, B 543 ; quarters of 

the compass, A. i. 5. 12. 
Plain, adj.; see Playn. 
Plane, s. plane-tree, A 2922. 
Planed, //. s. planed, made smooth, D 

1758. 
Plante, s. slip, cutting, D 763 ; piece of 

cut wood, R. 929. 
Piastres, s. pi. plasters, F 636. 
Plat, adj. flat, certain, A 1845; Platte, 

dat. flat (side of a sword), F 162, 164. 
Plat, adv. flat, B 1865; plainly, B 886; 

fully, T. ii. 579. 
Plate, s. plate-armour, 9. 49; stiff iron 

defence for a hauberk, B 2055 ; the 

' sight ' on the ' rewle,' A. i. 13. 2. 
Plated. //. covered with metal in plates, 

HF. 1345. 
Platly, adv. flatly, plainly, T. iii. 786, 881. 
Plaunte, s. plant, F 1032. 
Plaunte, imp. s. plant, T. i. 964. 
Play en me, v. refi. to amuse myself, R. 

113- 
Playing, s. sport, R. 112. 
Playn, adj. smooth, even, R. 860; in 

short and pi., in brief, plain terms, E 

577 ; Plain, flat, H 229. 
Playn, s. plain, B 24. 
Plede. ^<v. to dispute, B 2559. 
Pleding, s. pleading, 3. 615. 
Pledoures, //. pleaders, lawyers, R. 198. 
Plee, s. plea, 5. 485 ; //. suits, 5. loi. 
Plegges, s.pl. pledges, B 3018. 
Pleinedest, 2 //. s. didst complain, B 4. 

p. 4. 168. 
Pleinte, s. complaint, lament, B 66. 
Plen6re, adj. plenary, full, L. 1607. 
Plentee, s. plenitude, fulness, I 1080; 

abundance, R. 1434. 
Plentevous, adj. plentiful, A 344. 
Plentevously, adv. plenteously, B 2. p 2. 

86. 
Plesaunce, s. pleasure, C 219, D 408; 

delight, A 2409; pleasant thing, 3.773; 

pleasure, will, A 1571 ; kindness, E mi ; 

pleasing behaviour, F509; pleasantness, 

L. 1373; happiness, L. 1150; amusement, 

F 713; will, delight, B 149. 



(ilossartal Inticx. 



83 



Plesaunt, adj. pleasant, satisfactory, 
pleasing, A 138, 222. 

Plesen, v. please, A 610, F 707. 

Plesinges, adj.pl. pleasing, B711. 

Plesure, s. pleasure, 6. 126. 

P16te, ^er. to plead, bring a law-suit, T. 
ii. 1468. 

Pletinges,//. law-suits, B 3. p 3. 67. 

Pley, s. play, sport, A 1125; dalliance, 4. 
178 ; jesting, I 539 ; delusion, 3. 648 ; 
//. games, T. v. 304; plays, D 558; 
funeral games, 1". v. 1499. 

Pieye, v. amuse oneself, B 3524, 3666 ; 
ger. to play, be playful, be amused, A 
772; to amuse (myself), B 3996; to 
amuse (ourselves), L. 1495; play (on 
an instrument), A 236; i pr. s. jest, B 
3153; \ pr. pi. play, B 1423; //•.//. F 
900; pt. s. played, rejoiced, T. i. 1013 ; 
was in play, 3. 875; Pleyd,//. 3. 618. 

Pleyinge, s. amusement, sport, A 1061. 

Pleyinge, adj. playful, B 3. m 2. 27. 

Pleyn (i), adj. full, A 2461; complete, 

A 315. 337- 
Pleyn (2) , adj. plain, clear, L. 328 ; honest, 

5. 528; plain, i. e. open, A 987; as s. 

plain (fact), A 109 1 ; //. smooth, 5. 180. 
Pleyn (i), arft/. full, T. v. 1818; entirely, 

A 327. 
Pleyn (2), adv. plainly, A 790; openly, E 

637- 
Pleyne, v. complain, lament, B 1067; 

refl. 6. 50; V. to whinny (as a horse), 7. 

157 ; //. upon, cry out against, L. 2525 ; 

I //•. s. make complaint, L. 2512; pp. 

said by way of complaint, L. 326 a. 
Pleyning, s. complaining, lamenting, 3. 

599- 
Pleynly, adv. plainly, openly, {or, fully), 

A 1733- 
Pleynte, s. plaint, complaint, 2. 47; PI. 

of Kynde, Complaint of Nature, 5, 316. 
Plig-hte {i), pt. s. plucked, drew, T. ii. 

1 120; pulled, B 15; //. plucked, torn, 

D 790. The infin. would be plicchen, 

variant oi plukkien ox plukken. 
Plighte (2) , I pr. s. plight, pledge, F 1537 ; 

pt. s. L. 2466 ; pp. pledged, C 702. 
Plomet, s. plummet, heavy weight, A. ii. 

23. 42. 
Plom-re'wle,j. plummet-rule, A. ii. 38. 10. 
Ploug-h-harneys, s. harness for a plough, 

i. e. parts of a plough, as the share and 

coulter, A 3762. 
Ploumes, s. pi. plums, R. 1375. 
Ploungen, ger. to plunge, bathe, B 3. p 

2. 48. 
Ploungy, adj. stormy, rainy, B i. m 3. 9. 



Plowman, s. ploughman, E 799. 
Plukke, V. pluck, pull, T. iv. 1403. 
Plye, V. plv, mould, E 1430; bend, E 1169. 
Plyg-ht,//. plighted, T. iii. 782. 
Plyt, s. plight, T. ii. 712, 1731 ; condition, 

B 2338; position, T. ii. 74; Plyte, dat. 

mishap, wretched condition, 5. 294; 

plight, 23. 19; state, G 952. 
Plyte, ger. to fold, T. ii. 1204; //. s. 

turned backwards and forwards, T. ii. 

697. 
Poeplish, popular, T. iv. 1677. 
Poesye, s. poetry, T. v. 1790. 
Poinant. adj. poignant, 1 130, 131. 
Point, Poynt, s. point, A 114; position, 

I 921 ; in point, on the point of, about 

to, B 331, 910; at point, ready, T. iv. 

1638 ; in good p., in good case, A 200 ; 

fro p. to p., from beginning to end, B 

3652; /. for p., in every detail, E 577. 
Point-devys ; at p., with great neatness, 

exactly, carefully, HF. 917; A 3689, F 

560. 
Pointel, s. style, i. e. stylus, writing im- 
plement, B I. p I. 3. 
Poke, s. bag, A 3780, 4278. 
Poked, //. s. incited, T. iii. 116; nudged, 

A 4169. 
Pokets, s.pl. little bags, G 808. 
Pokkes, s.pl. pocks, pustules, C 358. 
Pol (i), s. pole, long stick; Pole, dat. L. 

2202. 
Pol (2) , 5. pole (of the heavens) , A. i. 14. 9. 
Polax, s. pole-axe, L. 642. 
Polcat, s. polecat, C 855. 
Policye, s. public business, C 600. 
Pollax, s. pole-axe, A 2544. 
Polut,//. polluted, B I. p 4. 281. 
Polyve, s. pulley, F 184. 
Pomel, s. round part, top, A 2689. 
Pomely, adj. marked with round spots 

like an apple, dappled, A 616 ; Pomely- 

gris, dapple-gray, G 559. 
Pomgarnettes, s. pi. pomegranates, R. 

1356- 

Pompe, s. pomp, A 525. 

Pool, f. pole (of the heavens), A. i. 18. 20. 

Pope-Holy, i. e. Hypocrisy, R. 415. 

Popelote, s. poppet, darling, A 3254. 

Popet, s. puppet, doll; spoken ironically, 
and really applied to a corpulent person, 
B 1891. 

Popinjay, s. popinjay, R. 913. 

Poplar, s. poplar-tree, A 2921 ; (collec- 
tively) poplar-trees, R. 1385. 

Popped, //. s. rejl. tricked herself out, 
R. 1019. 

Popper, f. small dagger, A 3931. 



84 



#l000arial Inter. 



Poraille, s. poor people, A 247. 

Porche, s. Porch, B 5. m 4. i. 

Pore, adj. poor, L. 388. 

Porisme, s. corollary, B 3. p 10. 166. 

Porphiirie, s. a slab of porphyry used as 

a mortar, G 775. 
Port (i), s. port, carriage, behaviour, A 

69; bearing, mien, L. 2453. 
Port (2), .f. haven, T. i. 526, 969. 
Portatif, ady. portable, 3. 53. 
Porthors, s. portesse, breviary, B 1321. 

From porter, to carry, hors, abroad. 
Portours, pi. porters, T. v. 1139. 
Portreiture, s. drawing, picture, R. 827 ; 

set of drawings, A 1968 ; picturing, HF. 

131- 
Portreye, v. pourtray, depict, i. 81 ; 

Portrayed, pp. painted in fresco, R. 140; 

full of pictures, R. 1077. 
Portreying', s. a picture, A 1938. 
Pose, s. a cold in the head, A 4152, H 62. 

A. '&.ge-pose. 
Pose, I pr. s. put the case, (will) suppose, 

A 1 162. 
Positif. adj. positive, fixed, A 1167. 
Positioun, s. supposition, hypothesis, 

B 5. p 4. 48. 
Possessioners, s. pi. men who are en- 
dowed, D 1722. 
Possessioun, s. great possessions, wealth, 

F 686; endowments, D 1926. 
Posseth, pr. s. pusheth, tosseth. L. 2420. 
Post. s. support, A 214; pillar, A 800. 
Postum, s. imposthume, abscess, B 3. p 4. 

14. 
Potdge, 5. broth, B 3623, C 368. 
Potente, s. crutch, R. 368 ; staff, D 1776. 
Potestat. s. potentate, D 2017. 
Pothecdrie, s. apothecary, C 852. 
Pouche, s. pocket, A 3931 ; pi. money- 
bags, A 368. 
Poudre, f. dust, HF. 536 ; powder, G 760 ; 

gunpowder, HF. 1644. 
Poudred.//. besprinkled, R. 1436. 
Poudre-marchaunt, s. the name of a 

kind of spice, A 381. 
Pounage, jr. pannage, swine's food, 9. 7. 
Pound, //. pounds, A 454. 
Povine. s. pawn at chess, 3. 661. 
Pounsoned, pp. as adj. stamped, pierced, 

I 421. 
Pounsoninge, s. punching of holes in 

garments, I 418. 
Pouped, pt. pi. blew hard, puffed, B 4589 ; 

pp. blown, H 90. 
VoMve, ger. to pore, look closely, A 185; 

to pore over (it), R. 1640; 1 pr.pl. (we) 

pore, gaze steadily, G 670. 



Poured,//, poured, R. 1148. 
Pouring, s. pouring (in), T. iii. 1460. 
Pous, s. pulse, T. iii. 1114. 
Poustee, s. power, B 4. p 5. 13. 
Povertee, s. poverty, 3. 410 ; Pov6rte, s. 

poverty, T. iv. 1520; P6vert, poverty, 

R. 450; Pov6rt, C 441. 
Povre, adj. poor, R. 466, A 225. 
Povre, adj. as s. poor, hence poverty, 10. 2. 
Povre, adv. poorly, E 1043. 
Povreliche, adj. poorly, in poverty, E 213,. 

1055- 

Povrely, adv. in poor array, A 1412. 

Povrest, adj. superl. poorest, C 449, E 205. 

Poynaunt, adj. pungent, A 352, B 4024. 

Poynt, s. sharp point, 7. 211 ; very object, 
aim, A 1501 ; point, bit (of it), part, R. 
1236 ; a stop, G 1480 ; up p., on the 
point, T. iv. 1153; in p. is, is on the 
point, is ready, i. 48 ; fro p. to p., in 
every point, 5. 461 ; to the p., to the 
point, 5. 372; at p. devys, exact at all 
points, R. 830; to perfection, exquisitely, 
R. 1215 ; //. tags, A 3322. 

Poynte, ger. to describe, T. iii. 497 ; pr. 
pi. stab, R. 1058 ; //. pointed, R. 944. 

Poyntel, s. style for writing, D 1742. 

Practisour, .f. practitioner, A 422. 

Praktike, s. practice, D 187. 

Praye, s. prey, i. 64. 

Praye, //-. //. petition, make suit, I 785. 

Praying, s. request, prayer, R. 1484. 

Preamble, s. D 831. 

Preambulacioun, s. preambling, D 837. 

Precedent, adj. preceding, A. ii. 32. 4. 

Preche, v. preach, A 481, 712; Preche- 
stow, thou preachest, D 366. 

Prechour, s. preacher, D 165. 

Preciousness, j-. costliness, I 446. 

Predestinee, s. predestination, T. iv. 966. 

Predicacioun, s. preaching, sermon, B 

"79- 

Preef , s. proof, assertion, D 247 ; ex- 
perience, L. 528 a ; test, proof, G 968 ; 
the test, H 75. 

Frees, s. press, crowd, B 393, 646; the 
throng of courtiers, 13. 4 ; press of battle, 
9- 33 ; '■'' /'•. '" tl^ts crowd, 5. 603. 

Preesseth,//-. s. throngs, A 2580. 

Prefectes, gen. prefect's, G 369. Lit. ' an 
officer of the prefect's (officers).' 

Preferre, pr. s. subj. precede, take pre- 
cedence of, D 96. 

Preignant, pres. pt. plain, convincing, 
T. iv. 1 179. 

Preisen, ^^(?/-. to praise, (worthy) of being 
praised, R. 70; v. appraise, estimate, R. 
1115; prize, esteem, R. 1693. 



(Slossarial Iribtx. 



85 



Preiseres, s./>l. praisers, B 2367. 

Preising^e, s. honour, glory, I 949. 

Preldt, ,f. prelate, A 204. 

Premisses, //. statements laid down, 
B 3. p 10. 121. 

Prenostik, s. prognostic, prognostication, 
ID. 54. 

Prente, s. print, D 604. 

Prenten, _^^r. to imprint, T. ii. 900. 

Pr6ntis, j. apprentice, A 4365. 

Prentishood, s. apprenticeship, A 4400. 

Prescience, s. foreknowledge, A 1313. 

Prese, ^er. to press forward, T. i. 446; 
V. hasten, 2. 19. 

Presence, .f. i. 19; in pr., in a large 
assembly, E 1207. 

Present, adv. immediately, 5. 424. 

Presentarie, adj. ever-present, B s.p 6.78. 

Presented, pp. brought, L. 1297. 

Presenting, s. offering, L. 1135. 

Presently, adv. at the present moment, 
B 5. p 6. 123. 

President, s. the one who presided in 
parliament, T. iv. 213. 

Pres6un, s. prison, T. iii. 380. 

Press, s. throng, T. i. 173; Presse, dat. 
instrument exercising pressure, A 81; 
mould, A 263 ; on pfesse, under a press, 
in a suppressed state, down, T. i. 559; 
press, a cupboard with shelves (for linen, 
<S:c.). A 3212. 

Prest, s. priest, B 1166. 

Prest, adj. ready, prepared, prompt, 5. 
307 ; pi. prompt, T. iv. 661. 

Pretende, v. attempt to reach, seek 
(after), T. iv. 922. 

Preterit, s. past time, D 5. p 6. 48. 

Pretoria, s. the Roman imperial body- 
guard, the Pretorian cohort, B i. p 4. 94. 

Preve, s. proof, B 4173 ; experimental 
proof, A. ii. 23 rubric; at p., (when it 
comes) to the proof, T. iii. 1002; at p., 
in the proof, T. iv. 1659 ; armes preve, 
proof of fighting power, T. i. 470. 

Preve, v. prove, C 169; bide the test, 
G 645; succeed when tested, G 1212; 
Preyed, pp. proved to be so, T. i. 239 ; 
tested, G 1336 ; approved, E 28 ; ex- 
emplified, E 826; shewn, F 481. 

Prevetee, s. secret place, recess, T. iv. 
mi. 

Prevey, adj. secret, B 4. p 3. 122. 

Previdence, s. seeing beforehand, B 5. 
p 6. 131. 

Prevy, adj. privy, unobserved, 3. 382; not 
confidential, HF. 285. 

Preye, ger. to beseech, T. ii. 1369; to 
pray, 2. 20 ; Preyde, pt. s. B 391 ; 



Preyeden, //. //. D 895 ; Preyed, //. E 

773- 

Preys, .r. praise, B 3837. 

Pricasour, s. a hard rider, A 189. 

Prighte, pt. s. pricked, F 418 {inferior 
MSS. have pighte). No doubt, the 
reatling pighte in i. 163 should also be 
prigkte. See Priken. 

Priken, v. incite, urge, T. iv. 633; Prik, 
I pr. s. spur, rouse, 5. 389; Priketh,/r. 
s. excites, A 11, 1043; spurs, D 656; 
pricks, aches, D 1594; Prighte, //. s. 
F 418 (see above) ; Priked,//.5. spurred, 
B 1964. 

Priking, s. hard riding, A 191, 2599. 

Prikke, 5. point, HF. 907; sting, I 468; 
a small mark, a peg, A. ii. 42. 4 ; a dot, 
A. ii. 5. 20; piercing stroke, A 2606; 
point, critical condition, B 119. 

Principals, adj.pl. cardinal, A. ii. 31. 17. 

Principio in, in the beginning (St.' John, 
i. i).A254. 

Pris, s. prize, A 2241. 

Privee, adj. secret, A 3295 ; private, 
I 102; intimate, R. 600; closely atten- 
dant, E \<^i\- privee 7nan, private in- 
dividual, B 2. p 3. 77. 

Privee, adv. secretly, F 531 ; Privee and 
apert, secretly and openly, D 11 14; pr. 
ne fl/., neither secretly nor openly, D 1 136. 

Privee, s. privy, C 527, E 1954. 

Prively, adv. secretly, A 652; unper- 
ceived, R. 784. 

Privetee, s. privacy, R. 1294; secrecy, 
B 548 ; secrets, secret, D 531, 542, 1637 ; 
private affairs, A 1411; private apart- 
ment, A 4334; privy parts, B 3905. 

Privy, adj. secret, L. 1267, 1780. 

Proces, s. process, B 2665 ; proceeding, 
f ^^345; process of time, F 829; argu- 
ment, B 3. p 10. 62; matter, T. ii. 485; 
L. 1914; story, HF. 251; occurrence of 
events, B 3511 ; dat. course (of time), 3. 
1331- 

Procutour. used for Procurator, proctor, 
D 1596. 

Proeve, s. proof, B 5. p 4. 83. 

Proeve, i pr. s. approve, B 5. p 3. 28; 
pr. s. shews, B 2. m i. 17. 

Professioun, s. profession of religion, 
D 1925; oath of profession (as a monk), 
^ 1345- 

Proferestow, dost thou offer, T. iii. 1461. 

Prof re, s. offer, L. 2079. 

Proheme, s. proem, prologue, E 43. 

Prolaciouns, s.pl. utterances, B 2. p i. 50. 

ProUe, 2 pr. pi. prowl about, search 
widely, G 1412. 



86 



(^losgarial InlJei. 



Pronounced, pp. announced, T. iv. 213. 

Proporcionables, adj.pl. proportional, 
B 3. m 9. 20. 

Proporcioned, //. made in proportion, 
F 192. 

Proporcionels, s.pl. proportional parts, 
F 1278. 

Propre, adj. own, T. iv. 83; especial, B 
2175; peculiar, D 103; well-grown, A 
3972 ; well-made, A 3345 ; comely, A 4368 ; 
handsome, C 309; Propres, //. own, B 
I. m 6. 20 ; of propre k'uide, by their own 
natural bent, F 610. 

Proprely, adv. fitly, A 1549; literally, I 
285; naturally, D 1191; appropriately, 
A 729. 

ProiJretee, s. peculiarity, 10. 69; charac- 
teristic, B 2364; peculiar possession, T. 
iv. 392. 

Prose, V. write in prose, 16. 41. 

Prospectyves, s. pi. perspective-glasses, 
lenses, F 234. Chaucer here makes the 
usual distinction between reflecting mir- 
rors and refracting lenses. 

Prospre, adj. prosperous ; prospre for- 
tunes, well-being, B i. p 4. 62. 

Protestacioun, s. protest, A 3137. 

Prove, V. test, A. ii. 23, rubric ; Proveth, 
pr. $. proves, F 455. 

Prov6rbed, //. said in proverbs, T. iii. 

293- 

Provost, s. prefect, B i. p 4. 64; chief 
magistrate, B 1806. 

Provostrie, s. praetorship, B 3. p 4. 90. 

Prov7, J. profit, advantage, B'isgS, 4140, 
C 300, G 609. 

Prowesse, s. prowess, T. i. 438 ; excel- 
lence, D 1 129; profit, B 4. p 3. 71. 

Proyneth,/r. s. prunes, i. e. trims, makes 
(himself) neat, E 2011. O.Y. proigner. 

Prydelees. adj. without pride, 6. 29. 

Prye, ger. to pry, peer, T. ii. 404 ; to gaze, 
A 3458 ; V. spy, T. ii. 17 10. 

Pryme, s. prime (of day), usually 9 A.M., 
A 2189, 2576, 3554; fully pr., the end of 
the first period of the day (from 6 A.M. 
to 9A.M.),B20is; /r./a/;f^^, past 9 o'clock, 
F 360 ; passed pr., past 9 o'clock, D 1476 ; 
half li'ay pryme, half way between 6 and 
9 A.M., half-past seven, A 3906. 

Pryme face, s. the first glance, T. iii. 919. 

Prynaerole, s. primrose, A 3268. 

Prys, s. price, value, R. 1134; worth, ex- 
cellence, F 911 ; praise, E 1026; esteem, 
F 934 ; glory, L. 2534 ; reputation, D 
1152; renown, A 67, 237; prize, I 355. 

Pryse, ger. to esteem, to be esteemed, R. 



Pry ved, pp. deprived, exiled, i. 146. 
Pryvee, adj. secret, A 2460. 
Puffen,^^r. to blow hard, HF. 1866. 
Pulle, s. a bout at wrestling, a throw, 

5. 164. 
Pulle, V. pluck, T. i. 210; to draw, T. ii. 

657 ; pulle a Jiiiche, pluck a finch, cheat 

a novice, A 652 ; a pulled heft, a plucked 

hen, A 177. 
Pultrye, s. poultry, A 598. 
Puplisshen, pr.fl. refl.. are propagated, 

B3. p II. 135. 
Purchacen, ger. to procure, acquire, I 

742, 1066; gain, I 1080; win, 21. 19; 

buy, A 608 ; pr. pi. promote, B 2870 ; 

hup. s. 3 /. may (He) provide, B 873; 

Purchace, imp.pl. provide (for yourself ), 

T. ii. 1125. 
Purchas, s. proceeds, gifts acquired, A 

256; gain, D 1451, 1530. 
Purchasing, s. conveyancing, A 320 ; 

acquisition of property, D 1449. 
Purchasour, s. conveyancer, A 318. 
Pure, adj. very (lit. pure), A 1279; utter, 

3. 1209; the p. deth, death itself, 3. 583. 
Pure, adv. purely, 3. loio. 
Pured, //. as adj. pure, F 1560 ; very fine, 

D 143. 
Purfiled, pp. ornamented at the edge, 

trimmed, A 193. 
Purgacioun, s. discharge, D 120. 
Purgen, ger. to purge, B 4143; pt. s. 

expiated, B 4. m 7. 4 { Lat. piauit) ; pp. 

cleansed (by baptism), G 181. 
Purpos. s. purpose, R. 1140; design, A 

1684 ; to purpos, to the subject, 5. 26 ; it 

cam him to p., he purposed, F 606. 
Purposen, v. purpose, I 87 ; //•. //. pro- 
pose, T. iv. 1350. 
Purpre, adj. purple, T. iv. 869. 
Purpre, J. purple, R. 1071 ; purple raiment, 

I 933- 
Purs, s. purse, A 656. 
Pursevauntes, s. pi. pursuivants, HF. 

1321. 
Piirsuit, s. continuance, perseverance, 

T. ii. 959; continuance in pursuit, T. ii. 

1744 ; appeal to prosecute, D 890. 
Purtreye, v. draw, A 96; //. s. E 1600. 
Purtreyour, s. draughtsman, A 1899. 
Purveyable, adj. with provident care, 

B 3. ni 2. 5. 
Purveyaunce,j'.providence,A 1252,1665 ; 

foresight, D 566, 570; equipment, B 247; 

provision, A 3566, F 904; pre-arrange- 

ment, T. iii. 533; unto his p., to provide 

himself with necessaries, L. 1561. 
Purveyen. v. provide, B 2532; pr. j.fore- 



(ilogsarial Intiei. 



87 



sees, T. iv. 1066; /. of, provided with, 

D591. 
Purveyinge, s. providence, T. iv. 986. 
Put. s. pit, r. iv. 1540. 
Puterie, s. prostitution, I 886. 
Putours, r. pi. pimps, procurers, I 886. 
Putten, V. put, lay, 7. 344 ; v. suppose, B 

2667; Put, pr. s. puts, I 142; Put him, 

puts himself, L. 652 ; Putte, pt. s. B 1630 ; 

set, L. 675 ; /. up, put away, 2. 54. 
Pye, s. magpie, A 3950, B 1399. 
Pye, s. pie, pasty, A 384. 
Pyk, s. pike (fish), 12. 17. 
Pyke, V. (i) peep, T. iii. 60; ger. (2) to 

pick at, T. ii. 1274 ; pr. s. (3) makes 

(himself) tidy or smooth, E 2011. 
Pykepurs, s. pick-purse, A 1998. 
Pyled, pp. peeled, bare, bald, A 4306. 
Pyn, the pin which passes through the 

central hole in the Astrolabe and its 

plates, A. i. 14. i. 
Pyn, s. pine-tree, R. 1379. 
Pyne, s. pain, torment, T. v. 6; hurt, 5. 

335; toil, HF. 147; place of torment, 

HF. 1512; suffering, A 1324, 2382; woe, 

torment, B 3420; the passion, B 2126. 

A. S. p'ln. 
Pyne, ger. to torture, A 1746; pr. s. pines 

away, 7. 205 ; grieves, bemoans, I 85 ; 

pp. examined by torture, B 4249. 
Pype, s. pipe, musical instrument, B 2005 ; 

//. pipes, tubes, A 2752. 
Pypen, v. pipe, whistle, A 1838 ; play on 

the bag-pipe, A 3927 ; Pype, make a 

piping noise, T. v. 1433 ; play upon a 

pipe, A 3876; //. faintly uttered, HF. 

785 ; pres.pt. piping (hot) , hissing, A 3379. 
Pyrie, j^. pear-tree, E 2217, 2325. A. S. 

pyrige. 

Q. 

Quaad, adj. evil (Flemish), A 4357; 
Quad, bad, B 1628. Du. kwaad. 

Quaille, s. quail, E 1206. 

Quake, v. tremble, shiver, R. 462; quake, 
A 3614; shake, T. iii. 542; Quook, //. j. 
quaked, A 1576, 1762; Quaked, //. B 
3831; Quaketh, imp.pl. quake, fear, T. 
ii. 302. 

Quaking', s. fear, 7. 214. 

Quakke, s. a state of hoarseness, A 4152. 

Qualm, s. pestilence, A 2014 ; evil, plague, 
R. 357 ; foreboding of death, T. v. 3S2. 

Quappe, V. heave, toss (lit. shake, pal- 
pitate), L. 1767 ; beat repeatedly, L. 865 ; 
palpitate, T. iii. 57. 

Quarter-night, the time when a fourth 
part of the night is gone, 9 p.m., A 3516. 



Quayles, gen. pi. quails, 5. 339. 

Queinte, adj. curious, B 1426. 

Quek 1 nit. quack I 5. 499, 594. 

Quelle, V. kill, C 854; pr.pl. strike, T. iv. 
46. 

Queme, v. please, T. 695 ; pr. pi. sub- 
serve, T. ii. 803. 

Quenche, v. put a stop to, T. iii. 846 ; be 
quenched, I 341 ; Queynte, //. s. was 
quenched, A 2334, 2337; Queynt, //. ex- 
tinguished, A 2321, 2336. 

Quene, s. queen, R. 1266. 

Querele, s. quarrel, I 618 ; //. complaints, 

B 3- P 3- 67- 

Quern, s. hand-mill, 9. 6; dat. B 3264. 

Questemongeres, s.pl. questmen, jury- 
men, I 797. 

Questio, quid iuris, the question is, how 
stands the law, A 647. 

Questioun, s. dispute, A 2514; problem,, 
D 2223. 

Queynt, adj. strange, 3. 1330; curious, 
dainty, R. 65 ; adorned, R. 1435 ; well- 
devised, HF. 228 ; neat, R. 98 ; sly, A 
3275; curiously contrived, HF. 126; F 
234; hard to understand, 3. 531 ; grace- 
ful, R. 610. 

Queynte, adv. artfully, HF. 245. 

Queynte, s. pudendum, A 3276, D 332, 
444. 

Queynteliche, adv. curiously, cunningly, 
HF. 1923; daintily, R. 569; strangely, 

R. 783- 
Queyntise, s. finery, I 932; art, I 733; 

ornament, R. 840. 
Qui cum patre, D 1734, I 1092. The for- 
mula used at the end of a sermon. 
Qui la, who's there? B 1404. 
Quik, adj. alive, F 1336; lively, A 306; 

ready, I 658. 
Quiken, v. quicken, revive, T. i. 443 ; ger. 

to grow, T. i. 295 ; to make alive, quicken, 

G 481 ; ger. to take life, burst forth, HF. 

2078 ; pf. s. burst into flame, A 2335 ; 

pp. endowed with life, F 1050. 
Quikkest, adj. superl. liveliest, busiest, 

F 1502. 
Quiknesse, s. life, 3. 26. 
Quinible, s. shrill treble, A 3332. 
Quirboilly, s. boiled leather, B 2065. 
Quisshin, s. cushion, T. ii. 1229. 
Quistroun, s. scullion, kitchen-drudge, 

R. 886. O. F. coistron. 
Quit, -te; see Quyte. 
Quitly, adv. freely, wholly, .\ 1792. 
Quod, pt. s. said, A 1234. ' 
Quoniam, pudendum, D 608. 
Quook, //. s. ()/ Quake. 



88 



(glossarial Intjtx. 



Quyte, V. requite, reward, repay, recom- 
pense, give in return, R. 1542; 5. 112; 
10. 75; HF. 670; free, ransom, A 1032; 
g'er. to remove, free, 7. 263; t/u}ie with, 
to requyte with, A 3119; hir cost for 
to quyte, to pay for her expenses, B 
3564; quyte hir luhyle, repay her time, 
i. e. her trouble, B 584; pt. s. repaid, R. 
1526; //.//. released, T. iv. 205; Quit, 
//. rewarded, requited, HF. 1614; set 
free, G 66; discharged, quit, F 1758; as 
adj. free, F 1534. 

R. 
Baa, s. roe (Northern), A 4086. 
Raby, Rabbi, D 2187. 
Rad, -de ; see Rede. 
Radevore, s. piece of tapestry, L. 2352. 

From F. ras de Vore, serge from La 

Vaur. 
Rafles, s. pi. raffles, I 793. 
Raft, -e ; see Reve. 
Rage, 5. passion, R. 1613 ; craving, R. 1657 ; 

madness, 3. 731; L. 599; violent grief, 

F 836; violent rush, fierce blast, A 1985. 
Kage, V. romp, toy wantonly, A 257, 3273, 

3958. 
Ragerye, s. wantonness, E 1847 ; passion, 

D 4S5. 
Raked, //. raked, B 3323. Literally, the 

sentence is — 'Amongst hot coals he 

hath raked himself; the sense is, of 

course, ' he hath raked hot coals around 

himself.' 
Rakel, adj. rash, T. i. 1067; liasty, T. iii. 

1437- 

Rakelnesse, j. rashness, H 283. 

Rake-stele, s. handle of a rake, D 949. 
Sfc Stele. 

Raket. s. the game of rackets, T. iv. 460. 

Rakle, v. behave rashly, T. iii. 1642. 

Ram, s. ram, L. 1427 ; (as prize at a wrest- 
ling-match), A 548; Aries, the first sign 
in the zodiac, A 8. 

Rammish, adj. ramlike, strong-scented, 
G 887. 

Rampeth, pr. s. (lit. ramps, romps, rears, 
but here) rages, acts with violence, B 
3094. We should now say — 'She jlies 
in my face." 

Rancour, s. ill-feeling, ill-will, malice, R. 
1261. 

Ransaked, pt. s. ransacked, came search- 
ing out, 4. 28. 

Rape, s. haste, 8. 7. Icel. hrap. 

Rape, V. ; in phrase rape and re»ne, cor- 
rupted from an older phrase repeti and 
rliien (A. S. hrepian and hr'inan), i. e. 



handle and touch, clutch and seize, G 

1422. 
Rascaille, s. mob, T. v. 1853. 
Rated, //. reproved, scolded, A 3463. 

Short for arated, variant of aretted ; see 

Arette. 
Rathe, adv. soon, HF. 2139 ; early, A 3768. 
Rather, adj. co?np. former, T. iii. 1337. 
Rather, adv. sooner, 3. 562; more will- 
ingly, A 487 ; the r., the sooner, 2. 82. 
Raug-hte ; see Reche. 
Raunson, s. ransom, A 1024. 
Rave, 1 pr.pl. are mad, T. ii. 116. 
Raven, s. the constellation Corvus, HF. 

1004. 
Ravines, s. pi. rapines, thefts, I 793. 
Ravinour, s. plunderer, B 4. p 3. 117. 
Ravisshe, v. snatch away, B 2. m 7. 32; 

go r., go and ravish, T. iv. 530; //. rapt, 

E 1750; overjoyed, F 547; part. pies. 

snatching away, B 4. m 6. 39. 
Ravisshing, adj. swift, violent, B i. m 5. 

4; enchanting, 5. 198; destroying, B i. 

ni 5. 60 (Lat. rap ides'). 
Ravyne, s. ravening, greediness, 5. 336; 

ravin, prey, 5. 323; Ravines, thefts, I 

793. O. F. ravine, L. rapina. 
Ravysedest, 2/. s.pt. didst draw (down) , 

B 1659. 
Rayed, /5^. striped, 3. 252. 
Real, adj. royal, regal, T . iii. 1534 ; L. 214, 

284, 1605. 
Realtee, s. royalty, sovereign power, 10. 

60. 
Reaume, s. realm, kingdom, L. 2091. 
Rebekke, s. old woman, dame, D 1573. 
Rebel, adj. rebellious, A 833, 3046. 
Rebelling, s. rebellion, A 2459. 
Rebounde, v. return, T. iv. 1666. 
Rebuked, pp. snubbed, I 444. 
Recche (i), v. reck, care, heed, 5. 593 ; is 

nought to r., no matter for, T. ii. 434; 

pr. s. recks, cares, A 2397 ; Recche of it, 

care for it, pr. pi. F 71; it recche, pr. s. 

subj. may care for it, T. iv. 630; Roghte, 

pt. s. recked, cared, regarded, 3. 887; 

impers. he cared, L. 605; Roughte,//. ,f. 

recked, cared, T. i. 496. 
Recche (2) ,pr. s. subj. interpret, expound, 

B 4086. 
Recchelees, adj. careless, reckless, R. 

340; regardless, HF. 668. 
Recchelesnesse, s. recklessness, I iii, 

611. 
Receit, s. receipt, i. e. recipe for making 

a mixture, G 1353. 
Rechased, />/. headed back, 3. 379. 
Reche, v. reach, give, hand over, 3. 74; 



@l000arial JEntJci. 



89 



Raughte,//. J. reached, A 3696; reached 
up to, A 2915 ; reached (out, or forward), 
A 136; proceeded, T. ii. 446; Reighte, 
pt. s. reached, touched, HF. 1374. 

Reclaiming', 5. enticement, L. 1371. 

Reciayme, v. reclaim (as a hawk by 
a lure), i. e. check, H 72. 

Recomaunde, v. recommend, T. ii. 1070. 

Recomende, ^tf/-. to commit, G 544. 

Recomforte.^f/'. to comfort again, T. ii. 
1672. 

Recompensacioun, s. recompense, HF. 
665. 

Reconciled,//, re-consecrated, I 965. 

Reconforte, v. comfort again, A 2852, B 
2168. 

Record, s. report, D 2049 ; testimony, 

3- 934- 
Recorde, v. witness, bear in mind, A 

1745 ; remember, T. v. 445 ; (to) record, 

recording, 5. 609 ; Recorde, i 'pr. s. bring 

(it) to your remembrance, A 829. 
Recours, s. recourse, B 2632 ; resort, T. ii. 

1352; wol have my r., will return, F 75; 

pi. oibits, B I. m 2. 14. 
Recovere, v. regain, T. iv. 406. 
Recoverer, s. recovery, 22. 3. O. F. re- 

covrifr, recoverer. 
Reddour, s. violence, vehemence, 10. 13. 
Rede, v. read, A 709; advise, counsel, L. 

2217; interpret, 3. 279; Ret, /;-. s. 

advises, T. ii. 413 ; Redeth, //-. s. advises, 

T. iv. 573; Redde, pt. s. read, D 714, 

721; interpreted, 3. 281; Raddf, //. s. 

read, T. ii. 1085 ; D 791 ; advised, 5. 579 ; 

Red,//, read, 3. 224; Rad,//. read, B 

4311. 
Rede, dat. counsel, T. iv. 679; see Reed. 
Rede, adj. red; see Reed. 
Rede, adj. made of reed ; referring to 

a musical instru' lent in which the 

sound was produced by the vibration of 

a reed, HF. 1221. 
Rede, s. red (i. e. gold), T. iii. 1384; the 

blood, B 356; red wine, C 526, 562. 
Redelees, adj. without counsel ; not 

knowing which way to turn, 2. 27. 
Redely, adv. soon, HF. 1392; readily, 

truly, HF. 1127. 
Redoute, v. fear, B i. p 3. 21. 
Redoutinge, s. reverence, A 2050. 
Redrosseth, pr. s. amends, I 1039 ; pr. pi. 

refl. erect (themselves) again, rise again, 

T. ii. 969; Redressed, //. s. reasserted, 

vindicated, F 1436; Redresse, inip. s. 

reform, i. 129; Redressed,//, roused, 

B 4. p 2. 139. 
Reducen, v. sum up, B 3. p 8. 61. 



Bedy, adj. ready, A 21, 352; dressed, F 
387 ; at hand, 2. 104. 

Reed, s. counsel, advice, plan, A 1216, 
3527 ; profit, help, remedy, 3. 203 ; 
counsel, adviser, A 665 ; / can no r., 
I know not what to do, 3. 1187; without 
reed, helpless, 3. 587 ; to rede, for a 
counsel ; best to rede, best for a counsel, 
best to do, T. iv. 679 (not a verb). 

Reed, adj. red, A 153 ; (of the com- 
plexion), 3. 470; Rede, adj. def. red, 
A 957; indef. (rare), L. 2589; Rede,//. 
I. 89. 

Reed, s. redness, L. 533. 

Reed, imp.s. read, H 344. 

Reednesse, s. redness, G 1097. 

Rees, s. great haste, T. iv. 350. 

Refect,//, restored, B 4. p 6. 414. 

Befere, v. return, T. i. 266; Referred,//, 
brought back, B 3. p 10. 180. 

Reflguringe,/r^j. //. reproducing, T. v. 

473- 
Refreininge, s. refrain, burden, R. 749. 
Refreyden, v. grow cold, T. v. 507; 

Refreyd, cooled down, 12. 21. 
Refreyn, s. refrain, T. ii. 1571. 
Refreyne. v. bridle, curb, I 385. 
Refresshinge, j. renewing, I 78. 
Reft, -e ; see Reve. 

Refus, //. as adj. refused, rejected, T. i.570. 
Refut, s. place of refuge, refuge, i. 14; 

safetv, r. 33. 
Regals, //. royal attributes, L. 2128. 
Regalye, s. rule, authority, 2. 65. 
Regard ; to the r. of, in comparison 

with, B 2. p 7. 126 ; at r. of, 5. 58. 
Registre, s. narrative, A 2812. 
Regne, s. kingdom, dominion, realm, A 

866; dominion, rule, A 1624. 
Regnen, pr. pi. reign, 4. 50. 
Reherce, v. rehearse, repeat with exacti- 
tude, A 732 ; ger. to enumerate, I 239 ; 

recount, B 89. 
Rehersaille, s. enumeration, G 852. 
Rehersing', s. rehearsal, A 1650; recital, 

L. 1 185. 
Reighte, //. s. reached, touched, HF. 

137.4. P'- f- oireche. 
Reines, s.pl. rain-storms, HF. 967. 
Rejoye, v. rejoice, T. v. 395. 
Rejoyse.^^r. to make rejoice, i. 101 ; feel 

glad. T. V. 1 165. 
Rekene, ger. to reckon, A 401. 
Rekening, s. reckoning, account, 3. 699; 

A 600. 
Reketh. /;•. s. reeks, smokes, L. 2612. 
Rekever, \ pr. s. (ior future), (I) shall 

retrieve, do away, HF. 354. 



D4 



90 



(glossartal Inbtx, 



Rekke, \pr.s. care, C 405, E 1090; //■. s. 

impers. (it) recks (him), he cares, L. 

365; yow r., you reck, 7. 303; what r. 

me, what do I care, D 53. 
Rekne, v. reckon {also ipr. s.), A 1933. 
Relayes, s. pi. fresh sets of hounds, re- 
serve packs, 3. 362. 
Relees, s. release, i. 3; ceasing; out of 

1-,'lees, without ceasing, G 46. 
Relente, v. melt, G 1278. 
Relesedest, 2 //. s. forgavest, I 309; 

Ktlessed,/;'. s. forgave, B 3367. 
Relesingr, s. remission, I 1026. 
Releve, ^er. to raise up, relieve, T. v. 

1042 ; pp. restored, I 945 ; Releved, //. 

revived, L. 128; recompensed, A 4182; 

made rich again, G 872. 
Relevinge, ^. remedy, I 804. 
Religioun, s. religion, A 477 ; state of 

religion, life of a nun, R. 429; a re- 

hgious order, B 3134; the religious 

orders, B3144. 
Religious, adj. belonging to a religious 

order, B 3150; devoted to a religious 

order, T. ii. 759 ; as s., a monk or nun, 

I 891. 
Relik, s. relic, L. 321. 
Re me. j. realm, B 1306. 
Remede, s. remedy, T. i. 661. 
Remedies, //. (Ovid's) Remedia Amoris, 

3- 56C. 
Remembre, v. remember, I 135; pr.pl. 

remind, V 1243; pr. s. recurs to the 

mind, 4. 150; Remembringe him, call- 
ing to remembrance, T. ii. 72. 
Remenant, s. ren^.ainder, rest, A 888. 
Remeve. v. remove, T. i. 691. 
Remorde,//-.5.i///y. cause (you) remorse, 

T. iv. 1491 ; pr. s. ve.xes, plagues, 

troubles, B 4. p 6. 293. 
Remors, s. remorse, T. i. 554. 
Remounted, pp. comforted, B 3. p i. 9. 
Remuable (i), adj. changeable, variable, 

T. iv. 1682. 
Remuable (2), adj. capable of motion 

(Lat. mobilibus), B 5. p 5. 37. 
Remuen, v. remove, B 2. p 6. 55. (Lat. 

aiiwuebis.) 
Ren, s. run, A 4079. 
Renably, adv. reasonably, D 1509. 
Rende, v. rend, T. iv. 1493; Rent, pr. s. 

rt-nds, tears, L. 646 a; Rente,//, s. tore, 

A 090. 
Rending, s. tearing, A 2834. 
Renegat, s. renegade, apostate, B 932. 
Reneye, v. deny, renounce, abjure, B 

376, 3751- 
Reneyinge. s. denymg, I 793. 



Ranged, //. ranged, placed in rows, R. 

1380. 
Rehges, //. ranks, A 2594. 
Renue (i), v. run, I 721; ger. A 3890; 
pr. s. runs, D 76 ; is current, E 1986 ; 
approaches quickly, T. ii. 1754; goes 
easily, A. i. 2. i ; arises, L. 503; spreads, 
L. 1423 ; renueth for, runs in favour of, 
B 125; Ronnen, pt. pi. ran, A 2925, 
3827; Ronnen, //. advanced, lit. run,^ 
R. 320; IS r., has run, has found its 
way (into), HF. 1644. 
Renne ( 2) , v. ; only in the phrase, rape 

and renne, G 1422. See Rape. 
Renomed, //. renowned, B 3. p 2. 124. 
Renomee, s. renown, L. 1513. 
Renoun. j. renown, fame, 2. 88. 
Renovelances, s. pi. renewals, HF. 693. 
Renovelle, v. renew, B 3035 ; are re- 
newed, I 1027. 
Rente, s. revenue, income, A 256; pay- 
ment, tribute, 3. 765; tor., as a tribute, 
T. ii. 830. 
Repair, s. resort, repairing, B 121 1, D 

1224. 
Repaire, ger. to go home, B 1516; to- 
repair, find a home, T. iii. 5; to go 
back (to), HF. 755 ; v. return, F 589. 
Reparaciouns, //. reparations, makings 

up, HF. 688. 
Repentaunce, s. penitence, A 1776. 
Repentaunt, adj. penitent, A 228. 
Repenting, s. repentance, L. 147. 
Repeyre, v. repair, return, T. v. 1571. 
Repleccioun, j. repletion, B 4027. 
Repleet, adj. replete, full, B 4147. 
Replenissed, //. filled, I 1079. 
Replicacioun, s. reply, A 1846; involu- 
tion, B 3. p 12. 170. 
Re ply e, v. object, E 1609. 
Reporte. v. relate, tell, C 438. 
Reportour, s. reporter, A 814. (The host 
is so called because he receives and 
remembers the tales; they vvere all 
addressed to him in particular. Thus 
' reporter' has here almost the sense of 
' umpire.') 
Reprehencioun, s. reproof, T. i. 684. 
Reprehende, v. reproach, T. i. 510 ; pr.fl. 

bl.ime, criticise, B 3. p 12. 134. 
Repressed, //. kept under, L. 2591. 
R6prevd,ble, adj. reprehensible. C 632; 

r. to, likely to cast a slur on, 15. 24. 
Repreve, s. reproof, B 2413; shame, C 

505 ; reproach, E 2206. 
Repreve, v. reproach, F 1537 ; reprove, H 

70. 
Reproved, pp. as adj. blamed, accused. 



(glossarial Intjex. 



91 



R. 1135; Repioeved, pp. stultified, B 2. 
p 6. 127. 
Repugnen, ger. to be repugnant (to), B 

5- P 3- 6- 

Requerable, adj. desirable, B 2. p 6. 32. 

Requeren, v. entreat, seek, B 2927 ; ask, 
D 1052; pp. necessitated, T. iii. 405. 

Resalgar, s. realgar, G 814. ' Realgar, a 
combination of sulphur and arsenic, of 
a brilliant red colour as existing in 
nature ; red orpiment ; ' Webster. 

Resceived, //. received; wel resceived, 
favourably situated with respect to other 
planets, &c.; A. ii. 4. 51. 

Rescous, s. a rescue, help, T. iii. 1242; A 
2643. 

Rescowe, v. (to) rescue, save, T. iii. 857; 
rescue, T. v. 231. 

Rescowinge, s. rescuing, I 805. 

Rese, ger. to shake, A 1986. 

R6sembl^ble, adj. alike, R. 985. 

Resolven, pr. pi. flow out, B 5. m i. i ; 
Resolved, //. dissolved, melted, B 2. p 7. 
164. 

Resonable, adj. talkative, 3. 534. 

Resort, s. resource, T. iii. 134. 

Resoun, s. reason, right, A 37, 847; 
argument, speech, sentence, T. i. 796. 

Res6unetii, /r. s. resounds, A 1278. 

Resport, s. regard, T. iv. 86, 850. 

Respyt, J. delay, B 948 ; respite, delay, 
reprieve, G 543; withoute more respyt, 
without delay, forthwith, R. 1488; out 
of more respyt, without any delay, with- 
out any hesitation, T. v. 137. 

Respyte, ger. to hesitate, 7. 259. 

Reste, s. rest, repose, F 355 ; at reste, at 
rest, fixed, T. ii. 760; at his reste, as in 
its home, 5. 376 ; to reste, (gone) to rest, 
A 30 ; Restes, pi. times of repose, T. ii. 
1722. 

Reste, V. remain (with), T. iii. 1435; rest, 
repose, T. ii. 1326. 

Restelees, adv. restlessly, R. 370. 

Resurreccioun, s. resurrection, i. e. re- 
opening (of the daisy), L. no. 

Ret, for Redeth, pr. s. advises, T. ii. 

413- 
Retenue, s. retinue, troop of retainers, 

suite, A 2502; E 270; at his r., among 

those retained by him, D 1355. 
Rethor, s. orator, B 4397, F 38. 
Rethoiien, adj. rhetorical, B 2. p i. 46. 
Rethorien {ivritten Retorien), s. orator, 

B 2. p 3. 61. 
Retorneth, pr. s. brings back, B 5. p 6. 

301 ; pres.pt. revolving, T. v. 1023. 
Retourninge, s. return, A 2095. 



Retracciouns, s. pi. retractions, things 

which I withdraw, I 1085. 
Retreteth, /;-. s. reconsiders, B 5. m 3. 

i 57- 

; Retrograd, adj. moving in a direction 
I contrary to that of the sun's motion in 
[ the ecliptic, A. ii. 4. 53. 
. Reule, s. rule, A 173. 
; Reulen, v. rule, B 4234 ; Reule hir, guide 
! her conduct, E 327. 
Reuthe, s. ruth, 1. 127. 
Reve, s. reeve, steward, bailiff, A 542^ 

3860. 
Reve, ger. to rob (from) , T. iv. 285 ; to 
take away, G 376 ; to r. 110 man fro his 
lyf to take away no man's life, L. 2693 ; 
Reven, ger. to reave, plunder, I 758; to 
bereave, T. i. 188; Re veth, /r. j. forces 
away, 5. 86 ; Raite, pt. s. bereft, D 888 ; 
reft, B 3288; Refte. //. s. bereft, HF. 
457; Raft, //. torn, reft, T. v. 1258; 
taken from, L. 2590; bereaved, F 1017. 
Revel, J. revelry, sport, A 2717; min- 
strelsy, A 4402. 
Revelour, s. (the) Reveller, A 4371 ; a 

reveller, A 4391. 
Revelous, adj. fond of revelry, B 1194. 
Reverberacioun, s. vibration, D 2234. 
Reverdye, j'. rejoicing, R. 720. O. F. 
reverdie, ' feuillSe, verdure; joie, all6- 
gresse ; ' Godefroy. 
Reverence, s. respect, A 141 ; respectful 
manner, A 305 ; fear, I 294 ; thy r., the 
respect shewn to thee, B 116. 
Revers, s. reverse, contrary, 18. 32. 
Revesten, pr. pi. clothe again, T. iii. 

353- 
Revoken, ger. to recall, T. iii. 1118. 
Revolucioun, j. revolving course (orbit), 

4-30- 
Reward, .f. regard, attention, T. ii. 1133, 

V. 1736 ; having r. to, considering, 5. 426 ; 

take r. of, have regard, I 151. 
Re'wde, adj. plain, unadorned, A. pr. 49. 
Rewe, s. row, line, A 2866; by rewe, in 

order, D 506. 
Rewe, ger. to have pity, A 2382 ; be sorry, 

T. ii. 455 ; do penance for, G 447 ; pr. 

s. impers. makes (me) sorry, I am sorry, 

A 3462, B 4287. 
Re'wel-boon, s. (probably) ivory made 

from the teeth of whales, B 2068. 
Rewful, adj. lamentable, sad, L. 1838 ; 

sad (one), B 854. 
Rewfulleste, adj. sup. most sorrowful, A 

2886. 
RewfuUy, adv. sadly, T. iii. 65. 
Rewle, s. the revolving long and narrow 



'92 



@lo00arial Cntiei. 



plate or rod used for measuring and 
taking altitudes, A. r. 1.6; it revolves at 
the back of the Astrolabe; //. rules, A, 
pr. 44. 
Rewledest, 2 pr. s. didst control, B i. p 

4- 238. 
Rewliche, adj. pitiable, B 2. p 2. 67. 
Rewme, s. realm, R. 495. 
Rewthe, s. ruth, pity, E 579; a pitiful 

sight, E 562. 
ReAwthelees, adj. ruthless, unpitying, 5. 

613; 6. 31. 
Reye, s. rye, D 1746. 
Reyes, //. round dances, HF. 1236. Mid. 

Du. reye, ' a round daunce ' : Hexham. 
Reyn, s. rain, A 492; storm of rain, A 

3517- 
Reyne, s. rein, A 4083. 
Reyne, v. rain down, T. v. 1336; rain, 4. 

287. See Ron. 
Reynes, s.p/. loins, I 863. 
Reyse, ^er. to build up, D 2102 ; r. up, to 

exact, ' realise,' D 1390. 
Reysed, pp. gone on a military expedi- 
tion, A 54. O. F. reise, 'expedition 

militaire, incursion sur une terre enne- 

mie ; ' Godefroy. 
Rhetorice, Rhetoric, B 2. p i. 48. 
Riban, s. as pi. ribbons, HF. 1318. 
Ribaninges, //. silk trimmings, borders, 

R. 1077. 
Ribaudye, s. ribaldry, ribald jesting, A 

3866, C 324. 
Ribible, s. rebeck, lute with two strings, 

A 4396. 
Ribybe, s. term of reproach for an old 

woman, D 1377. 
Riche, adj. pi. rich people, A 248. 
Richely, adv. richly, F 90. 
Richesse, s. riches, wealth, D mo, 1118; 

Richesses, pi. wealth, riches, B 2560. 
Rideled, //. plaited, gathered in (at the 

neck, or waist), R. 1235, 1243. ' Ridele, 

plisse ; ' Godefroy. 
'Rl&Qn., pt. pi. and pp. rode, ridden. 
Riet, 'rete,' A. i. 3. 5. The 'rete' or 

' net ' is the circular plate with many 

openings which revolves within the 

' mother.' 
Right, adj. straight, upright, R. 1701 ; 

right, I. 75 ; voc. own, F 1311. 
Right, adv. just, exactly, A 257, 535 ; 

wholly, C 58; even, B 2173; Right that, 

that very thing, 3. 1307. 
Right, s. I. 21; by right, justly, B44; by 

alle /•., in all justice, T. ii. 763 ; at alle 

rig/ites, in all respects, fully, A iioo. 
Rightful, adj. perfect ; rightful age, (in) 



her prime, R. 405 ; just, i. 31 ; righteous, 

5. 55 ; lawful, I 744. 
Rightwis, adj. righteous, just, L. 905. 
Right wisnesse, s. righteousness, C 637, 

D 1909 ; justice, 14. 8. 
Rikne, imp. s. reckon, compute, A. ii. 27. 

10. See Rekene. 
Rinde, s. rind, bark, T. iv. 1139; hard 

skin, T. ii. 642. 
Ring, s. ring, F 83; concourse, L. 1887; 

lyk r., i. e. in ringlets, A 2165. 
Ringe, v. make to resound, A 2431 ; ring, 

resound, T. ii. 233 ; Rong, //. s. rang, 5. 

492; Ronge,//. T. ii. 805. 
Riot, s. riotous conduct, gaming, A 4395, 

4392. 
Riote, V. riot, gamble, A 4414. 
Risen, pp. of Ryse. 
Risshe, s. rush, T. iii. 1161. 
Rist,/n s. of Ryse. 
Rit,/r. 5. o/Ryde. 
Riveer, s. river, B 1927. 
Robbour, s. robber, B 3818. 
Roche, 5. rock, F 500; //. HF. 1035. 
Rode, s. complexion, A 3317, B 1917. 
Rode, s. nom. rood, cross, HF. 57. 
Rode-beem, s. rood-beam, D 496. (A 

beam across the entrance to the choir of 

a church, supporting a rood or cross.) 
Rody, adj. ruddy, F 385, 394. 
Roes, pi. of Roo. 
Roggeth (Ruggeth), pr. s. shakes, L. 

2708. Icel. rugga. 
Roket, s. rochet, tunic, R. 1240, 1242, 

1243. An outer garment, usually of 

fine white linen. 
Rokke. s. rock, L. 2195. 
Rokken, ger. to rock, A 4157. 
Rolle, i. roll, C 911. 
Rollen, ger. to roll, revolve, T. ii. 659 ; 

//. s. revolved, D 2217 ; //. much talked 

of, T. V. 1061. 
Ronaaunce, s. romance, T. iii. 980. 
Rombled, //. s. fumbled, moved about 

with his hands, groped about, G 1322. 
Rombled, pt. s. buzzed, muttered, B 

3725- 
Romen, v. roam, wander, A 1099 ; Romed, 

pt. s. A 1065, 1069 ; pp. gone, L. 1589. 
Ron, //. s. rained, T. iii. 640, 677. A. S. 

ra/i, pt. s. rained. 
Rond, adj. round, circular, A. ii. 38. i. 
Rong, -e ; see Ringe. 
Ronges, //. rungs, rounds of a ladder, A 

3625. A. S. hruug. 
Ronne, -n; see Renne. 
Roo, s. roe, 5. 195 ; Roes, //. roes, R. 1401. 
Rood, pt. s. of Ryde. 



(glosgarial KnUei. 



93 



Roof, pt. s. of Ryve. 

Roon, s. rose-bush, R. 1674. Halliwell 
gives roan, a clump of whins, as a 
Northumberland word; and we find 
the spelling ranes in the allit. Morte 
Arthure, 923. 

Roos, pt. s. of Ryse. 

Roost, s. roast meat, A 206. 

Ropen, pp. reaped, L. 74. 

Rore, s. uproar, T. v. 45. 

Rore, ger. to roar, T. iv. 373 ; pr. s. re- 
sounds, A 2881. 

Roring', s. loud lament, E 2364. 

Rose, s. rose, R. 1700; ger. of the rose, A 
1038. 

Rose-leef. s. rose-leaf, R. 905. 

Rose-garlond, s. garland of roses, HF. 

135- 

Rosen, adj. made of roses, R. 845; Ro- 
sene, adj. def. rosy, B 2. m 8. 6. 

Roser, s. rose-bush, R. 1651, 1659; I 858. 

Rose-reed, adj. red as a rose, G 254. 

Roste, V. roast, A 383; //. A 147. 

Rosy hewed, of rosy hue, T. ii. 1198. 

Rote, s. (i) roof, A 2, 423 ; the radix, fun- 
damental principle, G 1461 ; source, 
B 358; i. e. foot, E 58; on rote, firmly 
rooted, T. ii. 1378 ; herte rote, bottom 
of the heart, D 471; (2) root, the tabu- 
lated number written opposite a given 
fixed date, A. ii. 44. 2 ; the ' epoch ' of 
a nativity, B 314. 

Rote, s. rote; by rote, by rote, by heart, 
A 327, B 1712. 

Rote, s. a. musical stringed instrument, 
a kind of fiddle, of Celtic origin ; said 
to be a fiddle with three strings, A 236. 
O. F. rote, from O. H. G. Arotta, rotta. 
Low Lat. chrotta ; of Celtic origin, from 
O. Irish crot (Gael, cruit, W. crwth) ; 
whence also E. crowd. 

Rotelees, adj. rootless, T. iv. 770. 

Roten, adj. rotten, A 3873 ; corrupt, filthy, 

I 139- 

Roten-herted, adj. rotten-hearted, I 
689. 

Rotie. pr. s. subj. render rotten, A 4407. 

Roughte ; see Recche. 

Rouketh, pr. s. cowers, crouches, is hud- 
dled up, A 1308. 

Roule, V. gad (lit. roll), D 653. 

Roum, adj. roomy, spacious, A 4126. 

Roum, s. room, spare, L. 1999. 

Roumer, adj. larger, A 4145. 

Rouncy, s. a hackney, nag, A 390. 

Rounde, adv. roundly, i. e. easily, with 
an easy (not jerky) motion, B 2076; 
melodiously, C 331. 



Rounded, pt. s. stood out in a rounded 

form, A 263. 
Roundel, s. roundel, roundelay, a kind 

of poem, A 1529; a small circle, HF. 

791, 798. 
Roundnesses, pi. orbs, orbits, B 4. m 

6. 52. 
Roune, v. whisper, B 2025; ger. D 1572; 

//. s. HF. 2044. A. S. runian. 
Route, s. company, rout, troop, band, 

train, A 622, 889, 2153 ; number, R. 1667 ; 

flock, R. 909; //. T. ii. 620. 
Route {\),v. roar, T. iii. 743; murmur, 

HF. 1038; ger. to snore, 3. 172; //■. s. 

snores, A 3647. A. S. hrutan. 
Route (2), V. assemble in a company, B 

540. 
Routhe, s. pity, ruth, compassion, mercy, 

F 1261, 1349; lamentation, L. 669; a 

pity, a sad thing, A 914. 
Routhelees, adj. ruthless, pitiless, B 

863. 
Routing, s. snoring, A 4166, 4214; whiz- 
zing noise, HF. 1933. 
Rowe, s. row, 3. 975 ; line, HF. 448 ; by r., 

in a row, T. ii. 970; Rowes, //. rays, 

beams (of light), 4. 2. 
Rowe, adv. roughly, angrily, G 861. 
Rowed, //. rowed, T. i. 969. 
Rowm, adj. roomy, large, wide, A. i. 

2.3- 
Row^ne, ger. to whisper, T. lii. 568. 
Row^the, s. ruth, pity, 3. 465 ; sorrow, 

3- 97- 
Royaltee, s. royalty, E 928. 
Royleth, pr. s. meanders, wanders, B i. 

m 7. 10. 
Royne, s. roughness, R. 553. 
Roynous, adj. rough, R. 988. 
Rubbe, V. rub out, 8. 6. 
Rubee, s. ruby, HF. 1362. 
Rubible, s. ribibe, rebeck, A 3331. 
Rubifying-, s. rubefaction, reddening, G 

797- 
Rubriche, s. rubric, D 346. 
Ruby. s. ruby, 12. 4. Rubies,//. 4. 246. 
Ruddok, s. redbreast, robin, 5. 349. 
Rude, adj. harsh, R. 752; poor, E 916; 

inhospitable, H 170; of humble birth, 

D 1 172. 
Rudeliche, adv. rudely, A 734. 
Rudenesse, s. boorishness, T. iv. 1677; 

rusticity, E 397. 
Ruggy,'a(^'. rough, A 2883. 
Rule, imp. pi. regulate, order, I 592 ; //. 

as adj. well-mannered. L. 163. 
Rum, ram, ruf; nonsense words, to 

imitate alliteration, I 43. 



94 



(Qla&mxm\ Cnliei. 



Rumbel, s. rumbling noise, A 1979 ; 
rumour, E 997. 

Rumbleth, />/■. s. moves to and fro with 
an indistinct murmuring noise, HF. 
1026. 

Rumblinge, s. noise, D 2133. 

Bused, //. s. roused herself, rushed away, 
3-381. 

Russhing, pres. pt. rushing, A 1641. 

Ruste, ger. to rust, A 502; pr. s. subj. 
rust, A 500. 

Rusty, adj. rusty, A 618 ; besmirched as 
Willi rust, R. 159. 

Ryal, adj. royal, i. 144; Rial, 2. 59. 

Ryde, v. ride, A 27, 94, 102; ride at 
anchor, L. 968; Ryden,^^/-. (iwM out), 
to go on expeditions, A 45 ; Ryde, ger. 
{with out), to ride abroad to inspect, B 
1255; (see Outrydere) ; Rydestow, 
aidest thou, D 1386; Rit, pr. s. rides, 
A 974; Rood,//, s. rode, A 169; Riden, 
ipt.pl. (we) rode, A 825; pt.pl.C 968; 
Riden,//. ridden, B 1990. 

Ryding, s. jousting, or riding in proces- 
sion, A 4377. 

Rym, J. rime (usually misspelt rhyme), 
B 2115, 2118; Ryme, dat. HF. 623; a 
tale in verse, B 1899; verse, D 1127; 
//. B 96. A. S. run. 

Ryme, v. describe in verse, put into rime 
{or rhyme), A 1459, B 2122. 

Rymeyed,//. rimed, or rhymed, F711; 
see above. 

Ryming, s. riming, or rhyming, verse- 
making, B 2120; the art of riming, B 
48. 

Ryot, s. riotous living, C 465. 

Ryotour, j. roysterer, C 692. 

Rys, s. spray, branch, twig, R. 1015; A 
3324. A. S. /h'is. 

Ryse, ger. to rise, A 33 ; to get up, F 375 ; 
Rist,/r. s. rises, A 3688, 4193; arises, T. 
i. 944; Roos, J pi. s. rose, 2. 17; pt. s. A 
823; Risen,//. A 1065; Riseth, /;///. //. 
I 161. 

Ry ve, ger. to pierce, T. v. 1560 ; v. thrust, 
L. 1793; pierce, C 828; tear, E 1236; 
Roof, //. s. rove, rived, pierced, L. 661, 
1351. Icel. ?-'ifa. 

S. 

Sable, s. sable, black, 4. 284. 
Sachels, s. pi. bags, B i. p 3. 83. 
Sacrement, s. the eucharist, I 582. 
Sacrifye. v. do sacrifice, L. 1348. 
Sacrifyse, s. sacrifice, L. 1310. 
Sacrilege, s. I 801 ; sorcery, B i. p 4. 
282. 



Sad, adj. stable, firm, I 129, 310; staid, 
A 2985 ; sober, E 220, 237 ; fixed, con- 
stant, unmoved, settled, E 693, 754; 
sad, R. 211; devoted, 23. 9; trusty, 
H 275; serious, grave, 3. 918; calm, 
settled, G 397; staid, L. 1581, 1876; 
earnest, HF. 2089; Sadde, //. grave, 
E 1002 ; steady, 3. 860 ; discreet, B 135 ; 
sure, H 258. 

Sadel, s. saddle, L. 1199. 

Sadel-bowe. s. saddle-bow, A 2691. 

Sadly, adv. firmly, A 2602; discreetly, B 
1266; steadfastly, I 124; carefully, D 
2164; firmly, tightly, E iioo; uiistint- 
ingly, B 743. 

Sadnesse, j-. soberness, staidness, E 1591 ; 
patience, E 452. 

Saffron ■with, ger. to tinge with saffron, 
to colour, C 345. 

Saffroun, j. ; like saffron = of a bright 
veliowish colour, B 1920. 

Sak,i.sack,R.457 ; Sakkes,//.bags,L. 1118. 

Sakked, //. put in a sack, A 4070. 

Sal, pr. s. shall (Northern), A 4043. 

Sal armoniak, s. sal ammoniac, G 798, 
824. Lat. sal artneniacum, Armenian 
salt. Sal anniumiac, chloride of am- 
monium. The word armo?iiac certainly 
answers to the Lat. Armeniacum in the 
old treatises. Yet the right spelling is 
ammoniac. 

Sal peter, j. saltpetre, G 808. Lat. sal 
petrcE, rock-salt; nitrate of potassa; — 
called also nitre. 

Sal preparat, ,1. prepared salt, G 810. 

Sal tartre, s. salt of tartar, G 3io. ' .Salt 
of tartar, carbonate of potash ; . . . 
first prepared from cream of tartar ; ' 
Webster. 

Salowe, adj. sallow, R. 355. (But read 
fahnue.) 

Salte, adj. def. salt, L. 1462. 

Salewe, v. salute, I 407; pr. s. B 1284; 
Salewed,//. F 1310. 

Saluing, j-. salutation, A 1649. 

Saluwe, ,^^;-. to salute, T. iii. 1785 ; Salued, 
I//, s. L. 315. 

Salvacioun, .f. salvation, 4. 213 ; security, 
B 2361. 

Salve, s. salve, cure, T. iv. 944; //. heal- 
ing remedies, A 2712. 

Salwes,//. willow-twigs, osiers, D 655. 

Samit, s. samite, a rich and glossy silk 
material, T. i. 109; robe made of samite, 
R. 836, 873. 

Sang. .(. song (Northern), A 4170. 

Sangwin, i. stuff of a blood-red colour, 
A 439- 



(ilossarial Entei. 



95 



Sangwyn, adj. very ruddy, A 2168 ; blood- 
red, A 333. 
Sans, prep, without, B 501. 
Saphires, s. pi. sapphires, B 3658. 
Sapience, wisdom, B 2184; pi. kinds of 

intelligence, G 338. 
Sarge. s. serge, A 2568. 
Sarpulers, s. pi. sacks made of coarse 

c.uivas, B I. p 3. 82. Cf. F. scrpilliere. 
Sarsinesshe, adj. Saracenic, R. 1188. 

If sarsinesshe can be taken as a sb., it 

may refer to sarsnet. 
Sat ; //. s. of Sitte. 
Satin, s. satin, 3. 253. 
Satisfaccioun, s. penance, I 87 ; resti- 
tution, I 108. 
Sauf. adj. safe, safely kept, G 950; in 

safety, 4. 197. 
Sauf, prep, save, except, A 2180. 
Saufly, adv. safely, with safety, B 2373, 

4308. 
Saug'h, //. s. of See. 
Saule, s. soul (Northern), A 4187. 
Sauns, prep, without ; sauns faille, with- 
out fail, certainly, HF. 188, 429. See 

Sans. 
Sauter, s. psalter, R. 431. 
Sautrye, s. psaltery, a kind of harp, A 

2^6, 3213, 3305, H 268. 
Savacioun, j. salvation, T. ii. 381, 563; 

■witkoiite any savacioun, without saving 

any, HF. 208. 
Save, s. sage (the plant), A 2713. 
Save, prep, and conj. save, except, A 683 ; 

.Save your grace, by your leave, B 2260. 
Saven, ger. to save, keep, i. 117; //•. s. 

siilj. may (He) save, A 3108; //.kept 

inviolate, F 531. 
Save-garde, s. safe-conduct, T. iv. 139. 
Saveour, s. saviour, 19. 16. 
Saveren, pr.pl. mind, care for, I 820. 
Savinge, prep, except, A 2838. 
Savoring-e, s. taste, I 207. 
Savorous, adj. pleasant, R. 84. 
Savory, adj. pleasant, T. i. 405. 
Savour, s. savour, D 2196; pleasantness, 

F 204; pleasure, 10. 20; smell, G 887; 

scent, R. 925 ; interest, T. ii. 269 ; //. 

odours, 5. 274. 
Savoure, v. taste, D 171 ; //-. //. mind, 

care for, I 820 ; imp. s. have relish for, 

13- 5- 
Savoured, adj. perfumed, R. 547. 
Savouringe. s. tasting, I 959." 
Savourly, adj. enjoyably, A 3735. 
Sawcefleem, adj. covered with pimples 

(due to an excess of humour called 

salsa phlegma) , A 625. 



SaAve, s. saying, speech, A 1163; word, 

B 2925 ; discourse, G 691. 
Sa-we, Say; see See. 
Sayde, said; see Seye. 
Saylours, //. dancers (who leap in danc- 
ing), R. 770. ' Sailleor, Sailleur, sauteur, 

danseur ; ' Godefroy. 
Scabbe, s. scab, R. 553 ; a disease of 

sheep, C 358. 
Scalded, //. burnt, A 3853. 
Scale, s. scale, or rather, double scale, 

for measuring both by umbra recta and 

umbra versa, A. i. 12. 3. 
Scalle, s. scab, 8. 3. 
Scalled, //. having the scall, scabby, 

scurfy, A 627. 
Scantitee, s. scantiness, I 431. 
Scantnesse, s. scarcity, I 420. 
Scapen, v. escape, T. v. 908. 
Scarlet-reed, adj. scarlet-red, B 4351. 
Scarmishing, s. skirmish, L. 1910. 
Scarmyche, s. skirmish, T. v. 1508. 
Scars. (/(//. jjarsimonious, B 2789. 
Scarsetee, s. scarcity, B 2790. 
Scarsly, adv. parsmioniously, A 583. 
Scatered, //. scattered, G 914. 
Scathe, s. scathe, harm, misfortune, 'a 

pity,' A 446; Polymites to sc, to the 

liarm of P., T. v. 938. 
Scatheles, adv. harmlessly, R. 1550. 
Science, s. science, knowledge, 5. 25 ; 

learned writing, B 1666; wisdom, I 229. 
Sclat, s. slate, II. 34. 
Sclaundre, s. slander, HF. 1580; ill- 
fame, disgrace, E722; scandal, I 137. 
Sclave, s. slave, T. iii. 391. 
Sclendre. adj. slender, slight in make, 

A 587 ; thin, B 3147 ; poor, B 4023. 
Scochouns, pi. escutcheons, painted 

shields, R. 893. 
Scole, s. school, B 1685, 1694; manner, 

fashion, A 125, 3329; discipline, T. i. 

634; ' the schools' ; D 2186. 
Scole-mat6re, s. subject for disputation 

in the schools, D 1272. 
Scoler, s. scholar, A 260. 
Scolering, s. young scholar, note to D 

44 ; line 6. 
Scole-termes, //. school-terms, E 1569. 
Scole ward; to scoleward = toward 

school, B 1739. 
Scoleye, ger. to study, A 302. 
Scomes, s. pi. foam, lather, B 4. m 7. 61. 

Lit. ' scums." 
Score, imp. s. notch, cut, mark, B 1606. 
Scorkleth, pr. s. scorches, shrivels, B 2. 

m 6. 28. 
Scorned, //. s. 3. 927 ; jested at, B 4277. 



96 



(ilossnrial Intici. 



Scorning, s. scorn, T. i. 105. 
Scorpion, s. E 2058; sign of Scorpio, 

HF. 948. 
Scot, a horse's name, A 616, D 1543. 
Scourges, s.pl. whips, plagues, E 1157. 
Scourging, s. correction, 4. 42. 
Scrippe, s. scrip, bag, D 1737. 
Scripture, s. writing, inscription (on a 

ring), 'I\ iii. 1369; passage of writing, 

L. 1 144; //. manuscripts, A 2044. 
Scrit, s. writing, deed, E 1697 ; T. ii. 1130. 
Scrivenish, adv. like a scrivener, T, ii. 

1026. 
Scriveyn, s. scribe, 8. i. 
Seche,,^^/-. to seek, i. e. to be sought for 

(it was easily had), A 784; to seek out, 

D 909. 
Secree, adj. secret, trusty, 5. 395 ; secret, 

B 2251 ; able to keep secrets, D 946. 
Secree, adv. secretly, F 1109. 
Secree, s. a secret', B 3211; Secree of 

secrees, secret of secrets, Lat. Secreta 

Secretorum (the name of a book), G 

1447- 
Secreenesse, s. secrecy, B 773. 
Secrely, adv. secretly, E 763. 
Sects, f. sect, company, E 1171 ; religion, 

faith (lit. 'following'), F 17. 
Seculer, s. a layman, B 4640. 
Sede, V. bear seed, 7. 306. 
See, s. sea, A 59; /ul/e see, high tide, A. 

ii. 46. 4. 
See, s. seat, HF. 1361; seat of empire, B 

3339; p/. seats, HF. 1210. 
See, V. see, L. 2560; ^er. to see, look, F 

366; to look (upon), 3. 1 177; as fut. 

shall see, 4. 190; Seestow, seest thou, 

HF. 911; Say, i pt. s. saw, T. v. 992; 

Say, //. J. saw, B 4304; Sey, pf. s. B i, 

7; Seigh, I //. s. saw, A 193; Seigh, 

//. s. A 1066, F 850; Saugh, i pf. s. 

saw, A 764 ; //. s. A 850, 1400 ; Sy, pt. s. 

G 1381; Sawe, 2 //. s. sawest, B 848; 

Saugh, 2 pt.pl. G 1106 (with ye); Sawe, 

//. pi. B 218 ; Seye, //. //. saw, T. iv. 

720; ^e\ex\, pt. pi. G no; Syen, pt.pl. 

B 2879, '4568; Sye, //. //. E 1804; pr. 

s. subj. may (he) behold or protect, B 

156 ; Sawe, //. s. subj. were to see, A 

144; Seyn, //. seen, B 1863; Seye, pp. 

D 552. 
Seed-foul, s. birds living on seeds, 5. 

512- 
Seek, adj. sick, ill, L. 2409,2436; def. h. 

424 ; Seke, def. as s. man in a fever, 5. 

104 ; Seke, pi. A 18, 245. 
Seel (i), J. bliss, A 4239. A. S. sal. 
Seel (2), s. seal, B 882. 



Seemlinesse, s. dignity of bearing, L. 
104 1. 

Seemly, adj. delicate, pleasing, 12. 11; 
seemly, L. 2074. 

Seestow, seest thou, HF. 911. 

Seet, //. s. sat (false form, due to pi. 
scten) , A 2075. 

Seetes,//. seats, A 2580. 

Seeth,//. s. seethed, boiled, E 227. 

Sege, s. throne, B i. p 4. 285 ; siege, L. 
1696. 

Seggen, i pr, pi. say, T. iv. 194. 

Seigh,//. s. ofSee. 

Sein.^^r. ; That is to sein, that is to say, 
.\. pr. 26. 

Seinte, adj. fem. holy, D 1824. 

Seintuarie,' s. sanctuary, I 781 ; a conse- 
crated object, C 953. 

Seistow, sayest thou, A 1125. 

Seith,//-. s. says, A 178. 

Seke ; see Seek, adj. 

Seke, V. search through, B 60; seek, B 
1633; ger. A 13, 510; to seek, i. e. a 
matter for search, G 874 ; Sekestow, 
seekest thou, T. iii. 1455; Seken to, \ pr. 
pi. press towards, 2. 91 ; 2 //•. //. search 
through, B 127; Soghte, i //. s. sought, 
A. ii. 45. II ; pt. s. subj. were to examine, 
C488. 

Sekernes, s. security, 7. 345. 

Sekirly, adv. certainly, L. 163 a. 

Selde, adj.pl. few, E 146. 

Selde, adv. seldom, A 1539, B 2343; 
Selden, B 2594; Seld, B 2343. 

Seled,//. sealed, B 736. 

Seles, pi. seals, T. iii. 1462. 

Selily, adv. happily, B 2. p 4. 96. 

Selinesse, s. happiness, T. iii. 813. 

Selle, s. dat. boarding, A 3822. A Kentish 
form; M. E. sulle, sille ; A. S. syll. 
[Flore = ground beneath the boards.) 

Selle, V. sell, F 1563; barter, A iji; for 
to selle, for sale, D 414 ; to selle, for sale, 
A 3821 ; Solde, pt. s. subj. were to sell, 
R. 452. 

Selly, adj. wonderful (MSS. sely), HF. 
513. A. S. selllc, seldlic, strange. 

Sely, adj. happy, T. iv. 503; kind, 4. 89; 
good, B 1702; holy, B 682; innocent, 
simple, A 3404 ; poor, pitiable, T. i. 871 ; 
wretched, A 3896; hapless, L. 1254, 1336. 
A. S. s,r/ig. 

Semblable, adj. like, B 2294. 

Semblaunce, s. likeness, R. 425 ; appear- 
ance. R. 145. 

Semblaunt, s. appearance, semblance, 
look, E 928, F 516 ; in hir s., apparently, 
R. 863. 



^lossarial Intstx, 



97 



Seme, v. appear, seem, F 102; ^er. to 

seem (to), T. i. 747 ; pr. pi. F 869 ; //. J-. 

(there) seemed, A 2970; iinpers. (it) 

seemed, A 39, E 296; him semed, it 

seemed to them, they supposed, F 56; 

the peple semed — it seemed to the 

people, the people supposed, F 201. 
Semelihede, s. seemhness, comeliness, 

R. 1 130; gracefulness, R. 777. 
Semely, adj. seemly, comely, A 751. 
Semely, adv. becomingly, A 123. 
Semes, s. pi. seams, I 622. 
Semicope, s. half-cope, short cope, A 262. 
Semingr, s. appearance, 3. 944; to my s., 

as it appears to me, B 1838. 
Semisoun, s. half-sound, i. e. suppressed 

souikI, A 3697. 
Senatorie, s. senatorial rank, B 3. p 4. 93. 
Senatour, s. senator, L. 584. 
Sencer, s. censer, A 3340. 
Sencinge, pres. pt. censing, perfuming 

with incense, A 3341. 
Sendal, s. a thin silk, A 440. 
Sende, v. send, B 144; Sent./r. s. E 1151 ; 

Sende, //. s. sent, A 4136; Sente, //. s. 

B 3927; Sendeth, imp. pi. send ye, C614; 

Sente,//. s. siibj. would send, B 1091. 
Sene, adj. visible, manifest, apparent, A 

134, 924, F 645. A. S. gesene, gesytte, adj. 

evident, visible. 
Sene, _^i?/-. to behold, to see, L. 1034; to 

look at, L. 2649 ; to look on, D 1245 ; to 

seem, L. 224; on to sene, to look on, 

L. 2425. 
Senge, i^. singe, D 349; Seynd,//. broiled, 

1^ 4035- 

Seagle, adj. single, unmarried, E 1667. 

Senith, s. (i) the zenith, A. i. 18. 4, 22. 6; 
(2) the point where a given azimuth- 
circle meets the horizon, A. i. 19. 12; 
the point of sunrise, A. ii. 31. 13. 

Sensibilitees, s. pi. perceptions, B 5. 
m 4. 8. 

Sensible, adj. perceptible by the senses, 
B 5. p 4. 212. 

Sent, -e ; see Sende. 

Sentement, s. feeling, fancy, T. ii. 13; 
susceptibility, T. iii. 43 ; passion, L. 69. 

Sentence, s. meaning, drift, E 2288 ; con- 
tents, C 190; subject, B 1753; opinion, 
B 113,3992; decision, 5. 530; meaning, 
sentiment, instruction, A 306, 798 ; tenor, 
theme, HF. iioo; decision, speech, 5. 
383; judgement, order, I 17; verdict, 
G 366; s^fifTal meaning, I 58. 

Septemtrioun, s. north, B 3657. 

Septentrional, adj. northern, A. ii. 40. 
50; Septentrionalis,//. A. ii. 40. 36. 



Sepulcre, j-. tomb, D 498. 

Sepulture, s. mode of burial, T. v. 299; 
burial, L. 2553; tomb, A 2854. 

Serchen, v. search, B 2597 ; /;•. //. ga 
about, haunt, D 867. 

Sereyns, s. pi. sirens, R. 684. 

Sergeaunt of the Lawe, sergeant-at- 
law, A 309. 

Serle, s. process, argument, A 3067. 

Sermone, get-, to preach, speak, C 879. 

Sermoning, s. argument, A 3091 ; talk, 
A 3597- 

Sermoun, s. discourse, L. 2025 ; T. ii. 965 ; 
tale, T. ii. 1115; //. writings, B 87. 

Servage, s. servitude, thraldom, A 1946,. 
B 368. 

Servant, s. lover, A 1814 ; servant, D 1501. 

Servisable, adj. willing to serve, A 99;- 
serviceable, E 1911 ; useful, E 979. 

Servitour, s. servant, D 2185. 

Servitute, s. servitude, E 798. 

Servyse, 5. service, serving, A 250; reli- 
gious service, T. i. 315; musical per- 
formance, 3. 302. 

Sese, pr. s. subj. seize, 5. 481 ; //. caught, 
4. 240; seised, possessed, T. iii. 445. 

Sesoun, s. season, F 1034 ; prime, R. 1678. 

Sestow, seest thou, T. iii. 46. 

Sete, s. seat, throne, B 3715, I 162. 

Sete, -n ; see Sitte. 

Setewale, s. zedoary, setwall, R. 1370. 
See Cetewale. 

Sethe, V. seethe, boil, A 383. 

Sette, ger. to set, place, L. 540 ; setten 
a myte, care a mite, T. iii. 900; Sette, 
I pr. s. suppose, T. ii. 367 ; B 2681 ; Sette 
cas, imagine the case, B 3041; 2pr.pL 
esteem, T. ii.432; Sette, i pr. s. subj. set^ 
A 3911; Set. /r. s. setteth, sets, 2. loi ; 
D 1982 ; cares, T. iii. 832 ; puts, 3. 635 ; 
Sette, 1 pt. s. counted, regarded, D 659; 
Sette me, placed myself, L. 115; sette 
tiat a kers, s.cco\inXed not worth a cress, 
A 3756; Sette at nought, counted as 
nothing, F 821; Sette him, sat down, 
C 207 ; Sette hir, sat, B 329 ; Sette her 
on knees, knelt down, B 638; Sette hem, 
seated themselves. L. 301 ; C 775 ; .Setten 
hem adoun, set themselves, G 396; Set, 
//. placed, A 132, 2528; put, B 440; set, 
R. 846; appointed, 4. 52; E774; wholly 
devoted, 6. 100; wel set, seemly, 3. 828; 
set the wrightes cappe = made a fool of 
him, A 3143; Set, //;//. s. stake (as at 
dice), T. iv. 622. 

Seur, adj. sure, B 2642, 2953. 

Sear, adv. surely, T. iii. 1633. 

Seurly, adv. surely, B 2913. 



98 



(glossarial hxHtx. 



Seurtee, s. surety, A 1604, B 243. 
Sewe, V. follow, 25. 12; ensue, B 2619, 

2692; //. s. pursued, B 4527. 
Sewes, s. pi. lit. juices, gravies; used 
here for seasoned dishes, delicacies, 
F 67. 
Sewing', adj. conformable, in proportion, 

similar, 3. 959. Lit. ' following.' 
Sexte, sixth, HF. 1727. 
Sexteyn, s. sacristan, B 3216. 
Sey, I//". ^. saw, 3. 1089; Seyn, //>. seen, 

B 172, 624. See See. 
Seye, v. say, A 738 ; to be told, B 706 ; to 
sey/i, A 284 ; for to Stye, to say, A 468 ; 
this is to seyn, A 181; that is to seyn, A 
797; Seistow, sayest thou, B no; as 
who seytk, like one who says, i. e. so to 
speak, T. v. 883 ; Seggen, i //•.//. say, T. 
iv. 194; Seydestow, saidest thou, G 334; 
Sevd,//. B 49; Seyeth, iiiip.pl. say ye, 
A 1868. 
Seyl, s. sail, A 696, 3532. 
Seyn, pp. seen, B 1863, 4471. 
Seynd, //. singed, i. e. broiled, B 4035. 
Seynt, s. saint, 3. 1319; Seynt (^dissyllabic) , 
A 120, 509,687, D 1564; Seynte, saint 
(or holv), A 1721. 
Seyst, 2 //•. s. sayest, B 109; Seystow, 

2 pr. s. sayest thou, A 3490. 
Shaar, j. a' plough-share, A 3763. 
Shad, -de ; see Shede. 
Shadwe, j-. shadow. By, 10; shade, 3. 
426; scene, B 2. p 3. 89; Shadowe, re- 
flection, R. 1529. 
Shadwed, pp. shadowed, shaded, A 607. 
Shaft, s. wooden part of an arrow, A 

1362 ; //. shafts of spears, A 2605. 
Shal, I pr. s. owe, T. iii. 1649 ; owe (to) , T. 
iii. 791; shall (do so), F 688; must, A 
853 ; am to be, 2. 53 ; am to (go), G 303; 
Shalt, 2pr.s. must go, D 1636; Shaltow, 
2pr. s. shall thou, A 3^75; Shal, pr. s. 
shall be, T. v. 833; is to be, HF. 82; 
must, is to, A 187; must (come), T. iv. 
1 106; will, L. 1276; must (do so), R. 387; 
owes, F 750; Sholde, i pt. s. should, 
B 56; ought (to have done so), 3. 1200; 
Sholdestow, sliouldst thou, 10. 60; 
wouldst thou, D 1944; Sholde, //. s. 
should, A 184; ought to. B 44; had to, 
E 515; was to, B 3891; would, B 3627; 
Shul, I pr. pi. must, have to, B 351 ; 
must, B 1900; Shullen, 2 pr. pi. shall, 
B 46S2; Shullen, />/-.;>/. must, A 3014. 
Shale, .(.shell, HF. 1281. 
Shalmyes, pi. shawms, HF. 1218. 
Shame, s. A 503; Shame of his degree, 
i. e. lest it should shame his condition 



(as husband), F 752; Shames deth, 

shameful death, B 819, E 2377. 
Shamen, v. put to shame, F 1565 ; t/iee 

shameth, it shames thee, thou art 

ashamed, B loi. 
Shamfast, adj. modest, shy, A 2055, C 55 ; 

shame-faced, ashamed, R. 467. 
Shamfastnesse, s. modesty,A84o; sense 

of shame, I 985. 
Shap, s. A 1889 ; privy member, I 423. 
Shapen, v. plan, devise, A 3403 ; find 

means (to do), A 809; pr. s. intends, L. 

1289; Shape, pr. pi. dispose, B 2989; 

Shapen hem, intend, F 214; Shoop, pt. 

s. betel, T. ii. 61 ; devised, planned, T. i. 

207; made, gave, L. 2569; prepared for, 

E198; plotted, B 2543; created, E 903; 

contrived, E 946; Shoop me, \pt. s. refl. 

addressed myself, 2. 20 ; prepared my- 
self, L. 180; Shoop him, pt. s. rejl. got 

ready, L. 625; determined, F 809; 

Shopen, //. pi. made ready, B 2995 ; 

Shapen, //. determined, A 1108; des- 
tined, A 1392; shaped, L. 2014 ; planned, 

B 951; prepared, B 249; appointed, B 

253; disposed (themselves), B 142; built, 

7. 357 ; cut out, T. iii. 734 ; Shape, pp. 

destined, ordained, A 1225 ; allotted, T. 

ii. 282; created, B 3099; imp.pl. reJl. 

dispose yourself, B 2307. 
Shaply, adj. fit, A 372; likely, T. iv. 1452. 
Sharps, adv. sharply, B 2073. 
Shave, v. shave, A 3326; Shaven,^, cut 

smooth, R. 941 ; Shave, pp. shaven, A 588. 
Shaving, s. a thin slice, G 1239. 
Shawe, s. wood, A 4367, D 1386. 
She, she, A 446; She . . . she, one woman 

and another, T. ii. 1747. 
She-ape, s. female ape, I 424. 
Sliedeth, pr. s. sheds, I 577 ; Shedde,/A j. 

shed, B 3447; Shadde, //. s. poured,. B 

3921 ; Shad,//, distributed, B I. m i. 18. 
Sheef, s. sheaf, A 104; Sheves, pi. HF. 

2140. 
Sheep, s. a sheep, A 506 ; a meek person, 

D 432. 
Sheld, s. shield, A 2122; pi. French 

crowns (coins worth 3J. <i,d.) , A 278 ; 

Sheeld,//. B 1521. 
Shelde. pr. s. subj. may he shield, HF. 88. 
Shende, v. disgrace, T. iv. 1577; ruin, B 

927 ; render contemptible, T. v. 893 ; 

reproach, T. v. 1060; destroy, HF. loio; 

Shent, pr. s. ruins, I 848 ; defiles, I 854 ; 

Shente, pt. s. harmed, injured, B 4031 ; 

Shente, pt. s. subj. sliould destroy, T. ii. 

357 ; Shent, //. spoilt, T. ii. 37 ; defeated, 

L. 652; scolded, B 1731. 



^lossarial Enticv. 



99 



Shendshipe, s. shame, I 273. 

Shene, adj. bright, A 115; glistening, R. 
127; fair, E 2528; beautiful, B 692, F 
1045. A. S. scene, scpie. 

Shene, adv. brightly, 4. 87. 

Shape, s. hire, I 568. See SMpe. 

Shepne, j. stable, shed, A 2000. A. S. 
scypc'ii. See Shipnes. 

Shere, j-. pair of shears, A 2417. 

Shere, .;v;-. to shear, cut, B 3257. 

Shering-hokes, //. shearing-hooks, con- 
trivances for severing ropes in a sea- 
fight, L. 641. 

Sherte, s. shirt, A 1566 ; chemise, T. iv. 

9D. 

Shet, pp. of Shette. 

Shete, s. sheet, G 879 ; //. A 4140. 

Sheten, v. shoot, I 714; Sheteth, pr. s. 

shouts, R. 960. 
Sheter, .c. as adj. fit for shooting (lit. 

shooter), 5. 180. 
Shetlie, s. sheath, R. 2066. 
Shette, V. shut, enclose, T. iii. 1549; 

shut, close, D 1141; Shette,//. s. shut, 

A 3499; closed, fastened up, T. ii. 1090; 

Shetten, pt. pi. shut up, enclosed, T. i. 

148 ; Shet, p/>. shut, R. 529. 
Sheves, pi. sheaves, HF. 2140. 
She weth, pr. s. pretends, appears, B 2386 ; 

appears as, is shewn, A. i. 7. 9. 
Shifte, V. provide, distribute, ordain, D 

104; assign, G 278. 
Shilde, pr. s. subj. shield, T. ii. 1019; 

defend, B 2098 ; forbid, A 3427. 
Shiraering, s. glimmer, A 4297. 
Shine, ,f. sliin, A 386. 
Shined, //. s. shone, L. 2194. 
Ship, .f. I. 16; Shipe, dat. (into the) ship, 

(into the) ark, A 3540. 
Shipe, s. hire, pay, reward, 7. 193; Shepe, 

hire, I 568. A. S. scipe, stipendium. 
Shipman, s. sailor, skipper, A 388. 
Shipnes, //. stables, sheds, D 871. See 

Shepne. 
Shirreve, s. sheriff, A 359. Lit. ' shire- 
reeve.' 
Shiten,//. defiled, dirty, A 504. 
Shitting-, s. shutting, R'. 1598. 
Shivere, s. thin slice, D 1840. 
Shiveren, //■.//. break, A 2605. 
Sho. shoe, A 253. 

Shod,//, provided with shoes, HF. 98. 
Shode, s. parting of the hair, A 3316; the 

temple of the head, A 2007. 
Shot", pt. s. pusheci, T. iii. 487. 
Shoken, pt. pi. shook, R. 363. 
Sholder-taone, s. shoulder-blade-bone, C 

350- 



Shonde, s. disgrace, HF. 88; B 2098. 
Shoo, s. shoe, D 492 ; Shoos, //. A 457 ; 

Shoon,//. B 1922. 
Shoof, //. s. I /. shoved, pushed, R. 534; 

pt. s. drove, L. 2412. 
Shoon (sh66n),//. of Shoo. 
Shoon (shoon),//. s. (i/Shyne. 
Shorn, pp. shaven, B 3142. 
Shorte, v. shorten, D 1261 ; to shorte 

7vith your weye, to shorten your way 

with, A 791. 
Shortly, adv. Ijrieily, A 30. 
Short-sholdred, adj. short in the upper 

arm, A 549. 
Shot, s. a missile, B 4539; arrow, A 2544. 
Shot-windowe, s. a window containing 

a square division which opens on a 

hinge, A 3358, 3695. 
Shour, J-. shower, T. iv. 751 ; onset, con- 
flict, T. iv. 47; //. assaults, T. i. 470. 

Cf. E. ' a shower of darts." 
Showving-, s. shoving, pushing, H 53. 
Shredde,//. s. shred, cut, E 227. 
Shrewe, s. scoundrel, accursed wretch, 

D 284; shrew, peevish woman, E 1222, 

2428; planet having an evil influence, 

A ii. 4. 54; evil one, G 917. 
Shrewe, adj. evil, wicked, G 995. 
Shrewe, \ pr. s. beshrew, curse, B 4616. 
Shrewed, adj. evil, wicked, bad, L 1545 ; 

accursed, D 54. 
Shrewedly. adv. cursedly, D 2238. 
Shrewednesse, s. wickedness, evil, B 

2721 ; cursedness, D 734; //. evil deeds, 

I 442. 
Shrifte-fadres, //. father-confessors, D 

1442. 
Shrighte, //. s. shrieked, A 2817; //. T. 

v. 320. 
Shrimpes, //. small creatures, dwarfs, 

B 3145. 

Shroud, s. robe, R. 64. 

Shrouded,//, clad, R. 55. 

Shryked, pt.pl. shrieked, B 4590. 

Shryking-, ,t. shrieking, T. v. 382. 

Shryned, pp. enshrined, C 955 ; canon- 
ised (ironically), 21. 15. 

Shry ve, ,ze''. to confess, I 129. 

Shulder-taoon, s. blade-bone, I 603. 

Shuldres.//. shoulders, R. 328. 

Shull. Shullen, Shulde ; see Shal. 

Shyne,,.o-^.'-. to shine, 10. 62 ; Shoon, strong 
pt. s. shone, A 198 ; Shynede, rueakpt. s. 
shone, L. 1119; Shined, L. 2194. 

Sib, adj. related, akin, B 2565. 

Sicamour, s. sycamore, HF. 1278. 

Sicer, s. strong drink, B 3245. 

Sigh, I pt. s. saw, R. 818. 



lOO 



(ilossarial Int)£X. 



Sighte, pt. s. of Syke. 

Signet, s. signet-ring, T. ii. 1087. 

Signiflaunce, s. signification, R. 995 ; 

significance, HF. 17; prediction, R. 16. 
Slgnificavit, a writ of excommunication, 

A 662. 
Sik, adj. sick, ill, A 1600. 
Siker, adj. sure, A 3049, B 4353; safe, 

G 864; certain, G 1047; sure, steady, 

D 2069; in security, 17. 28. 
Siker, adv. uninterruptedly, T. iii. 1237; 

surely, T. ii. 991. 
Sikered, //. assured, L. 2128. 
Sikerer, adj. surer, more to be trusted, 

B 4043. 
Sikerly, adv. certainly, surely, truly, A 

Sikernesse, s. security, safety, confi- 
dence, B 425; state of security, T. ii. 

773- 

Sikly, adv. ill, with ill will, E 625. 

Silver, s. money, A 232, 713. 

Silver, adj. silvery, A 1496. 

Similitude, s. comparison ; hence, pro- 
position, statement, G 431; sympathy, 
likeness, F 480 ; one like himself, A 3228. 

Simphonye, s. a kind of tabor, B 2005. 

Simple, adj. modest, R. 1014 ; innocent, 
3. 861. 

Simplesse, s. Simplicity (personified), 
R. 954. 

Sin, conj. and adv. since, 4. 273. 

Singe, V. sing, A 236 ; Singestow, singest 
thou, H 244; Song, I//, s. sang, 3. 1158; 
Songe, 2 //. s. didst sing, H 294 ; Song, 
//. s. A 105s ; Songen, //.//. sang, F 55 ; 
Songe, //. s. subj. were to sing, 3. 929 ; 
Songen, //. sung, T. v. 645 ; Songe, //. 
A 266 ; recited, T. v. 1797. 

Singularitees, s. pi. separate parts, par- 
ticulars, B 5. m 3. 45. 

Singuler, adj. particular, B 2. p 7. 64; 
single, I 300; a single, G 997; private, 
B 2625 ; singular pro/yle, special advan- 
tage, HF. 310. 

Singulerly, adv. singly, B 4. p. 6. 77. 

Sinne, s. sin, .\ 561. 

Sinwes, s. pi. sinews, I 690. 

Sippe, V. sip, taste, D 176. 

Sire, sir, my master, A 355; Sires, gen. 
sire's, father's, i. e. Saturn's, E 2265. 

Sis cink, i. e. six-five, a throw with two 
dice, B 125. 

Sisoures,//. scissors, HF. 690. 

Sit, py. s. sits ; see Sitte. 

Site, s. situation, HF. 1114; E 199. 

Sith, cenj. since, A 930; Sith that, since, 
F 930, H 120. 



Sith, adv. afterwards, C 869; then, L. 
302. 

Sithen, conj. since, B 2947 ; Sithen that, 
smce, A 2102. 

Sithen, adv. since, ago, A 1521 ; since 
then, R. 1641 ; since, T. iii. 244; after- 
wards, A 2617; then, next, L. 304; goon 
s. a greet whyl, a great while ago, L. 
427 ; gon s. longe whyle, long ago, T. i. 
718. 

Sithes, pi. times, A. ii. 42. 9. 

Sitte, V. sit, A 94; Sit, pr. s. sits, dwells, 
A 1599. 3641; befits, suits, B 1353; is 
fitting, T. i. 246; yvel it sit, it is un- 
becoming, E 460; Sat, //. s. sat, A 469; 
affected, T. iv. 231; suited, L. 1735; 
became, R. 750 ; sat on knees, knelt, 3. 
106 ; hit sat 7ne sore, it was very painful 
for me, 3. 1220; T. iii. 240; Seet, //. s. 
sat (false form, due to Y>^.seten), A 2075; 
Seten, //. //. sat, A 2893 ; Sete, //. s. 
subj. would befit, T. i. 985, ii. 117; were 
tosit, 3. 436; was sitting, 3. 501; Seten, 
//. sat, D 420 ; dwelt, A 1452 ; welsittinge, 
well suited, R. 986. 

Sittingest, sup. adj. most fitting, 5. 551. 

Sive, j^. sieve, G 940. 

Sixte, sixth, D 45, Y 906. 

Skant, adj. scanty, sparing, niggardly, i. 

175- 

Skarmish, s. skirmish, T. li. 611. 

Skars, adj. scarce, 9. 36. 

Skathe, s. harm, T. iv. 207. 

Skile, s. reason, cause, HF. 726; gret si., 
good reason, E 1152; reasonable claim, 
L. 1392; //. reasons, arguments, HF. 
867. 

Skilful, adj. reasonable, L. 385 ; discern- 
ing, B 1038. 

Skilfully, adv. reasonably, with reason, 
G 320 ; particularly, 4. 155. 

Skilinge, s. reason, B 4. p 6. 155. 

Skinketh, pt. s. pours out, E 1722. 

Skippe, ger. to skip, jump, T. i. 218; 
V. dance, A 3259; leap, E 1672; pass 
over. L. 622 ; Skipte, pt. s. leapt, F 1402. 

SkuUe, s. skull, A 3935, 4306. 

Skye, .f. cloud, HF. 1600. 

Slake, V. assuage, R. 317; slacken, abate, 
F 841; desist (from), E 705; cease, 
E 137; end, E 802; Slake of, omit, L. 
619; Slake, pr. s. subj. grow slack, wane, 
T. ii. 291 ; Slakede, pt. s. subj. should 
relax, B 2. m 8. 18. 

Slakke, adj. slow, A 2901; de/. slack, 
E 1849. 

Slakker, adj. pi. slacker, more tardy, 
B 1603. 



©loggarial lEntJex. 



Sledes, s. pi. sledges, vehicles, B 4. p i. 

78. V\.oisled. 
Slee, V. A 661 ; Sleen.^^r. to slay, A 1222 ; 

Slee, I //•. s. as fut. shall slay, B 2002; 

Sieeth,//-. J. slays, A 1118; Slowe, 2 //. 

J. didst slay, T. iv. 506; Slow, //. J. 

slew, B 627 ; extinguished, B 3922 ; 

Slough, //. s. 7. 56; Slawe, pp. slain, 

A 943 ; Slawen, pp. E 544 ; Slayn, pp. 

slain, A 63. 
Sleep,//, s. (7/Slepe. 
Sleere, s. slayer, A 2005. 
Sleet, s. sleet, L. 1220; F 1250. 
Sleigh, adj. sly, artful, A 3201. 
Sleigrhly, adv. cunningly, T. v. 83. 
Sleighte, s. trickery, T. iv. 1459 ; trick, 

B 2386; sleight, T. ii. 1512; contrivance, 

E H02; plan,E2i3i; dexterity, A 1948 ; 

cunning, L. 1382; skill, G 867; pi. plans, 

T. iv. 1451 ; devices, tricks, E 2421. 
Slely, adv. slily, i. e. skilfully, A. ii. 29. 20. 
Slepe, s. sleep, F 347 ; on slepe, asleep, L. 

209. 
Slepe, V. sleep, 3. 3 ; Slepestow, sleepest 

thou, A 4169; Sleep, i pt. s. slept, HF. 

119; Sleep, pt. J. A 98 ; Slepte, weak pt. 

s. E 224 ; Slepe, pt. pi. 3. 166, 177. 
Slepingr, s. sleep, B 4202. 
Slepingr-tyme, s. time to sleep, 6. 54. 
Slepy, adj. sleep-bestowing, A 1387. 
Slewthe, s. sloth, I 388. 
Sleye,//. sly, subtle, T. iv. 972. 
Sleyly, adv. slily, T. ii. 1185; subtly, T. 

ii. 462. 
Slider, adj. slippery, A 1264. 
Slighte, s. sleight, cunning, C 131. 
Slike, adj. sleek, R. 542. 
Slinge-stones, pi. stones from a sling, 

r. ii. 941. 
Slinke, ger. to slink, T. iii. 1535. 
Slippe, V. slip, L. 623. 
Slit,//-. J. (ysiyde. 
Slitten, V. pierce, F 1260. 
Slivere, s. a slice, portion, T. iii. 1013. 
Slo, r. sloe, R. 928 ; Sloo, A 3246. 
Slogardye, .f. sluggishness, sloth, lazi- 
ness, .\ 1042. 
Slombrestow, slumberest thou, T. i. 730. 
Slombry, adj. sleepy, 1 724. 
Slomeringe, s. slumber, T. ii. 67. 
Slongr, pt. s. threw, flung, H 306. Pt. t. 

of slnigen. 
Sloo, J-. sloe, A 3246 ; Slo, R. 928. 
Sloppes, s. pi. loose garments, 1 422. 
Slough, s. slough, mire, H 64. 
Slough, //. s. slew, A 980 ; see Slee. 
Slouthe, s. sloth, T. ii. 959. 
Slow, s. slough, D 1565; Slough, H 64. 



Slow, //. s. of Slee. 

Slowh, //. 5. slew, B 4. m 7. 43. 

Sluggy, adj. sluggish, I 706. 

Sluttish, adj. slovenly, G 636. 

Sly, adj. L. 1369; sly (one), A 3940; Slye, 

def. cunning, crafty, 7. 48 ; skilful, F 672 ; 

pi. artfully contrived, F 230. 
Slyde, V. slide, T. v. 351 ; pass, go away, 

E 82, F 924 ; Slit, pr. s. passes away, 5. 

3 ; G 682 ; Slydinge, pres. pt. as adj. 

moving, i. e. unstable, T. v. 825. 
Slyk Or Slyke?), adj. sleek, D 351. 
Slyk, adj. such (Northern), A 4130, 4170. 
Slyly, adv. sagaciously, A 1444. 
Smal, adj. small, A 153; a j-wa/, a little, 

b. 113. 
Smal, adv. little, D 592; iut smal, but 

little, F 71; high (of musical notes), 12. 

II. 
Smalish, adj. smallish, R. 826. 
Smart, adj. brisk (said of a fire), G 768. 
Smatre, //-.//. re/, taste slightly, I 857. 
Smart, adj. smart, quick, R. 831 ; brisk, 

G 768 ; //. painful, 3. 507. 
Smerte, s. pain, smart, F 480, 856, 974; 

anguish, A 3813. 
Smerte, adv. smartly, sharply, A 149; 

sorely, E 629. 
Smerte, ger. to smart, L. 502 ; Smert, //■. 

s. pains (me), i. 152; Smerte, /r. s.siibj. 

(it) may pain, A 1394; Smerte, pt. s. 

felt pain, T. ii. 930 ; Smerte, pt. s. subj. 

impers. (it) might give pain to, A 230. 
Smit, -en ; see Smyte. 
Smithed, pt. s. forged, A 3762. 
Smitted, //. smutted, i. e. besmirched, 

sullied with dishonour, T. v. 1545. 
Smoking, pres. pt. reeking with incense 

or perfume, A 2281. 
Smokless, adj. without a smock, E 875. 
Smoky, adj. smoke-like, T. iii. 628. 
Smoot, //. s. of Smyte. 
Smoterliche, adj. smirched in reputa- 
tion, A 3963. 
Smothe, adj. smooth, A 690. 
Smothe, adv. smoothly, A 676. 
Smyler, s. smiler, flatterer, A 1999. 
Smyte, v. strike, A 1220; Smyten of, 

smite off, L. 1817 ; Smyteth, pr. s. 

knocks, L. 393; Smit, pr. s. smites, 

E 122; Smoot, //. s. smote, struck, A 

149; Smiten,//. struck, T. ii. 1145. 
Snewed,//. s. abounded, A 345. 
Snibben, v. reprove, chide, lit. ' snub,' 

A 523 ; pp. reprimanded, A 4401. 
Snorteth, pr. s. snorts, A 4163 ; //. s. was 

drawn together (as in sniffing), R. 157. 
Snow, s. R. 558; argent (in heraldry), 



(ilossarial lutiei. 



white, B 3573 ; //. snow-storms, HF. 

967. 
Sncwish, adj. snowy, white, T. iii. 1250. 
So, adv. so, A 102 ; such, B 2205 ; in such 

a way, such, T. iii. 1579; so, i. e. pray 

(with verb in subj. mood), T. iii. 1470; 

So as, as well as, as far as, 4. 161 ; so 

kave I Joye, as I hope to have bliss, 3. 

1065. 
So, conj. provided that, L. 1319; So as, 

whereas, B 4. p 3. 40; So that, provided 

that, C 186. 
Sobrely, adv. gravely, F 1585 ; Soberly, 

sadly, with a melancholy look, A 289. 
Sobrenesse, s. sobriety, I 834. 
Socour, succour, help, A 918, F 1357; do 

yaw s., help you, 4. 292. 
Socouren, v. aid, T. iii. 1264. 
Socours, s. help, L. 1341. 
Soden, //, sodden, boiled, I 900. 
Sodein, adj. prompt, forward, T. v. 1024. 
Sodeinly, adv. suddenly, F 1015. 
Softe, adj. soft, A 153 ; gentle, slow, B 

399; mild, D 1412. 
Softe, adv. softly, A 2781 ; gently, C 252; 

tenderly, B 275 ; timidly, 3. 1212. 
Softely, adv. softly, F 636; quietly, G 

408 ; in a low tone, L. 2126. 
Softneth, pr. s. assuages, L. 50. 
Sojourne, v. dwell, T. v. 1350; tarry, R. 

381 ; remain, D 987. 
Soken, s. toll, A 3987. A. S. sdcn. 
Sokingly, adv. gradually, B 2766. ' So- 

kyngly, idem quod esyly ' ; Prompt. 

Parv. 
Sol, Sol (the sun), G 826. 
Solas, s. amusement, A 798 ; solace, I 

206; comfort, F 802; consolation, T. ii. 

460; relief, B 1972; diversion, B 1904; 

pleasure, B 3964; playfulness, R. 844; 

jov, r. i. 31 ; ease, L. 1966. 
Solde, pt. s. of Selle. 
Solempne, adj. festive, grand, E 1125; 

cheerful, A 209; important, A 364; 

illustrious, B 387 ; superb, F 61 ; public, 

I 102. 
Solempnely, adv. pompously, with 

l)oni]), A 274. 
Solempnltee, 5. pomp, A 870; outward 

show, C 244; due ceremony, E 1709. 
Soleyn, adj. sole, solitary, 3. 982; un- 

miited. 5. 607, 614. 
Solsticioun, s. the solstice, or point of 

the ecliptic most remote from the equa- 
tor, A. i. 17. 9. 
Som (sum), indef. pron. some, A 640, B 

1182; one, a certain man, G 922; one, 

3. 305; another, 5. 476; som shrewe is. 



some one (at least) is wicked, G 995; 

Som . . . som, one . . . another, A 3031 ; 

Somme, //. some, B 2139; some (of 

them), L. 1050. 
Somdel, adv. somewhat, B 4011 ; a little, 

L. 1183 ; in some measure, A 3911. 
Somer, s. summer, A 394; Someres 

game, summer-game, athletic exhibition, 

D 648. 
Somer-sesoun, s. spring, early summer, 

H 3. p 8. 43. 
Somine,//. some, T. iv. 995 ; see Som. 
Somme, s. sum, F 1220; chief point, 

upshot, L. 1559 ; //. sums of money, 

B 1407, G 675. 
Somne, v.; see Sompne. 
Somnour, s. summoner, apparitor, an 

officer who summoned delinquents be- 
fore the ecclesiastical courts, A 543. 
Somonce, s. summons, D 1586. 
Sompne, v. summon, D 1577; Somne, v. 

^ 1347- 

Sompnolence, s, somnolence, I 706. 

Somtyme, adv. once, A 65, 85 ; some- 
times, B 1667 ; some day, B no. 

Sond, s. sand, B 509, 4457. 

Sonde, s. message, B 388, 1049; sending, 
I 625 ; gifts, B 1049 ; visitation, B 760, 
826; trial, B 902; message {or messen- 
ger), G 525. 

Sonded, pp. sanded, T. ii. 822. 

Sondry, adj. various, A 14, 25. 

Sone (suns), s. son, A 79, 336. 

Sone, adv. soon, A 1022 ; speedily, D 1264. 

Sone-in-lawe, s. son-in-law, E 315. 

Sonest, adv. super/, soonest, B 3716. 

Song, -e, -en ; see Singe. 

Sonne, s. sun, A 7, 30. 

Sonne-beem, s. sunbeam, D 868. 

Sonnish, adj. sun-like, golden, T. iv. 736, 
816. 

Soor, s. sore, wound, A 1454. 

Soor, adj. wounded, grieved, A 2695; 
sore, F 157 1 ; sad, T. v. 639. 

Soot, s. soot, an emblem of bitterness, T. 
iii. 1194. 

Sooth, adj. true, L. 14 ; as adv. truly, C 
636. 

Sooth, s. truth, A 284; Sothe, G 662; 
Sothe, dat. B 1939. 

Soothfastnesse, s. truth, B 4518. 

Soothly, adv. truly, A 117. 

Sooty, adj. begrimed with soot, B 4022. 

Sop, s. sop (of toasted bread), E 1843; 
Sop in wyn, wine with bread soaked in 
it, A 334. 

Soper, s. supper, A 348 ; Sopeer, F 1189. 

Sophistrye, s. evil cunning, L. 137. 



(§l00sarial EnlJex. 



103 



Sophyme, s. a sophism, trick of logic, E 

5 ; //. deceits, F 554. 
Sore, adv. sorely, A 148 ; liar so sore, bore 

so ill, E85. 
Sore, .^er.- to soar, HF. 531 ; to mount 

aloft, F 123. V 

Sorer, adv. more sorely, L. 502. 
Sorest, udv. most sorely, 5. 404. 
Sormounte, ^er. to surpass, R. 667 ; />/: 

s. rises above, T. iii. 1038. 
Sort, s. lot, T. ii. 1754; destiny, chance, 

A 844; kind, A 4381; divination, T. i. 

76. 
Sorted,//, s. allotted, T. v. 1827. 
Sorwe, s. sorrow, grief, A 951 ; mourn- 
ing, B 2171; sympathy, compassion, F 

422 ; 7vifA sorive, with ill luck to you, D 

308. 
Sorwestow, thou sorrowest, B i. p 6. 

80 ; pr. s. I 85 ; pr. pi. A 2824. 
Sorweful, adj. sorrowful, L. 1S32. 
SorwefuUeste, adj. most sorrowful, E 

2098. 
Sorwefully, adv. sadly, A 2978. 
Sorwing-, s. sorrow, 3. 606. 
Sory, adj. sorrowful, mournful, A 2004, 

2010; sad, B 2899; unlucky, B 1949; ill, 

C 876; miserable, H 55. 
Sory, adv. sorely, B 2. p 4. 100. 
Soster, s. sister, A 3486. 
Sote, adj. sweet, A i, B 2348. 
Sote, adv. sweetly, L. 2612. 
Sotel, adj. subtle, cunning, 18. 43. 
Soteltee, subtlety, skill, 18. 77. 
Soth, adj. true, B 169; Sooth, L. 14. 
Sothe, s. truth, A 845. See Sooth. 
Sother, adj. cotnp. truer, G 214. 
Sothfastnesse, s. truth, B 2365; cer- 
tainty, I 380. 
Sothly, adv. verily, soothly, A. pr. 23. 
Soth-sawe, s. true saying, truth, HF. 

2089; //. HF. 676^ 
Sotil, adj. subtle, cunning, L. 1556, 2559 ; 

subtly woven, A 1054; thin, A 2030. 
Sotilly, adv. skilfully, R. 1119; cleverly, 

R. 772. 
Sotted, adj. besotted, befooled, G 1341. 
Souded,//). confirmed, B 1769. 
Sought, -e; see Seke. 
Souke, ger. to suck, A 4157 ; to embezzle, 

A 4416 ; pp. been at the breast, E 450. 
Soul, adj. sole, single, E 2080. 
Soule, s. soul, .A 656, 781. 
Soulfre, s. sulphur, HF. 1508. 
Soun, J-, sound, musical sound, A 674, E 

271 ; vaunt, L. 267; //. sounds, A 2512. 
Sound, adj. unhurt, L. 1619; //. in strong 
health, T. iii. 1526. 



Sounde, ger. to heal, make sound, 7. 242 ; 
V. heal, R. 966. 

Soune, ger. to sound, to utter, T. ii. 573 ; 
imitate in sound, speak alike, F 105; 
Sounen, v. sound, hence, tend, redound, 
T. i. 1036; Souneth, //■. s. tends (to- 
wards) , relates (to), T. iii. 1414; is con- 
sonant (with), B 3157; makes (for), H 
195; Sounen, //-. pi. tend, I 1068 ; //. s. 
inclined, T. iv. 1676; pres. pt. accordant 
with, in agreement with, A 275; Soun- 
inge in, tending to, A 307. 

Souned ; //d'^/i?^., best-sounding, T. ii. 1031. 

Soupe, V. sup, T. ii. 944. 

Souper, s. supper, T. ii. 947. 

Souple, adj. pliant, A 203. 

Sourdeth, pr. s. arises, 1 475. 

Soure, adj. bitter, cruel, B i. p 4. 88. 

Soure, adv. sourly, bitterly, B 2012. 

Soures, s. pi. sorrels, bucks of the third 
year, 3. 429. 

Sourmounteth, //•. s. surmounts, rises 
above, T. iii. 1038. 

Sours, s. source, origin, T. v. 1591 ; E 49 ; 
a springing aloft, HF. 544; swift up- 
ward flight, D 1938, 1941. 

Souter, s. cobbler, A 3904. 

Soutiltee, s. device, D 576. 

Souvenance, s. remembrance, 24. 14. 

Soveraynetee, s. sovereignty, E 114, F 
751 ; supremacy, D 818. 

Sovereyn, adj. supreme, very high, A 67 ; 
chief, B 3339; sovereign, D 1048; supe- 
rior, A. ii. 28. 39 (a technical term, 
applied to the western signs of the 
zodiac) ; as s. lord, i. 69; master, G 590; 
Sovereyne, fem. 5. 422 ; Sovereyns, //. 
superiors, I 392, 402. 

Sovereynly, adv. royally, B 2462 ; chiefly, 
B 4552- 

Sovereyntee, ^. supremacy, D 1038. 

Sowdan, s. sultan, B 177. 

Sowdanesse, s. sultaness, B 358. 

Sowe, v. sew up, T. ii. 1201, 1204; pp. 
sewn, A 685. 

Sowen, v. sow, B 1182; Sowen, //. R. 
1617; Sowe, pp. T. i. 385. 

Sowle. s. soul, life, T. ii. 1734. 

Sowled,//. endued with a soul, G 329. 

SO'wne, V. sound, play upon, A 565 ; 
sound, T. iii. 189; Sowneth, pr. s, 
sounds, I 160; signifies, A. i. 21. 62; pr. 
pi. play, F 270; Sowneth, pr. pi. tend 
(to), are consonant (with),F5i7 ; Souned, 
pt. pi. tended. B 3348. See Soune. 
Space, J-. room, T. i. 714; space of time, 
A 87; while, C 239; opportunity, spare 
time, A 35; course, A 176. 



I04 



(§lo0sarial Intei, 



Spak,//. J. spake, A 124; see Speke. 

Span, //. s. spun, L. 1762. 

Spanne, s. span, A 155. 

Span-newe, adj. span-new, T. iii. 1665. 
Lit. ' newly spun." 

Spare, v. spare, refrain, A 192 ; cease, 5. 
699 ; //>. passed over, L. 2602. 

Sparhauk, s. sparrow-hawk, B 1957. 

Sparinge, s. moderation, I 835. 

Sparkle, s. small spark, B 2095. 

SparOAsr, s. sparrow, 5. 351. 

Sparre, s. wooden beam, A 990, 1076. 

Sparth, s. battle-axe, A 2520. 

Sparwe, s. sparrow, A 626. 

Spaynel, s. spaniel, D 267. 

Space, .(. species, sort, I 407 ; //. kinds, A 
3013, I 865. 

Speche, s. speech, L. 1084; discourse, A 
307 ; talk, A 783, D 1020 ; address, 3. 
1131; oratory, F 104. 

Special, adj. special ; i>i special, espe- 
cially, in particular, A 444, 1017. 

Spectacle, s. eye-glass, D 1203. 

Spede, ^^r. to succeed, C 134 ; Spede me, 
V. be quick, 5. 385 ; Spede, pr. s. siibj. 
speed, prosper, A 769; Spedde, pt. s. 
hastened, moved quickly, A 3649 ; made 
to prosper, B 3876; //. s. rejl. hasted, A 
1217 ; I //. s. reji. L. 200 ; pp. terminated, 
determined, 5. loi ; accomplished, G 

357- ^ . 

Speed, s. help, T. n. 9; success, T. 1. 17 ; 
for comune spede, for the good of all, 5. 

soy- 
Speedful, adj. advantageous, B 727. 
Speere, s. sphere, F 1283. 
Speke, V. speak, 3. 852; Spekestow, 

speakest thou, G 473 ; Spak, I pt. s. 

spake, L. 97 ; //. s. 3. 503 ; Speken, //.//. 

3. 350; Spaken (better Speken),//'. pi. 

spa'ke, T. i. 565 ; Speke,//. J. sttbj. might 

speak, T. ii. 1119; Spoken,//. A 31. 
Speking, s. speech-making, oratory, 5. 

488 ; speaking, H 335. 
Spelle. ,f. dat. a story, B 2083. 
Spence, s. buttery, D 1931. 
Spending-silver, s. silver to spend, 

money in hand, G 1018. 
Spere,\5. spear, A 114; as nigh as tnen 

may casten zvith a spere, a spear's cast, 

HF. 1048. 
Spere, s. sphere, orbit, 4. 137; 16. 11. 
Sparhauk, s. sparrowhawk, B 4647. 
Sperme, s. seed, B 3199. 
Sperred,//. barred, T. v. 521. 
Spete, V. spit, T. ii. 1617; Spetten,//. //. 

I 270. 
Spewe, c'. vomit, B 2607. 



Spewing, s. vomit, I 138. 

Spicerye, s. mixture of spices, B 2043. 

Spille, V. spill, drop, T. v. 880; kill, L. 
1574; destroy, ruin, E 503; perish, 6. 
121 ; ger. to destroy, T. v. 588 ; to sp. 
labour, to lose labour, H 153 ; doth vie 
sp., causes me to die, 6. 14; Spillestovv 
teres, lettest thou tears fall (Lat. matias), 
B I. p 4.4; //. killed, B 857; lost, i. 180; 
ruined, D 1611; confounded, D 388. 

Spirit, s. A 2809; Spirites, the (four) 
spirits in alchemy (sulphur, sal ammo- 
niac, quicksilver, arsenic), G 820; vital 
forces, 3. 489. 

Spitous, a(//'. malicious, R. 979 ; inhospi- 
talile, 22. 13. 

SpitOUSly, adv. spitefully, D 223 ; vehe- 
mently, A 3476. 

Spoke, pp. of Speke. 

Sponne, o.pt.pl. did spin, T. iii. 734. 

Spoon, .(. spoon, F 602 ; Spones, //. C 
908. 

Spore, s. spur, A 2603; //. A 473. 

Sporne, ger. to spurn, kick, 13. 11 ; //. s. 
spurns, treads, T. ii. 797; pt. s. tripped 
himself up, A 4280. 

Spot, s. defect, E 2146. 

Spousaille, s. espousal, wedding, E 115, 
180. 

Spoused, //. wedded, E 3, 386. 

Spouted, pp. vomited, B 487. 

Sprayned ; see Springen. 

Sprede, -'. spread, open, 4. 4; ger. to ex- 
pand, R. 1679; Spradde, //. s. spread, E 
418, 722; covered, 7. 40; Sprad, //. 
spread, A 2903 ; dispersed, 3. 874 ; 
Spradde, pp. pi. wide open, T. iv. 1422. 

Spreynd; see Springen. 

Spring, s. dawn, A. ii. 6. 6; first growth, 
R. 834; //. merry dances, HF. 1235. 

Springe, strong v. spring up, grow, A 
3018 ; rise, B 4068 ; spread abroad, 7. 74 ; 
spring, be carried, I^. 719; ger. to rise 
(as the sun) , A 2522 ; to dawn, A 822 ; to 
arise, i. 133; Sprang, //. j. grew up, R. 
1425 ; Sprong. pt. s. spread out, R. 1704 ; 
Spronge, //. become famous, A 1437 ; 
grown, L. 1054; spronge amis, alighted 
in a wrong place, HF. 2079. 

Springen, weak v. sprinkle, scatter, 
sow broadcast, B 1183; Spreynd, pp. 
sprinkled, B 422, 1830; Sprayned, //. 
B 2. p 4. 132. A. S. sprengan. 

Springers, s.pl. sources, origins, I 387. 

Springing, s. source, E 49. 

Spume, V. spurn, kick, F 616. 

Spyce, s. spice, R. 1367, 1371 ; //. spicery, 
L. mo; species, kinds, 1 83, 102. 



@l0g0arial IntiEi. 



105 



Spyced, //. spiced, A 3378 ; scrupulous, 

A 526, D 435. 
Spycerye, s. collection of spices, mixture 

of spices, A 2935, B 136. 
Spyr, J-. spire, shoot, T. ii. 1335. 
Squames, s.p/. scales, G 759. 
Squaymous, adj. squeamish, sparing 

(except rarely), A 3337. 
Squiereth, //-. s. attends, accompanies, 

1^ 305- 

Squire, s. a ' square,' a carpenter's instru- 
ment for measuring right angles, D 
2090; f>/. measuring-rules, A. i. 12. 3. 

Squyer, s. squire, A 79. 

Stable, ndj. abiding, A 3004, 3009 ; firm, 
3. 645; sure, E 1499; constant, 4. 281; 
steadfast, F 871. 

Stablissed, pp. established, A 2995. 

Stadie, s. race-course, B 4. p 3. 11. 

Staf, J. staff, stick, L. 2000; (perhaps a 
bed-staff), A 4294,4296; Staves, ^f«. of 
the shaft of a car, 7. 184. 

Staf-slinge, s. a staff-sling, sling with a 
handle, B 2019. 

Stages, p/. positions, HF. 122. 

Stak, //. ,f. stuck, T. iii. 1372; was fast- 
ened on, R. 458. 

Stakereth,/;-. s. staggers, L. 2687. 

Stal.//. s. fl/Stelen. 

Stalke, s. stalk, A 1036; piece of straw, 
A 3919; Stalkes, />/. (L,a.t. pa/mifes),Yi i. 
m 6. 15 ; stems, T. ii. 968 ; uprights of a 
ladder, A 3625. 

Stalke, V. creep up (to) , T. ii. 519 ; move 
stealthily, I^. 1781 ; /;-. s. walks stealthily, 
A 1479 ; moves slowly, A 3648. 

Stalle, s. dat. ox-stall, T. v. 1469. 

Stamin, s. a coarse harsh cloth, tamine, 
taminy, L. 2360; I 1052. O. F. estamine. 

Stampe, pr. pi. bray in a mortar, C 538. 

Stanched, pp. staunched, B 2. p 2. 53. 

Stank, s. lake, tank, pool, I 841. E. taitk. 

Stant, stands ; see Stonde. 

Stapen, pp. advanced, B 4011, E 1514 (in 
MS. E.). 

Stare, s. starling, 5. 348. 

Starf, pt. s. of Sterve. 

Stark, adj. strong, E 1458 ; severe, B 
3560. _ 

Startling, moving suddenly, L. 1204. 

Staunchen, v. satisfy, B 3. m 3. 3. 

Stede, s. place, HF. 731; in stede of, in- 
stead of, B 3308. 

Stede, s. steed, A 2157. 

Stedfastnesse, s. constancy, firmness, 
E 699 ; stability, 15. 7. 

Steer, s. bullock, A 2149. 

Steked, //. stuck, L. 161 a. 



Stele, s. lit. handle; i. e. the (cool) end, 

A 3785. 
Stelen, v. steal, A 562; Steleth, pr. s. 

steals away, B 21 ; Stal, //. s. stole, L. 

796; came (or went) cunningly, HF. 

418; went stealthily, B 3763; stal away, 

stole away, 3. 381 ; Stole, //. stolen, A 

2627. 
Stellifye, v. make into a constellation, 

HF. 586, 1002. 
Stemed, pt. s. shone, glowed, A 202. A. S. 

stem an. 
Stenten, v. leave off, A 903 ; ger. to stay, 

A 2442 ; V. cease, leave off, B 3925 ; 

Stente, o.pr. s. subj. cease, 18.61 ; Stente, 

pt. s. ceased, stopped, 3. 154; L. 1240; 

remained, L. 821; stayed, T. i. 273; 

Stente, pt. pi. ceased, T. i. 60; delayed, 

L. 633; //. stopped, A 1368. 
Stepe, adj. pi. glittering, bright, A 201, 

753. A. S. steap. 
Steppes, pi. foot-tracks, L. 829, 2209. 
Stere, s. helm, rudder, B 833; pilot, 

helmsman, guide, B 448; in stere, upon 

my rudder, T. v. 641. 
Stere, v. steer, rule, T. iii. 910; i pr.s. 

steer, T. ii. 4; pp. controlled, L. 935. 
Stere, v. stir, move, e.xcite, T. i. 228 ; pro- 
pose, T. iv. 1451 ; pr. s. stirs, HF. 817. 
Sterelees, adj. rudderless, B 439. 
Steresman, j^. steersman, HF. 436. 
Steringe, s. stirring, motion, HF. 800. 
Sterlinges,//. sterling coins, C 907. 
Sterne, adj. stern, E 465 ; violent, T. iii. 

743- 

Sterre, s. star, 5. 68, 300; constellation, 
HF. 599. 

Stert, s. start, T. v. 254 ; at a stert, in a 
moment, A 1705. 

Sterte, v. start, go quickly, T. ii. 1634; 
move away, T. iii. 949; pass away, B 
335; leap, skip, R. 344; Stert, pr. s. 
rouses, HF. 681 ; Sterte, i //. s. departed, 
T. iv. 93; rushed, L. 811 ; leapt, A 952; 
went, V. ii. 1094 ; went at once, L. 660 ; 
Sterting, pres. pt. bursting suddenly, 
L. 1741. 

Sterve, v. die, A 1249; die of famine, C 
451 ; Starf, pt. s. L. 1691 ; A 933, B 283 ; 
StOTven, pt.pl. C 888. 

Stevene, s. voice, sound, language, A 
2562; rumour, talk, T. iii. 1723; time, 
moment, esp. of an appointment, A 
1524; sound, L. 1219; meeting by ap- 
pointment, 4. 52; sette St., made ap- 
pointment, A 4383. 

Stewe, s. a fish-pond, A 350; a small 
room, closet, T. iii. 601 ; brothel, HF. 26. 



E 2 



io6 



(§l000arial Intiei. 



Stew^e-dore, s. closet-door, T. iii. 698. 

Steyre, j. degree {Lat. ^/adus), 4. 129; 
Steyres, £-c-». stair's, T. iii. 205. 

Stiborn, adj. stubborn, D 456, 637. 

Stidefast, adj. steadfast, B 2641. 

Stif, adj. strong, A 673; bold, R. 1270; 
hard, D 2267. 

Stiken, _ger. to stick, T. i. 297 ; Stiked, 
pt. s. stuck, B 509 ; fixed, B 2097 ; Stikede, 
//. s. pierced, B 3897 ; Stikked, fixed, 
L. 2202 ; />/>. stabbed, B 430 ; a stiked 
szuyn, a stuck pig, C 556. 

Stikinge, s. sticking, setting, I 954. 

Stikkes, pi. palings, B 4038. 

Stillatorie, s. still, vessel used in distil- 
lation, G 580. 

Stille, adv. quietly, L. 816; still, D 2200. 

Stille, ger. to silence, T. ii. 230. 

Stingeth, py. s. pierces, L. 645. 

Stinte, V. leave off, A 1334 ; cease, G 883 ; 
cause to cease, i. 63 ; end, E 747 ; ger. to 
cease, B 2164; to stop, T. ii. 383; cease, 
I 720; restrain, R. 1441 ; stop, avert, 
L. 1647 ; Stinte, i //-. s. leave off telling, 
HF. 1417; pr.pl. cease, I 93; //. s. stibj. 
may cease, B 413 ; Stinte, pt. s. ceased, 
A 2421; was silent, 3. 1299; //. //. 
stopped {or pr.pl. stop), L. 294; Stinte, 
//. s. siibj. should cease, T. i. 848 ; pp. 
stopped, T. iii. 1016 ; stint thy clappe, 
hold your tongue, A 3144; Stinteth, 
imp. pi. stay, T. ii. 1729. 

Stintinge, s. ceasing, end, B 2. m 7. 37. 

Stiren. v. stir, excite, B 2696. 

Stiropes, s.pl. stirrups, B 1163. 

Stirte, //. s. started, D 1046; rushed, H 
303 ; went quickly, E 2153. 

Stith, s. anvil, A 2026. Icel. stetSl. 

Stod, -e ; see Stonde. 

Stok, s. a block of wood, A. ii. 38. 6; 
source, 14. 1 ; race, A 155 1 ; //. stumps, 
A 2934 ; posts, T. iii. 589. 

Stoke, ..t'dV. to stab, thrust, A 2546. 

Stokked, //. fastened in the stocks, T. 
iii. 380. 

Stole, s. stool, frame for tapestry-work, 
L. 2352; //. chairs, D 288. 

Stole, pp. (?/Stelen. 

Stomak, s. stomach, T. i. 787; appetite, 
D 1847 ; compassion, D 1441. 

Stomblen, /r.//. stuinble, A 2613. 

Stonde, v. stand, B 1050; be placed, A 
745 ; be understood, be fixed, E 346 ; be 
set in view (as a prize at a game), B 
1931 ; Jymt stonde, finds standing, L. 
1499 ; Stont, pv. s. stands, is, T. iii. 1562 ; 
Stant, pr. s. stands, B 618 ; consists, I 
107, 1029 ; is, B 1304 ; Stood, pt. 5. A 354 ; 



stuck fast, D 1541 ; Stonden, //. HF. 

1928. 
Stong-en. //. stung, A 1079. 
Stoon, s. stone, A 774; precious stone, 

gem, R. iq86. 
Stoon-wal, stone-wall, L. 713. 
Stoor, f. store, stock (of a farm), A 598; 

store, D 2159 ; value, D 203. 
Stopen,//. advanced, E 1514 (MS. E. has 

stapen). 
Stoppen, V. stop, T. ii. 804. 
Store, s. store, value, B 4344 ; possession, 

L. 2337. 
Store, ger. to store, B 1463. 
Store, adj. voc. audacious, bold, E 2367. 

Icel. storr. 
Storial, adj. historical, A 3179; Storial 

sooth, historical truth, L. 702. 
Storie, s. history, legend of a saint (or 

the like), A 709; history, E 1366; tale, 

story, 7. 10; //. books of history, T. v. 

1044. 
Storven, pt. pi. <7/Sterve, died, C 888. 
Stot, s. a stallion, horse, cob, A 615; 

heifer (a term of abuse), D 1630. 
Stounde, s. hour, time, while, A 1212, 

4007 ; short time, B 1021 ; moment, L. 

949 ; in a stounde, at a time, once, A 

3992; upon a stounde, in one hour, T. iv. 

625 ; pi. houis, seasons, T. iii. 1752. 
Stoiindemele, at various limes, from 

time to time, T. v. 674. 
Stoupe, _^if/-. to stoop, G 1311. 
Stour, s. battle, contest, R. 1270. 
Stout, adj. strong, A 545. 
Straighter, adj. more stretched out, 

more expanded, R. 119. 
Strake, v. move, proceed, 3. 1312. 
Strange, adj. strange, F 89; external, D 

1161 ; not its own, A. ii. 19. 7. Every 

star has its own degrees (of longitude) 

in the equator and ecliptic. 
Strangenesse, .f. estrangement, B 1576. 
Stranglen, //•. //. strangle, worry, I 768. 
Strangling, s. A 2458 ; of str., caused by 

strangling, L. 807. 
Straught, -e; see Strecclie. 
Straunge, adj. strange, foreign, A 13; 

unwonted, 7. 202; difficult, hard to 

agree upon, F 1223 ; like a stranger, T. 

ii. 1660 ; unfriendly, estranged, R. 1065 ; 

distant, unbending, 5. 584; not well 

known, A. ii. 17. rub.; [a strange star is 

one that is not represented upon the 

Rete of the Astrolabe] ; //. strangers, T. 

ii. 411. 
Straungely, adv. distantly, T. v. 955. 
Straw, -t.T.iii. 859; <? j /«/fr;'. a straw ! F695. 



(fllossarial Entio. 



107 



Strawen, z>. strew, L. 207 ; 2 //•. .f. sui>J. 

F 613; //. strewn, I 918. 
Stray te. s. strait, B 464. 
Strecche, z'. stretch, B 4498; extend, T. 

ii. 341 ; reach, 7. 341 ; Streighte, //. s. 

stretched, HF. 1373; Straughte, //. //. 

extended, A 2916 ; Straughten, //. //. 

stretched out, R. 1021 ; StreiglU, stretched 

out; /of{^ sir., stretched at full length, 

T. iv. 1163; //. as adv. straight, T. ii. 

599- 
Stree, s. straw, A 2918 ; //. 3. 718. 
Streem, J-. river, current, L. 2508; stream, 

A 464 ; ray (of light), 2. 94. 
Streen, s. strain, i. e. stock, progeny, 

race, E 157. 
Streig-ht, adj. straight, 3. 957. 
Straight, adv. straight, straightway, A 

671. 
Streig-ht, -e ; see Strecche. 
Streit, adj. narrow, A 1984; scanty, R. 

457 ; B 4179 ; strict, A 174 ; p/. scanty, 

small, D 1426. A. F. estreit. 
Streite, pp. as adj. def. drawn, B 4547. 

(It here represents Lat. strtctus.) 
Streite, adv. closely, T. iv. 1689; strictly, 

L. 723 ; tightly, A 457. 
Streitnes, s. smallness, A. i. 21. 55. 
Stremeden, //. //. streamed, T. iv. 247. 
Streng-, s. string, D 2067; //. 5. 197. 
Streng'er, adj. comp. stronger, B 2410. 
Strengest, strongest, T. i. 243. 
Strengest-feythed, strongest in faith, 

T. i. 1007. 
Strengthe, s. strength, A 84; force, 3. 

351 ; //. sources of strength, B 3248. 
Stfepen, v. strip, E 1958; do str. me, 

cause me to be stripped, E 2200. 
Strete, >. street, T. ii. 612; dat. HF. 

1049; street, road, way, i. 70; B 1683. 
Streyne, v. compress, T. iii. 1205; strain, 

press, E 1753; constrain, E 144; hold, 

confine, R. 1471 ; ger. to compress, T. 

iii. 1071; Streyne, pr. pi. strain (as 

through a sieve), C 538. 
Streyt, adj. small, B 3. m 2. 26. 
Strike, c hank (of flax), A 676. 
Strogelest ; see Strugle. 
Stroke, ger. to stroke, T. iii. 1249. 
Strokes, pi. of Strook. 
Strompetes, s. pi. strumpets, B 1. 



54- 
Stronde 



P I- 
Strondes, 



iat. shore, L. 21E 

pi. shores, A 13. 
Strong, adj. dilficult, B 2635 ; //. severe, 

A 1338, 2771. 
Stronge, adv. securely, R. 241. 
Stroof , //. s. of Stryve. 



Strook, s. stroke, A 1701 ; Strokes, pi. T. 

iii. 1067. 
Strouted,//. s. stuck out, A 3315. 
Strowe, V. strew, L. loi a. 
Stroyer, destroyer, 5. 360. 
Strugle, V. struggle, E 2374; Strogelest, 

2 //■. s. C 829. 
Stryf, s. quarrel, strife, A 1187, 2784; 

took stryf =' took up the cudgels,' B i. 

P 4- 93- 

Stryk, s. stroke, mark, A. ii. 12. 19. 

Stryke, v. strike ; Stryken out, strike 
out, D 1364; Strike,/"/, struck, 11. 35. 

Stryve, v. strive, struggle, 10. 30 ; oppose, 
E 170; Stroof, pt. s. strove, vied, A 1038. 

Stryvinge, s. striving, strife, B 2674. 

Stubbel-goos, s. fatted goose, A 4351. 

Stubbes, pi. stumps, A 1978. 

Studie, s. study, A 303 ; state of medi- 
tation, A 1530; Study, library, F 1207, 
1214; Studies, //. endeavours, B 3. p 2. 
93 ; desires, B 4. p 2. 56. 

Studie, V. study, A 184; ger. give heed, I 
1090; Studieth, //-. J. deliberates, E 1955. 

Stuffed, pp. filled, E 264. 

Sturdely, adv. boldlv, 4. 82. 

Sturdinesse, s. sternness, E 700. 

Sturdy, adj. cruel, hard, harsh, stern, E 
698, 1049; firm, T. ii. 1380; D 2162. 

Sty, s. pig-sty, D 1829. 

Stye, ger. to mount up, B 4. p 6. 414. 

Style (i), s. a stile, a means to get over 
a barrier by climbing, C 712, F 106. 

Style (2), s. style, mode of writing, F 105. 

Sty ves, pi. stews, D 1332. 

Sty ward, s. steward, B 914. 

Suasioun, s. persuasiveness, B 2. p i. 45. 

Subdekne. s. subdeacon, I 891. 

Subgit, adj. subject, T. v. 1790; Subget, 
T. i. 231. 

Subgit, s. subject, T. ii. 828 ; //. servants. 
D 1990. 

Subjeccion, J-. '(i), suggestion, (a thing 
subjected to the mind), I 351 ; (2), sub- 
jection, obedience, B 270 ; submission, 
4. 32 ; subjection, governance, B 3656, 
3742. 

Sublymatories, s. pi. vessels for subli- 
mation, G 793. 

Sublymed, pp. sublimed, sublimated, G 
774. 'Sublimate, to bring by heat into 
the state of vapour ' ; Webster. 

Sublyming, s. sublimation, G 770. 

Submitted, pp. subjected, B 5. p i. 44; 
ye ben s., ye have submitted, B 35. 

Subtil, adj. subtle, C 141 ; ingenious, A. 
pr. 60 ; skilful, L. 672 ; finely woven, 5. 
272. 



io8 



(3laMatia\ J^nbtx. 



Subtilitee, s. subtlety, craft, secret knowl- 
edge, G 620 ; skill, craft, G 844 ; //. 
tricks, E 2421. 

Subtilly, adv. craftily, A 610; subtly, F 
222. 

Subtiltee, s. subtlety, F 140; specious 
reasoning, HF. 855; skill, B4509; trick, 
D 1420. 

Succedent, s6. a ' succedent ' house, A. 
ii. 4. 48. The succedent houses are the 
second, fifth, eighth, and eleventh, as 
these are about to follow the most im- 
portant houses, which are the first, 
fourth, seventh, and tenth. 

Sucre, s. sugar, T. iii. 1194. 

Sucred, pp. sugred, T. ii. 384. 

Sufflsaunce, s. sufficiency, A 490; suffi- 
cient food, D 1843; enough, a com- 
petence, 10. 15 ; contentment, B 4029 ; 
3- 703- 

SuflBsaunt, adj. sufficient, good enough, 
A1631; A. pr. 7; capable, L. 2524 ; well 
endowed, L. 1067. 

SuflBsauntly, adv. sufficiently, A. pr. 43 ; 
availably, B 2492. 

Suffrabl'e, adj. patient, D 442. 

Suffraunce, s. longsuffering, B 2479; 
patience, E 1162; Suffiance, longsuffer- 
ing, B 2654; permission, F 788. 

Suffraunt, pres. pt. as s. patient man, 
T. iv. 1584 ; as adj. patient, tolerant, 3. 
1010. 

Suffre, V. suffer, permit, A 649; endure, 
3. 412. 

Suffyse, V. suffice, B 3648 ; Suffyseth, (it) 
suffices, 12. 15 ; Suffyce, imp. s. be con- 
tent (spend frugally), 13. 2. 

Suggestioun, s. a criminal charge, B 
3607 ; hint, I 331. 

Sugre, s. sugar, B 2046. 

Sukkenye, s. short frock, tunic, R. 1232. 
O. F. souquanie ; Y. souquoiie {Cotgra.ve). 

Summitted, pp. submitted, B 3. p 10. 15 ; 
subjected, B 4. p 6. 145. 

Superflce, s. surface, A. i. 21. 42; in the 
s. of, in the immediate neighbourhood 
of, A. i. 21. 32. 

Superfluitee, s. superfluity, excess, A 
436 ; over-abundance, A. pr. 50. 

Supplien, v. supplicate, entreat, B 3. 
p 8. II. 

Supportacioun, s. support, B 2332. 

Supprysed, pp. surprised, T. iii. 1184. 

Surcote, jr. upper coat, A 617. 

Surement, s. pledge, F 1534. 

Suretee, s. security, D 903 ; careless con- 
fidence, 7. 215. 

Surfeet, s. surfeit, I 913. 



Surmounteth,/;-. s. surpasses, L. 123. 

Surplys, s. surplice, A 3323, G 558. 

Surquidrie, s. over-confidence, presump- 
tion, I 403; arrogance, T. i. 213. O. F. 
surquidc) ie. 

Sursanure, s. a wound healed outwardly, 
but not inwardly, F 11 13. 

Surveyaunce, s. surveillance, C 95. 

Suspecioun, s. suspicion, T. ii. 561. 

Suspecious, adj. ominous of evil, E 540. 

Suspect, adj. suspicious, ominous of evil, 
E541. 

Suspect, s. suspicion, B 2385. 

Sustenance, s. support, living, E 202. 

Sustene, v. sustain, support, F 861 ; main- 
tain, I. 22; endure, B 2654; uphold, 
preserve, B i6c; hold up (herself)^ 7. 
177. 

Suster, s. sister, L. 592, 986 ; Her suster 
love, love for her sister, L. 2365 ; Sus- 
tren,//. T. iii. 733; Sustres,//. B 4057. 

Su'we, ^(?r. to follow, T. i. 379. 

Suyte, s. suit, array (of like kind) , A 2873 : 
Sute, uniform pattern, 3. 261. 

Swa, so (Northern), A 4040. 

Swal, pt. s. of Swelle. 

S'walO'we, v. swallow, HF. 1036. 

Swalwe, s. swallow, A 3258. 

Swappe, s. A swoop, the striking of a 
bird of prey, HF. 543. 

Swappe, ger. to swap, strike, E 586; 
Swapte, pt. s. dashed, T. iv. 256 ; fell 
suddenly, E 1099 ; Swap, imp. s. strike 
off, G 366. 

Swartish, adj. as adv. dark, HF. 1647. 

Swatte, pt. s. of Swete. 

Swayn, s. servant-lad, young man, A 
4027. 

Sweigh, s. motion, sway, B 296. 

Swelleth, pr. s. swells, A 2743 ; Swal. 
//. s. D 967 ; up sival, was puffed up 
with anger, B 1750 ; Swollen, //. proud, 
E 950. 

Swelte, V. die, T. iii. 347; Swelt, pr. s. 
dies, 4. 128; //. s. died, E 1776; lan- 
guished, fainted, A 1356. 

Swelwe, V. swallow, B 2808. 

Swerd, s. sword, A 112. 

Swere, v. swear, A 454; Swoor, i //. s. 
E 2312; Swore, 2 pt. s. L. 1378; Swoor, 
//. s. swore, 7. loi ; Sworen, //.//. swore, 
B 344; Sworn, pp. sworn (to the con- 
trary), T. iv. 976; A 1089; sworn (to do 
it), G 681 ; bound by oath, F 18; sworn, 
(it should not be so), D 640. 

Swering, s. swearing, C 631. 

Swete, adj. sweet, A 5, 2427; as s. sweet 
one, love, 3. 832. 



(glossartal Sntiei. 



109 



Swete, s. sweetness, 5. 161. 

S-wete, V. sweat, G 579; Swatte, //. j. 
sweated, B 1966. 

Swete herte, sweetheart, T. iii. 69. 

Swete-Loking, Sweet-Looking, R. 920. 

Swetnesse, s. sweetness, i. 51 ; nourish- 
ment, 3. 415. 

Swetter, adj. comp. sweeter, R. 622, 768. 

STvety, ady. sweaty, 9. 28. 

Sweven, s. dream, R. 28; //. dreams, 
R. 3. 

S'wevening', s. dream, R. 26; Sweven- 
in^es (pron. swev'ningez) , R. i. 

Sweynte, //. as def. adj. tired out, sloth- 
ful, HF. 1783. Pp. oi swaichen. 

Swich. adj. such, A 3, 243, 313 ; such a 
thmg, B 4626; Swich a, such a, B 3921; 
Swich oon, such a one, F 231. 

Swimme, v. swim, A 3550, L. 2450 ; Swom- 
men, pt. pi. were filled with swimming 
things, 5. 188. 

Swink, s. labour, toil, A 188, 540. 

Swinke, v. toil, labour, T. v. 272; to 
cause to labour, HF. 16; pr.pl. work 
for, G 21 ; Swonken,//. toiled, A 4235. 

Swinker, s. labourer, toiler, A 531. 

S'wrire, j. neck, throat, R. 325. 

Swogh, J. (i) sough, low noise, 5. 247; 
murmur, HF. 1031 ; sigh, groan, A 3619; 
rustling noise, blast, A 1979; whizzing 
noise, HF. 1941; Swogh, (2) swoon, D 
799; Swovv, grief, 3. 215. 

Swollen,//, proud, E 950. 

S'wolow, s. gulf, L. 1 104. 

S"WOlwe. V. swallow, H 36. 

Swommen. //-.//. were filled with swim- 
ming thmgs, 5. 188. 

Swonken, //. toiled, A 4235. 

Swoot, 5. sweat, G 578. 

Swote, adj. sweet. A 2860, 3205; //. R. 
60. See Sote, Swete. 

Swote, <7(/;'. sweetly, T. i. 158. 

Swoug-h, Swow^; see Swogh. 

Sw^oune, Swowne, v. swoon, faint, T. 
ii. 574; Swowned, pt. s. swooned, A 
2943 ; //. A 913. 

Swow, .f. swoon ; hence, anguish, 3. 215, 

Swowne, j-. swoon, F 1080; Aswowne, in 
a swoon, C 245. 

Swowning, j. swooning, C 246. 

Swyn. 1. swine, boar, F 1254 ; hog, D 460. 

Swynes-heed, s. pig's head (a term of 
abuse), A 4262. 

Swythe, adv. quickly, C 796; as sw., as 
soon, T. V. 1384; as quickly as possible, 
immediately, B 637, G 936. 

Swyve, V. lie with, A 4178 ; //. dis- 
honoured, A 3850. 



Sy . saw ; pt. t. of See. 

Sye,^<?/-. to sink down, T. v. 182. 

Sye, Syen, saw; see See. 

Syk, adj. sick, ill; for syk, on account 
of being sick, D 394 ; Syke, def. F iioo; 
//. sick persons, T. iii. 61. 

Syk, s. sigh, F 498. 

Syke, V. sigh, T. iii. 1360; Syke, ger. to 
sigh {but perhaps read syte, i. e. to grieve, 
for the rime), T. ii. 884; Syketh, //•. s. 
sighs, 5. 404; 22. 62 (men sigh) ; Syked, 
pt. s. sighed, A 2985 ; Sighte, pt. s. 
sighed, B 1035. 

Sykliche, adj. sickly, T. ii. 1528. 

Symoniais, s.pl. simoniacs, 1 784. 

Symonye, s. simony, D 1309. 

Syre, s. master of the house, D 713 ; mas- 
ter, 5. 12. 

Sys. num. six (at dice), B 3851. 

[Syte, V. to grieve ; perhaps the right 
reading in T. li. 884.] 

Sythe, s. time, R. 80; Sythe, //. (orig. a 
gen. pi.), A 1878; ofte sythe, oftentimes, 
E 233, G 1031 ; Sythes,//. times, A 485. 

Sythe, s. scythe, L. 646. 

T. 

T', for To, frequently prefixed to verbs ; as 
tabyde, tamende, &c. 

Taa. V. take (Northern), A 4129. 

Tabard, s. a herald's coat-of-arms, hence, 
(i) the same, as an inn-sign, A 20; (2) 
a ploughman's loose frock, A 541. 

Tabernacles, //. shrines, HF. 123, 1190. 

Table, j. table, A 100; table dormaunt, 
permanent side-table, A 353; tablet, 
writing-tablet, 3. 780; tablet, plate, 
HF. 142; table (of the law), C 639; one 
of the thin plates on which almican- 
teras are engraved, A. ii. 21. 6; at table, 
at board, i. e. entertained as a lodger, 
G 1015 ; Tables, //. tables (for calcula- 
tion), F 1273; dining-tables, B 1442; 
writing-tablets, D 1741 ; plates, A. i. 14. 
3 ; the game of ' tables ' or back-gammon, 
F qoo. 

Tabour, s. small drum, D 2268. 

Tabouren, //-.//. drum, din, L. 354. 

Tabregge, for To abregge, to abridge, 
shorten, T. iii. 295. 

Tabreyde, for To abreyde, to awake, T. 
V. 520. 

Tabyde, for To abyde, to abide, T. v. 

33- 
Tache, s. defect, 21. 18. See Tecches. 
Tacheve, for To acheve, to achieve, L. 

2111. 



(^lossarial Intizx, 



Tacorapte, /or To acompte, to reckon 

up, 22. 17. 

Tacord, for To accord, i. e. to agreement, 

H 98. 
Tacorde, for To acorde, to agree, i. 27. 
Tacoye, /or To acoye, to decoy, T. v. 

782. 
Taffata, s. taffeta, A 440. 
Taffraye, /or To aftraye, to frighten, E 

Taillages, s.pL taxes, I 567. 

Taille, s. tally, an account scored upon 

two similarly notched sticks, A 570, B 

1606. 
Take, v. seize, T. ii. 289; present, offer, 

G 223 ; ^er. to take, A 34 ; Takestow, 

takest thou, G 435 ; Take me, i /r. s. 

betake myself, B 1985 ; Took, i //. s. 

drew in, breathed in, B i. p 3. 3 (Lat. 

haiisi) ; hit, D 792; pt. s. handed over, 

gave, B 1484 ; had, B 192 ; Toke, 2 pf. s. 

tookest, 3. 483; Toke, pt pi. took, F 

1240; received, F 356; Take, />/. taken, 

A 3007 ; entrusted, I 880 ; brought, i. 

20 ; Tak, imp. s. receive, B 1 17 ; accept 

as a result, A. ii. 25. 57 ; tak kepe, take 

heed, observe, B 3757; tak she, let her 

take, 5. 462 , Taketh, imp. pi. take, 

4.9. 
Takel, s. tackle, archery-gear, arrows, A 

106. 
Tald, //. told (Northern), A 4207. 
Tale, s. tale, A 3126 ; story, A 36, 831 ; 

account, B 4308; enumeration, E 383; 

I gan Ji>ide a tale to him, I thought of 

something to say to him, 3. 536 ; telle 

tale, give an account of, A 330. 
Tale, V. tell a tale, talk, speak, T. iii. 

1235; Talen, ger. to tell tales, A 772; 

pr. s. subj. talk about, I 378. 
Talent, s. inclination, wish, desire, B 

2439; desire, appetite, C 540; longing, 

R 2. p I. 12. 
Taling. s. tale-telling, B 1624. 
Talighte, /or To alighte, i. e. to alight, 

E 909. 
Talle. adj. docile, obsequious, 4. 38 (A 

rare sense.) 
Tamende, /or To amende, to redress, E 

441. 
Tanoyen, /or To anoyen, to injure, B 

492. 
Tanswere, i. e. to answer, D 1589. 
Tapes, //. tapes, A 3241. 
Tapicer, s. upholsterer, maker of carpets, 

A 362. 
Tapite, v. cover with tapestry, 3. 260. 
Tappe, s. tap, A 3890, 3892. 



Tappestere, s. female tapster, barmaid, 

A 241, 3336. 
Tarditas, s. slowness, I 718. 
Tare, s. tare, kind of weed, A 1570. 
Tareste,/&/- To areste, to arrest, F 1370. 
Targ-e, j. target, shield, A 471 ; defence, 

1. 176. 
Tarien, v. tarry, B 983; delay (used 

actively), F 73 ; i pr. s. tarry, T. iii. 

1195; pp. delayed, T. ii. 1739. 
Tarraye, /or To arraye, to array, arrange, 

E 961. 
Tart. adj. of sharp flavour, pungent, A 381. 
Tartre, s. tartar, G 813; oille 0/ Tartre, 

(probably) cream of tartar, or bitartrate 

of potassium, A 630. 
Taryinge, s. tarrying, delay, A 821. 
Tas, i. heap, A 1005, 1009, 1020. O. F. tas. 
Tassaille, /or To assaille, i. e. to assail, 

E 1 180. 
Tassaye, /or To assaye, to test, prove, 

try, E 454, 1075. 
Tasseled, pp. fringed, provided with 

tassels, R. 1079, A 3251. 
Tassemble, /or To assemble, to bring 

together, D 89. 
Tassoille, /or To assoile, i. e. to absolve, 

t-' 933- 

Tasstire,/^r To assure, B 1231. 

Tast, s. taste, relish (for), 5. 160. 

Taste, V. try, test, L. 1993; pt. s. ex- 
perienced, T. i. 639 ; imp. s. feel, G 503. 

Taughte,/;*. s. o/Teche. 

Tavemer, s. innkeeper, C 685. 

Tavyse, /or To avyse (me), to deliberate, 
B 1426. 

Ta^waytei/oz-Toawayte, to dwell, remain, 

25- 7- 

Taylage, s. taxation, 9. 54. 

Teccties, //. evil qualities, defects, T. iii. 
gr^c,■, characteristics, HF. 1778. 

Teche, v. teach, instruct, A ■3pi,ger. to 
show, R. 518 ; Techen, v. direct, B 4139 ; 
ger. to inform (him of), D 1326; Taughte, 
I pt. s. taught, told, D 1050. 

Te deiim, the anthem so called, D 1866. 

Teer, s. tear, E 1104. 

Tehee, interj. (denoting) laughter, hee- 
hee ! A 3740. 

Telle, v. tell, recount, relate, A 38; com- 
pute, 3. 440; ger. to tell, to be told, F 
447 ; I pr. s. account, B 4344 ; Telle no 
tale, set no store, 5. 326; Telles, /r. s. 
(Northern form), tells, 3. 73; HF. 426; 
Tolde, I pt. s. counted, HF. 1380; ac- 
counted, D 203, 208; pt. pi. esteemed, 
T. i. 131 ; herd told, heard (it) told, T. i. 
197 ; Tolde,//. //. told, B 56. 



i3\a&mxial Inbtx, 



Tembrace, /or To embrace, T. v. 224; 
E iioi. 

Temen, v. bring ; tonen us on here, bring 
lis on our bier, let us die, HF. 1744. 

Temper, s. mood, R. 346. 

Temperaunce, s. temperance, modera- 
tion, F 785. 

Tempest, s. storm, A 406; tempest (al- 
luding to a passage in Statius), A 884. 

Tempest thee, /;///. s. violently distress 
thyself, 13. 8 ; 2 pr. s. subj. vex, perturb, 
B 2. p 4. 75. 

Tempestous, adj. tempestuous, T. ii. 5. 

Temple, s. inn of court, A 567. 

Temprede, pt. s. modulated, B 3. m 12. 
22; //. tempered, G 926. (In alchemy, 
to temper is to adjust or moderate heat.) 

Temps, s. tense ; futur temps, future 
tense, time to come, G 875. 

Temptour, s. tempter, D 1655. 

Ten, ten, A 454; ten so wood, ten times as 
mad, L. 735. 

Tenbrace, to embrace, B 1891. 

Tencresen, to increase, E 1808. 

Tendure, to endure, E 756, 811. 

Tendyte, for To endyte, to compose, 
write, T. i. 6 ; to relate, A 1209. 

Tene, s. vexation, A 3106; sorrow, grief, 
T. v. 240 ; cross, trouble, T. ii. 61. A. S. 
teona. 

Tenour, r. outline of the story, L. 929. 

Tenquere, for To enquere, to ask, E 1543. 

Tenspyre, for To enspyre, i. e. to in- 
spire, G 1470. 

Tenthe, tenth, HF. 63, in; Tenthe 
some, company of ten, T. ii. 1249. 
(Sometimes tenthe some means ' ten in 
all.-} 

Tentifly, adv. attentively, carefully, E 

334- 

Tercel, adj. male (of an eagle), 5. 393, 
449 : pi- 5- 54° ; 'z-f -f- male eagle, 5. 405. 

Tercelet, s. male falcon, 5. 529, 533; F 
504, 621 ; Tercelets, //. male birds of 
prey, 5. 659; male hawks, F 648. 
' Tiercelet, m. the tassell, or male of 
any kind of hawke, so tearmed, be- 
cause he is, commonly, a third part 
lesse then the female ' ; Cotgrave. 

Tere, s. tear, B 3251. 

Tere, v. tear, B 1326; scratch, R. 325; 
Torn,//. L. 2103. 

Terins, s. pi. tarins, siskins, R. 665. F. 
tarin. 

Terme, s. set time, appointed time, T. v. 
696; period, space of time, 'term,' a 
portion of the zodiac, being one-third 
of a 'sign,' or 10'', F 1288; (during the) 



term, A 1029; terme of his lyve, while 
he lives, G 1479 ; m terme, in set phrases, 
C311 ; //. pedantic phrases, A 323; legal 
jargon, R. 199; periods, A 3028; terms, 
C 51, F 1266. 

Terine-day, j. appointed day, 3. 730. 

Termyne, v. determine, express in 'good 
sot terms,' 5. 530. 

Terrestre, adj. earthlv, E 1332. 

Terve,//-. s. subJ. flay.'G 1274 {so in MS. 
E.) ; Terved (t>ot 'ferned), //. skinned, 
G 1 171 {so in MS. E.). This is certainly 
the right word; in G 1171, read terved 
[not torned\ and in G 1274, read terve 
[not torne\ See my letter in the Athe- 
naeum, Mar. 24, 1894. So in Havelok, 
603, for tirneden read tirueden = tirve- 
deii, \. e. rolled back. 

Tery, adj. tearful, T. iv. 821. 

Tescape, to escape, F 1357. 

Tespye, for To espye, to spy out, espy, 
B 1989, 4478. 

Testers, //. head-pieces, A 2499. 

Testes, r. //. vessels for assaying metals 
(Tyrwhitt), G 818. 

Testif , adj. heady, headstrong, T. v. 802 ; 
A 4004. 

Tete, s. teat, A 3704. 

Texpounden, to expound, B 1716. 

Text, s. text, quotation from an author, 
B 45 ; saying, A 177, 182 ; text (as op- 
posed to a gloss), 3. 333. 

Textuel, adj.\s&\\ versed in texts, learned, 
H 235 ; I 57. 

Teyd, //. tied, bound, E 2432. 

Teyne, s. a thin plate of metal, G 1225, 
1229. Lat. tcsnia. 

Th', for The ; common, as in thabsence, 
for the absence. 

Thabsence, the absence, A 1239. 

Thadversltee, the adversity, E 756. 

Thakketh, pr. s. strokes, jaats, D 1559. 
A. S. paccian. 

Thalig-hte, for Thee alighte; in thee 
alif^hte, alighted in thee, B 1660. 

Thank, s. expression of thanks. A 612; 
thanks, E 2388 ; can th., owes thanks, 
A 1808; his th., the thanks to him, 
L. 452 ; my thankes, by my goodwill, 
willingly, R. i666; his' thankes, of his 
free will, willingly, A 1626; hir thankes, 
of their own will, A 2114. 

Thanke, i pr. s. thank, E 1088; Th. hit 
thee, thank thee for it, 10. 51. 

Thanne, adv. then, D 2004, I 104; Than, 
then, A 12; next, 5.324; er than, sooner 
than, before, G 899. 

Thar, pr. s. impers. (it) is necessary, is 



(§lo00arial Intel. 



needful ; thar ye, it is needful that ye, 
B 2258 ; tkar thee, it is needful for thee, 
you need, I'r thou needst, D 329, 336, 
1365, H 352 ; him tkar, it is needful for 
him, he needs, T. ii. 1661 ; he must, 
A 4320; Thurte, //. s.; th. him, he 
needed, R. 1089, 1324; yoiv thurfte, you 
would need, you need, T. iii. 572. 

Tharivaile, the arrival, the landing, 
HF.451. 

Tharmes, the arms, armorial bearings, 
HF. 141 1. 

Tharray, the array, A 716. 

Thascry,/c)r The ascry, the alarm, T. ii. 
6ir. 

Thassay, the assay, the endeavour, 5. 2. 

Thassege, the siege, T. iv. 1480; the 
besieging force, T. iv. 62. 

Thassemblee, the assembly, B 403. 

Thassembling'e, the assembling, B 2431. 

That, rel.pyon. that which, whom, 3. 979; 
that of, from whom, 3. 964; That oon, 
the one, A 4013 ; That other, the other, 
A 4013 ; That, with reference to whom, 
G 236 ; if that, if, 3. 969, 971. 

Thaventayle, for The aventayle, the 
mouthpiece of a helmet, T. v. 1558. 

Thavision, for The avision, the vision, 
3- 285. 

Thavys, the advice, A 3076. 

The, def. art. A 2, &c. 

The ; as in The bet, by so much the 
better, 3. 668 ; The las, by so much the 
less, 3. 675. 

The, for Thee, />ers. pro fi. F 676, &c. 

Theatre, s. theatre, area for a tourna- 
ment, A 1885. 

Thedom, s. success, B 1595. 

Thee, v. thrive, prosper, R. 1067; never 
mot she thee, may she never prosper, 
5. 569 ; mot he never thee, may he never 
prosper, T. ii. 670 ; lat him never thee, 
let him never prosper, B 4622 ; thou 
shalt never thee, E 1388 ; he shal never 
thee, G 641 ; also moot I thee, as I may 
thrive, as I hope to prosper, D 1215, 
E 1226; so moot I thee, D 361 ; as mote 
I thee, T. i. 341 ; so theech, for so thee ich, 
as I may thrive, as I hope to prosper, 
C 947, G 929 ; so theek, for so thee ik, as 
I hope to prosper, A 3864. 

Theef, s. thief, robber, D 1338. 

Theefly, adv. like a thief, L. 1781. 

Theffect, for The effect, the result, A 
1189; the substance, pith, L. 1180, 2403; 
the matter, contents, 2. 56; the source, 
D 1451 ; the moral, B 2148 ; the sum (of 
the matter) , A 2366. 



Thegle, the eagle, B 3573. 
Their, the air, D 1939. 
Thembassadours, the ambassadors, T. 

iv. 140, 145. 
Theme, s. text, thesis, C 333, 425. 
Themperour, the emperor, 3. 368. 
Then, conj. than, L. 1693, 2092. 
Thencens, the incense, A 2277, 2938. 
Thenchauntements, //. the enchant- 

nienis, A 1944. 
Thenche, v. imagine, A 3253. 
Thencheson, for The encheson, the 

reason, cause, T. v. 632. 
Thencrees, the increase, A 275. 
Thende, the end, B 423, 965, 3269. 
Thengendring, the engendnng, the pro- 
cess of production, HF. 968. 
Theng-yn, the (warlike) engine, HF. 

1934- 
Thenke, v. think of, 5. 311 ; i pr. s. think, 

intend, E 641 ; Thenkestow, thinkest 

thou, T. iv. 849, 1088 ; Thoghfe, i //. s. 

thought, 3. 448; Thenke on, think of, 

16. 47. 
Thenne, adj. thin, A 4066. 
Thenne, adv. then, T. ii. 210. 
Thenne, adv. thence, D 1141. 
Thennes, adv. thence, i. e. away from 

that place, T. iv. 695 ; thence, R. 791 ; 

as s. the place that, G 66. 
Thennes-forth, adv. thenceforth, B 1755. 
Thentencioun, the intention, G 1443. 
Thentente, for The entente, the design, 

B 930; the purpose, end, G 1306; the 

meaning, T. v. 1630. < 

Thentree, the entrance, A 1983. 
Thenvyous, for The envyous, the spite- 
ful, malicious, 3. 642. 
Theologie, s. theology, I 1043. 
Theorik, s. theory, theoretical explana- 
tion, A pr. 98. 
Ther, adv. there, B 62, 1190, &c. ; where, 

T. ii. 618; when, B 474; whither, at 

which, B 469; whereas, D 1213, G 724; 

wherefore, T. iii. 1437; wherever, D 128; 

as to which, T. ii. 588 ; wherefore (I pray 

that), D 1561. 
Ther-aboute, adv. about it, D 1837; 

therein, G 832; round it, A 937. 
Therafter, adv. afterwards, 3. 66. 
Ther-agayns, /^c/. against that, I 665; 

in reply, 'I", ii. 369. 
Ther-as, Ther as, there where, where, 

B2384; there, I 162; whereas, D 1177; 

where that, A 34, 172; when that^^ L. 

1277; Ther-as that, where, i. 160; Ther 

that, where, F 267. 
Therbe, the herb, HF. 290. 



(glossarial Inliei. 



113 



Ther-bifore, adv. before that time, D 631 ; 
beforehand, E 689, 729. 

Ther-biforn, adv. beforehand, A 2034; 
previously, A 3997. 

Therby, by it, to it, D 984; into posses- 
sion of it, F 1115; beside it, R. 1184. 

Ther-fore, adv. therefore, A 189; for that 
purpose, A 809; on that account, L. 
1863; on that point, E 1141; for it, L. 

1391- 

Therfro, therefrom, from it, HF. 895. 

Ther-inne, therein, in it, B 1945, 3573. 

Ther-of, adv. with respect to that, E 644; 
concerning that, 3. 1132; A 462; from 
that, 3. 1166; iliereby, I 314; of it, 20. 8. 

Ther-on, af/i'. thereupon, A 160; thereof, 

F3- 

Ther-oute, adv. out there, out in the open 
air, B 3362; outside there, G 1136. 

Therthe, the earth, R. 1423. 

Therto, adv. l)esides, moreover, D 1251; 
to it, 2. 100; hi<e\vise, R. 1262. 

Ther-upon, adv. immediately, A 819. 

Ther-whyles, whilst, B 5. p 6. 250. 

Therwith, adv. withal, for all that, 3. 954; 
moreover, V 931; thereupon, 3. 275; at 
the same lime, B 3210. 

Ther-with-al, thereupon, A 1078 ; there- 
with, with it, by means of it, A 566; 
beside it, besides, R. 226; at once, L. 
148; thereat, L. 864. 

Theschaunge, the exchange, T. iv. 146. 

Thesche'wingr, the avoiding (of any- 
thing), 5. 140. 

Thestat, the estate, the rank, condition, 
A 716. 

Thewed, //. ; wel thewed, of good dis- 
position, 4. 180. 

Thewes, s. pi. habits, natural qualities, 
E 409, 1542; good qualities, virtues, 
G loi; customs, habits, manners, T. ii. 
723 ; morals, HF. 1834. 

Thexcellent, the excellent, B 150. 

Thexcuse, thee excuse, D 1611. 

Thexecucion, the execution, lo. 65. 

Thexp6ri6nce, the experience, E 2238. 

Thider, adv. thither, A 1263. 

Thider-ward, adv. thither, A 2530. 

Thikke, adj. thick, A 549 ; stout, plump, 

A 3973- 
Thikke, adv. thickly, R. 1396. 
Thikke-herd, a(//. "thick-haired, A 2518. 
Thikke-sterred^ adj. thickly covered 

with stars, A. ii. 23. 2. 
Thilke, that, R. 660, &c. ; such a, A 182; 

that same, A 1193; that sort of, I 50; 

//. those, HF. 173. 
Thimag-e, the image, L. 1760. 



Thing, s. fact, C 156; property, wealth, 
R. 206; deed, legal document, A 325; 
for any thing, at any cost, A 276 ; Thing, 
//. things, L. II, 2140; Thinges, pL 
things, A 175 ; matters of business, B 
1407; poems, L. 364; pieces of music, 
F 78 ; services, prayers, B 1281. 

Thingot, the ingot, G 1233. 

Thinke, v. seem, T. i. 405; Thinketh, 
pr. s. impers. (it) seems, B 1901 ; me i/i., 
it seems to me, A 37, 2207 ; how th. yow, 
how does it seem to you, D 2204; 
Thoghte, //. s. impers. (it) seemed, L. 
1697 ; me thoughte, it seemed to me, A 
385; him th.. It seemed to him, A 682; 
us th., it seemed to us, A 785 ; hir th., it 
seemed to her, D 965, 967. 

Thinne, adj. thin, A 679 ; poor, feeble, 
9.36; E1682; scanty, limited, G. 741. 

Thirleth, pr. s. pierces, 7. 211; p^p. A 
2710. 

This, A 175, &c.; contracted form o/lhis 
is, T. ii. 363, iii. 936, v. 151; This is, 
pronounced this, 5. 411, 620; A 1091, 
D 91 ; Thise (dhiiz),//. (monosyllabic), 
A 701, B 59, &c. 

Tho, //. those, A 498, 1123, 2351, 3246. 

Tho, adv. then, at that time, A 993, 3329, 
&c. ; siill, 3. 1054. 

Thoccident, the Occident, the west, B 
3864. 

ThoflBce, the office, the duty, B 2863. 

Thoght, s. anxiety, B 1779, E 80. 

Thoghtful, adj. moody, I 677. 

Tholde, //. the old, D 857. 

Tholed, //. suffered, D 1546. A. S. polian. 

Thombe, s. thumb, A 563. 

Thpnder, s. thunder, A 492. 

Thbnder-dint, s. stroke of hghtning, 
D 276 ; -dent, thunder-clap, A 3807. 

Thonder-leyt, s. thunder-bolt, B i. in 4. 
12; lightning, I 839. 

Thonke, \pr. s. thank, E 380. 

Thon6ur, the honour, B 1767, E 1449. 

Thorgh, prep, through, 5. 127, 129. 

Thorient, the orient, the east, B 3871, 
3883. 

Thoriginal, the original, L. 1558. 

Thorisonte, the horison, E 1797, F 1017. 

Thorisoun, the orison, the prayer, A 
2261. 

Thorpes, pi. villages, 5. 350. 

Thorugh-passen,/r.//. penetrate, B 4. 
m 3. 49. 

Thought, s. anxiety, T. i. 579. 

Thounabe, s. thumb, A. i. i. 2. 

Thourgh-girt, /;>. struck through, T. iv. 
627. From M.^.gurden, to strike. 



E3 



114 



(3\o&mxial Intel. 



Thral, s. thrall, slave, subject, servant, 

B 3343, C 183, D 155. 
Thral, adj. enthralled, A 1552, I 137; 

Thialle, //. enthralled, B 2751; Thral, as 

pL, L. 1940. 
Thraldom, s. slavery, B 286, 338. 
Thralle, v. subject, T. i. 235 ; subjugate, 

R. 882. 
Thraste,/A j. thrust, T. ii. 1155. 
Tlirede, v. thread, R. 99. 
Threed, s. thread, A 2030; thread (of 

destiny), T. v. 7. 
Threpe, i pr. pi, (we) call, assert to be, 

tj 826. A. S. pieapian. 
ThresMold, s. threshold, A 3482. 
Threste, v. thrust, push, A 2612; pt. pi. 

vexed, T. iv. 254. 
Threte, v. threaten, L. 754. 
Threting', s. menace, G 698. 
Thretty, adj. thirty, F 1368. 
Thridde, third, A 1463. 2271. 
Thrift, s. success, welfare, T. ii. 847; 

profit, success, G 739, 1425 ; good thrift 

bad, prayed for the welfare (of) , blessed, 

T. iii. 1249 ; by my thrift, if I succeed, 

T. ii. 1483. 
Thriftieste, most successful, T. i. 1081 ; 

most tliriving, T. ii. 737. 
Thriftily, adv. carefully, A 105; profit- 

ablv, A 3131 ; encouragingly, F 1174. 
Thrifty, adj. profitable (to the buyer), 

B 138 ; serviceable, D 238 ; provident, 

7. 197. 
Thringe, v. press, T. iv. 66 ; Throng, //. s. 

forced his way, 7. 55 ; thrust, E 2353. 
Thriste, pt. s. thrust, T. iii. 1574. 
Thrittene, thirteen, D 2259. 
Thritty, thirty, E 1421. 
Throf,"//. f. o/Thryve. 
Throng,//, s. of'X\\xmg&. 
Throp, s. thorp, small village, E 199, 208. 
Throstel, s. throstle, song-thrush, 5. 364. 
Throte, s. throat, 3. 945. 
Throte-boUe, s. ball of the throat, ' the 

protuberance in the throat called Adam's 

apple," A 4273. 
Through-out, quite through, 11. 3. 
Throwe, s. short space of time, while, 

period, B 953, 3326. 
Throwe, ger. to throw, T. ii. 971 ; Threw, 

//. s. T. iii. 184 ; Threwe, //. //. R. 786 ; 

Throwe, />/. thrown, L. i960; Throwen, 

pp. cast, HF. 1325; twisted, turned, 

T. iv. 1159. 
Thro^ves, //.torments, T. v. 206; throes, 

T. V. 1201. 
Thrustel, s. thrush, B 1963. 
Thrusteth, pr. s. thirsts, yearns, L. 103. 



lowest internal 
363, 715. A. S. 



Thrustle-cok, s. male thrush, B 1959. 
Thrye, adv. thrice, T. ii. 89, 463. 
Thryes, adv. thrice, A 63, 463. 
Thryve, v. thrive, prosper, E 172; ger. 

G 1411; so thr. 1, as 1 hope to thrive, 

D 1764; Throf, pt. s. flourished, B 3. 

m 4. 5. 
Thryvinge, adj. vigorous, B 5. m 4. 24 

(Lat. Higens). 
Thunworthiest, the unworthiest, 22. 19. 
Thurfte, pt. s. iinpers. (with yow), you 

would need, you need, T. iii. 572. See 

Thar. 
Thurgh, prep, through, i. 27 ; by means 

of, A 920. 
Thurgh-darted, //. transfixed with a 

dart, T. i. 325. 
Thurghfare, s. thoroughfare, A 2847. 
Thurgh-girt, //. pierced through, A 

lOIO. 

Thurghout, prep, throughout, F 46; all 
through, B 256, 464; quite through, C 

655- 
Thurgh-shoten, //. shot through, T. i. 

325- 
Thurrok, s. sink, the 

part of a ship's hull, I 

purriic. 
Thurst, s. thirst, B 100. 
Thursteth, pr. s. thirsts, T. v. 1406 ; //. s. 

nnpers. he was thirsty, B 3229. 
Thurte ; see Thar. 
Th"witel, s. large knife, whittle, A 3933. 
Thwyte, pr. pi. whittle, cut up for, HF. 

1938 ; Thwiten, p>p. carved, whittled, R. 

933- 
Tid, //. of Tyde. 
Tidifs, s. pi. small birds, F 648. 

titmouse, titlark. See Tydif . 
Tikel, adj. unstable, A 3428. 
Tikelnesse, s. instability, 13. 3. 
Tikled.//. s. tickled, D 395. 
Til {before a vowel), prep, to, A 180; oi a 

Northern word (before a consonant), A 

4110 ; Til and fra, to and fro (Northern) , 

A 4039. Icel. til. 
Til, conj. until, A 1760 ; til that, A 1490, F 

360. 
Tilyere, s. tiller, B 5. p i. 86. 
Timber, s. material, T. iii. 530. 
Timbestre, s. female timbrel-player, 

tambourine-player, R. 769. 
Timbres, s. pi. timbrels, tambourines, R. 

772. 
Tipet, s. tippet, cape, A 233. 
Tiptoon,//. tiptoes, B 4497. 
Tissew, s. a band, T. ii. 639. 
Tit, pr. s. betides, T. i. 333. See Tyde. 



Cf. Eng. 



(glossarfal Kntei. 



"5 



Titering, j. hesitation, vacillation, T. ii. 

1744. 
Titleless, adj. without a title, usurping, 

H 223. 
To (too), J. toe, A 2726; Toon,//. B 4052; 

Toos, pi. B 4370. 
To (t66), prep, to, A 2; gone to, A 30; 

(used after its case), G 1449 ; for, 1. 184 ; 

as to, as for, L. 2096; him to, for him, 3. 

771 ; to that, until, 4. 239. 
To, adv. too, B 2129; moreover, beside, T. 

i. 540 ; overmuch, G 1423 ; to badde, too 

eril, very evil, L. 2597. 
To- (i), intensive prefix, lit. in twain, asun- 
der. A. S. to-, G. zer-. 
To- {2.), prepositional prefix, as in To-forn. 

A. S. to-, G. ZU-. 
To-laete, v. beat amain, T. v. 1762; beat 

severely, G 405. 
To-breke, v. break in pieces ; pr. s. (it) 

breaks in pieces, R. 277; breaks asun- 
der, G 907; is violently broken, HF. 

779; To-broken, //. broken in pieces, 

destroyed, 16. i ; To-broke, //. broken 

in half, D 277 ; severely bruised, A 4277. 
To-breste, v. burst in twain, T. ii. 608 ; 

pr. s. siibj. may (she) break in twain, T. 

iv. 1546; may be broken in twain, i. 16; 

pr. pi. break in pieces, A 261 1 ; To- 

brosten,//. broken in twain, A 2691. 
To-cleve, v. cleave in twain, T. v. 613. 
To-dasshte,//. J. dashed violently about, 

R. 337 ; //. much bruised, T. ii. 640. 
Tode, s. toad, 1 636. 
To-drawen, pr. pi. allure, B 4. m 3. 46 ; 

To-drowen, //. //. tore in pieces, B i. 

p 3. 42 ; To-drawen, pp. distracted, B i. 

P 5- 76. 
To-driven,//, scattered, L. 1280. 
To-forn, prep, before, F 268 ; god to-forn, 

in God's sight, T. i. 1049. 
To-forn. adv. in front, beforehand, B 5. 

p 6. 300. 
To-geder, adv. together, 5. 555 ; To-gider, 

B 3222 ; To-gidre, A 824. 
Toght, adj. taut, D 2267. 
To-go, pp. dispersed, L. 653. 
To-greve, v. grieve excessively, T. i. 

looi. 
To-hangen, v. put to death by hanging, 

HF. 1782. 
To-hepe, adv. (lit. into a heap), together, 

T. iii. 1764 ; L. 2009. 
To-hewen, //•.//. hew in twain, A 2609; 

^/. cut through, T. ii. 638; To-hewe,//. 

hewn in pieces, B 430. 
Toke, ■zpt. s. tookest, 3, 483; pt.pl. took, 

F 1340; received, F 356. 



To-laugh, pr. 5. laughs out, laughs exces- 
sively, T. ii. 1 108. (Short for to-laugheth.) 

Told,-e; see Telle. 

Tollen (i), V. take toll, A 562. 

Tollen (2), V. attract, entice, B 2. p 7. 18. 

Tombesteres, s. pi. fem. dancing girls, 
lit. female tumblers, C 477. A. S. lum- 
bian, to tumble, dance. 

Tomblinge, pres. pt. as adj. fleeting, 
transitory, B 2. m 3. 21 (Lat. caducis). 

To-melte', v. melt utterly, T. iii. 348. 

Tonge, s. tongue, 3. 930 ; A 265 ; dat. 
speech, language, 16. 21. 

Tonged, //. tongued, 3. 927. 

Tonges, s.pl. tongs, I 555. 

Tonne, s. tun, barrel, cask, A 3894. 

Tonne-greet, adj. great as a tun, A 1994. 

Toon, Toos, pi. of To, s. 

Tooth-ake, s. toothache, R. 1098. 

Top, J-. top, A 2915; top (of the mast), 
main-top, L. 639; tuft of hair, C 255; 
top (of the head), A 590; crown (of the 
head),'!', iv. 996; Top and tail, begin- 
ning and end, HF. 880. 

To-race, pr.pl. subj. tear in pieces, E 572. 
Here race is probably short for arace, to 
tear up. 

Tord, s. piece of dung, B 2120, C 955. 

To-rende, pr. pi. subj. tear in pieces, T. 
ii. 790; To-rente, pt. s. distracted, T. iv. 
341 ; rent asunder, B 3215 ; tore in 
pieces, L. 820 ; To-rent, //. rent in 
pieces, C 102, E 1012. 

Torets, //. small rings on the collar of a 
dog, A 2152. See Turet. 

Tormentinge, s. torture, E 1038. 

T6rment6ur, s. tormentor, lo. 18 ; exe- 
cutioner, B 818. 

Tormentrye, s. torture, D 251. 

Tormentyse, s. torment, B 3707. 

Torn, s. turn, C 815. 

Tornen, v. turn, G 1403 ; return, A 
1488. 

Torney, s. tourney, T. iv. 1669. 

To-romblen, v. rumble, crash, L. 1218. 

Tortuos, adj. lit. tortuous, i. e. oblique, 
applied to the six signs of the zodiac 
(Capricorn to Gemini), which ascend 
most rapidly and obliquely; Tortuous, 
B 302. 

To-scatered,//. dispersed, D 1969. 

To-shake, pp. shaken to pieces, L. 962 ; 
tossed about, L. 1765. 

To-shivered, pp. been destroyed, 5. 493. 

To-shrede, pr. pi. cut into shreds, A 
2609. 

To-slitered, //. slashed with numerous 
cuts, R. 840. 



ii6 



®l000arial Hnbei. 



To-sterte, -o. start asunder, burst, T. ii. 
980. 

To-stoupe, V. stoop forwards, D 1560. 

To-swinke, /r. //. labour greatly, C 519. 

To-tar, pt. s. tore in pieces, rent, B 3801. 

Totelere. sitbst. as adj. tattling, tale- 
bearing, L. 353. 

To-tere, p?-. pi. rend, tear in pieces, C 
474 ; To-tar, pt. s. rent, B 3801 ; To-tore, 
//. G 635 ; To-torn, pp. much torn, 5. 
no; defaced, T. iv. 358 ; dishevelled, R. 

327- 
Tother ; the tother {for that other), the 

other, L. 325 a. 
To-trede, v.; al to-trede, trample under 

foot, I 864. 
Toty, adj. dizzy, A 4253. Spenser has 

totty ; F. Q. vii. 7. 39. 
Touchinge, j. touch, I 207. 
Tougti, adj. troublesome, pertinacious, in 

phr. 7nake it tough, to behave in a 

troublesome, pertinacious, and forward 
- manner, T. v. loi ; made it tough, was 

captious, 3. 531 ; behaved pertinaciously, 

T. iii. 87. 
Toumbling-, adj. perishing, B 3. p 9. 168. 

See Tomblinge. 
Toun, f. town, A 217; farm, B 4138; 

neighbourhood, R. 446. 
Tour, s. tower, F 17& ; tower (of London), 

A 3256; mansion (in astrology), 4. 113. 

(In B 2096, the sense is that his crest 

was a miniature tower, with a lily 

above it.) 
Touret, s. turret, A 1909. 
Tourne, v. turn, T. ii. 688; return, D 

988. 
Tourneyinge, j-. tournament, R. 1206. 
Tourneyment, i. tournament, B 1906. 
Toui'ning, s. turning round, R. 761. 
Toute, ,f. buttocks, backside, A 3812, 3853. 
Toverbyde, ger. to survive, D 1260. 
Towayle, r. towel, cloth, R. 161 ; Towaille, 

B 3935. 3943- 

Towne ; out oft., away, 1. iii. 570, 577, 
109 1. 

To-wonde, pt. s. {with substitution of the 
weak for the strong form, as in abreyde), 
flew in pieces, became broken, 4. 102. 
The form towoiid, flew in pieces, occurs 
in Sir Ferumbras, 2568. 

To-yere, adv. this year, HF. 84; D 168. 

Trace, s. trace, steps, 14. 3; Traas, pro- 
cession, L. 285. 

Trace, i //-. pi. go, 5. 54. 

Trad,/-/. J. o/Trede. 

Tragedien, s. writer of tragedy, B 3. 
p6. 3. 



Traisoun, s. treason, B 4307. 
Traitorye, treachery, B 781. 
Ti-aitour. s. traitor, HF. 267. 
Translaten,_u'^r. to translate, L. 370; //. 

changed, dressed afresh, E 385. 
Transmuwe, v. transform, T. iv. 467 ; 

pp. T. iv. 830. 
Transporter!, v. extend, B i. p 4. 241. 
Trappe, s. trap, snare, A 145; trap-door, 

entrance, T. iii. 741. 
Trapped, //. furnished with trappings, A 

2890. 
Trappe-dore, s. trap-door, T. iii. 759. 
Trappures, //. trappings for horses, A 

2499. 
Traunce, s. trance, A 1572 ; half-conscious 

state, B 3906; brown study, D 2216. 
Traunce, ger. to tramp about, T. iii. 690. 
Trave, s. wooden frame for holding un- 
ruly horses, A 3282. O. F. tref from Lat. 

ace. trabeni, beam. 
Travers, s. 'traverse,' a curtain, scieen, 

T. iii. 674; E 1817. 
Trayed, //. s. betrayed, HF. 390 ; L. 2486. 
Trays, s. traces, T. i. 222; A 2139. O. F. 

trais, pi. of trait, a trace. The E. traces 

is a double plural. 
Tray sen. ger. to betray, T. iv. 438. 
Trayteresse, .r. fem. traitress, 3. 620, 

813. 
Traytour, s. traitor, A 1130; gen. pi. of 

traitors, hence traitorous, C 896. 
Trecherye, s. treachery, trickery, B 

4520. 
Trechoures, //. traitors, R. 197. 
Trede, ipr.pl. tread, A 3022; Tret,/r. s. 

treads, D 2002; Trad, //. s. trode, B 

4368; Troden, //.//. HF. 2153 ; Troden, 

//. stepped, C 712. 
Trede-foul, s. treader of fowls, B 3135, 

4641. 
Trag6die, s. tragedv, sad story, T. v. 

1786. 
Tregetour, s. a juggler who used me- 
chanical contrivances, HF. 1277; //. F 

1141. 
Trench, s. a hollow walk, alley, F 392. 

F. trancher, to cut. 
Trenchant, adj. cutting, sharp, A 3930. 
Trenden. v. revolve, B 3. m 11. 4. 
Trentals, //. (sets of) thirty masses for 

the dead, D 1717, 1724. 
Tresor, c treasure, wealth, B 442, C 779. 
Tresorere, j. treasurer, i. 107; 19. 18. 
Tresorie, s. treasury, HF. 524. 
Trespas, s. wrong, B 2547 ; transgression, 

L. 408, 463. 
Trespassours, s. pi. offenders, B 2548. 



(©loggarial Mtitx. 



117 



Tresse, s. a (three-fold) plait (of hair), 

R. 779; HF. 230; A 1049. 
Tresse, £-er. to dress (my) hair, to plait, 

R. 599; //. plaited, D 344. 
Tressour, s. head-dress, R. 568. Proba- 
bly a ' caul," or net of gold thread. 
Tret,/r. J. o/Trede. 
Tretable, adj. tractable, docile, I 658; 

yielding, L. 411; inclinable, 3. 923; in- 
clined to talk, 3. 533. 
Trete, v. treat, T. iv. 58 ; treat of, tell, 5. 

34 ; ^er. to speak, converse, C 64 ; //. 

explained, B 5. p i. 3. 
Tretee, s. treaty, A 1288 ; discussion, F 

1219; agreement, E 1892. 
Tretis, s. treaty, B 233; account, T. ii. 

1697 ; treatise, A. pr. 5 ; story, B 2147. 
Tretys, adj. well-proportioned, long, A 

152 ; well-fashioned, R. 1016 ; graceful, 

R. 932. O. F. tretis. 
Trewe, adj. true, A 531 ; honest, L. 464 ; 

pi. the faithful, B 456. 
Trewe, adv. correctly, 8. 4. 
Trewe, s. truce, T. iii. 1779, iv. 58 ; Trewes, 

p/. the days of truce, T. v. 401. 
Trewe love, s. true-love (probably a leaf 

of heib paris or some aromatic confec- 
tion), A 3692. 
Trewely, adv. truly, certainly, A 481. 
Trewer, adj. truer, 6. 117. 
Trewer, adv. more truly, 3. 927. 
Treweste, adj. superl. truest, F 1539. 
Treye, num. ' tray,' three, C 653. 
Triacle, s. a sovereign remedy, B 479, C 

314. O. F. triacle. 
Trikled, //.//. trickled, B 1864. 
Trille, v. turn, twirl, F 316. Cf. Swed. 

trilla, to turn round. 
Trip, s. small piece, D 1747. 
Trippe, V. dance, A 3328 ; ger. to trip, to 

move briskly with the feet, F 312. 
Trist, s. trust, T. i. 154, iii. 403. 
Triste, s. tryst, station, T. ii. 1534. 
Triste, v. trust, L. 333; ger. to trust (to), 

L. 1885. 
Tristicia, sadness, I 725. 
Troden; see Trede. 
Trogh, s. trough, A 3627. 
Trompe, s. trumpet, L. 635. 
Tromped, //. s. sounded the trumpet, E 

1719. 
Trompes, pi. trumpeters, 7. 30; A 2671. 
Tronchoun, s. broken shaft, of a spear, 

A 2615. O. F. tronchon. 
Trone.j.throne, A 2529; throne (of God), 

heaven, C 842. 
Tropik, s. the turning-point, a name for 

the solstitial points, A. i. 17. 13. 



Tropos, s. a turning; but interpreted by 

Chaucer to mean ' agaynward," i. e. 

backward, A. i. 17. 13. 
Trotteth, pr. s. trots, i. e. goes, is, E 1538. 
Troublable, adj. disturbing, B 4. m 2. 

12. 
Trouble, adj. tempestuous, turbid, B i. 

m 7. 3; dull, H 279; disturbed, I 537; 

anxious, E 465 ; vexed, 6. 133. 
Troubly, adj. cloudy, obscure, B 4. m 5. 

35- 
Trouthe, s. truth, A 46; fidelity, L. 267; 

troth, promise, A 1610. 
Trow^en, v. believe, H F. 699 ; i pr. s. trow, 

believe, imagine, A 155 ; Irowestow, 

dost thou think. B i. p 3. 24. 
Troyew^ardes, to, towards Troy, T. i. 59. 
Trufles, s.pl. trifles, I 715. 
Trumpen, v. blow the trumpet, HF. 1243. 
Trussed, //. packed, A 681. 
Truw^e, s. truce, T. iv. 1312, 1314. 
Tryce, v. pull, drag away, B 3715. Cf. E. 

trice up (nautical term). 
Trye, adj. choice, excellent, B 2046. 
Tryne compas, the threefold world, con- 
taining eartli, sea, and heaven, G 45. 
Tubbe, s. tub, A 3621. 
Tuel, J-. pipe, slender chimney, HF. 1649. 

O. F. tuel, F. tuyau. 
Tukked.//. tucked, A 621. 
Tulle, V. entice, allure, A 4134. 
Tunge, s. tongue, i. 128. 
Turet, s. the eye in which the ring of the 

astrolabe turned, A. i. 2. i. Cotgrave 

has ' Touret, the little ring by which a 

Hawkes lune or leash is fastened unto 

the jesses." See Torets. 
Turment, s. torment, R. 274. 
Turmente, ger. to vex, L. 871. 
Turne.^^r. to turn, A 2454; v. turn (in a 

lathe), A 3928; Turnen, v. return, L. 

2619; pp. at an end, 3. 689. 
Turneyinge, s. tournament, A 2557 ; 

mock tournament, R. 1407. 
Turtel. J. turtle-dove, A 3706, E 2080. 
Turves, s. pi. turf-plots, patches of turf, 

L. 204 ; E 2235. 
Tusked, provided with tusks, F 1254. 
Tuskes, //. tusks, T. v. 1238. 
Tuwel, s. hole, D 2148. See Tuel. 
Twelf, twelve, C 30. 
Tw^elfmonth, s. twelvemonth, year, A 

651, D 909. 
Twelfte, adj. twelfth, 4. 139. 
Tweye, two, A 704, 792; Twey, B 2203; 

tiv. and tiv., in pairs, A 898. 
Tweyfold, adj. double, G 566. 
Tw^eyne, twain, 2. 76; 4. 95. 



ii8 



(3la&&ma.l JEntjex. 



Twigges, s.p/. twigs, HF. 1936. 

T'wigrhte, //. s. twitched, drew quickly, 
T. iv. 1185; Twight, //. distraught, (lit. 
twitched), T. iv. 572; pulled, D 1563. 
The infin. is huicchen. 

Twinkeling-, s. twinkling, 4. 222; mo- 
iiK-ntary blinking, E 37. 

Twinkled, pt. pi. twinkled, A 267 ; pp. 
winked, B 2. p 3. 79. 

Twinne, v. sever, part, T. iv. 1197; tw. 
from his wit, lose his mind, 7. 102; de- 
part, B 3195, F 577 ; ger. to separate, 
B 517 ; to depart (from), C 430. 

Twianinge, s. separation, T. iv. 1303. 

Twiste, s. (i) twist, tendril, T. iii. 1230; 
(2) twig, spray, E. 2349. 

Twiste, V. wring, torment, F 566; i pt. s. 
tortured, D 494; pt. s. wrung, E 2005; 
Twiste, //. s. subj. would compel, con- 
strain, T. iii. 1769; Twist, //. twisted, 

Hl^.775- 
Two so riche, twice as rich, L. 2291. 

Cf. Ten. 
Twyes, adv. twice, A 4348; Twye, A. i. 

16. 13. 
Tyd, so. time, hour, T. ii. 1739; {usually) 

Tyde, R. 1452 ; season, ¥ 142 ; 'I'ydes, 

//. tides, A 401. 
Tyden, v. befall, happen, B 337; pr. s. 

comes (to), (a Northern form) A 4175; 

Tit, //-. s. betides, T. i. 333; Tid, //. 

happened, T. i. 907. 
Tydif, s. small bird, perhaps the titmouse, 

L. 154. See Tidifs. 
Tyme, s. time, A 35, 44; by tyme, early, 

betimes, L. 452; ifi good tyme, 3. 370; 

Tymes, //. hours, 5. 283; moments, R. 

380; {preceded by a number) Tyme,^f«. 

pi. times, T. i. 441. 
Tyne, s. barrel, la. 9. O. F. tine. 
Tyren, v. tear, rend, B 3. m 12. 49; pr. 

pi. pull to pieces, T. i. 787. 
Tytled, //. dedicated, I 894. 

U. 

Umbra extensa, or recta, the lower part of 

the ' skale ' ; Umbra versa, the upper 

part of the same, A. i. 12. 8. 
Umbreyde, //. s. upbraided, reproached, 

L. 1671. 
Unagreable, adj. miserable, B i. m i. 

32 ( Lat. ingratas). 
Unbityde, v. fail to happen, B 5. p 4. 39. 
Unbodie, v. leave the body, T. v. 1550. 
Unbokele, v. unbuckle, F 555. 
Unbrent, pp. unburnt, B 1658. 
Unbroyden, //. unbraided, T. iv. 817. 



Unbuxumnesse, s. unsubmissiveness, 
24. 27. 

Uncircumscript, //. boundless, T. v. 
1865. 

Unconning', adj. unskilful, 6. 75. 

Unconninge, s. ignorance, B 3066. 

Unconvenable, adj. unsuitable, I 431. 

Uncouple, v. to let loose, B 3692. 

Uncouth, adj. curious, A 2497; strange. 
HF. 1279 (where the text has uncouthc. 
but read uncouth). 

Uncouthly, adv. uncommonly, strik- 
ingly, R. 584. 

Uncovenable, adj. unseemly, I 631; 
unfit (for g(K)d), B 4. p 6. 333. 

Uncunninge, adj. ignorant, B i. p i. 68. 

Uncurteisly, adv. rudely, E 2363. 

Undefouled, undefiled, B 2. p 4. 24. 

Undepartable, adj. inseparable, B 4. p 
3. 62. 

Undergrowe,//. of short stature, A 156. 

Undermeles, pi. undern-times, perhaps 
afternoons, D 875. See below. 

Undern, s. B 4412, E 260, 981. A par- 
ticular time in the morning is here 
implied, either about 9 a.m., or some- 
what later. (Also applied to signify 
mid-afternoon.) 

Undernom, pt. s. perceived, G 243 ; 
Undernome, />/. reproved, I 401. 

Underput.//. subjected, B 1. p 6. 97. 

Underpygbte, //. s. stufifed, filled under- 
neath, B 789. 

Underspore, v. thrust (the staff) under, 
push beneath, A 3465. 

Understonde, v. understand, A 746; pr. 
pi. C 646; Understode,/^.J. subj. should 
understand, T. i. 1035; Understonde, 
//. understood, T. v. 1186. 

Undertake, v. affirm, E 803 ; ger. to con- 
duct an enterprise, A 405 ; warrant, R. 
461 ; dare say, B3516. 

Undevocioun, .y. lack of devotion, I 723. 

Undigne, adj. unworthy, E 359. 

Undo, ger. to unfold, reveal, 3. 899; v. 
unfasten, T. iii. 741 ; pr. s. opens, A 3727. 

Undoutous, adj. undoubting, B 5. p i. 
32. 

Uneschewably, adv. inevitably, B 5. p 

3- iS"^- 
Uneschuable, adj. inevitable, B 5. p i. 

loq. 
Une'the, adv. scarcely ; weltinethe, scarcely 

at all, HF. 2041. 
Unethes. adv. with difficulty, T. ii. 566. 
Unfamous, adj. lost to fame, HF. 1146. 
Unfestlich, adj. unfestive, jaded, F 366. 
Ungiltif, adj. guiltless, T. iii. 1018. 



(Ulassarial 3Intif.r. 



119 



Un-grobbed, adj. not digged round, 9. 14. 
Unhap, s. ill luck, T. i. 552. 
Unhappily, adv. unluckily, T. v. 937. 
Unhardy, adj. cowardly, A 4210. 
Unhele, j-. misfortune, sickness, C 116. 
Unholsom, adj. ailing, weak, T. iv. 330. 
Universe ; /« universe, universally, T. iii. 

36. 
Universitee, s. the universal, B 5. p 4. 

187. 
Unkinde, adj. unnatural, B 88; cruel, 

5- 434- 
Unkindely. adv. unnaturally, C 485. 
Unkindenesse, s. unkindness, B 1057. 
Unkonning-, adj. unskilful, A 2393. 
Unkorven, adj. uncut, unpruned, 9. 14. 
Unkouth, adj. strange, T. ii. 151. 
Unkunninge, adj. ignorant, R. 686. 
Unlaced,//, disentangled, B 3. p 12. 166. 
Unleveful, adj. not permissible, 1 593, 777. 
Unloven, ^<:/-. to cease to love.T. v. 1698. 
Unlust, s. disinclination, I 680. 
Unlyklinesse, s. difficulty in pleasing, T. 

i. 16. 
Unlykly, adj. unpleasing, E 2180. 
Unmanhod, s. an unmanly act, T. i. 824. 
Unmerie, adj. sad, HF. 74. 
Unmig-hty, adj. unable, T. ii. 858. 
Unneste, imp. s. leave tliy nest, T. iv. 305. 
Unnethe, adv. scarcely, hardly, with 

difficulty, A 3121, B 1050, 1816, 3611. 
Unnethes, adv. scarcely, B 1675, D 2168. 
Unordred, adj. not belonging to a re- 
ligious order, I 961. 
Unparigal, adj. unequal (Lat. i?/parem), 

B 3. p I. 13. 
Unpleyten, v. unplait, explain, unfold, 

B 2. p 8. II. 
Unpurveyed, adj. unprovided, uncared 

for, B 2. p I. 22. 
Unraced, adj. unbroken, untorn, B 4. 

^ P I- 53- 

Unremeved, p/>. unremoved, without 

(its) being moved, A. ii. 46. 37. 
Unrests, s. restlessness, D 1104. 
Unright, s. wrong, T. iv. 550 ; injury, 

T. ii. 453. 
Unrightful, adj. wicked, L. 1771. 
Unsad, adj. unsettled, E 995. 
Unsavory, adj. displeasing, I 510. 
Unscience, s. unreal knowledge, no 

knowledge, B 5. p 3. 113. 
Unselinesse, s. unhappiness, B 4. p 4. 

38. 
Unsely, adj. unhappy, B 2. p 4. 8. 
Unset, adj. imappointed, A 1524. 
Unshethe, i pr. s. unsheathe, remove, 

T. iv. 776. 



Unshette./A s. unlocked, E 2047. 
Unshette, adj.pl. not shut, HF. 1953. 
Unshewed,//. unconfessed, I 999. 
Unsittinge, adj. unfit, T. ii. 307. 
Unskilful, adj. foolish, T. i. 790. 
Unskilfully, adv. unreasonably, B i. p 4. 

223. 
Unslekked, adj. unslacked, G 806. 
Unsofte, adj. harsh, E 1824. 
Unsolempne, adj. uncelebrated, B i. 

P 3- 64- 
Unspeedful, adj. unprofitable, B 5. p 6. 

337. 
Unstaunchable, adj. inexhaustible, B 2. 

p 7. 126 (Lat. iiiexhausta). 
Unstaunched, adj. insatiate, B 2. p 6. 

115 (Lat. inexpletam) . 
Unstraunge, adj. well-known, A. ii. 17. 

rubric. 
Unswelle, v. become less full, T. iv. 1146, 
Unswete, adj. bitter, HF. 72. 
Unthank, s. no thanks, want of thanks, 

T. V. 699 ; a curse, A 4081. 
Unthrift, s. nonsense, T. iv. 431. 
Unthriftily. adv. poorly, G 893. 
Unthrifty, ua^'. profitless, T. iv. 1530. 
Untold, adj. uncounted, A 3780. 
Untressed, adj. with hair loose, 5. 268 ; 

unarranged, E 379 ; unplaited, A 1289. 
Untretable, adj. inexorable, B 2. p 8. 2. 
Untre'we, adv. untruly, A 735. 
Untriste, v. distrust, T. iii. 839. 
Untyme; in imtyme, out of season, I 1051. 
Unwar, adj. unaware, T. i. 304; unex- 
pected, B 427. 
Un'war, adv. unexpectedly, unawares, T. 

i- 549- 
Unwelde, adj. (unwieldy), too weak to 

support herself, R. 359; difficult to move, 

H 55 ; difficult to control, A 3886. 
UnAvemmed, adj. unspotted, spotless, 

B 924, G 137, 225. 
Unwened, adj. unexpected, B 4. p 6. 260. 
Unwist, adj. unknown, T. ii. 1294; lai- 

wist of, uninformed of, T. i. 93 ; unknown 

by, L. 1653. 
Un-wit, s. folly, 4. 271. 
Unwot,/r. s. fails to know, B 5. p 6. 177. 
Unwrye, v. reveal, T. i. 858. 
Unyolden, //. without having yielded, 

A 2642. 
Up, adv. up ; open (outwards, not up- 
wards), A 3801 ; as V. up with, HF". 1021 ; 

up and doiin, T. ii. 659; in all directions, 

A 977 ; backwards and forw ards, A 

1052. 
Up,/rf/. on, upon, A 2543; up peril, on 

peril, D 2271 ; up peyne, under the 



I20 



(Slossarial Intiei. 



penalty, D 1587; uppoynt,on the point, 

ready, T. iv. 1153. 
Up-bounde, //. bound up, T. iii. 517. 
Up caste, //. s. cast up, B 906. 
Up-drow, /■/. s. drew up, L. 1459. 
Up-enbossed, //. raised, L. 1200. 
Up-haf, //. s. uplifted, A 2428. 
Upon, prep, upon, A 131 ; in, F 925 ; 

against, D 1313. 
Upon, used adverbially, upon (him or 

her), on, D 559, 1382. 
Uppe, adv. up, i. e. left open, F 615. 
Up-plight, pp. plucked up, pulled up, 

B 3239- 
Upright, adv. i. e. reversed, D 2266; also, 

lying on one's back (mostly of people 

asleep or dead) ; A 4194; B 1801. 
Up-rist, pr. s. rises up, L. 1188 ; A 4249. 
Up-riste, s. dat. up-rising, A 1051. 
Upronne, pp. ascended, F 386. 
Up-so-doun, adv. upside down, A 1377, 

G625. 
Upspring-e, v. rise (as the sun), 4. 14. 
Upsterte, pt. s. upstarted, arose, A 1080, 

1299. 
Up-yaf , pt. s. yielded up, gave, A 2427. 
Up-yolden,//. yielded up, A 3052. 
Us^ge, s. usage, habit, A no; liadde in 

tisd^^e, was accustomed, B 1696; 7uas in 

usage, B 17 17. 
Usaunce, s. custom, R. 683. 
Usaunt, pres. pi. as adj. addicted, I 821 ; 

accustomed, A 3940. 
Usen,^fr. to accustom, I 245 ; v. use, B44; 

Useth, //■. s. is accustomed, L. 364. 
Us-selve, pron. ourselves, I 349. 
Usshers. j. pi. ushers, F 293. 
Usure, s. usury, B 1681. 
Us-ward, to, towards us, B 2938. 
Utter, adj. outward, G 498. 
Uttereste, adj. superl. supreme, E 787. 



Vache, s. cow, beast, 13. 22. The reference 
is to a quadruped that looks down to the 
earth. 

Valance, s. {possibly) sign of zodiac op- 
posite the mansion of a planet, 4. 145 ; 
if so, the reference here is to the sign 
of Aries. 

V-al6ur, s. worth, R. 957. 

Vane, j. a weather-cock, E 996. 

Vanish, i pr. s. shrink up, waste away, 

c 732. ^^ . 

Variaunce, s. variation, T. iv. 985 ; Vari- 
ance, difference, I 427. 
Variaunt, adj. varying, G 1175. 



Vassalage, s. prowess, L. 1667. 

Vavassour, s. a sub-vassal, next in dig- 
nity to a baron, A 360. 

Veine, adj. fem. vain, R. 447. 

Veluet, s. velvet, R. 1420; Veluettes.//. 
F 644. 

Venerian, adj. devoted to Venus, D 609. 

Venerye, s. hunting, A 166, 2308. 

Venge, v. revenge, B 2471. 

Vengeresses, s.pl. avengeresses, aveng- 
ing deities, B 3. m 12. 38. 

Venim, s. venom, poison, R. 1089; malice, 
B 891, C 421; corruption, A 2751; dye 
(Lat. ueneno), B 2. m 5. 12. 

Ventusinge, J. cupping (a surgical opera- 
tion), A 2747. 

Venus, venereal pleasure, D 464. 

Ver, the spring, T. i. 157. 

Veray, adj. very, true, real, L. 1068. 

Verdegrees, j. verdigrease, G 791. 

Verdit. .f. verdict, A 787. 

Verndge, s. a wine of Italy, B 1261. 

Vernicle, s. vernicle, A 685. A copy of 
the sacred handkerchief on which the 
impression of the Saviour's face was 
distinguishable. 

Vernisshed, //. s. varnished; hence 
(jocularly), lined in a lavish way, A 
4149. 

Verre, s. glass, T. ii. 867. 

Verray , adj. very, true, A 72, 422 ; v. force, 
main force, B 3237. 

Verray ly, adv. verily, truly, 2. 73. 

Verrayment, adv. verily, B 1903. 

Versiflour, s. poet, B 2783. 

Vertu, J. virtue, A 307 ; quickening power, 
A 4; power, A 2249; valour, R. 1208; 
mental faculty, HF. 550; magic in- 
fluence, F 146, 157; V. plese, satisfy 
virtue, be virtuous, E 216. 

Vertuous, adj. virtuous, A 251 ; full of 
virtue, D 1113; full of healing power, 
R. 1097 ; holy, I 455. 

Verye (a word used in a charm), A 3485. 
Perhaps for weri, an accursed creature ; 
A. S. wearg. 

Vese, s. rush (Lat. iinpetus'), A 1985. 

Vessel, s. (collectively), vessels, plate, B 

3338- 
Vestiment, s. clothing, F 59. 
Veyne, s. vem, A 3. 
Veyne-blood, s. bleeding at a vein, A 

2747- ,^ .. 

Vidge, s. voyage, travel, journey, 1. u. 75 ; 

expedition, attempt, T. iii. 732. 
Vicaire, s. deputy, deputed ruler, 5. 379; 

Vicary, a vicar, I 22. 
Victor, s. as adj. of victory, 5. 182. 



(glossarial Entiei. 



Vigile. s. wake, T. v. 305. 

Vigilyes, pi. vigils, A 377. 

Viker, s. vicar, D 2008. 

Vileinous, adj. evil, B 2693. 

Vileins, Vileyns, ai^'. villainous, L. 1824 ; 
rude, D 1268; sinful, I 854, 914; evil, 
wicked, I 556. 

Vileinsly, ndv. evilly, 1 154; Vilaynsly, 
shamefully, R. 1498. 

Vileinye, s. vile conduct, B 2547; great 
harm, A 4191 ; despiteful language, re- 
proach, D 34, 53; disgrace, A 942; unfit 
speech, A 70; servitude, I 143; dis- 
courtesy, rudeness, C 740 ; vileness, HF. 
96; reproach, T. iv. 21; evil-doing, B 
1681. 

Vinolent, adj. full of wine, D 467, 1931. 

Violes, s. pi. vials, phials, G 793. 

Virelayes, s.pl. ballads with a particular 
return of rime, F 948 ; L. 423. 

Viritoot, J. brisk movement, A 3770. 

Viritrate. s. hag, D 1582. 

Visage, V. put a face (on it), disguise, E 
2273. 

Visitaciouns, s. pi. visits, D 555. 

Visyte, ,,f£'/-. to visit, A 493, 1194. 

Vitaille, s. victuals, provisions, A 248, 569. 

Vitaille. v. provide with victuals, L. 1093. 

Vitamers. //. victuallers, A 4366. 

Vitremyte, s. {probably) a woman's cap, 
an effeminate head-dress, B 3562. 

Voided, pp. removed, F 1195; cleared, 
emptied, L. 2625. 

Vols, s. voice, R. 751. See Voys. 

Volage, adj. giddy, volatile, R. 1284; 
wanton, H 239. 

Volatyl, (. as pi. fowls, B 1262. 

Voltor, .f. vulture, B 3. m 12. 46 ; //. T. i. 
7SS, 

Volupeer, s. night-cap, A 4303 ; Voluper, 
woman's cap, A 3241. 

Vouche, v.; only used tvitk sauf, safe; 
Vouche sauf, v. to avouch as safe, call 
safe, vouchsafe, grant, deign, permit, 
A 812, B 1641, E 2341 ; I /;•. s. am content, 
T. iv. 90; 2 pr. pi. vouchsafe, grant, 
deign, L. 2038; Voucheth sauf, intp.pl. 
vouchsafe, E 885, F 1043. 

Voyde (voidee),j. ' voidee," alight dessert, 
with wine and spices, T. iii. 674. 

Voyden, v. get rid of, expel, A 2751, E 
910, F 188; imp. s. depart from, E 806; 
Voydeth, imp.pl. send away, G 1136. 

Voys, s. voice, A 688, C 531; rumour, 
E 629; commendation, E 1592; report, 
T. iii. 1723. 

Vulgar, adj. A. ii. 9. 5. The day vulgar 
is the length of the ' artificial ' day, 



and 



with the durations of mornin_^ 
evening twilight added to it. 
Vyce, s. fault, error, T. i. 689; F loi ; 
defect, D 955. 

W. 

Waast, s. waist, B 1890. 

Waat, fr. s. knows (Northern), A 4086. 

Wacche, s. sentinel, B 2216. 

Wachet, s. light blue colour, A 3321. 

Later E. watchet. 
Waden, v. pass, E 1684 ; wade (through), 

D 2084; enter (into), T. ii. 150; go, 

descend, B 3684. 
Waf , pt. s. wove, L. 2364. 
Wafereres, s. pi. makers of gaufres or 

wafer-cakes, confectioners, C 479. 
Wages, //. A 1803 ; pay, recompense, 

4- 244- ^ .. 
Wagging, s. shakmg, T. u. 1745. 
Waiten, v. attend on, L. 1269 ; pr. s. 

watches, E 708; imp. s. observe, A. ii. 

5- 18. 

Wake, V. be awake, lie awake, 18. 27 ; 
Waken, v. act. awake, B 1187; pr. s. 
watches, F 819 ; Wook, i //. s. awoke, 5. 
695; remained awake, B 3809; Waked, 
//. awaked, 3. 294 ; kept wake, caroused, 

3- 977- 
Wake-pleyes, //. funeral games, A 2960. 
Waker, adj. vigilant, 5. 358. 
Waking, s. watching, being awake, 3. 

611; period of wakefulness, B 22; pi. 

vigils, I 257. 
Wdlet, a wallet, A 686; Wal6t, A 681. 
Walked (/or Walketh), s. walking; in 

phr. go walked, for go a-walketh, gone 

a-walking, 3. 387 ; D 1778. 
Walken, ger. to walk, roam, A 2309; 

Welk, I pt. s. walked, T. ii. 517; is 

li'alked, is gone, went, A 2368. 
Walsh-note, gen. sing, walnut's, HF. 

1281. 
Walwe, ger. to wallow, roll about, T. i 

699 ; pr. pi. wallow, tumble, A 4278 

pr.s. tosses, L. 1166; rolls about, D 1085 

//. involved, immersed, 12. 17 ; Wal- 

winge, pres. part, causing to roll, B i. 

m 7. 4 (Lat. iioluens). 
Wanges, s. pi. molar teeth, A 4030. 
Wang-tooth, s. molar tooth, B 3234. 
Wanhope, s. despair, A 1249. 
Wanie, v. wane, A 2078. 
Wante, v. be wanting, be absent, L. 361 ; 

fail, be lacking, I 514; pr.s. is lacking, 

H338. 
Wantownesse, s. wantonness, B 31 ; 

mannerism (of speech), A 264. 



E4 



(glossartal JIntiex. 



Wantrust, s. distrust, T. i. 794 ; H 280. 
War, adj. prudent, discreet, cautious, T. 

i. 203 ; aware, A 157, 896, 3604 ; 7vas I w., 

I observed, 5. 218, 298 ; / was w., 3. 445 ; 

beii w., beware, T. i. 635 ; de w., beware, 

13. II; take warning, G 737; be w.fro, 

beware of, L. 473 ; betli w., beware, T. iii. 

1180; B 1629, 3281. 
War him, let him beware, A 662; ivar 

yozv, make way, B 1889. 
Warde, s. dat. (?) keeping; on w., into 

his keeping, 3. 248 ; in our w., C 201 ; 

under my w., I 880. 
Wardecbrs, s. body-guard. D 359. 
Warderere, for warde rere, look out 

behind, A 4101. 
Wardrobe, s. privy, B 1762. 
Ware, adj. aware, 3. 1030. 
Ware, s. wares (for sale), merchandise, B 

140, 1246. 
Ware, hup. pi. beware, B 4416. 
Warente, "(■/•. to warrant, protect, C 338. 
Wariangles, //. shrikes, butcher-birds, 

D 1408. 
Warien, ger. to curse, T. ii. 1619 ; i pr. s. 

B 372. 
Warisoun, s. requital, R. 1537. 
Warisshe, v. cure, I 998; recover, be 

cured, B 2172; pp. cured, B 2467. 
Warisshing-e, s. cure, B 2205. 
Warly, adv. warily, carefully, T. iii. 454. 
Warne, v. reject, refuse, i. 11; 1 pr. s. 

warn, bid you take heed, B 16, 1184; 

invite, B 2652; 2 pr. s. subj. inform, HF. 

893 ; //. forewarned, L. 2658 ; given 

notice, B 1578. 
Warnestore, ger. to fortify, defend, B 

2487 ; to garrison, B 2521 ; //. pro- 
visioned, B I. p 3. 85. 
Warnestoring, s. fortifying, B 2525. 
Waryce, v. heal, cure, C go6. 
Waste, di!^'.//. wasted, partially destroyed, 

A 1331- 

Wastel-breed, s. cake-bread, bread of the 
very best quality, A 147. 

Wastour, s. waster, E 1535. 

Watering, j. watering-place (for horses), 
A 826. 

Wawe, s. wave, B 508, I 363. 

Waxen,//, become, T.v. 1014, 1374, 1376. 

Wayk, adj. weak, L. 2428, 2713. 

Wayken, ger. to grow weak, lessen, 
T. iv. 1 144. 

Waymenten, ger. to lament, I 230. 

Waymentinge, s. lamenting, lamenta- 
tion, A 995, 1921. 

Wayn, s. car, B 4. m i. 34. 

Wayten, ger. to observe, T. i. 190; to 



watch for, F 1263; to watch, F 444; 
V. to expect, B 467 ; pr. s. seeks occasion, 
A 1222. 

Webbe, j. a weaver, A 362. 

Wedde, s. dat.; to w., as a pledge, in 
pledge, A 1218, B 1613. 

Wedde, ger. to wed, T. v. 863. 

Wedding, s. wedlock, 17. 24. 

Wede, s. weed, robe, garment, A 1006, 
B 2107, E 863. 

Weder, s. weather, D 2253, F 52; storm, 
T. ii. 2, iii. 657. 

Wedes,//. weeds, T. i. 946. 

Weel, adv. well, A 926; well placed, 
luckily situated, B 308. 

Weeldinge, s. power, control, B 2800. 

Weep, pt. s. of Wepe. 

Weeply , adj. tearful, sorrowful, B i. p 1. 3. 

Weet, s. wet, A 4107. 

Weex, //. s. waxed, grew, G 513. 

Wegge, s. a wedge, A. i. 14. 6. 

Wehee, s. a whinnying noise, A 4066. 

Weilawey, alas ! D 216. 

Wei, adv. well, A 384, B 25; much, L. 
1386; many, ly. 11; certainly, L. 452; 
fully, A 29, 49; about {used zuit/i num- 
bers), A 24; wel ) oyal, very royal, F 26; 
■wel ny, very nearly, B 3230 ; wel the bet, 
much better, T. ii. 92; 7vel unethe, 
scarcely at all, L. 33 a\ to be zuel, to 
be in favour, 3. 845; wel is him, it is 
well for him, T. i. 350; well was him, 
it was well for him, B 4066 ; ful wel, 
verv well, A 122. 

Welawey, int. alas ! T. iii. 1695. 

Welde, s. weld. Reseda Luteola, 9. 17. 

Welde, ,t. power, control, R. 395. 

Welden, ger. to have control over, to 
move with ease, D 1947 ; to control, 
D 271; to wield, L. 2000; Welte, //. s. 
B 3200. 

Weldy, adj. wieldy, active, T. ii. 636. 

Wele, s. happiness, success, prosperity, 
well-being, good fortune, A 895, 3101, 
B 122. 

Weleful. adj. prosperous, happy, B 2507; 
blessed, B 451. 

Welefulnesse, s. happimr-^; i< i. p 3. 35. 

Welk, pt. s. of Walken. 

Welked, //. as adj. withered, C 73S, 
D 277. 

Welken, s. heaven, sky, HF. 160 1 ; 

Welkne, 10. 62. 
Welmeth,/r. s. wells, gushes, R. 1561. 
Welte, //. s. wielded, i. e. lorded it over, 

possessed for use, B 3200. 
Wel-willy, adj. benevolent, benign, bene- 
ficent, T. iii. 1257. 



({Hossarial InXizx. 



123 



Wem, s. blemish, R. 930; hurt, F 121. 
Wemmelees, adj. stainless, G 47. 
Wenden, ^t-r. to go, A 21, 2214; pass 

away, A 3025 ; go, pass, B 1683 ; Went, 

/;-. s. goes, T. ii. 36, 812; Wente, pt. s. 

went, A 78, B 1739 ; Wente him, //. s. 

went, G no; Wentestow, 2 p>: s. hast 

thou gone, A 3486 ; Went, pp. gone, L. 

1651; M/ 7£)^«/, are gone, B 173 ; is we fit, 

is gone, G 534. 
Wending-, .f. departure, T. iv. 1344, 1436. 
Wene, -f. supposition, doubt, T. iv. 1593; 

■wtthouten wene, without doubt, R. 574, 

732- 

Wenen, v. ween, suppose, imagine, con- 
sider, L. 12; G 676; expect, A 4320; 
Wenestow, weenest thou, thinkest thou, 
U 311; Weneth, pr. s. imagines (with 
men = ow€), A 2195; Wende. i pt. s. 
imagined, T. v. 693; supposed, F 585; 
fancied, A 1269; Wendest, 2 pr. s. subj. 
shouldst ween, T. i. 1031 ; Wende, pt. s. 
subj. would have thought, C 782 ; \A''end, 
pp. supposed, T. iv. 384; imagined, T. v. 
1682. 

Wenged, adj. winged, HF. 2118. 

Wenges, //. wings, L. 168 a. 

Weninge, s. imagination, supposition, 
T. iv. 992. 

Went, pr. s. and pp. of Wenden. 

Wente, //. s. of Wenden. 

Wente, s. turn, T. ii. 63 ; path, passage, 
T. iii. 787 ; footpath, 18. 69. 

Wepe, v. weep, A 144, 230; Weep, //. s. 
wept, A 148, B 606, 1052; Wepte, pt. s. 
(weak form), B 267; Wepen, //. T. i. 
941 ; Wopen,//. F 523. 

Wepen. s. weapon, L. 1994. 

Werbul, j. tune (warble) , T. ii. 1033. 

Werche, v. work, perform, B 566 
Wroghtestow (for Wroghtest thou) 
thou didst cause, B 3583 ; Wroghte./i". s. 
worked, A 497; contrived, B 17 
made, E 1152; Wroughte, i pt. s. acted 
A. ii. 3. 46 ; did, R. 701 ; Wrought, pp, 
made, formed, R. 559; born, B 3619 
created, G 326 ; composed, L. 372. 

Werde, pt. s. of Were (wear) . 

Werdes, s. pi. fates, destinies, B i. ni i. 
14. 

"Were, s. weir, 5. 138 ; T. iii. 35. 

Were, J. doubt, 3. 1295; HF. 979; men- 
tal struggle, L. 2686. Lowl. Sc. weir. 

Were, 2 //. s. wast, T. iv. 762; it were, 
they were, E 850; al %uere it, though it 
were, D 1172. 

Were (w6ra), v. wear, 21. 7; Werede, 
//. s. wore, A 1388, 3235 ; Werde, R. 875 ; 



Wered, A 75 ; Wered upon, 1 pt. s. wore 

upon (me), D 559. 
Were, J'ev-. to defend, A 2550. 
Weringe, s. wearing, I 1052. 
Werk, .J. work, A 479; act, L. 891. 
Werken, v. act, A 3527 ; pr. s. acts, L. 

1385- 
Werkers,//. doers, D 1937. 
Werkes, pr.pl. ache, A 4030. 
Werking, s. deed, W 210; mode of 

operation, G 1367. 
Werne, ger, to refuse, T. iii. 149, iv. in ; 

V. refuse, R. 1485 ; warn off, R. 636 ; 

Werned,//. forbidden, R. 442. 
Werning, s. let, forbidding, R. 1142. 
Werre, s. war, T. ii. 868; trouble, T. v. 

1393; of werre, in war, T. i. 134; to w., 

in enmity, I. 116. 
Werre, adv. worse, 3. 616. 
Werreye, ger. to make war, A 1484; v. 

war against, A 1544; pr. s. opposes, I 

487- . , 

Werreyour, s. warrior, L. 597. 

Wers, adj. worse, A 3872. 

Werste, adj. superl. worst, T. ii. 304. 

Werte, s. wart, A 555. 

Wery, adj. (being) weary, T. iv. 707; 
worn, R. 440, 664; beaten repeatedly, 
lit. wean,', B 4. m 5. 17. 

Wesele, s. weasel, A 3234. 

Wesh, //. s. of Wasshe. 

Waste, V. turn to the west, L. 61, 197. 

Westren, v. to go to the west, T. ii. 906. 

Wete, .f. perspiration, G 1187. 

Wete, V. wet, HF. 1785. 

Wether, s. sheep, T. iv. 1374. 

Weven, v. weave, L. 2352; Waf, pt. s. 
wove, L. 2364. 

Wex, s. wax, A 675, E 1430. 

Wexen, v. wax, grow, become, B 2265, G 
877 ; I pr. s. subj. may I become, G 1377 ; 
Wexe, 2 pr. pi. increase, grow (in ap- 
plauding) , E 998 ; Wex, //. s. grew, 
became, A 1362; increased, L. 727; 
Woxe,//. grown, R. 1460; become, HF. 

1494- 
Wexede, pt. s. coated \vith wax, A. 11. 

40. 28. 
Wey, J. way, A 34; path, R. 1345; the 

sun's apparent daily path, A. ii. 30. 5 ; 

the sun's apparent annual orbit, A. i. 

21. 49; a furlong wey, a short time (lit. 

short distance), E 516; go wey, go thy 

way, T. i. 574 ; do wey, take away, A 

3287. 
Wey en, v. weigh, B 3776; oghte wey en, 

ought to weigh, L. 398. 
Weyere, s. the 'weigher,' a translation 



124 



@l000artal Untiei, 



of the Lat. equator; because the days 
and nights, at the equinoxes, are equal ; 
A. i. 17. 25. 

Weyk, adj. weak, 7. 341. 

Weylaway, interj. alas ! A 938. 

Weymentinge, s. lamenting, A 902; 
lament, T. ii. 65. 

Weynes, s.pl. chariots, B 4. m 5. 6. 

Weyven, ger. to turn aside, E 1483; v. 
\\aive, neglect, T. ii. 284; put aside, D 
1 176; forsake, G 276; abandon, B 2406. 

Whan, when, A 5, 18, 179. 

What, whatever, 4. 170 ; what sort of a, 
L. 1305; what with, B 21, 22; why, T. 
ii. 262, 292 ; what I how ! L. 1800 ; What 
that, whatever, E 165 ; What man that, 
whoever, B 2645 ; What . . what, partly, 
. . partly, HF. 2058. 

Wheelen, ^f'r. to cause to revolve, T. i. 

139- 
Whelkes, //. pimples, blotches, A 632. 
W^help, s. cub, A 2627. 
Whenne, adv. whence, E 588. 
Whennes, adv. whence, B 2400. 
Wher, adv. where, B 1785, &c. ; wherever, 

R. 1669; Wher as (or Wher-as), where 

tliat, where, B 647, 131 1. 
Wher, whether, {a cotnmon contracted 

form of whether), 3. 91. 
Wher-as, adv. where that, where, T. iii. 

S16. 
Whereof, prep, in what respect, R. 703 ; 

for what, R. 1552. 
Wherfore, for any cause, C 216. 
Wher-on ; lotig wher-on, because of what, 

G930. 
Wher-so, whether, B 294; wherever, L. 

439- 

Wher-through, adv. by means of which, 
3. 120. 

Wherto, adv. for wherefore, T. i. 409. 

Whete, s. wheat, C 375. 

Whether, adj. which (of two), A 1856. 

Whette , //. //. sharpened, T. v. 1760. 

Which, pron, which, A 161 ; whom, A 
568; what kind of. L. 1883; Which a, 
what kind of a, what a, L. 668, 869, &c. 

AVhider, whither, T. v. 428, 486. 

Whilk, which (Northern), A 4078. 

Whilom, adv. once, D 2017. 

Whippeltree {better Wippeltree) , cornel- 
tree, A 2923. 

Whirle, ger. to rush, go swiftly, T. v. 
1019; V. be whirled round, 5. 80. 

Who, hiterrog. who, T. v. 371; D 692; 
indef. who (it might be), 3. 244; one 
who, 3.559; whoever, who, T. v. 1115; 
Who was who, which was which, A 4300. 



Whyle, s. time, A 3299 ; worth the wh., 

worth while, T. v. 882. 
Whyl-er, adv. formerly, G 1328. 
Whyles, gen. s. as adv. ; the whyles, whilst, 

3- 151- 
Whylom, adv. once, formerly, once on a 

time, R. 10. 362. 
Whyne, v. whine, whinny, D 386. 
Whyt, adj. white, A 238 ; as sb., white 

wine, C 526, 562 ; //. innocent, guileless, 

T. iii. 1567; specious, flattering, T. iii. 

901. 
Whyte, s. white (i. e. silver), T. iii. 1384. 
Widwe, s. widow, A 253. 
Widwehode, s. widowhood, I 916; 

W'idwehed, L. 295 a. 
Wierdes, //. fates, T. iii. 617 ; Wirdes, 

L. 2580. A. S. wyrd. 
Wight, s. a person, creature, man, living 

being, A 71, 280; whit, short while, A 

4283 ; Wightes,;*/. creatures, men, beings, 

A 3479- 

Wight, adj. active, B 3457 ; fleet, A 4086. 

Wighte, s. weight, HF. 739 ; A 2145, 2520. 

Wike, J. week, C 362. See Wyke. 

Wiket, s. wicket-gate, small gate, E 2045, 
2118. 

Wikke, adj. evil, wicked, bad, A 1087, 
1580; false, B 2247; depraved, 10. 55; 
much alloyed, HF. 1346. 

Wikked, adj. bad, wicked, L. 2395 ; //. 
wicked, I 112. In B 3576, tuikked nest is 
put for F. mau ni, i. e. Sir Oliver Mauny ; 
see the note in the larger edition. 

Wikkednesse, s. evil, 17. 7. 

Wil, J. will, 6. 83. See Wille. 

Wil, I pr. s. desire, wish, 7. 244; pr. s. 
desires, B 1843. 

Wilde, adj. wild; Wilde fyr, wild fire, 
fire not easily put out, Greek fire, D 
373 ; flaming spirits, I 445 ; a disease, 
erysipelas, A 4172, E 2252 ; Wilde, //. A 
2018. 

Wildnesse, s. wilderness, 9. 34. 

Wilen,/r.//. will, R. 1683. 

Wilful, adj. voluntary, B 3. p 11. 167. 

Wilful, as adv. wilfully, willingly, 5. 429. 

Wilfulhed, j. wilfulness, L. 355 a. 

Wilfully, adv. willingly, voluntarily, of 
free will, by choice, B 4486, C 441. 

Wilfulnesse, s. wish, B 2572. 

Wille, s. own accord, will, i. 45, 57 ; plea- 
sure, desire, E 326, F i, 8; Willes, gen. 
F 568 ; as by his w., willingly, 17. 12. 

Wille, V. will, desire, E 721. 

Willing, s. desire, E 319. 

Willingly, adv. of free will, E 362. 

Wilnen, v. desire, A 2114; Wilnest, zpr. 



®lo02arial intei. 



125 



s. desirest, A 1609; Wilned, i //. s. 3. 

1262, 1267. A. S. ■wilnian. 
"Wilninge, s. willing, wishing, B 3. p 11. 

88 ; //. desires, B. 3. p 11. 175. 
Wilow, s. willow-tree, A 2922. 
"Wiltow, 2 /r. J. wilt thou, A 1 156; wishest 

thou, B 2116; wilt thou (go), D 1387. 
Wimpel, s. wimple, a covering lor the 

head, gathered round it, and pleated 

under the chin, A 151. 
Wimpleth, //•. j-. conceals (as with a 

wimple), B 2. p 1. 66. 
Windas, s. windlass, F 184. 
Wiude, ger. to turn, T. iii. 1541 ; to re- 
volve, T. ii. 601; to roam about, L. 818; 

Winde, v. wind, entwine, T. iii. 1232; 

intertwine, 5. 671 ; ply, bend, T. i. 257 ; 

bind with cloths, E 583; twist and turn, 

G 980 ; Winde, 2 pr. s. subj. niayst go, 

T. iii. 1440; Wond, /A s. wound, went 

about, L. 2253. 
Windinge, ^^ twisting, I 417. 
Wind-melle, s. wind-mill, HF. 1280. 
Wiudre, ger. to trim, R. 1020; //. 

trunmed, R. 1018. Cf. O. Y.guigiiier. 
Windy, adj. unstable as wind, B 2. p 8. 

28. 
Winged, provided with wings, A 1385. 
Winke, v. wink, B 4496; nod, F 348; 

remain awake, T. iii. 1537 ; Winke, i pr. 

s. am asleep, 5. 7. 
Winnej^t-r. to- win, gain, .\ 427; to con- 
quer, F 214; to get gain, C 461 ; w./ro, 

to get away from, T. v. 1125; Wan, i 
//. s. got, D 1477; won, gained, A 442, 

989 ; pt. s. used as pt. pi. F 1401 ; Won- 

nen, pp. won, A 877, 3381. 
Winning, s. gain, profit, A 275, D 416. 
Winsinge, pres. pt. wincing, starting 

aside, i. e. skittish, A 3263. 
Winter, //. years, T. i. 811. 
Wirche, v. work, A 3430 ; provide, E 1661 ; 

give relief, A 2759; in passive sense, to 

be made, HF. 474; ger. to perform, A 

3308 ; Wirk, imp. s. do, E 1485. 
Wirdes, //. Fates, L. 2580 ; Wierdes, T. 

iii. 617. 
Wirk, imp. s. work, do, E 1485. 
Wirkinge, s. efficiency, B 3. p n. 26; 

actions, D 698 ; calculation, F 1280. 
Wis, adv. certainly, verily, surely, T. ii. 
381. 474. 563; A 2786, D 621; as wis, as 
sure (as), T. iv. 1655; assuredly, F 1470. 
See Y-wis. 
Wisly, adv. certainly, truly, verily, A 

1863, 3994, 4162. 
Wisse, V. instruct, T. i. 622; inform, D 

1415 ; show, tell, D 1008 ; 2 //-. s. s'ubj. 



teach, 5. 74; imp. s. direct, guide, i. 155. 

A. S. wissian. 
Wissh, I pt s. washed, R. 96, 125. 
Wisshe, V. wish, T. ii. 406. 
Wist, -e ; see Witen. 
Wit, s. reason, R. 1535 ; understanding, B 

2702 ; judgement, A 279 ; mind, R. 1694 ; 

knowledge, mental power, R. 401 ; wjs- 

dom, T. iv. 1508 ; proof of intelligence,. 

E 459 ; Witles, pi. senses, B 202 ; wils,. 

F 706 ; opinions, F 203. 
Witen, ger. to know, to wit, T. v. 1324 ; 

Wife, ger. to know, 3. 493 ; to discover, 

D 1450 ; do you ivite, make you know, 

inform you, T. ii. 1635 ; Woot, i pr. s. 

wot, know, A 389; //-. s. knows, 2. 30; 

Wot, ipr.s. L. 4; pr. s. knows, B 195; 

Woost, 2pr. s. knowest, T. i. 633 ; Wost, 

2pr. s. L. 542; Wostow, thou knowest, 

A 2304; Witen, i pr. pi. wit, know, .\ 

1260; Witen, 2//-.//. D 1890; know ye, 

H 1,82; Woot (wrongly used for ^N\\.&), 

2 //•. //. know, A 740 ; Wiste, i //. s. 

wist, knew, E 814; Wistest, 2 pt. s. 

knewest, A 1156; Wistestow, knewest 

thou, T. iii. 1644; Wiste, pt. s. knew, 

R. 1344 ; Wist, pp. known, B 1072 ; 

Witeth, imp. //.know, T. i. 687. A. S. 

witan ; pr. t. wat, toast, wcit, pi. witon ; 

pt. t. wiste. 
With, with, A 5, 10, &c.; to hele zvith your 

hurtt's, to heal your wounds with, F 471. 
With-drow, x pt. s. subtracted, A. ii. 45. 

12. 
Withholden,^,?r.to retain, I 104 1 ; Wilh- 

holde, //. retained, B 2202; detained, 

G 345 ; shut up, kept in confinement, 

A 511. 
Withinne-forth, adv. within, B 5. p 5. 

14. 
With-oute-forth, adv. outwardly, I 172. 
Withouten, prep, besides, as well as, A 

461 ; excepting, T. ii. 236. 
Withseye, v. contradict, gainsay, A 805 ; 

refuse, L. 367; renounce, G 457. 
Withstonde, v. withstand, oppose, B 
3110; Withstonde, //. withstood, T. i. 
253- 
Witing, s. knowledge, cognizance, A 

1611. 
Witingly, adv. knowingly, I 401. 
Witnesfully, adv. publicly, B 4. p 5. 11. 
Witterly. adv. plainly, truly, L. 2606. 
Wivere, s. wyvern, snake, T. iii. loio. 

O. F. zv/vre, lit. viper. 
Wlatsom, adj. disgusting, B 3814; hein- 
ous, B 4243. 
Wo, J. woe, R. 319 ; me is wo, I am sorry. 



126 



(§Io00arial hxtiex. 



L. 1985 ; 7V0 were us, woe would be to 
us, E 139. 
Wo, adj. unhappy, R. 312; sad, grieved, 

A 351- 

Wode, rtrfy. ; see Wood. 

Wode-binde, s. woodbine, honeysuckle, 
A 1508. 

Wodedowve, s. wood-pigeon, B i960. 

Wodewale, s. the green woodpecker, 
Geciniis viridis, R. 914. 

Wodnesse, s. madness, T. iii. 794. 

Wol, ipr. s. (I) will, A 42; desire, E 646; 
Wole, I pr. s. am ready to, T. i. 589; 
Wolt, 2 pr. s. wilt, E 314; Woltow, wilt 
thou, A 1544 ; dost thou wish, D 840 ; 
Wol, pr. s. will, B 60; wills, desires, 
HF. 662; wishes for, T. ii. 396; wishes 
(to go), will go, L. 1191 ; permits, H 28 ; 
Wole, will go, D 353 ; wol adoun, is about 
to set, I 72; Wol ye so, if you so wish it, 
E 2264; Wil ye, wish ye, F 378; Woln, 
pr.pl. will, wish (to have), A 2121 ; Wol- 
len, pr. pi. will, B 2561 ; Wolde, \pt. s. 
desired, 6. 48 ; should like, B 1637 ; 
Woldestow, if thou wouldst, L. 760; 
wouldst thou, B 4536; Wolde, pt. s. 
would, A 144; would like to, B 1182; 
wished, L. 952; required, F 577; would 
go, would turn, F 496; wished to, 4. 
124; T. ii. 514; Wolde . . . unto, would 
go to, B 3786 ; god wolde, oh I that God 
would grant, 3. 665; wolde god, oh ! that 
God would be pleased, D 1103; Wolde 
whoso nolde, i. e. whoever would or 
would not, T. i. 77 ; Wold, //. desired, 
18. II ; willed, B 2190, 2615. 

Wolde, s.dat. possession, R. 451. 

Wolle, s. wool, L. 1791. 

Woln, WoltOAW ; see Wol. 

Wombe, s. belly, A 4290 ; womb, E 2414 ; 
the depression in the front of an astro- 
labe. A. i. 3. 3. 

Wombe-side, the front of the astro- 
labe, A. i. 6. 10. 

Wommanhede, s. womanhood, B 851. 

Wond ; pt. s. of Winde. 

Wonde, v. desist, L. 1187. 

Wonder, adj. wonderful, wondrous, 
strange, T. i. 419. 

Wonder, adv. wondrously, R. 242. 

Wonderly, adv. wondrously, A 84. 

Wonder-most, adj. sup. most wonderful, 
HF. 2059. 

Wonders, adv. wondrously, R. 27. 

Wone (wuns), s. custom, usage, wont, 
T. ii. 318; HF. 76. 

Wone, V. dwell, inhabit, G 332; Woneth, 
pr. s. dwells, lives, D 1573 ; Woneden, 



pt.pl. dwelt, A 2927; Woned, pp. dwelt, 
T. i. 276 ; wont, accustomed, T. ii. 400, 
V. 277. 

Wones (woonez), //. places of retreat, 
hence, range of buildings, D 2105. See 
Woon. 

Wonger, .?. pillow, B 2102. 

Woning, j-. habitation, house, A 606. 

Wonne, -n; see Winne. 

Wood (wood), s. woad, 9. 17. 

Wood (wood), adj. mad, A 184, 582, 636; 
mad with anger, D 313 ; for wood, as 
being mad, madly, furiously, L. 2420; 
for pure ivood, for very rage, R. 276 ; 
ten so wood, ten times as fierce, L. 736; 
Wode, def. adj. mad, T. ii. 1355. 

Woodeth, pr. s. rages, G 467. 

Woodly, adv. madly, A 1301. 

Woodnesse, -f. madness, rage, A 2011, 
3452. 

Woon (woon), s. resource, T. iv. 1181; 
plenty, abundance, L. 1652; number, 
L. 2161 ; retreat, secure place, HF. 1166; 
of sorwe woon, abundance of sorrow, 3. 
475 ; Wones, pi. places of retreat, range 
of buildings, D 2105. 

Woost, Woot; see Wite. 

Wopen, //. of Wepe. 

W^orcher, s. worker, maker, 4. 261. 

Worcheth, //-. j. works, 3. 815. 

Word, s. word, A 304 ; good word, ap- 
proval, T. V. 1081 ; w. by vo., word by 
word, D 2244 ; at shorte wordes, briefly, 
in a word, L. 2462; liadde the ivordes, 
was spokesman, I 67. 

Word and ende (for Ord and ende), 
beginning and end, T. ii. 1495, iii. 702, 
V. 1669; B 391 1. 

Worm-foul, s. birds which eat worms, 

5- SOS- 
Wort, s. unfermented beer, wort, G 813. 
Wortes. //. herbs, B 4411, E 226. 
Worthen, v. be, dwell, T. v. 329; to 
become, 4. 248; Worth, /r. s. is, (or, as 
fut.) shall be ; {hence) Wo worth, it is 
woe to, it shall be woe to, it is ill for, 
it shall be ill for, T. ii. 344; Wei worth 
of dremes ay thise olde wyves, it is 
well for these old wives as regards 
dreams, i. e. dreams are all very well 
for old women, T. v. 379; Wei worth 
{not worthe] of this thing grete clerkes, 
it is well for great writers as regards 
this thing, i. e. this thing is all very 
well for great writers, HF. 53; Worth 
upon, gets upon, B 1941 ; Worth up, 
get up on, mount, T. ii. loii. 
Wost, Wostow, Wot ; see Wite. 



(ilossarial Intiex. 



127 



"Wouke, s. week, T. iv. 1278, v. 492. 
Wounde, J. wound, i. 79; plague (Lat. 

plaga), I 593; Woundes of Egipte, //. 

plagues of Egypt (unlucky days so 

called), 3. 1207. 
Wowe, ger. to woo, T. v. 1091. 
Wo'wing', s. wooing, L. 1553. 
Woxen, //. of Wexe. 
"Wrak, J. wreck, B 513. 
Wrak, pf. s. avenged, T. v. 1468. 
"Wrang, adv. wrongly, amiss (Northern), 

A 4252. 
Wrastlen, v. wrestle, B 3456. 
Wrathen, ger. to render angry, T. iii. 

174. 
Wravr, adj. angry, H 46 ; Wrawe, peevish, 

fretful, I 677. 
Wra'wnesse, s. peevishness, fretfulness, 

I 680. 
Wrecche, s. sorrowful creature, A 931 ; 

wretched man, T. i. 708. 
Wrecche, adj. wretched, F 1020. 
Wrecchednesse, s. misery, B 3540; 

mean act, F 1523; folly, I 34; miserable 

performance, F 1271 ; miserable fare, H 

171. 
Wreche, s. vengeance, T. v. 890, 896. 
Wreek, imper. s. of Wreke. 
Wreen, v. cover, clothe, R. 56; Wreigh, 

pi. c. covered, hid, T. iii. 1056. 
Wreke (wrSka) , v. wreak, avenge, C 857 ; 

/;-. s. subj. avenge, L. 2340 ; 2 pr. pi. F 

454; Wrak, pt. s. T. v. 1468; Wreken, 

//. revenged, F 784 ; Wroken, //. T. i. 

88. 
Wreker, s. avenger, 5. 361. 
Wrenches, s. pi. frauds, stratagems, 

tricks, G 1081. 
Wreste, v. constrain, force, T. iv. 1427. 
Wreye, v. bewray, reveal, A 3503. 
Wrighte, j. workman, A 614. 
Wringe, v. squeeze, force a way, HF. 

2 1 10; wring, HF. 299; Wrong, //. s. 

wrung, pinched, D 492. 
Writ, s. scripture, A 739. 
Writ, -e, -en; see Wryte. 
Wrog-ht, -e ; see Werche. 
Wroken, //. of Wreke. 
Wrong, s.; had ivroiig, was wrong, 3. 

1282. 
Wrong, adv. astray, A 1267. 
Wrooth (wrooth), adj. wroth, angry, 3. 

513. 519- 

Wrot, //. s. wrote, T. i. 655. 

Wroteth, pr. s. tears with the snout, 
buries the snout, pokes about, I 157. 

Wrye, ger. to hide, T. iii. 1569; to dis- 
guise, T. i. 329; V. cover, E 887. 



Wrye, v. reveal, discover, flood with 
light, 4. 91. Variant of Wreye, q. v. 
[It might be better to read wreye, and 
deye in 1. 90.] 

Wryen, v. turn aside, 3. 627 ; ger. to turn, 
go, T. ii. 906; pt. 5. bent, A 3283. 

Wryte, v. write, A 96; Writ, pr. s, 
writeth, writes, T. i. 394 ; Wroot, //. s. 
B 725 ; Wrot, T. i. 655 ; Writen, //. pi. 
wrote, HF. 1504; Write, i //. s. subj. 
were to write, B 3843 ; Writen, //. 
written, 2. 43. 

Wrythe, ger. to turn aside, T. iv. 9; to 
wriggle out, T. iv. 986; Wrytheth, //-. 
s. writhes out, throws forth wreaths of 
smoke (Lat. torqitet), B i. m 4. 10; 
Wryth, pr. s. writhes, wreathes, T. iii. 
1231. 

Wyd, adj. wide, A 491. 

Wyde, adv. widely, far, T. i. 629. 

Wyde-where, far and wide, everywhere, 
B136. 

Wyf, s. woman, C 71 , wife, 3. 1082; mis- 
tress of a household, G 1015 ; lo w., for 
wife, A i860; Wyves, //. women, wives, 
L. 484. 

Wyfhood, s. womanhood, B 76. 

Wyflees, adj. wifeless, E 1236. 

Wyfly, adv. womanly, wife-like, L. 1737. 

Wyke, s. week, T. ii. 430, 1273. 

Wyle, J. wile, plot, T. iii. 1077; subtlety, 
5- 215. 

Wyn, s. wine, A 334; wyn ape, H 44, 
wine which made a man behave like an 
ape (so also lion-wine, pig-wine, sheep- 
wine) . 

Wynt, pr. s. turns, directs, L. 85 ; Wond, 
//. s. wound, L. 2253. 

Wyr, s. bit, L. 1205. 

Wys, adj. wise, prudent, A 68; lo make 
it wys, to make it a subject for delibera- 
tion, to hesitate, A 785. 

Wyse, s. way, manner, L. 20. 

Wyser, adj. wiser, one wiser than you, 
L. 2634. 

Wyte, s. blame, reproach, G 953; yozu to 
wyte, for a blame to you, i. e. laid to 
your charge, R. 1541. 

Wyte, ger. to blame, T. i. 825 (under- 
stand is before nought) ; Wyten, v. 
accuse, I 1016. 



Y-, a prefix used especially with the pp., 
like the A. S. ge- and G. ge-. See below. 
It also occurs in the infinitive, as in 
y-finde, y-here, y-knowe, y-see, y-thee. 



128 



(^lossarial Intjw. 



It also occurs in the adjective y-sene. 

For further information, see under the 

forms of the infinitive mood ; e. g. for 

the infin. oi y-bakc, see Bake. 
Yaf ; pt. s. of Yeve, to give. 
Yald,/A s. of Yelden, to yield. 
Yare, adj. ready, L. 2270. 
Yate, .r. gate, T. ii. 617. 
Yave; see Yeve. 
Y-bake,//. baked, L. 709. 
Y-banisht, //. banished, L. 1863. 
Y-barred, //. barred, R. 480. 
Y-bathed, pp. bathed, T. iv. 815. 
Y-bedded,//. put to bed, T. v. 346. 
Y-been, //. been, B 4487. 
Y-benched, //. furnished with benches, 

L. 98 a. 
Y-beten, //. beaten, T. i. 741 ; beaten, 

forged, A 2162; formed in beaten gold, 

A 979; struck, coined, L. 1122. 
Y-blent. //. blinded, R. 1610; A 3808; 

deceived, 3. 647. 
Y-blessed, //. blessed, B 4638. 
Y-bleynt, //. blenched, turned aside, 

A 3753. 
Y-blowe,//. blown, T. i. 384. 
Y-boren,//'. born, C 704, E 626; Y-bore, 

born, E 158; borne, carried, T. v. 1650; 

moved, F 326. 
Y-bought, pp. bought, T. i. 810. 
Y-bounden, //. bound, 5. 268. 
Y-bowed, pp. diverted, B 4. p 6. 179. 
Y-brend, //. burnt, G 318 ; Y-brent, HF. 

940. 
Y-broght, pp. brought, L. 938. 
Y-brouded, pp. embroidered, L. 159 a. 

Cf. A. S. brogden, pp. of bregdan. 
Y-caught, pp fixed, 3. 838. 
Y-chaped, pp. furnished with chapes or 

metal caps (which were placed at the 

end of the sheath), A 366. 
Y-cheyned,//. chained, 17. 14. 
Y-clad, //. clad, clothed, R. 890. 
Y-clawed, pp. clawed, torn, D 1731. 
Y-clenched, //. clinched, riveted, A 

1991. 
Y-cleped, //. called, A 410, 867, G 129, 

H 2 ; invoked, T. iv. 504 ; summoned, 

B 2435 ; named, A 3313 ; Y-clept, called, 

A 376. 
Y-comen, //. come, HF. 1074; ycome 

aboiitc, come about, passed, B 3364. 
Y-c6rouned, //. crowned, L. 219. 
Y-corumped, //. corrupted, B 5. p 2. 28. 
Y-corven, pp. cut, G 533; Y-corve, A 

2013. See Kerve. 
Y-coupled, pp. coupled, wedded, E 1219. 
Y-coyned,//. coined, C 770. 



Y-crased,//. cracked, broken, 3. 324. 

Y-cristned,//. baptized, B 240. 

Y-crovve,//. crowed, A 3357. 

Y-dampned,//. condemned, L. 2030. 

Y-darted,//. pierced with a dart, T. iv. 
240. 

Ydel, adj. idle, empty, vain, B 2778; in 
ydel, in vain, B 2494, F 867. 

Y-dight, pp. decked, A 3205. 

Ydolastre, s. idolater, B 3377. 

Ydole, s. idol, 3. 626. 

Y-doon, pp. done, B 4610; over, E 
1894. 

Y-drad, pp. dreaded, T. iii. 1775. 

Y-drawe, pp. drawn, A 396, 944. 

Y-dressed, //. dressed, arranged, set, 
E381. 

Y-dronke. pp drunk, B 2601. 

Y-dropped, //. bedropped, covered with 
drops, A 2884. 

Ye, s. eye, R. 296; at ye, at eye, to sight, 
evidently, G 964, 1059; Saugh with ye, 
perceived, A 3415; Yen,//, eyne, eyes, 
B 3260, 3392. 

Ye. adv. yea, verily, T. i. 534. 

Yeddinges, pi. songs, A 237. 

Yede, pt. s. walked, went, G 1141, 1281. 
A. S. eode. 

Yeer, s. year, A 347 ; Yere {hi plir. many 
a yere), B 132; Yeres ende, year's end, 
D 916 ; Yeer by yere, year after year, 
B 1688 ; Fro yeer to yere, 5. 321 ; Year, 
(archaic) pi. A 82; Yeres, {new) pi. B 

Yef, j?>tp. s. give, T. v. 308. 
Yeftes, //. gifts, T. iv. 392. 
Ye\A&a,ger. to yield up, D 912; to yield 

to, pay, D 1811 ; Yelt, pr. s. yields, T. i. 

385; Yelde, pr. s. siibj. requite, D 1772, 

2177 ; Yald, //. s. afforded, B 4. m 7. 25 ; 

Yeld, i7np. s. restore, C 189; Yolden, 

pp. yielded, T. i. 801 ; submissive, T. 

iii. 96; Yeldinge, pres. pt. giving, B 

2994. 
Yeldhalle, s. guild-hall, A 370. 
Yelding, s produce, lit. 'yielding,' A 

596. 
Yelleden, //.//. yelled, B 4579. 
Yelpe, ger. to boast, A 2238 ; pr.pl. prate, 

T. iii. 307. 
Yelwe, adj. yellow, R. 310. 
Yeman, s. yeoman, A loi. 
Yemanly, adv. in a yeomanlike manner, 

A 106. 
Yen = Yen, pi. eyes ; see Ye. 
Y-ended, pp. ended, R. 1315. 
Yard, s. vard, garden, R. 492. 
Yerde, /. rod, stick, T. i. 257, 740 ; switch, 



(^logsarial Inbtx. 



129 



A 149; rod, 'caduceus,' A 1387; yard 

(in length), A 1050; correction, E 22. 
Yeme, adj. eager, brisk, lively, A 3257. 
Yerne, lufo. eagerly, soon, D 993; briskly, 

quickly, glibly, 5. 3 ; C 398 ; as y., very 

soon, HF. 910. 
Yerne, ^er. to yearn for, to be longed 

for, T. iv. 198 ; v. desire, T. iii. 152. 
Yeten (yeetan), v. pour, shed, B i. m 7. i. 

A. S. geotan. 
Yeve, V. give, A 232; Yevest, 2 pr. s. 

givest, F 1033; Yeveth, /;-. s. E 93; 

Yeve,/r. s. siibj. may (he) give, E 30; 

Yaf, I pt. s. gave, E 861; Yaven,//. //. 

G 415; Yeven, //■. //. siibj. would give, 

HF. 1708 ; Yeven, //. given, A 1086 ; 

devoted, 7. iii. 
Yeveres,//. givers, I 791. 
Yeving, i. giving, 18. 37; what one gives, 

4. 230. 
Yexeth,/r. s. hiccoughs, A 4151. 
Y-fallen, //. fallen, B 3166; happened, 

G 1043 ; having befallen, C 496. 
Y-fare, pp. gone, T. iii. 577. 
Y-felawshiped, //. made companions, 

B 2. p 6. 91. 
Y-fere, together, B 394, E 1113, G 380. Cf. 

Infefe. 
Y-fet, pp. fetched, F 174, G 1116. 
Y-fetered,//. fettered, A 1229. 
Y-fethered, //. feathered, R. 951. 
Y-feyned, //. feigned, invented, L. 

327 a ; evaded, E 529. 
Y-flcched,j!>^. fixed, B 4. p 6. 125. 
Y-flnde, v. find, F 470; Y-founde,//. L. 

1668. 
Y-flit, pp. moved, whirled along, B i. m 

2. 14. 
Y-folowed, //. followed, 3. 390. 
Y-forged, //. made, A 3256. 
Y-formed, //• created, HF. 490. 
Y-fostred, pp. fostered, sustained, E 213 ; 

brought up, A 3946. 
Y-founde, pp. found, A 1211, 3514. 
Y-founded, //. set on a foundation, 5. 

231 ; based, 3. 922. 
Y-freten, //. eaten, devoured, L. 1951. 
Y-frounced, adj. wrinkled, R. 155. 
Y-fyned, adj. refined, delicately formed, 

R. 1696. 
Y-fyred,//>. fired, L. 1013. 
Y-gerdoned, //. rewarded, B 5. p 3. 

182. 
Y-geten,//. gotten, procured, A 3564. 
Y-glased, //. glazed, 3. 323. 
Y-glewed, //. fixed tight, F 182. 
Y-glosed, //>. flattered, H 34. 
Y-goon,//. gone, L. 2206, 2213. 



Y-graunted, //. granted, C 388. 
Y-grave, //. dug up, cut, L. 204; dug 

out, 3. 164; engraved, graven, A 3796; 

buried, D 496. 
Y-greved,//. harmed, A 4181. 
Y-grounde,//. ground, A 3991; sharp- 
ened, ]5ointed, A 2549. 
Y-grounded,//. grounded, 3. 921. 
Y-growen, //. grown, A 3973. 
Y-hal'wed,//. consecrated, L. 1871. 
Y-harded,//. hardened, F 245. 
Y-hated,//. hated, HF. 200. 
Y-hent, //. seized, caught, C 868. 
Y-herd, //. as adj. covered with hair, 

A 3738. 
Y-here, v. hear, T. iv. 1313. 
Y-heried,//. praised, T. ii. 973. 
Y-hevied,//. weighed down, B 5. m 5. 

26. 
Y-hid, //. hid, G 317. 
Y-hight,//. called, T. v. 541. 
Y-holde, //. esteemed to be, A 2374; 

celebrated, A 2958; considered, C 602; 

indebted, L. 1954; continued, E 1932; 

restrained, HF. 1286. 
Y-hurt, //. hurt, A 2709. 
Y-japed,//. jested, T. i. 318. 
Yif, coiij. if, L. 2059, 2312. 
Yif , imp. s. give ; see Yive. 
Yift, s. gift, 3. 247, 695, 1270. 
Yilden, ger. to repay, B 5. p i. 14; 

Yildeth, pr. s. yields, produces, B 4. 

m 6. 31. See Yelden. 
Y-joigned, //. joined, B 2. p 6. 93. 
Yis, yes, L. 517. 
Yisterday, yesterday, R. 1040. 
Yit, yet, L. 4, 106. 
Yive, ger. to give, A 225 ; Yiveth, pr. s. 

gives, 18. 38 ; pr. s. subj. may (he) give, 

3- 683 ; Yiven,//. given, granted, 3. 765. 
Yiver, s. giver, L. 2228. 
Y-kempt,//. combed, A 4369. 
Y-kist,//. kissed, T. iv. 1689. 
Y-kneled, //. kneeled, L. 1232. 
Y-knet, //. knotted, tightly bound, T. 

iii. 1734; Y-knit, joined, 6. 32. 
Y-knowe, v. know, F 887 ; recognize, 

HF. 1336; discern, D 1370; //. known, 

3- 392. 
Y-korven, pp. cut, B 1801. 
Y-koud,//. known well, 3. 666. 
Y-lad,//. carried (in a cart), A 530. 
Y-laft, //. left, A 2746; left behind, 

F 1128. 
Y-laid, //. laid, L. 2141. 
Y-lain, //. Iain, remained, L. 2410. 
Yle, s. isle, island, HF. 416, 440; region, 

province, L. 1425. 



I30 



(glossarial hxbtx. 



Y-lent,//. lent, G 1406. 

Y-lered,//. educated, T. i. 976. 

Y-let, //. hindered, obstructed, B 5. 

P 4- 34- 
Y-leten, //. left, allowed, B 4. p 4. 

308. 
Y-leyd,//. laid, A 3568. 
Y-liche, tidj. alike, similar, L. 389. 
Y-liche, adv. alike, equally, A 2526. 
Y-lissed,//. eased, T. i. 1089. 
Y-lived,//. lived, T. v. 933. 
Y-logged,//. lodged, B 4181. 
Y-loren, //. lost, L. 26; Y-lorn,//. lost, 

T. iv. 1250. 
Y-lost, //. lost, HF. 183. 
Y-loved, //. loved, T. i. 594. 
Y-lyk, adj. like, A 592; alike, A 2734; 

Y-lyke, like, A 1539. 
Y-lyke, adv. alike, equally, L. 55, 731. 
Y-lymed,//. caught (as birds with bird- 
lime), D 934. 
Y-maad,//. made, caused, HF. 691. 
Yinag6ries, pi carved work, HF. 1190, 

1304. 
Ymagined, //. considered, mtentional, 

I 448. 
Y-maked,//. made, L. 122, 222. 
Y-marked, //. set down, marked out, 

planned, HF. 1103. 
Y-masked,//. enmeshed, T. iii. 1734. 
Y-medled, //. mingled, T. iii. 815. 
Y-mel, />rep. among (Northern), A 4171. 
Y-ment,//. intended, HF. 1742. 
Y-met, //. met, A 2624; Y-mette, as pi. 

adj. met, B 11 15. 
Y-meynd,//. mi.xed, mingled, A 2170. 
Y-moeved,//. moved, B 4. m 6. 7. 
Ympne, s. lyric poem (lit. hymn), L. 

422. 
Y-mused, pp. mused, reflected, HF. 

1287. 
Y-nempned,//. named, I 598. 
Y-nogh, adj. enough, sufficient, A 373, 

3149; Y-now, G 1018; Y-nowe, //. 5. 

233- 
Y-nogh, adv. enough, sufficiently, 6. 13; 

Y-nough, R. 247. 
Y-norae,//. caught, overcome, T. i. 242; 

taken, L. 2343. 
Y-norisshed, //. educated, T. v. 821. 
Y-offred,//. offered, dedicated, L. 932. 
Yok, s. yoke, E 113. 1285. 
Yolde, -n ; see Yelden. 
Yolle, pr.pl. cry aloud, A 2672. 
Yomanrye, 5. yeomanry, A 3949. 
Yon, adj. yon, A 4178. 
Yond, adv. yonder, A 1099. 
Yong, adj. young, A 79. 



Yonghede, s. dat. youth, R. 351. 

Yore, adv. formerly, of old, B 174, 272; 
lor a long time, a long while, A 1813 ; 
long ago, long, i. 150; yore agon, long 
ago, 5. 17 ; yore ago, A 3437 ; fuly., very 
long ago, 7. 243, 346 ; of tyme y., of old 
time, F 963. 

Youling, s. loud lamentation, A 1278. 

Y-painted, //. painted, R. 892. 

Y-passed, //. passed, R. 380; past, 
E 1892. 

Y-payed, //. paid, A 1802. 

Y-piked, //. picked over, G 941. 

Y-plesed, //. pleased, D 930. 

Y-pleyned, //. complained, T. iv. 1688. 

Y-pleynted, //. full of complaint, T. v. 

1597- 
Y-plounged, //. plunged, sunk, B 3. 

p II. 122. 
Y-plyted, //. pleated, gathered, B i. 

P 2. 31- 

Ypocras, Hippocrates; hence a kind of 
cordial, C 306. 

Ypocryte, s. hypocrite, F 514. 

Y-portreyd, //. covered with pictures, 
R. 897. 

Y-porveyed, //. foreseen, B 5. p 3. 45. 

Y-prayed,//. invited, E 269. 

Y-preised. pp. praised, HF. 1577. 

Y-preved,//. proved (to be), A 485. 

Y-pulled, pp. plucked, i. e. with super- 
fluous hairs plucked out, A 3245. 

Y-purveyed, //. foreseen, B 5. p 3. 88. 

Y-queynt,//. quenched, A 3754. 

Y-quiked,//. kindled, I 536. 

Y-quit,//. quit, acquitted, F 673. 

Y-raft,//". bereft, snatched away, A 2015; 
reft, robbed, L. 1572. 

Yre, s. ire, anger, vexation, i. 30. 

Y-red,//. read, T. iv. 799. 

Y-reke, //. raked together, A 3882. 

Y-rekened, pp. accounted, D 367 ; taken 
into account, F 427. 

Yren, s. iron, R. 1184. 

Yren, adj. iron, G 759. 

Y-rent, pp. taken, T. v. 1654; torn, B 
844. 

Y-ronge, //. rung, told loudly, HF. 
1655. 

Y-ronne, //. run, A 8, 3893; continued, 
L. 1943; run together, A 2693; inter- 
laced, R. 1396; clustered, A 2165. 

Y-rouiied, //. whispered, HF. 2107. 

Y-satled, //. settled, E 2405. 

Y-sayd,//. said, 3. 270. 

Y-scalded, pp. scalded, A 2020. 

Y-schette, //.//. shut, B 560. 

Yse, s. ice, HF. 1130. 



(glossartal Cntiei. 



131 



Y-see, V. behold, T. ii. 354; imp. s. see, 
look, T. ii. 1253; Y-seyn, //. seen, L. 
2076. 

Y-sene, a^^'.^isible, A 592, F 996; mani- 
fest, T. ly. 1607; L. 1394. A. S.gesene, 
gesytie. ■' 

Y-aet,yfp. set, A 4337 ; placed, 5. 149 ; set 
down, F 173; seated, C 392; appointed, 
A 1635 ; planted, R. 604. 

Y-s,eye,//. seen, HF. 1367 ; Y-seyn, T. v. 

^48. 
Y-seyled, //. sailed, B 4289. 
Y-shad, //. scattered (Lat. spaisas), B 3. 

m 2. 33. 
Y-shaken, //. quivering, sparkling, B i. 

m 3. 17. 
Y-shamed,//. put to shame, HF. 356. 
Y-shapen, {st>o>/g) pp. shaped, prepared, 

B 3420; provided, A 4179; contrived, 

G 1080 ; Y-shaped, {weak) pp. prepared, 

T. iii. 1240. 
Y-shave, //. shaven, A 690. 
Y-shent, pp. put to shame, severely 

blamed, D 1312. 
Y-shette, pp. pi. shut, B 2159. 
Y-shewed, //. shown, T. v. 1251 ; made 

manifest, 4. 181. 
Y-shore,//. shorn, T. iv. 996. 
Y-shove,//. borne about, L. 726. 
Y-slayn, //. slain, HF. 159; Y-slawe, 

B 484. 
Y-smite, //. smitten, wounded, B 3. 

m 7. 7. 
Y-song'e, //. sung, D 1726; Y-songen, 

L. 270. 
Y-sought, pp. sought, T. iii. 1317. 
Y-sounded,//. sunk, T. ii. 535. 
Y-sowen, pp. sown, HF. 1488. 
Y-sped, //. sped, A 4220. 
Y-spended,//. spent, B 5. p 4. 15. 
Y-sprad, //. spread, B 1644; Y-spred, 

A 4140. 
Y-spreynd,//. sprinkled, A 2169. 
Y-spronge, //. sprung, shot out, R. 718; 

divulged, HF. 2081. 
Y-stalled, //. installed, HF. 1364. 
Y-stiked, //. stuck, A 1565; stabbed, 

F 1476. 
Y-Stint, pp. stopped, D 390. 
Y-stonde, pp. stood, been, T. v. 1612. 
Y-stonge, //. stung, C 355. 
Y-storve, //. dead, A 2014. 
Y-strawed,//. bestrewn, 3. 629. 
Y-strike, pp. struck, 11. 34. 
Y-suffred, //. suffered, T. v. 415. 
Y-sweped, //. swept, G 938. 
Y-s-worn, //. sworn, A 1132; sworn (to 

do it) , T. v. 283. 



Y-swowned,//. swowned, L. 1342. 
Y-take, //. caught, B 3514; taken, L. 

617. 
Y-thanked, //. thanked, D 2118. 
Y-th.ee, v. thrive, T. iv. 439. 
Y-thewed, pp. disposed ; wel y-thewed, 

w ell-conducted, 5. 47 ; R. 1008. 
Y-thonked, //. thanked, T. iv. 2. 
Y-throngen, //. confined, B 2. p 7. 53. 
Y-throwe, //. thrown, T. iv. 6; cast out, 

2. 8g. 
Y-told, pp. told, A 3109. 
Y-torned,//. turned, B 4. m 5. i. 
Y-travailed,//. laboured, with difficulty, 

E 5- P 3- 45- 
Y-trespassed, //. sinned, B 2609. 
Y-tressed, pp. plaited in tresses, T. v, 

810. 
Y-treted, //. discussed, B 4. p i. 70. 
Y-tukked, pp. tucked up, L. 982. 
Y-turned. pp. turned, A 1238, 2062. 
Y-twinned, pp. parted, T. iv. 788. 
Yve, B4156; see Erbe. 
Yvel, adj. ill, evil, T. ii. looi. 
Yvel, adv. ill, R. 213, 1067. 
Yveles, s.pl. evils, B 2618. 
Yvory, s, ivory, B 2066; Yvoire, 3. 

946. 
Y-voyded, //. removed, F 1159. 
Y-war. adj. aware, T. ii. 398. 
Y-'warned, pp. warned, B 4422. 
Y-"waxen, //. grown, become, T. v. 275 ; 

Y-waxe, 3. 1275. 
Y-wedded, //. wedded, L. 1179. 
Y-went, pp. gone, HF. 976. 
Y-went, //. weened, imagined, T. v. 

444. 
Y-wet. pp. wetted, A 4155. 
Y'-whet, pp. whetted, 7. 212. 
Y--wirQpled, //. provided with a wimple, 

A 470 ; covered with a wimple, L. 

797- 
Y-wis, adv. certainly, truly, verily, R. 

279. 350, 357- 
Y-wist, pp. known, B 5. p 3. 36. 
Y-"wonne, pp. gained, T. iv. 1315; won, 

D 2293 ; arrived, L. 2427. 
Y-worthe,//. become, 3. 579. 
Y-wounde, //. wound, covered up, 12. 

18. 
Y-woven, //. woven, completed, L. 

2360. 
Y-woxen, pp. grown, E 1462. 
Y-writen,//. written, 5. 124, 141. 
Y-writhen, //. wreathed, wrapped 

round, R. 160. 
Y-wroght, //. made, A 196, B 2054; 

shaped, L. 1173; depicted, 3. 327 ; orna- 



132 



(ilossarial Inbtx. 



merited, R. 897 ; Y-wroghte, //. //. 
fashioned, 5. 123. 

Y-'wroken, //. avenged, 16. 26 ; Y-wroke, 
wreaked, T. v. 589. 

Y-vsTronge, p/>. forced, h. 2527. 

Y-wryen, //>. hidden, T. iii. 1451 ; cov- 
ered, A 2904. 

Y-yeve. pp. given, T. iii. 1376; Y-yive, 
T. iii. 1611. 



Z. 

Zeles, //. zeal, T. v. 1859. 

Zod/u, s. pi. beasts, A. i. 21. 61. 

Zodiac, s. zodiac, A. pr. 109. An imagi- 
nary belt in the heavens, of the breadth 
of 12°, along the middle of which runs 
the ecliptic. The Astrolabe only showed 
the not them half ol this belt. 



GLOSSARY TO FRAGMENTS B AND C OF 
THE ROMAUNT OF THE ROSE. 

FRAGMENT B = 11. 1706-5810. 
FRAGMENT C = 11. 5811-7698. 

The following Glossary (which includes proper names) is separated from the preceding because 
Fragments B and C of the Romaunt are not by Chaucer. 

Fragment B abounds in Northern words and forms. Words in Fragment C have ' C ' prefixed 
to the number of the line. 



A, V. (to) have, 4322. 

Abandoun: in abandoun, fully, without 

stint, 2342. 
Abawed, //. amazed, 3646; Abawid, 

4041. 
AbaysBhed, pp. cast down, 3370. 
Abey, v. ( for Abeye), suffer (for it), pay 

(for it), C 6713. See Abye. 
Abiding', s. delay, 2222. 
Abit, s. habit, dress, religious dress, 4914. 
Abit, Abood ; see Abyde. 
Abood, i. delay, C 7697. 
Aboven, adv. in luck, 4352. 
Abraide, v. start up, break forth, 5156; 

Abraid, i pt. s. awoke, 1806; Abreyde, 

//. s. broke out, 3967. 
Abrede, adv. abroad, 2563. 
Absente, pr. s. sub;, abstain, refrain, 

4911. 
Abstinence-Streyned, i. e. Constrained 

Abstinence (personified), C 6341, 7366. 
Abyde, ger. to await, 4910; v. expect, 

5329 ; watch for, 4913 ; Abit, pr. s. 

dwells, 4977, 4989; stays, 5012; Abood, 

I pt. s. endured, waited, 3694. 
Abye, v. pay for, C 5888,5976; Abyeth, 

pr. s. C 7642. 
Accord, I pr. s. agree to, 2083 ; Accorded, 

pt. pi. agreed, C 5815 ; //. reconciled, 

C 5846. 



A-cold, adj. cold, chilly, 2658. 

Acoye, v. quiet, allay, 3564. 

Acquyte, v. defray the expense, pay for, 

C 6742. 
Ado ( for at do) , to do, 5080. 
A-fere, adv. on fire, 4073. 
Afered, //. afraid, 3604. 
Affray, s. terror, 3866; fear, 2034. 
Affrayed,//. frightened, 3113. 
Affye, V. trust, 3155. 
Aforn, adv. formerly, 3952. 
Aftir, prep, according to, 2255. 
Afyne, adv. completely, 3690. 
Agast, adj. afraid, C 6106. 
Ageyn-coming', s. returning, 2518. 
Ageyns, prep, in comparison with, 5536. 
Agilte, pr. s. sinned against, offended, 

<^ 5833. 6784; Agiltest, 2//. s. C 7572. 
Ago, ;*/. gone, 2932. 
A-gree, adv. in good part, 4349. 
A-greef , adv. in bad part ; take not agree/, 

take it not amiss, C 7573. 
Aken, v. ache, C 6908. 
Al, couj. although, 1754. 
Al-day, adv. continually, 2484. 
Alder, adj. gen. pi. of (us) all, C 6948. 
Alderflrst, adv. first of all, C 7505. 
Alegged, pt. pi. alleviated, 1768. See 

Allege. 
Aleggement, s. alleviation, 1890, 1923. 



133 



134 



(glossarial hxbn. 



Algate, adv. alway, always, 5157, C 7477 ; 

at any rate, C 7152. 
Allege, V. exempt (lit. alleviate), C 6626; 

Alleggith,/r. s. alleviates, 2588. 
Allegeaunce, s. alleviation, 1871. 
Allowe, V. approve of, value, 5186. 
Almesse, s. alms, C 6624. 
Al-only, adv. alone, C 5819. 
Alosed,//. noted, famed, 2354. 
Al-out, adv. altogether, 2101, 2935. 
Al-outerly, adv. utterly, C 6302, 7663. 
Alo'we, V. accept, approve of, 5175. 
Also. CO//J. as, C 6767. 
Amende, v. advance, succeed, C 5876. 
Among', adv. sometimes, 2325, 3241, 3304. 
Amourettes, s.pl. sweethearts, 4755. 
Amyas, a curious error ; for At Myas, 

i. e. at Meaux, 3826. F. text, a Miaus. 
And, cojij. if, 2051, 4441. 
Anger, s. pain, anguish, 1877; Angres, 

pi. torments, 2554, 3789. 
Angerly, adv. cruelly, 3511. 
Angre, _^<?/-. to vex, 3526. 
Angry, adj. cruel, 2628, 3265. 
Anguissous, adj. anxious, 1755. 
Anker, s. an anchoress, a female recluse 

shut up either in a cell attached to 

a church, or living under a religious 

rule in her own house, C 6348. 
Anon-right, adv. straightway, 1778. 
Anoy, s. discomfort, pain, vexation, 1919, 

2099, 4404. 
Anoynt,//. anointed, 1888. 
Apaired,/)*. s. injured, C 7522. 
Apayed, pp. satisfied, 2854, 5631. 
Aperceyved,//. s. perceived, C 6312. 
Aperceyving, s. perception, C 6318. 
Apert, adj. open, obvious, C 6621. 
Apostlis newe, i. e. the preaching friars, 

C 6270. 
Apparence, s. mere outward appearance, 

5550 ; evidence, C 7660. 
Apparent, adj. distinct, 2583. 
Appert, adj. open, C 6150. See Apert. 
Appose, v. oppose, C 6555, 7146. F. 

text, oposer. 
A-queynt, pp. acquainted, 3080. 
Aqueyntable, adj. affable, 2213. 
Arace. -■. pull out, 1752. 
Arblasters,j.//.men with crossbows, 4196. 
Ares6netli, pr. s. reasons with, argues, 

C 6220. 
Arest, s. rest (for a spear), C 7561. 
Arette, v. impute, 3327. 
Areyse, v. raise up, 4361 ; rouse, C 7159. 
A-ro'we, adv. in a row, C 7606. 
Ascape. v. escape, get out of the diffi- 
culty, C 6515. 



Asker, j. one who begs, C 6674. 
A-slope, adv. aside, awry, 4464. 
Assay, s. attempt, 3449; quality, temper, 

435°- 

Assayed,//, tried, proved, 2688. 

Asseth, a sufficiency, 5600. 

Assoile, V. absolve, C 6364 ; //. explained, 
C 6557. 

Assoiling, s. absolving, C 6412. 

Assured, //. secured, 4309. 

Astat, s. state, plight, 2416; Astate, con- 
dition, 4672, C 6856. 

Astoned, //. astonished, 3859. 

A-sundir, adv. diversely, 4477. 

A-S'wone, in a swoon, 1736. 

At, prep, at the hands of, from, C 6870; 
At al, at all points, 5249 ; at leeste way, 
at least, C 5827 ; at wordis fewe, in a few 
words, briefly, 2129. 

Attendith, pr. s. attaches itself, apper- 
tains, 5309. 

Attour, .r. array, 3718. 

Augustins, s. pi. Austin Friars, C 7461. 

Aumenere, s. purse for alms, 2271. 

Auntre, v. rejl. venture, 2495. 

A vale, V. descend, 1803. 

Avaunced,//. promoted, C 6951 ; helped, 
3468. 

Avaunt, adv. in advance, forward, 3959, 
4790. 

Avaunt, v. reji. boast, 4788. 

Avauntage, s. profit, 5808. 

Avenaunt, adj. becoming, seemly, 2058 ; 
pleasant, 3679; condescending, 4622. 

Aventure, s. chance, fortune, fate, 2118, 
4376 ; case, C 7308. 

Avouterye, s. adultery, 4954. 

Avysed, i //. s. reJl. ; Avysed me, ap- 
plied myself, 1807. 

Awayte, s. ambush, 4497. 

Awayted, //. watched ; awayted with, 
watched by, 3066. 

Axe, V. ask, C 6559. 

Ayeines,/;^/. against, C 7178. 



Bachilere, s. young knight, 2828. 

Bagge, s. purse, C 6834. 

Baillye, s. custody, jurisdiction, 4217; 

enclosure, C 7574. 
Balaunce, s. suspense, 4667. 
Balis, s.pl. troubles, sorrows, 4441. 
Bane, .c. death, 4491. 
Baren, pt.pl. bare, C 6243. 
Baronage, s. the assembly of barons, 

C 5812. 
Bataile, s. host, C 5849; //. battalions, 

C 7348. 



I^omaunt of tfje l^ase: Parts B, c. 



135 



5atayled,//. battlemented, 4200. 

Jate, -f. strife, 4235. 

3aud, adj. jolly (lit. bold), 5674. 

Jayly, s. bailiff, C 6218. 

Jeau-sire, s. fair sir, C 6053. 

5ede, v. stretcli out (lit. proffer), 1710. 

5ede, pt. s. subj. might pray, C 7374. 

Jedels, s. pi. officers, C 6812. 

tegger, s. Beguin, hence, mendicant, 

C 7282 ; Baggers, Beguins, C 7256. 
legyne, s. Beguine, C 7368. 
Semes, s. pi. trumpets, C 7605. 
ierafte, //. pi. subj. should deprive, 

C 6669. 

tern, s. barn, 5589. 
iesaunt, s. bezant, 5592. 
lesinesse, s. diligence, 3624. 
iestial, adj. stupid, C 6716. 
lete, pr. s. subj. cure, 4441. 
lialacoil, i. e. Bial Acoil, Fair Reception, 

2984, 2999. 301 1. 

iigoon, adj. : luel bigoon, well off, 5533. 
lig-yns, s.pl. Beguines, C 6861. 
liheest, s. promise, 4446, 4474. 
iihote, V. promise, 4446. 
iihove, s. dat. behoof, 2964. 
iilefte, I //. s. remained, 3360. 
limene, Imp. s. >efl. bemoan thyself, 

2667. 

liset, pf. s. employs, 5262. 
Jishet,//. shut up (in prison), 4488. 
lit, //-. s. abides, 5330. 
iitaught, pt. s. commended, 4438. 
litrasshed, //. betrayed, 3910. 
Hake, adj. pi. black (monks), Bene- 
dictines, C 6695. 
tlende, ger. to blind, to deceive, 3954; 

Blent,//, deceived, C 6652. 
Jlered, //. bleared, dimmed, deceived, 

3912. 

Ilinne, v. desist from, C 6611. 
Hyve, adv. quickly; as bl., very quickly, 

2799. 

toden, pp. commanded, 2721. 
>oece, Boethius, 5661. 
!ook ; the book, i. e. the Canon Law, 

C 6385 ; the Bible, C 6636. 
Borders, s.pl. C 691 1. Better reading ; 

for burdens.] 
5'ordillers, s.pl. brothel-keepers, C 7034. 
toro'we, s. pledge, C 7331. 
Josarde, s. buzzard, 4033. 
iote, .t. remedy, 1760. 
iotes, s. pi. boots, 2265, C 7262. 
Jotoun. s. bud, 1721, 1761, 2960. 
Sougerons, s.pl. sodomites, C 7022. 
Sought, pp.: a bought, to have bought, 

4322. 



Bountee, s. kindness, 3147 ; goodness, 

C 6597. 
Braide, ger. to bestir itself, wake up,. 

C7128. 
Braste, ger. to burst, 3186. 
Brede, s. breadth ; on br., abroad, 3635. 
Breken, v. disobey, 3478. 
Brenne, v. burn, 2475. 
Brenning, s. burning, 2727. 
Brere, s. briar, C 6191. 
Brest, V. burst, 4107. 
Breve, adj. short, 2350. 
Brimme, adj. cruel, 1836. 
Brocages, s.pl. contracts, C 6971. 
Brond, s. fire-brand, 3706. 
Burdens, error for Borders, C 6911. 
Burdoun, s. staff, cudgel, 3401. 
Burnettes, s. pi. dresses made of fine 

woollen cloth dyed brown, 4756. 
But-if, conj. unless, 1962. 
Buxom, adj. obedient, pliant, 4419. 
By, prep, in, C 6616; beside, C 7032. 
By and by, in order, 2345 ; precisely, 

4581. 
Bye, V. buy, pay for, 2052. 
Bytinge, pres. part, cutting, C 7420. 

C. 

Caas, s. case, plight, 3374; //. cases, 

"C 6759. 
CaleTveys, s.pl. soft, sweet pears (which 

came from Cailloux in Burgundy), C 

7043- 

Calle, V. recall, 3974. 

Camelyne, s. camel's-hair stuff, C 7367. 

Can, I pr. s. (I) know, 4796; pr. s. under- 
stands, C 5872; Can him no thank, 
offers him no thanks, 2112; Canst, 
2pr. s. feelest, 4399. 

Caribdis, Charybdis, 4713. 

Carmes, s. pi. Carmelites, White Friars, 
C 7462. 

Cas, s. occasion, C 7481. 

Caste, V. rejl. apply himself, 2031; Cast, 
pr. s. casts, 4330 ; considers, 5620 ; Caste, 
pt. s. rejl. set himself, i860. 

Castels in Spayne, castles in the air, 

2573- 
Casting, s. vomit, C 7288. 
Catel, s. property, 5376. 
Cause ; m cause, to blame, 4525. 
Caytif, s. poor wretch, 3554. 
Chace, v. chase away ; do ch., caused to 

be chased away, C 7534. 
Chafe. V. irritate, 3685. 
Chamberere, s. chamber-maid, 4935. 
Chanoun, s. canon, 3278. 



136 



(Jllossarial hxistx. 



Chapitre, s. chapter, C 6532. 
Chapman, s. trader, 5591. 
Charg-id,//. s. instructed, 2145. 
Chasteleyn, s. castellan, governor of 

a castle, C 6327. 
Chasteleyne, s. the wife of a chastelain 

or governor of a castle, 3740. 
Chastye, 1 /;•. s. reprove, C 6993. 
Chere, s. countenance, favour, 3952; 

appearance, 5486, C 6474 ; delight, 3805. 
Cherete, s. fondness, 3516. 
Chese, v. choose, 4426; Chese . . . hem 

\o, pr.pl. choose for themselves, C 6230. 
Chevered, //. shivered, 1732. 
Chevisaunce, s. resource, remedy, 3337. 
Chevise, v. occupy himself (for nie), 

manage (for me), settle my cause, C 

6425;. 
Chiclie, adj. parsimonious, 5588. 
Chideresse, s. scold, virago, 4266. 
Chinche, adj. mean, avaricious, C 5998. 

Nasalised form of Chiche. 
Chinchy, adj. mean, grudging, niggardly, 

C 6002. 
Ciergis,//. wax tapers, C 6248. 
Clarree, s. a sweet liquor consisting of 

a mixture of wine, clarified honey and 

various spices, as pepper and ginger, 

&.C., C 5967, 5971. 
Clepe, V. call, C 5907. 
Clipsy, adj. eclipsed, dim, 5349. 
Clomben,//. climbed up, C 6933. 
Cloos, adj. close, discreet, C 6104. 
Close, V. enclose, 4372. 
Closer, s. enclosure, 4069. 
Cloth, s. dress, C 6345. 
Colour, s. way, manner, C 6282. 
Come, J. coming, C 7628. 
Compas, s. circuit, 1842 ; circumference, 

4183 ; Compace, perfection, 3208. 
Compassen, i pr. pi. study, observe 

closelv, C 6932. 
Complisshen, v. accomplish, 2132. 
Comprende, v. consider, include (in my 

explanation), C 6633. 
Compte, s. counting, account, 5026. 
Comunably, adv. commonly, usually, 

C 7237. 
Comunely, adv. publicly, 4801. 
Comuntee, s. community, common pos- 
session, 5209. 
Concours, s. course, result, 4360. 
Coaestablerye, s. a ward of a castle 

under the command of a constable, 

4218. 
Coninges, s.pl. conies, rabbits, C 7044. 
Conisaunce, s. understanding, know- 
ledge, 5465, 5559 ; acquaintance, 4668. 



Conjecte, i pr.pl. conspire, C 6928. 

Conne, 2 //-. s. subj. mayst be well in- 
structed, 2315. 

Consequence, s. result, C 6448. 

Consolacioun, the ' Consolation of Phi- 
losophy,' 5661. 

Constreynaunee, s. constraint, C 7438. 

Contene, v. remain, 2641 ; refl. bear him- 
self, 2248; Conteyne,z'. contain (himself), 
4923 ; Contene, //•. //. rejl. maintain 
themselves, C 6805. 

Contrarie, s. perplexity, 4478. 

Contrarious, adj. hostile, 3354. 

Controve, v. compose songs, 4249; ger. 
to invent, C 7547. 

Contune, v. continue, 4354, 5332. 

Convay, ger. to accompany, 2428. 

Corage, s. mood, temper, 4928. 

Cordileres, .<. pi. Franciscans, (so called 
from wearing a girdle of rope), C 7461. 

Cornewayle, Cornouaille in Brittany, 
4250. 

Corumpable, adj. corruptible, 4856. 

Cos, s. kiss, 3663. 

Cost, i. coast, place, 3931 ; quarter, 2477. 

Cotidien, adj. quotidian, daily; as s. 
a quotidian ague, 2401. 

Couclien, //■.//. impose, C 6903. 

Countesses, s.pl. C 6860. 

Countours, s.pl. accountants, C 6812. 

Coupe-gorge, s. Cut-throat, C 7422. 

Couth, pp. known, 2000; evident, 4213. 

Coveityse, .v. coveting, desire, 4i2c^; 
covetousness, 5072. 

Covenable, adj. seemly, fitting, suitable, 
C 6020, 6752; excellent, C 7181. 

Covent, s. convent, 4904, C 7380. 

Coverchief, s. kerchief, head-covering, 
C 7369. 

Covert, adj. secret, hidden up, C 6149. 

Coverture, s. concealment, 2172. 

Covyne, s. intrigue, secret plan, 3799. 

Coy, adj. quiet, hidden, 4297. 

Crece,j-. increase, progeny, 4875. {Fortened 
crece seems to mean destroyed progeny, 
i. e. abortion.) See crease (= increase) 
in the New E. Diet. 

Croce, J. crozier, C 6470. 

Crownet, j. coronet, 3203. 

Cunne, v. shew; cunne him maugree, 
shew him ill-will, 4559; i pr. pi. can, 
C 5879; pr. pi. know (how), C 6174; 
pr. s. subj. be able, C 5992. 

Cure, s. charge, 1962, C 6562; care, 4222; 
cause of care, 2456 ; heed, C 7557 ; aid, 
C6752; jurisdiction, 3540. 

Curious, adj. diligent, zealous, C 6578, 
6590. 



Eomaunt of tfje Ease: Parts b, c. 



137 



Customere, adj. accustomed, 4936. F. 

text, cotistumiere. 
Cut, pr. s. cuts, C 6198. 



Daggres, s. pi. loose tags or shreds of 
cloth, C 7260. (I can find no exact 
account of the fastening here referred 
to ; I suppose that the dugges, or tape- 
like strips, had button-holes, through 
which the hioppes or buttons passed.) 

Daliaunce, s. talk, 2850. 

Dampning-, s. damnation, C 6643. 

Dar, pf. s. dare, 6049. 

Daunce ; the olde d., the old game, 4300. 

Daungere, s. resistance, 1932 ; reluctance, 
2318; power, control, 2051. 

Daungerous, adj. shy, reluctant, back- 
ward, 2312; hard to please, 2824; cruel, 

3594. 3727- 
Daunte. v. conquer, subdue, 3300. 
Daunting', s. taming, 4032. 
Dawed, pt. s. subj. would dawn, 2633. 
Dawes, j-. pi. days, 2838, C 6616. 
Debonairly, adv. graciously, pleasantly, 

2382. 
Defaute, s. lack, 5789. 
Defenced.,//. defended, 4310. 
Defensable, adj. helping to defend, 4168. 
Defoule, v. trample down, C 6000. 
Defyle, v. bruise, C 7317. 
Deg'l'ee, j-. rank, C 7214 ; manner, C 7442. 
Deignous, adj. disdainful, 3593. 
Del, s. deal; Dele, bit, least thing, 5139; 

not . , a del, not a whit, C 6897,7433; 

never a del, not at all, C 6036 ; every del, 

every whit, C 6017. 
Delectacioun, s. delight, 4821. 
Deles (Northern form), pr. s. distributes, 

5419- 
Deliciously, adv. daintily, C 6729. 
Deliverly, adv. quickly, 1927, 2283, 3005. 
Delyces, s.pl. pleasures, C 7281. 
Demeigne, s. possession, ownership, 

5586; Demeyne, dominion, rule, 3310. 
Demene, v. put up with, 5238. 
Depart, v. divide, 2367, 5279. 
Departing, s. division, 4613. 
Dere, v. injure, destroy, 4336; //. 2100. 
Desert, s. deserving, 4269. 
Desperaunce, s. desperation, 1872. 
Desporte, ger. to cheer, to divert, 2014. 
Despyt, jr. aversion, C 5996. 
Dever, s. endeavour, 5299. 
Deviaunt, adj. divergent, turned away, 

4789. 
Devoid, adj. free, 4312. 
Devoided,//. removed, 2929. 



Devyne, v. interpret, 3800. 

Devys, s. disposal, 1974; will, 3621; by 

devys, to judge from her appearance (?), 

3205. (F. text, et a son vis.) 
Deyned, //. s. subj.; him deytied, it 

appeared good to him, C 6950. 
Deynous, adj. disdainful, 3728. 
Deyntee, s. value, 2677. 
Diffyne, v. define, 4807. 
Dight, v. prepare, 4240. 
Discomfit,//', disconcerted, 4067. 
Discordaunce, s. disagreement, 4715, 

5208 ; discordant melody, 4251. 
Hiscor 6.e. ger. to disagree, 4716. 
Discreven, 2 pr.pl. describe, 4803. 
Disdeinous, adj. disdainful, C 7412. 
Disese, s. uneasiness, 5244. 
Disese, ger. to trouble, 3526. 
Disgysen, v. apparel, 2250; Disgyse, 

I pr. s. disguise, C 6358. 
Dishonest, adj. unfair, unreasonable, 

3442 ; immodest, 4262. 
Disordinat, adj. inordinate, 4816. 
Dispendith, //-.//. spend, 5681. 
Dispitous, adj. unmerciful, spiteful, C 

6162; malicious, froward, 2212, 3457. 
Displesaunce, s. displeasure, 3436. 
Disport, s. delight, 3468 ; happiness, 2894. 
Disrewlily, adv. irregularly, 4900. 
Disseise, v. dispossess, deprive, (F. des- 

saisir), 2076. 
Disserve, v. deserve, 3093. 
Disseyved, //. deceived, C 6628. 
Dissolucioun, s. dissoluteness, 4898. 
Distincte, v. distinguish, C 6199. 
Distoned, adj. out of tune, 4248. 
Ditee, s. discourse, 5286, 5652. 
Divyne, s. divinity, C 6488. 
Do, V. cause ; do make, cause to be made, 

2080; pr. s. subj. accomplish, C 5869; 

Doand (Northern), pres. part, doing, 

2708 ; Don, pp. put, placed, C 6564. 
Dole, s. lamentation, mourning, 2956, 

4317. O. F. doel. 
Dolven,//. buried, 4070. 
Dom, s. dumb, 2220, 2409, 2492. 
Dool, s. grief, 4480. 
Dool, s. portion ; halfen dool, half portion, 

halving (it), 2364. 
Doth, pr. s. causes, 2772, 2786, 2790 ; brings, 

5558 ; gives, 1984. 
Double, adj. twofold, 1756. 
Doublenesse, s. double-dealing, du- 
plicity, 2366. 
Doun,' come down, C 5868. 
Dout, .f. fear, 2102. 
Doutable. adj. doubtful, 5413 ; imperilled, 

unstable, C 6274. 



F 2 



138 



#lo00artal Enticr. 



Doute, V. fear, 2023 ; i //-. s. 2108 ; 7. pr.pl. 
2079. 

D outing-, s. doubt, C 6074. 

Draught, s. draught, bout, act, 4869. F. 
text, Car inaint n'i trairoient ja trait. 

Drede, s. doubt; withouten dr., witliout 
doubt, 2199, 2251, C 6214; Dread (per- 
sonified), 3958, 5861. 

Drerihed, j. sorrow, 4728. 

Dresse, v. prepared, 1773; //'. s. sitbj. rejl. 
set himself, C 6535. 

Dreye, adj. dry, 1743. 

Droug^h, //. s. drew, 1725. 

T>vo\xa.e, ger. to be drowned, 4710, 5022. 

Druery, s. loyal affection, 5064. 

Drye, v. suffer, undergo, 4390; endure, 
3105 ; ger. to fulfil, C 7484. 

Dulle, I pr. s. become stupefied, 4792. 

Dure, V. last, endure, C 6841. 

Duresse, s. severity, 3547, 3570. 

Dwelling', s. delay, 2440. 

Dyamaunt, j. adamant, 4385. 

Dyden,/A//. died, C 6245. 

Dyne, v. as s. dinner, C 6500. 

E. 

Eche, V. add, 1994; help, aid, 4618. 

Effect, s. reality, 5486. 

Eft, adv. again, 1783. 

Eftsone, adv. soon afterwards, C 6094; 

Eftsones, C 6649. 
Egre, adj. acid, 4179. 
Egre, adv. sharply, 5474. 
Elde, s. old age, 4885. 
Eleng'enesse, s. solitariness ; hence, 

sadness, disquietude, C 7406. F. text, 

S0USS2. 

Ells, s. p/. eels, C 7039. 

EUes, a£3?f. otherwise, in all other respects, 

3429- 

Empressid, //. pressed, 3691. 

Empryse, s. undertaking, care, 2147; 
doings, 3508; enterprise, C 5825 ; design, 
1972; conduct, action, 2186; privilege, 
2008 ; rule, 4905. 

Enchesoun, s. occasion, 2504, 3982, 4242. 

Enclyne, v. be subject (to), respect, bow 
down (to), C 6814. 

Encombre, v. disturb, 5434 ; pr. s. impor- 
tunes, teases, C 6675; pr.pl. perplex, 
4482; //. annoyed, C 7628. 

Enfaunce, s. infancy, youth, 4288. 

Enforce, v. compel, C 6407; pr. pi. rejl. 
endeavour, C 6275 ; //. augmented, 
4499. 

Engendrure, s. procreation, 4849. 

Engreveth, //-. s. displeases, 3444. 



Enhaunce, ger. to exalt, advance, C 7246. 

Enlang'oured, adj. faded with langour, 
pale, C 7399. 

Bnlumined, //. illumined, 5344. 

Enpryse, s. quickness of movement, 2636. 
See Empryse. 

Enquestes, s. pi. legal inquisitions, C 
6977. 

Ensure, \ pr. s. assure, 4850; //. C 7212. 

Entayle, s. figure, shape, 371 1. 

Entencioun, s. attention, 4701 , intent, 
C 6258; diligence, 2027; 0/ e., inten- 
tionally, 2976; //. meaning, drift, C 
7170. 

Entende, v. pay attention, 2153. 

Entendement, s. intention, 2188. 

Entent, s. mind, 2187; purpose, 2488; 
disposition, 5696; endeavour, 3906; in- 
tention, design, C 5811, 5869. 

Ententif , adj. diligent, careful, 2022 ; adv. 
1720. 

Entermete, v. rejl. intermeddle, interfere, 
2966 ; I pr. s. rejl. busy (myself with) , C 
6971. 

Entremees, s.pl. entremets, dainty meats, 
C 6841. 

Entremete, v. interfere, C 6635, 7233; 
ger. C 6503 ; ger. rejl. C 5946 ; I pr. s. 
intermeddle, interfere, C 6498, 6840 ; pr. 
s. C 5921. 

Enviroun, adv. about, 3203,4163; round 
about, 4203. 

Enviroune, i /;•. //. go about, C 7017. 

Equipolences, j.//. equivocations, equi- 
vocal expressions, C 7076. 

Erke, adj. weary, wearied, 4867. 

Ernes, s. ardour (of love), 4838. 

Ernest, s. earnest, pledge, 3680. 

Ers, s. posteriors (F. cul), C 7578. 

Espleyten, v. perform, execute, C 6174. 

Espye, s. spy, 3871. 

Establisshing', s. decree, C 6369. 

Estate, s. state of life, position, 4901. 

Estres, s. pi. recesses, inner parts, 3626. 

Existence, s. reality, 5549, C 7470. 

Expowne, ger. to expound, C 7172. 

Eyth, adj. easy, 3955. A. S. eab. 

F. 

Fable, s. deceitfulness, C 6602. 
Fade, adj. pallid, faded, 2399. 
Fadome, s.pl. fathoms, 4159. 
Failed, //. as adj. wanting, defective, C 

7470. 
Fainte. adj. feigned, C 7405. 
Fairhede, s. fairness, beauty, 2484. 
Fallaces, s. pi. deceits, C 7077. 



SSlomaunt of t{)e '^a&e: ^arts B, c. 



139 



Fallith, /r. s. impers. befits, 4025 ; belongs, 
C 6976. 

Falsen,//-.//. deceive, 4833. 

Fand, pt. pi. found, 2707. 

Fard, imp. s. paint, 2285. 

Fardels, s. pi. loads, bundles, 5683. 

Fare, s. welfare, condition, C 6498. 

Fare, v. depart, vanish away, C 6045 ; 
//-. //. go, 5564 ; journey, 5509 ; //. gone, 
2710. 

Faute, s. fault, defect, 3837. 

Pawe, adj. fain, blithe, C 6476. 

Fay, s. faith, 2155, 5106. 

Fee, s. property, fief, C 6044. 

Fears, adj. fierce, 3372. 

Feeste, s. encouragement, 5061. 

Fel, adj. cruel, savage, 221 1 ; harsh, 4028 ; 
stern, C 7342; Felle,//. painful, 3789. 

Felde-fare, s. field-fare, 5510. 

Fele, adj. many, 4446, C 6038. 

Fele, V. perceive (smell), 1844. 

Feller, adj. comp. crueller, 4103. 

Felones, adj. pi. evil, wicked, C 6711. 
His f. iangelinges, his evil pratings, his 
injurious talk. Suggested by F. Maugre 
les felonesses jangles ; v^hexe /elonesses is 
a plural adjective ; see Godefroy. 

Feloun, adj. cruel, C 5998. 

Fere, s. fire, 2471, 5086. 

Fered,//. fired, inflamed, 5278. 

Fetisly, adv. neatly, perfectly, 2267. 

Fetys, adj. well-made, 2088. 

Peynte, adj. feigned, 5563. 

Feyntyse, s. deceit, guile, 2947, 2998, 
3492; evasion, 1971. 

Fiaunce, s. confidence, trust, 5481. 

Fil, //. s. fell, condescended, 3437 ; Fille, 
pt.pl. found themselves, C 5813. 

Fit, s. mood, 5197. 

Flawme, s. flame, 3707. 

Flawnes, s.pl. flawns; a dish composed 
of new cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, 
coloured with saffron and baked in 
small tins called ' coffins ' ; C 4042. 

Flay n,//. flayed, C 7316. Miswritten slayn. 

Flemed, ;*/. s. exiled, drove into exile, 
3052, C 6781. A. S. flyman. 

Ploytes, s.pl. flutes, 4251. 

Poles, gen. fool's, 5266. 

Poly, adj. foolish, 4299, 5085. 

Fond, adj. foc^ish, 5367. 

Ponde, V. attempt, 5858. 

Poole, adj. foolish, C 7539. 

Poon, //. foes, 5552, C 6940. 

Poote, V. dance formally, 2323. 

Foot-hoot, adv. instantly, 3827. 

For, prep, to prevent, 4229; for fear of, 
2365 ; on account of, 2190. 



Forboden, /;5. forbidden, C 6616. 

Force, s.; I yeve no force, I care not, 
4602; ('/"/;, necessarily, 1796. 

Fordone,//, undone, '4339. 

Fordrive. //. scattered, 3782. 

Forewardis, forwards; hennes f., hence- 
forward, C 7304. 

Forfare, v. perish, 5388, 5778. 

For-ofte, adv. very often" 4876. 

For-peyned, //. distressed, 3693. 

Forsake, v. refuse, 2822 ; withstand, 1876. 

Porstere, s. forester, C 6329. 

Fortened, //. destroyed, 4875. (Or per- 
haps ' obstructed ' ; cf. A. S. fortyman, to 
shut up.) See Crece. 

Forthenke, v. rue, repent, 3957, 4060. 

Forthy, conj. because; ?iot/., not on that 
account, {perhaps) nevertheless, 4509. 

Forwandred,//. spent with wandering, 
3336. 

Forwardis, s. pi. agreements, C 7303. 

Porwerreyd, //. utterly defeated, 2564. 

Porwery, adj. tired out, 3336. 

For-why, wherefore, 1743. 

Forwoundid, //. sorely wounded, 1830. 

Foryet. v. forget, 3243 ; pr. s. C 6538. 

Foryeve, ger. to abandon, give up, 3438. 

Fraunchyse, s. liberty, 4906; nobility, 
2007 ; generosity, 3003 ; Bounty, 3501 ; 
Freedom, C 5865. 

Frere, s. friar, C 7377; Friar Wolf, C 
6424. 

Freres Prechours, s. pi. preaching 
friars, i. e. the Prechours, or Dominican 
friars, C 7458. 

Fret, pp. fretted, adorned, 3204 ; set, 4705. 

Fretted, //. furnished, lit. ornamented, 

C 7259- 

Prouncen,/r.//. shew wrinkles, C 7261 ; 

Frounced,//, wrinkled, 3137. 
Pyne, v. cease, 1797 ; pr. pi. subj. end, 

depart, 5356. 

G. 

Gabbeth, pr. s. speaks falsely, lies, C 

6700. 
Gabbing, s. lying, C 7602, 7612. 
Gadring', s. accumulation, 5782. 
Garisotin. s. healing, 3248 ; garrison, 4279. 
Garnement, s. dress, 2256. 
Garnisoun, s. fortress, 4204. 
Gate, s. way, wise, 3332, 5167, 5230 

(Northern). 
Gentilnesse, s. kindness, 4605; good. 

breeding, 2005 ; nobilitv, 5237. 
Gerner, s. garner, C 5988. 
Gesse ; withoute gesse, doubtless, 2817. 
Geten, //. gotten, 5701. 



140 



(glossarial hxtitx. 



Getingr, s. obtaining, attainment, 3284. 

Gibbe, Gib (Gilbert), a cat, C 6204. 

Ginne, s. warlike engine, 4176. 

Ginneth, pr. s. begins, 2154. 

Gisarme, s. a weapon bearing a scythe- 
like blade fixed on a shaft and provided 
also with a spear-point like a bayonet, 
C 5978. 

Giterne, o-er. to play on the guitar, 2321. 

Glose, V. flatter, 5097; //. explained, C 
6890. 

Gloumbe, v. frown, look glum, 4356. 

Gnede, s. stingy person, C 6002. (Mis- 
written grede^ 

Go, pp. gone, 2423; empty, C 6834. 

Gonfanoun, s. gonfalon, banner, 2018. 

Gospel Perdurable, The Everlasting 
Gospel, C 7102. 

Graithe, v. dress, array, C 7368. 

Graunt mercy, best thanks, C 7504. 

Gree, (i) s. way (lit. grade) ; in no maner 
gree, in no kind of way, 5743. 

Gree, (2) j. favour; iz//^ ^r^^, with favour, 
4574 ; take at gree, accept with a good 
will, 1969 ; in gree, in good part, 2306. 

Grete, \pr. s. weep, lament, 4116 (North- 
ern). 

Greves, s.pl. thickets, 3019. 

Groffe, adv. face downward, 2561. 

Groine, pr. s. subj. grumble, murmur, C 
7049. 

Grucchen, pr. pi. subj. grumble at, be- 
grudge, C 6465. 

Gruccliing, s. refusal, C 6439. 

Grype, v. seize, C 5983. 

Guerdoning, s. reward, 2380, C 5908. 

Gyler, s. beguiler, 5759. 

Gype, ,f. frock; perhaps a smock-frock 
(alluding to the numerous gathers in 
the front of it), C 7262. 

H. 

Ha, V. have, 5569. 

Hade, zpt. s. haddest, 2400. 

Halp, //. s. helped, 191 1. 

Halt, pr. s. refi. considers himself, 4901 ; 

keeps, C 7032. 
Hardement, s. courage, 1827, 2487, 3392. 
Harlotes, s.pl. rascals, ribalds, C 6068. 
Harneis, s. armour, gear, C 7477- 
Harneys, v. refi. dress, equip thyself, 

2647. 
Hat, adj. hot, 2398. 

Hatter, adj. comp. hotter, more hotly, 2475. 
Haunt, V. practise, 4868; ger. to haunt, 

frequent, C 6601 ; pr. s. subj. practise, C 

7029. 



Haunting, s. haunt, abode, C 6081. 
Hauteyn, adj. haughty, C 6101 ; fern. 

3739- 
Havoir, s. having, 4720. 
Haye, s. hedge, 2971, 2987. 
Hele, V. conceal, 2858; ger. 2522; pr.pl. 

C 6882. 
Hele, s. health, 4721. 
Hem, /;■(?«. them, 2218. 
Hemmes, s.pl. phylacteries, C 6912. 
Hend, adj. ready, useful, 3345. 
Hente, ger. to seize, 3364; pt. s. 1730, 

4092; pt. pi. snatched, C 7136; //. 

plucked, C 7644. 
Herber, imp. pi. take up your abode, C 

7586; 2//. s. didst harbour, 5107. 
Herbergere, s. host, entertainer, C 7585 ; 

pi. 5000. 
Herberwe, s. shelter, lodging, C 6201, 

7495- 

Herberwe, v. shelter, lodge, C 6145. 

Herde, s. shepherd, C 6453 ; //. C 6561. 

Herie, pr. pi. honour, praise, C 6241. 
A. S. herian. 

Hertly, adj. true-hearted, 5433. 

Het, pp. heated, 3709. 

Heten, v. promise, C 6299. 

Hight, pr. s. is named, C 6341 ; //. pro- 
mised, 2803. 

Hoked, adj. hooked, furnished with 
hooks, 1712; barbed, 1749. 

Hole, adj. whole, complete, 5443. 

Holtes, s. pi. plantations, C 6996. 

Homager, s. vassal, 3288. 

Hoolly, adv. wholly, 1970. 

Hoomly, adj. homely, familiar, C 6320. 

Hoor, adj. gray-haired, C 6335 ; Hore, 
adj. hoary, gray, 3196; pi. hoary (a fre- 
quent epithet' of trees, perhaps with 
reference to trees of great age), C 6996. 

Hornpypes, s. pi. musical instruments, 
formed of pipes made of horn, 4250. 

Hostilers, s. as adj.pl. keeping an inn, C 
7033. 

Hoteth, /;-. s. promises, 5422 ; pr.pl. 5444. 

Housel, V. give the Host (to), C 6438. 

Hulstred, //. concealed, hidden, C 6146. 

Humanitee, s. human nature, 5655. 

Hy, -f. haste ; in hy, in haste, 2393, 3591. 



\c\x,pron. I, C 6787. 

If, conj. if (i. e. if the matter be wisely in- 
quired into) , 4454. 
Imped,//, engrafted, 5137- 
Impes, s. ph grafts, C 6293. 
Importable, adj. insufferable, C 6902. 



teiomaunt of tf)e Hose: Parts B, c. 



141 



In-fere, adv. together, 4827. 
Isse, V. issue, 1992. 

J. 

Jang-leth, pr. s. prattles, C 7540. 
Jangling, s. prating, chattering, C 5852; 

//. idle words, C 671 1. 
Jape, s. jest, C 7519; pi- tricks, C 6835. 
Jape, I pr. s. mock, scoff at, C 6471. 
Jolily, adv. after a jolly sort, C 7031 ; 

pleasantly, 2248; nicely, neatly, 2284; 

deservedly, C 7664. 
Joly, adj. fine, gay, C 7248. 
Jolynesse, s. joUiness, joy, 2302. 
Joweles, s.p/. jewels, 2092, 5420. 
Joyne, i pr. s. enjoin, 2355. 
Jupartye, s. jeopardy, 2666. 

K. 

Kembe, imp. s. comb, 2284. 

Kenne, v. show, teach, 2476. 

Kepe, s. heed, 3475. 

Kepe, V. keep; kepe forth, perpetuate, 

4854 ; I pr. s. care, C 6440 ; keep, 3476 ; 

care, wish, C 6083 ; pr. pi. care, C 6093. 
Kernels, s. pi. battlements, 4195. F. text, 

les creniaus. 
Kerving, pres.pt. as adj. cutting, 3813. 
Kesse, v. kiss, 2006. 

Kid, //. made known, 2172 ; evident, 3132. 
Kirked, adj. crooked(?), 3137. 
Knet, //. knit, fastened, 4700, 4811; //. 

//. fast bound, 2092. 
Knewe, i pt. s. subj. disclosed, C 6090. 
Knopped, pp. fastened, C 7260. A k7ioppe 

is properly a button ; hence knoppen, to 

fasten with a button. 

L. 

Laas, .f. toils, snare, C 6029, 6648 ; Lace, 
cord, string, C 7373; net, 2792; snare, 

5093- 
Laced, pp. entangled, caught, 3178. 
Lakke, 2 pr.pl. blame, 4804. 
Lambren, s.pl. lambs, C 7013. 
Largesse, s. liberality, 2354; C 5853. 
Las, J-, net, 2790. See Laas, Lace. 
Late, ger. to let, permit, allow, 3145, C 

6676 ; v. let, 5574 ; Lat. /;-. s. lets remain, 

5493- 
Lauh.'witli, pr. s. laughs, 2294. 
Lay, s. law, religious belief, C 6749. 
Leaf, adj. willing, 2335. 
Lees, J. //. lies ; witkoiiten lees, truly, 

3904, 5728. 



Leful, adj. allowable, permissible, 5195. 

Lit. ' leave-ful." 
Leggen, ger. ease, relieve, 5016. (Short 

for aleggen.) 
Lames, s.pl. rays, 5346. 
Lemman, s. sweetheart, C 6056, 6305. 
Lene, v. lend, 3053, C 7026. 
Lening ; in lening, as a loan, 2373. 
Lepand, pres. part, running (with short 

jumps), 1928. 
Lere, ger. to teach, 2143, 2149; v. teach, 

5152; learn, 2451, 4808. 
Lered, adj. learned, C 6217. 
Lese, V. lose, C 5915, 5924; pr. s. 2149. 
Lesing, s. lie, falsehood, 2174, 4835. 
Let,/r. s. leads (his life), C 6111. 
Late, V. cease, 2463 ; leave, C 6457 ; let 

alone, C 6556; abandon, C 6169; allow, 

permit, 6458 ; i pr. s. leave, C 6354 ; 

abandon, C 6997 ; pp. let, 1791. 
Lette, s. let, hindrance, 3756. 
Letten, v. hinder, 3590 ; delay, 3940 ; 

stop, 1832 ; cease, 2807 ; desist, 1832. 
Letting, s. hindrance, C 5931. 
Lattrure, s. literature, writing, C 6751. 
Lave, v. believe, 3303. 
Leve, V. live, 2336. 
Lever, adv. rather, C 6793 ; me -ivere lever, 

I had rather, C 6168. 
Lewd, adj. lay (folk), the ignorant, C 

6217. 
Lewedist, adj. superl. most ignorant, 

4802. 
"LtBY^-pt-pl. lay, lived, C 6572, 
Liche, adv. alike, equally, 4160. 
Ligging, />;•. //. lying down, 4002. 
Likerous, adj. licentious, 4264. 
Likly, adj. similar, 4852. 
Lisse, V. abate, 4128 ; ger. to be eased, to 

feel relief, 3758. 
List, s. pleasure, will, 1957. 
List,//-, s. wishes, C 6139. 
Loigne, s. tether, 3382, C 7050. 
Loke,//. locked up, 2092. 
Long: of lo>ig passed, of old, 3377. 
Longith,//-.\r. befits, 2321. 
Loos, s. renown, reputation, 2310, C 6103 ; 

ill fame, C 7081. 
Lorn, //. lost, 4327, 4502, 4508, C 5973. 
Losengeours, s.pl. deceivers, 2693. 
Loteby, s. paramour, C 6339. 
Lough,//, s. laughed, C 7^295. 
Loure, pr. s. subj. scowl, C 7049. 
Loute, V. bow, 4384; bow down, C 7336; 

pr.pl. subj. bow down, C 6917. 
Lo'wa, ger. to appraise, i. e. to be valued 

at, 4532. 
Luce, J. pike (fish), C 7039. 



142 



(^l000arial Intiei. 



Lyflode, s. livelihood, 5602, C 6663. 

Lyken, ;'. please, 1854, C 6131. 

Lyte, ddj. little, small, 2279, 3557; adv. C 

7551- 
Lythe, adj. delicate, 3762, 

M. 

Maat, adj. bewildered, overcome, 1739. 

See Mate. 
Maistryse, j. strength, dominion, 4172. 
Make, ^^^er. to cause, C 5931 ; /^. //. pro- 
pound, C 6186. 
Male, s. bag, wallet, 3263 ; money-bag, C 

6376. 
Maltalent, s. ill-humour, 3438. 
Mangonel, s. a military engine on the 

principle of the sling-staft" for casting 

stones, a catapult, C 6279. 
Mar, iidj. greater, 2215 ; adv. more, 1854. 
Marchandise, .f. barter, C 5902. 
Mare, adv. more, 2709. 
Markes.//. marks (coins), C 5986. 
Marreth,/;-. s. disfigures, 4679. 
Mate, adj. distracted, 5099; downcast, 

4671; dispirited, 3167,3190. See Maat. 
Maugree, s. ill-wiil, 4399 ; reproach, 3144 ; 

/>n:/>. in spite of, C 6711 ; 7naugie yoiiies, 

in spite of you, C 7645. 
Mayme, v. maim, C 6620; pr. s. wounds, 

5317. See Meygned. 
Maysondewe, s. hospital, 5619. 
Medle, v. mterfere, 3788 ; Media, v. refi. 

meddle; ;«. him of, deal with, C 6050; 

to medle, for meddling, 4545. 
Meke, v. mollify, 3394 ; have mercy, 3541 ; 

Meked, pt. s. i efl. humbled himself, 3584. 
Mendience, s. beggary, mendicancy, C 

6657, 6707. 
Mene, s. mean, middle state, C 6527. 
Mene, adj. middle, tnean, 4844. 
Mene. i //•. s. bemoan, 2596. 
Menour, Minorite, Franciscan friar, C 

6338. 
Mes, s. at good nies, at a favourable op- 
portunity, 3462. O. F. tnes. 
Mete, adj. meet, fitted, 1799. 
Mete, v. meet, succeed, 4571. 
Mevable, adj. moveable, 4736. 
Meve, V. move, incite, 2327. 
Mewe, s. coop, cage (a falconry term), 

4778. 
Meyg-ned, //. hurt, maimed, 3356. See 

Mayme. 
Meynee, s. household, C 6870, 7156. 
Meynt, pp. mingled, 1920; Meynd, 2296. 
Mich, adj. many, 2258, 5555. 
Micher. s. thief, C 6541, 



Miches, s. pi. small loaves of finest 
wheaten flour, 5585. 

Mis, adj. amiss, wrong, 3243. 

Mischeef, s. misfortune, C 6731. 

Misericorde, s. mercy, 3577. 

Misseying', s. evil-speaking, 2207. 

Mister, j. occupation, trade, C 6976; 
whatever mister, of every kind of occu- 
pation, C 6332. 

Mistere, s. need, C 7409. 

Mis'wey, adv. astray, 4764. 

Mixens, s.pl. dunghills, C 6496, 

Mo, adj. pi. others besides, 3023; more 
(in number), C 5990. 

Mochel, adj. great, 3117 ; to m., too much, 
3442. 

Moeble, s. moveable property, C 6045. 

Moeve, v. move, i. e. prefer, make, C 6039. 

Moneste, i//-.j^. admonish, charge, 3579. 

Monyours, s. pi. coiners, C 6811. 

Mot, pr. s. must, 3784 ; so vtote I go, as I 
hope to walk about, C 6591. 

Mcwe, V. be able, 2644. 

Musard, s. muser, dreamer, C 7562; slug- 
gard, 3256, 4034; dolt, C 7562. 

Muwis, s.pl. bushels, 5590. 

N. 

Nathelesse, nevertheless, C 6195. 
Ne, coijj. unless, 4858. 
Nede. adv. necessarily, C 7633. 
Nedely, adv. needs must, C 61 17. 
Neden, v. be necessary, C 5990. 
Nedes, s. pi. necessities, C 6174. 
Nedes, adv. of necessity, 1792. 
Neer. adv. nearer, 1708. See Nerre. 
Neigh it nere, v. approach it more 

nearly, 2003. 
Nempned, //. named, mentioned, C 6224. 
Nere, were not, were it not for, 2778; 

were there not, 2778 ; had it not been 

for, C 7328. 
Nerre, adj. co/np. nearer, 5101. 
Neven, v. name, C 5962 ; recount, C 7071. 
Nil, //-. s. will not, C 5821, 6045. 
Nomen, //. //. took, C 7423 ; //. taken, 

5404- 

Noncerteyne, adj. uncertain, 5426. 

Nones, for the, for the nonce, occasion- 
ally, C 7387. 

Noiine, s. nun, C 6350. 

Noot, I //•. s. know not, C 6367. 

Noriture, s. bringing up, C 6728. 

Norys, s. nurse, 5418. 

Not, I /;-. s. know not, 5191. 

Note-kernel, s. nut-kernel, C 7117. 

Noye, J. hurt, 3772. 



Eamaunt of t|^e Eose: ^arts B, c. 



143 



Noyen, ger. to vex, 4416. 

Noyous, adj. harmful, 3230, 4449. 

Noyse, s. evil report, 3971. 

Nyce, adj. foolish,sill3', 4262, 4877, C 6944. 

Nycetee, .r. foolishness, 5525. 

Nyghe, v. approach, 1775. 



ObeyssMng-, s. submission, 3380. 

Of, prep, out of, owing to, 3981 ; con- 
cerning (Lat. de), 4884; off, 5470; 
(some) of, (part) of, 1993. Or it may 
mean ' by," ' on account of.' 

Offense, s. discomfort, 5677. 

Of-newe, adv. newly, afresh, 5169. 

Onlofte,//v/. aloft, on high, 5503. 

Oon, adj. one, 4812; in ooii, without 
change, 3779. 

Ostages, s.pL hostages, 2064, C 7311. 

Other-g-ate, adv. otherwise, 2158. 

Oug'ht, adv. in any way, C 6096. 

Outake, /;•(•/. except, 4474. 

Outerly, adv. wholly, utterly, 3489, 3742. 

Outrage, s. wrong, 2082, 2086; scanda- 
lous life, 4927; outrageous deeds, C 
6024 (mistranslated). 

Outrageous, adj. exceeding great, 2602 ; 
ill-behaved, 2192. 

Outslinge, v. fling out, C 5987. 

Out-take, /;r/. except, C 5819. 

Over-al, adz>. everywhere, 3050, 3914. 

Overgo, V. pass away, 3784; pr.pl. tram- 
ple on, C 6821. 

Overwhelme, v. roll over, 3775. 

Ow, \ pr. s. ought, 4413. 

P. 

Palasyns, adj. pi. belonging to the 

palace ; ladyes palasyns, court ladies, C 

6862. 
Papelard, s. hypocrite, deceiver, C 7283. 
Papelardye, s. hypocrisy, C 6796. 
Parage, .r. parentage, descent, 4759. 
Par-amour, with devotion, 2830. 
Paramour, s. paramour, lover, 5060. 
Paramours, adv. with a lover's affection, 

4657- 
Parceners, s. pi. partners, C 6952. 
Parcuere, adv. by heart, 4796. 
Pardee, Y.pardieu, 4433, C 5913. 
Parfay, by my faith, C 6058. 
Part, c duty, 5032. 
Parte, v. divide, 5283. 
Party, s. part; in party, partially, 5338. 
Parvys, .r. room over a church-porch, 

C 7108. 



Pas; fl/(2j, apace, quickly, 3724. 

Passaunt, adj. surpassing, 31 10. 

Passe, V. penetrate, 1751. 

Patre, v. recite the paternoster, C 6794. 

Pay, 5. satisfaction, C 5938; liking, taste, 
1721 ; 7He to pay, to my satisfaction, C 
6985. 

"Basye, ger. to appease, 3599. 

Peire, v. damage, C 6103. 

Peire of bedis, s. rosary, C 7372. 

Pens. s.pl. pence, C 5987. 

Pensel, s. a standard, ensign, or banner, 
(particularly of bachelors-in-arms), a 
pennon eel, C 6280. 

Pepir, s. pepper, (metaphorically) mis- 
chief, C 6028. 

Perauntre, adv. peradventure, 5192. 

Percas, adv. perchance, C 6647. 

Persaunt, adj. piercing, 2809; sharp, 
4179. 

Pese, ger. to appease, 3397. 

Pesible, adj. peaceable, gentle, C 7413. 

Peyne, s. penalty, C 6626; pain, hard- 
ness, 2120; lip peyne, ow pain (of death), 
C 6617. 

Peyne, v. rejl. endeavour, C 7512; pr. s. 
reji. takes pains, C 6014. 

Piment, s. spiced wine or ale, C 6027. 

Pitous, adj. excusable, deserving pity, 
4734; merciful, C 6161. 

Plat, adv. fiat, flatly, 1734, C 7526. 

Pleyne, v. lament, complain, 2299, C 6405. 

Pleynt, s. complaint, C 6012. 

Plight,//, s. plucked, 1745. 

Plongeth, //•. s. plunges, 5472. 

Plyte, s. affair, C 5827. 

Poeste, J-. power, virtue, 2095. 

Pole, s. pool, C 5966. 

Port, s. demeanour, manner, 2038, 2192; 
Porte, 4622. 

Porte-colys, s. portcullis, 4168. 

Possed, pp. pushed, tossed, 4479; pp. 
driven, 4625. 

Potente, s. crutch, C 7417. 

Poustee, s. power, influence, C 6533, 
6957. 7679; dominion, C 6484. 

Povert, s. poverty, C 6181. 

Prece, ger. to press, 4198. 

Predicacioun, s. preaching, 5763. 

Praise, \ pr. s. value, appraise, 4830. 

Prese, v. press; pr.s. intrudes, C 7627; 
pr. pi. intrude, C 7629; imp. s. endea- 
vour, 2899. 

Pressure, s. wine-press, 3692. 

Preve, v. prove, 4170. 

Preving, .r. proof, C 7543. 

Preyse, i pr. s. value, esteem, 1983. F. 
pris. 



144 



^loasartal InliEi. 



Prike, hnp. s. gallop, 2314. 

Pris, s. esteem, 2310. 

Privetee, s. secret, 5526, C 6878, 6882. 

Procuratour, s. a collector of alms for 

hijspitals or sick persons, C 6974. 
Propre, adj. own, C 6565, 6592. 
Provable, adj. capable of proof, 5414. 
Provende, s. allowance, stipend, C 6931. 
Prow, s. profit, gain, 5806, 1940. 
Pryme temps, first beginning, 4534 ; the 

spring, 4747. 
Prys, s. praise, 1972; price, C 5927. 
Pugnaunt, adj. poignant, keen, 1879. 
Pullaille, s. poultry, C 7043. 
PuUe, V. pluck, strip, C 5984; p>: fl. 

flay, strip, C 6820. 
Puple, s. people, rabblement, C 7159. 
Purchas, s. acquisition, C 6838. 
Purchaser!, ger. to procure, C 6607. 
Purpryse, s. park, enclosure, 3987, 4171. 
Purveaimce, s. provision, C 7326. 
Purvey e, ger. to procure, 3339. 
Put pr. s. puts, 3556, 4444, C 5949. 
Pyne, s. endeavour, 1798 ; misery, C 

6499. 
Pynen, v. torment, punish, 3511. 

Q. 

Quarels, s. pi. square-headed crossbow- 
bolts, 1823. 

Quarteyne, adj. as s. quartan fever or 
ague, 2401. 

Queme.^tv. to please, C 7270. 

Quenche, v. be quenched, 5324. 

Quene, j. quean, concubine, C 7032. 

Querrour, s. quarry-man, hewer of stone, 

4I4Q- 

Quethe ; / quethc him qiiyte, I cry him 
quit, C 6999. 

Queynt, adj. elegant, 2251 ; curious, 
fanciful, C 6342; strange, 5199; pleased, 
3079; shewing satisfaction, 2038. 

Queyntly, adv. neatly, easily, 4322. 

Queyntyse, s. elegance, 2250. 

Quik, adj. alive, 3523, 4070, 5056. 

Quitly, adv. quite, entirely, C 5843. 

Quitte, //. s. reflex.; quitte him, ac- 
quitted himself, 3069; //. requited, 
3146, 6088; made amends for, 2599; 
rid, 1852. 

Quook, I //. s. quaked, 3163 ; //. //. 
3966. 

Quyte, //. as adj. quit, C 5904; free, C 
5910 ; entire, 2375. 

Quyte, V. acquit, release, C 6032; fulfil, 
5032; \pr. s. C 6412; imp. s. 2'22'2., 4392. 



B. 

Racyne, s. root, 4881. 

Rage, .r. rage, spite, 3809; malignity, 

venom, 1916; madness, 3292; in r., 

mad, 4523. 
Ramage, adj. wild, 5384. O. F. ramage. 
Rape, s. haste, 1929. 
Rape, adv. quickly, C 6516. 
Rathe , adj. early, C 6650. 
Ravisable, adj. greedy for prey, C 7016. 
Ravyne, .(. plunder, C 6813. 
Rebel, adj. rebellious, C 6400. 
Recche ; what ?ecchith w^, what care I, 

3447- 

Recreaundyse, s. cowardice, 2107, 4038. 

Recreaunte, s. coward, 4090. 

Recured, //. recovered, 4920, 5124. 

Rede, s. good advice, 3859 ; Reed, C 7328. 

Rede, i pr. s. advise, 1932; read, 1819. 

Reed, s. advice, C 7328 ; Rede, 3859. 

Ref reyne , ^i"/-. to bridle, C 7511. 

Reft, J-. rift, 2661. 

Refte, 2pt.pl. deprived, 3562. 

Refuyt, s. refuge, escape, 3840. 

Rehete, v. cheer, console, C 6509. 

Reisins, s.pl. fresli grapes, 3659. 

Relees, s. relief, 2612; release, 4440. 

Relesse, i pr. s. give up, C 6999. 

Religioun, s. religious order, 3715 ; mo- 
nastic life, C 6155. 

Religious, adj. pious, C 6236; as s. a 
nun, C 6347; R. folk, monastics, C 
6149. 

Remued, pt. s. moved, C 7432. 

Rendre, v. recite, 4800. 

Reneyed, i pt. s. subj. should renounce, 
C 6787. 

Repeire, v. return, 3573, 4 131. 

Repreef, s. reproach, 4974, C 7240. 

Repreve, s. reproach, 5261 ; Reprove, 
upbraiding, 5525. 

Requere, pr. s. subJ. request, ask, 5233; 
pp. asked, 5277. 

Rescous. .J. service, endeavour to sup- 
port, C 6749. 

Resonables, adj.pl. reasonable, C 6760. 

Resoun, s. correct manner, 2151. 

Reveth, pr. s. takes away, C 6254; //. s. 
bereaved, 4351. 

Reverts, v. bring back, C 7188. 

Revolucioun, s. revolution, turn (of for- 
tune's wheel), 4366. 

Reward, s. regard, consideration, 3832. 

Re we, V. rue, be sorry, 4060; it wot me 
rewe, I shall Ije sorry, 5170. 

Reyne, v. rain down, fall as rain, 1822. 

Reynes, Rennes (in Brittany), 3826. 



3£vomaunt of i\)i Kosf : ^arts B, c. 



'45 



Bibaned, //. adorned with lace (of gold), 

4752. 
Ribaud, s. labourer, 5673; //. ribalds, C 

7302. 
Ribaudye, s. ribaldry, 2224; riotous 

living, 4926. 
Right, udv. just, exactly, 5347 ; quite, C 

6398, 6411 ; ri^/i( nought, not at all, 2071. 
Rimpled, adj. wrinkled, 4495. 
Riveling', pies. part, puckering, C 7262. 
Rochet, s. linen garment, 4754. 
Rode, s. dat. rood, cross, C 6564. 
Rody, adj. ruddy, 3629. 
Roignous, adj. scurvy, rotten, C 6190. 
Roking, pres. part, rocking, quivering, 

trembling, 1906. Cf. Sliak. Liicr. 262. 
Ronne,//. advanced, 4495. 
Roser, s. rose-bush, 1789, 1826, 1833, 2967. 
Rought, I //. s. recked, heeded, 1873; 

I//. J-. suhj. should not care, C 7061. 
Rows, adj.pl. rough, 1838. 
Rude, adj. as pi. s. common people, 2268. 
Ryve, V. pierce, C 7161 ; be torn, 5393 ; 

Ryveth,//-. s. is torn, 5718. 



Sad, adj. serious, staid, composed, 4627; 

//. grievous, C 6907. 
Sadnesse. s. sobriety, discretion, 4940. 
Sailen, v. assail, C 7338. 
Sakked Freres, Fratres de Sacco, Friars 

of the Sack, C 7462. 
Salowe, adj. sallow ; but read falowe, i. e. 

fallow, C 7392. 
Salue,,ftf/-. to salute, 2218; pr.s.subj. 2220. 
Samons, s.pl. salmon, C 7039. 
Sat.//, s. i/Jipers. suited, 3810. 
Sautere, s. psalter, C 7371. 
Say, I pt. s. saw, 1722; Sawe, //. s. suhj. 

saw, 1719. 
Say (for Assay), v. essay, attempt, en- 
deavour, 5162. 
Saynt, adj. girded, girdled (?), C 7408. 
Scantilone, s. pattern, C 7064. 
Scole, s. scholarship, learning, 3274. 
Score, s. crack (or hole) in a wall, 2660. 
Scrippe, s. scrip, wallet, C 7405. 
Secree, adj. secret, 5257. 
Secree, s. secret, 5260. 
Secte, s. class, category, 5745; gen. of 

(our) race, 4859. 
Seden, v. bear seed, fructify, 4344. 
See, pr. s. suhj. see ; so god me see, as 

( I hope) God may protect me, 5693. 
Seer, adj. sere, dry, 4749. 
Seignorye, s. dominion, 3213. 
Seke, adj. sick, 5729, 5733; //. 4829. 



Semblable, adj. similar, C 5911. 
Semblable, adj. as s. resemblance, one 
like himself, 4855; //. like (cases), C 
6759- 
Senablant, s. appearance, disguise, C 
6202; (his) hypocrisy, C 7449; seeming, 
3205, 3957- 
Sen, coiij. since, 1984. 
Sentence, s. meaning, C 7474; //. opi- 
nions, C 5813. 
Sermoneth, //-. j. sermonizes, preaches,. 

C 6219. 
Servage, .t. servitude, 4382, 5807. 
Serviable, adj. serviceable, C 6004. 
Sette, i».fasten (an accusation), 3328; Set, 
pr. s. places, 4925, 4957 ; //. pi. besieged, 
C 7344 ; //. established, 2077. 
Seure, adj. sure, 4304. 
Seurere, adj. camp, surer, more secure, C 

5958. 
Seynt Amour, William St. Amour, C 
6781. (He wrote against the friars who 
advocated the Eternal Gospel.) 
Shende, v. shame, put to shame, 3116; 
ger. to injure, 2953 ; pr. s. ruins, 4776,. 
5310; //. disgraced, ruined, 3479, 3933. 
Shene, adj. fair, 3713. 
Shere, pr. s. siibj. can cut, shear, 4335; 

may shave, C 6196. 
Shete, gir. to shoot, 1798 ; Shet, pt. s. 

shot, 1727, 1777. 
Shette, ger. to shut, 4224; v. shut up, 
2091;/;-. //. shut up, 5771; Shet,//. 
shut. 4368. 
Shewing, .9. demeanour, 4041. 
Shitteth, pr. s. shuts, 4100; Shit,//, shut 

up, 2767. 
Shoon. ,f. //. shoes, 2265. 
Shrewis, .r. //. knaves, C 6876. 
Shrift-fader, s. confessor, C 6423. 
Shryve, v. hear confessions, C 6364. 
Sigh, I //. s. saw, 1822. 
Sight, \ pt. s. sighed, 1746. 
Sikerer, adj. cowp. safer, C 7310. 
Sikerest, adj. superl. securest, C 6147. 
Sikernesse, s. certainty, 1935, 2365. 
Sikirly, adv. certainly, C 6906. 
Similacioun, s. dissimulation, C 7230. 
Simplesse, s. Simplicity (the name of an 

arrow), 1774; simplicity, C 6381. 
Sire, s. father; sire iie dame, neither 

father nor mother, C 5887. 
Sith, coiij. since, 1964, 4367, C 6266. 
Sithen, adv. afterwards, 1999, C 7130. 
Sitte, //•. //. subj. sit, fit, 2267; Sittand,. 
pres.pt. (Northern) fitting, 2263; Sitting, 
pres. pt. fitting, suitable, 3654 ; befitting, 
2309. 4675- 



I' 3 



146 



(^lossartal Entei. 



Skaffaut, s. scaffold, a shed on wheels 

with a ridged roof, under cover of 
which the battering ram was used, 

4176. 
Skile. s. reason, 3120, 4543; avail, 1951. 
Slake, V. abate, 3108. 
Sleen, ^'er. to slay, C 7195 ; /'•. s. 2590. 
Sleighe, adj. sly, cunning, C 7257. 
Sleightes, J.//, missiles, C 7071; tricks, 

C 6371. 
Slo, V. slay, 3150, 4592 ; ger. 5521 ; Sloo, v. 

1953. 3523; Slo,//-. s. subj. 4992, 5643. 
Slomrest, zpr. s. slumberest, 2567. 
Slowe, s. moth, 4751. F. taigne. 
Smete,//. smitten, 3755. 
Snibbe, v. snub, reproach, 4533. 
Sojour, s. sojourn, 4282; dwelling, 5150. 
Solempnely, adv. publicly, with due 

publicity, C 6766. 
Soleyn, adj. sullen, 3896. 
Sophyme, s. sophism, C 7471. 
Sore, adv. closely, strictly, 2055 ; ardently, 

2075. 
Sote, adj. sweet, 4880. 
Soth-sawe, s. truth-telling, C 6125, 6130, 

7S90. 
Sotilly, adv. subtly, 4395. 
Soudiours, s.pl. soldiers, 4234. 
Spanishing, s. expanding, expansion, 

3633. O. F. espanir, to expand. 
Sparred, //. s. locked, fastened, 3320. 
Sparth, s. a battle-ax, C 5978. 
Spered,//. {for sperred) , fastened, locked 

( 1-". seiiti /a clef) , 2099. 
Sperhauke, s. sparrowhawk, 4033. 
Spille, V. kill, 1953; destroy, 2162 ; ger.\o 

surrender to destruction, 5441 ; //. s. 

spoiled, 5136; //. exhausted, 4786. 
Spitel, s. hospital, C 6505. 
Springe, pr. pi. grow, increase, C 5988 ; 

pp. advanced, C 6954. 
Spring-oldes, s. pi. catapults, 4191. 
Squared,//, cut square, 4155. 
Squierly, adj. like a squire, C 7415. 
Squyre, s. square (carpenter's square), C 

7064. 
Stant, /;-. s. stands, waits, 5004. 
Stark, adj. downright, C 7292. 
Stede, s. place, C 5898. 
Stille or loude, silently or aloud, under 

all circumstances, C 7532. 
Stinten, v. cease, C 6849; //. stopped, C 

6473- 
Stonde forth, get: to stand out, persist, 

3547 ; Stont, /r. s. stands, consists, 5581 ; 

Stant, pr. s. waits, 5004. 
Stounde, s. hour, time, 1733 ; //. hours, 

2639. 



Stounde, s. (probably an error for 
wouinle, wound), 4472. 

Stoundemele, adj. momentary, 3784. 

Stoundemele, adv. hourly, from one 
hour to another, 2304. 

Stoutnesse, s. pride, obstinacy, 1936. 

Streite, adj. close-fitting, 2271. 

Strene, s. strain, breed, 4859. A. S. 
streona. 

Strepe, v. strip, fleece, C 6818. 

Streyne, v. constrain, compel, C 6406; 
//. J. urged, C 7631. 

Streyned- Abstinence, Constrained Ab- 
stinence, C 7325. 

Stuffen, /;-. //. provide with defenders, 
C 6290. F. text, corent les ?iiurs gariiir. 

Suen, V. pursue, seek, 4953. 

Suffraunce, s. patience, submission, 3463. 

Suspecious, adj. suspect, open to sus- 
picion, C 61 10. 

Sustening, s. sustenance, C 6697. 

S'welte, 2.pr. s. subj. die, 2480. 

Swete, 2 pr. s. subj. sweat, feel heat, 
2480. 

Swink, s. toil, labour, C 6596. 

Swinke, v. labour, C 6619; ger. to toil, 
2151, 5685 ; pr. s. toils, 5675. 

Swinker, s. toiler, C 6857. 

Swinking, 5. toiling, C 6703. 

Swoning, s. swooning, swoon, 1737. 

Sy, i. e. if (F. si), i. e. haphazard, 5741. 

Sytbes, //. times, 2048, 4868 ; Many sythe, 
often, 2257. 



Take, v. lay hold, 5351 ; take arms, 3529; 

hand over, C 7265 ; v. ref. surrender, 

1947; t. on /i^;;;, apply to themselves, C 

6107 {¥ .\.e\\., siir eus riens ?i en pre?idro>!t) ; 

pr. s. betakes, commits himself, C 6442; 

//. taken ; kirn take, betaken himself, 

C 7280; Tan,//. C5894. 
Takel, s. weapon, arrow, 1729, 1863. 
Tale, y. reckoning; yeve I litel tale, I 

pay little heed, C 6375. 
Talent, J. good will, inclination, C 6134; 

fancy, C 7110; longing, 3472; desire, 

intent, 1716; spirit, disposition, C 7674. 
Tan, //. taken, C 5894. See Take. 
Tapinage, s. hiding; in tapinage, sneak- 

ingly, C 7363. 
Tatarwagges, s. pi. fluttering tatters, C 

725;9- 
Taylagiers, s. pi. tax-gatherers, C 6811. 
Tecche, s. fault, bad habit, 5166; //. C 

6517- 
Teched, //. s. taught, C 6680. 
Telle, V. account, 5053. 



'jcv0maiint of Hjc W^au: Parts b, c. 



147 



Templers, s. pi. Knights-Templars, C 

6693. 

Temprure, s. tempering, mixing, 4177. 

Temps, s. time; at prime temps, at the 
first time, at first, 3373. 

Tene, .?. ruin, blight, 4750. 

Tespye, v. to espy, 3156. 

Than, conj. than if, 4328. 

Thank, s. thanks, 4584; (F. text, son gre 
deservir) ; good will, 2698, 2700 ; in thank, 
with thanks, with good will, 2115,4577; 
Thankes, //. thanks, 2036; thy thankis, 
with thy good will, 2463. 

Thar, adv. there, 1853, 1857. 

Thar, pr. s. impers. needs ; you thar, you 
need, 3604. 

Thee, v. thrive; so 7note I thee, as I hope 
to thrive, 3086, 4841, C 5899. 

Thempryse (for The empryse), the cus- 
tom, 2286. 

Ther-geyn, prep, against this, C 6555. 

Thilke, pron. that, 2106, C 5980. 

Thing, s. pi. things, property, C 6670. 

Thing-es, j. pi. business, doings, C 6037. 

This, for this is, C 6057, 6452. 

Thought, s. the object of thought per- 
sonified (?) , 2473. (But a corrupt read- 
ing; read That swete, answering to 
S'aniie in the F. text.) 

Threste, \ pr. s. thrust, C 6825. 

Thringe, ger. to thrust, C 7419. 

Thritty, adi. thirty, 421 1. 

Throwe, #Vnoment, 1771, 3867. 

Thrust, s. thirst, 4722. 

Thurgh-sought, //. examined thor- 
oughly, 4948. 

Til, prep, to ; him til, to him, 4594. 

Tiher, s. tiller, husbandman, 4339. 

To-beten. //. belaboured, C 6126. 

Toheye, to obey, 3534. 

To-drawe, //. torn in pieces, C 6126. 

Toforn, prep, before, 2969; God toforn, 
in the sight of God, C 7198. 

Token, //. //. took (i. e. took Christ to 
witness, appealed to Christ), C 7122. 
(The translation is entirely wrong ; 
hence the lack of sense.) 

Tolde. pp. [error for Told), told, C 6598. 

To-me-ward, towards me, 3354, 3803. 

To-moche-Yeving, Giving too much, C 

5837- 
Ton, the, the one, 5217 ; the toon, 5559. 
To-quake, w. quake greatly; al to-quake, 

tremble very much, 2527. 
To-shake, v. shake to the foundations, 

ruin, C 5981. 
To-shar, //. s. lacerated, cut in twain. 



To-shent, pp. undone ; al to-shent, utterly 

undone, 1903. 
Touret, s. turret, 4164. 
Tourn, s. turn, 5470. 
Trace, v. walk, go about, C 6745; pr.pl. 

walk, live, 5753. 
Transmewe, v. transmute, be changed, 

2526. 
Trasshed,//. betrayed, 3231. 
Trechour, s. traitoiir, C 7216; cheat, C 

6602. 
Tree, j. wood, 1747, 1808, 2408, C 7061. 
Treget, s. trap, snare, C 6312; trickery, 

guile, C 6267, 6825. 
Tregetours, s.pl. tricksters, C 7587. 
Tregetrye, .>. trickery, C 6382; trick, C 

6374- 
Trepeget, s. a military engine made of 

wood, used for hurling large stones and 

other missiles, a trebuchet, C 6279. 
Trichour, adj. treacherous, 6308. 
Trist, V. trust, 4364 ; //. 3929. 
Trouble, adj. troubled, 1755. 
Troubler, adj. cornp. dimmer, less bright, 

C 71 16. 
Trowandyse, s. knavery, villany, 3954. 
Trowe, v. believe, C 6873. 
Truaunding, s. idling, shirking, C 6721. 
Truaundyse, j. idleness, shirking, C 6664. 
Truaunt, s. idler, loafer, C 6645. 
Tumble, v. cause to tumble, cause to 

perform athletic feats, C 6836; ger. to 

tumble, 5469. 
Turves, s.pl. sods of turf, C 7062. 
Twinne, v. separate, go apart, 4813 ; part, 

5077; depart, 4367. 



U. 

Unavysed, adj. heedless, indiscreet, 
foolish, 4739. 

Unbond, pt. s. released, C 6416; //. un- 
fastened, 4700; opened, 2226. 

Unclosed,//, untied, unfastened, 4698. 

Unclosid, pp. unenclosed, 3921, 3925. 

Undirfongith, //-. s. undertakes, 5709. 

Unese, j. uneasiness, trouble, 3102; dis- 
comfort, 2596. 

Unhappe, s. mishap, ill fortune, 5492. 

Unhyde. v. unfold, reveal, 2168. 

TTnlfifnllA nrfi illirit iSRn 



uuuyue, v. unioia, reveai, 2io». 
Unlefulle, adj. illicit, 4880. 
Unnethe, adv. scarcely, i. e. it will 
<;parrpiv be, C 6541 ; UnHcthis, hardly, 



5401. 

Unrelesed, adj. unrelieved, 2729. 
Unsperd, pp. unbolted, unbarred, 2656. 
Unthrift, j-. wastefulness, 4926. 
Unwelde, adj. impotent, feeble, 4886. 



(§lo00arial lEntiEi. 



Up-caste, //. J. lifted up, C 7129. 
Updresse, v. set up, prepare, C 7067. 
Up-rig-ht, adv. on thy back, 2561. 
Urchouns, s. pi. hedgehogs, 3135. 
Utter, adj. outer, 4208. 

V. 

Vailith, //•. s. avails, 5765. 
Valour, s. worth, 5236, 5556; value, 5538. 
Vassalagre, 5. prowess, courage, C 5871. 
Vekke, s. old woman, hag, 4286, 4495. 
Vendable, adj. venal, vendible, saleable, 

5804. 
Verger, s. orchard, 3234, 3618, 3831, 3851. 
Vermayle, adj. vermilion, scarlet-red, 

3645- 

Vilaynsly, adv. disgracefully, 3994. 

Vileyn, s. peasant, yokel, churl, 1990; 
Vilayns.^tfw. churl's, 1992. 

Vitaiile, s. victuals, delicacies, C 7044. 

Voide, V. drive away, 5164 ; pr. s. removes, 
2833, 2845; imp. s. remove, clear, 2283; 
imp. pi. put away, 3571. 

Voluntee, s. will, desire, 5276. 

Vouche, /r. J. I per. vouchsafe ; For sauf 
of cherlis 1 ne vouche, for 1 do not 
vouchsafe, among churls, 2002. (Or 
read to for of.) 

Vounde,//. (?) well found, hence, excel- 
lent, C 7063. 

W. 

Wacche, s. watching, lying awake, 4132. 
Wade. V. wade, go about, 5022. 
Walkyng, j. walking (?), 2682. (Perhaps 

read talking ; F. \Qy.\, parlers.) 
Walowe, V. toss {or roll) about, 2562. 
Wanhope, s. despair, 4432, 4433, 4708. 
Wante, v. be lacking, 2530. 
Ware, s. commodity, C 5926. 
Warne, v. inform, C 7657; pt. s. refused, 

C 5840 ; //. refused, denied, 2604, 3426, 

5245, C 7502. 
Wa'we, s. wave, 4712. 
Wayte, ger. to beset (me) with, to plot, 

3938. 
Weder, s. storm, 4336. 
Weed, s. religious habit, C 6359. 
Welfaring-, adj. well-favoured, C 6866. 

F. text, beles. 
Wel-Helinge, s. Good-concealment, C 

5857. 
Wene, s. expectation, 2046; luithouten 

7ueiie, doubtless, 2415, 2668, 2683, 4596. 
Wene, v. suppose, 2761; {read mak'th 

[him] wene; F. text, Qu'il se cutde) ; pr. 



s. subj. imagine, 5672; Wende, 1 pt. s. 
imagined, 4322. 

Wening', s. imagination, 2766. 

Went,//, departed, turned away, C 6185. 

[Went, pr. s. turns aside, C 6205.] Sup- 
plied by guess. 

Were, s. distraction (F. guerre), 5699; 
■withouten were, without doubt (a char- 
acteristic expletive phrase, common in 
Fragment B), 1776, 2568, 2740, 3351 
3452, 4468, 5485, 5657, 5692. 

Were, v. wear away, devour, 4752 ; ger 
to wear, i. e. to wear away (the shore) 
4712; pr. pi. C 6215 ; pt.pl. C 6244. 

Werne, v. deny, refuse, 3443, C 6673 
ger. 3730. See Warne. 

Werrey, v. war against, oppose, C 6926 
ger. to make war upon, 3251 ; pr. s. wars 
against, 3699; i pr. pi. make war, C 
7018; Werreyed, //. warred against, 

3917- 
Wery, v. worry, strangle, C 6264. 
Wethers, s. gen. wether's, sheep's, C 

6259. 
Weyked,//. as adj. too weak, 4737. 
Wher, conj. whether, 2617, 5191. 
Whetted,//, sharpened, C 6197. 
Whitsonday, s. Whitsunday, 2278. Cf. 

' Garlands, Whitsunday, n)d.' ; Brand's 

Pop. Antiq. s. v. Whitsun-ale. 
Whylom, adv. sometimes, 4355, 5350; 

formerly, 4123, C 7090. 
Whyte monkes, s. pi. Cfl^ercians, i. e. 

Reformed Benedictines, C 6695. 
Wicked-Tonge (¥.Malebouche),C 7424. 
Wight, J. man, creature, C 5961. 
Wight, adj. active, 4761. 
Wilfully, adv. willingly, 4808, C 5941. 
Willen, V. desire, 2482. 
William, W. Seint Amour, C 6763, 6778. 
Wimple, s. wimple, 3864. A band usually 

of linen which covered the neck, and 

was drawn up over the chin, strained 

up each side of the face, and generally 

fastened across the forehead ; called 

also barbe, gorget, or chin-cloth. 
Winde, v. turn about, 1810; escape, 

2056. 
Winke, v. sleep, 4568 ; 2//-. s. subj. 2348. 
Wis, adv. verily, C 6433. 
Wite, V. know, C 6105, 6208, 6939 ; Wit, v. 

3145. 5574; Wist, pt. pi. knew, C 5864; 

Wisten,//. //. subj. knew, C 6087. 
Wone, I pr. s. dwell, C 6143. 
Woning, s. dwelling-place, C 6082. 
Woning-places, s. pi. dwelling-places,, 

C 6119. 
Wonnen, //.//. won, C 6252. 



Komaiint of tfje 1B,oqc: Parts B, c. 



149 



Wood, adj. mad, 3138, 3776, C 6263 ; rag- 
ing, 1921. 
Wook, I pi. s. kept awake, watched, 1877. 
'Woot, />r. s. knows, 5257. 
Worche, v. work, cause, C 6052. 
Worche, v. deal (with what they have to 

do ) , C 6037. MS. G. has zvorthe ; Lat. 

ladies worthe = let ladies alone. The 

passage is obscure. 
Worchinges, s.pl. doings, C 6585. 
Worth, adj. worthy, C 7104. 
Wost, 2 pr. s. knowest (thou), 4977; 

Wostow, knowest thou, C 6075, 6373. 
Woxen,//. grown, C 7140. 
Wrapped,//, s. siibj.s\\o\\\<\ wrap, C 6260. 
Wratthed, i pt. s. made angry, 4108 ; //. 

enraged, 3097. 
Wreke,//. revenged, 3362. 
Wrenche, s. turn, trick, 4292. 
Wreying, s. betraying, disclosure, 5220. 
Writ,/;-, s. writes, C 6585. 
W^ryen, ger. to cover, C 6684 ; v. disguise, 

C 6795 ; cover up, clothe, C 6819 (F.text, 

s' afublent) . 
Wrythe, v. twist, 4359. 
Wurchingr, s. machination, C 6123. 
Wyte, s. blame; to wyfe, a matter of 

reproach, 3558. 

Y. 

"Yaf , pf. s. gave, 2339, 4500. 
Yalt, pr. s. refi. betakes himself, 4904. 
See Yelde. 



Yate, J-. gate, 4230. 

Yates, s.pl. gates {but miswritten for gaX&s, 

i. e. ways), 5722. 
Y-bake,//. baked, C 7048. 
Y-do, //. done ; have y-do, have done ! 

1941. 
Ye, J. eye, 4264. 
Yedest, 2. pt. s. wentest, 3227 ; Yede, pt. s. 

went, 5151 ; has gone, 2585. 
Yeft, s. gift, granting, 3664. 
Yelde, v. yield, 1933; submit (thyself), C 

6283 ; imp. s. yield, 1930. 
Yerne, adv. readily, eagerly, C 6719. 
Yerning-, s. affection, C 5951. 
Yeten, //. poured out, 5702. Pp. from 

A. S. geota7t. 
Yeve, i/r. s. care, regard, C 6464. 
Yeving', s. giving, C 5907. 
Y-fere, adv. together, in company, 3806. 
Y-holpe,//. helped, holpen, 5505. 
Ying, adj. young, 2208. A Northern 

form. 
Y-let, pp. hidden, 5335. 
Yliche, adv. equally, alike, 3630. 
Yolden, pp. requited, 4556. See Yelde. 
Yore, adv. long ago, C 7599. 
Youth-hede, s. youthhood, 4931. 
Ypocryte, s. hypocrite, C 6482. 
Yre, .f. anger, 3174. F. text, ire. 
Y-sene, adj. visible, C 6806. 
Yvel, adv. ill, 5238. 
Y-"wis, adv. certainly, 2788, 5554, 5790; C 

5825, 5896, 5915, 6879, 6932, 7400, 7564. 



THE END. 



'y>X^ 



